Anyone had any bad experiences with a .243 before?. I've had success with it but I'm worried that one day I'll regret using the smaller caliber.

The 243 is great if you use good bullets. It will run bullets fairly fast so if you sling a cup and core bullet into a shoulder fast you aren't likely to have the harmonious outcome as if you put it through the ribs. Another thing to keep in mind is that it is a crossover round as it has varmint bullets and big game bullets so special care needs to be made on bullet choices.

I hunt with a 243 and believe it's enough that's why I leave my 25-06 and 308 at home . Between my nephew and I my 243 has killed 4 deer so far this year. Just go buy a box of winchester super x power point 100 grain ammo (grey box ) this bullet will drop them right there if you do your part.

It's a great deer round. Go 95 or 100 gr bullets.

Great little round, the 80gr TTSX are nasty medicine.

I've used it for many years and have no complaints.

My wife uses one, great rifle caliber. She's taken 10 deer and several hogs with it. She's using the whitetail specials.

Use a heavier bullet (100-grain) and it'll handle most anything in Texas.

Very good caliber for Texas sized deer. I have been shooting core lokts for years. No complaints.

243 is a great little round. One of my favorites.

It's been my gun of choice for 20 years. Farthest shot was 375 yds on a broadside doe. Dropped hogs well over 200 pounds in their tracks. Taken more game than I can count. Best gun I've ever owned.

I have a pre-64 Model 70 in .243. Don't use it much, but it's incredibly accurate. The caliber is fine for Texas deer.

LOVE THE ROUND for deer... somebody will fight with you about it but there have been plenty of elk taken with it... not saying I would but put the bullet in the boiler room and no problem.

more about shot placement than anything

Love it.... Wish i had never sold mine.

I have actually put up my 30-06 this year and am using the Ruger 243 with 100 gr. Federal that I bought for my son. Very accurate.

Love the 243 and have kills to 350
Texans Gun safe is as follows:
Colt 45 or 45 ACP
22lr
12gauge
243
30-06
All others are toys and collectables

I got my wife and son a Ruger American .243 last season, shooting the Hornady whitetail 100 grain. 3 deer numerous hogs and yotes, not one lost animal.

My dad has hunted nearly 40 years and that's all he's ever used. I've hunted 35 years, and for 15/35 that's what I used. We've collectively taken over 200 central TX deer with .243, most of them with 100gr Corelokts. I moved up to a .308 20 years ago and he recently switched to Hornady ammo (95 gr SST) but it keeps on killing.

It wouldn't be my first choice if I was buying a new rifle (I'd buy a 7mm-08, 260, or a 6.5 CDMR first) but I'll always have one in my gun cabinet, and still have one today (my 1st gun, a 1979 REM 788 .243).

If you're not chasing south TX bruisers at 350 yds it should be more than satisfactory if you do your part.

The only gun I have sold was a Rem 788 .243. Loved the gun. Sold it to a friend to be his daughter's deer rifle. She borrowed it for a hunt and loved it. First rifle she found that fit her well. She took two fat does, d.r.t. out at 150 yds. Remington Whitetail ammo.

The .223 is more effective. But the .243 will work in a pinch.

243 is a great deer bullet. its more than plenty sufficient. anyone who has had a bad experience with a 243 is because they made a bad shot with a 243....not because there was anything wrong with the caliber. they would have had the same bad experience with any caliber.

243 maybe has some reputation as a deer wounder because it is a very common caliber choice for first time hunters and children who are first time hunters. bad shot placement would be more common in this group anyways. nothing to do with the bullet itself.

Love this caliber.

I have a 308 and a 243. The kids use the 243 and I find that I like shooting it much more than the 308. If I ever need something larger for bigger game, I'll probably sell the 308, get a big game rifle and keep the 243 for deer. Till then, the 308 is a safe queen and occasionally goes to the deer lease as a backup rifle.

X2, for deer hunting I use my 243 more than anything. Bought my oldest son one a few years ago and about to buy my oldest daughter one for Christmas. They both killed their first deer & pigs with the 243. I shoot 95 grain Silver Tips, have my kids shooting 100 grain Corelock's. When my pig hunting buddy first started hunting with me, he was making fun of my "little" 243. After a few trips, he bought one and he just bought one for his wife too (he's always been a BIG gun guy). Also have been using the 55 & 58 grain ballistic tips on pigs and a few deer, blows a heck of a hole in them. Impressive.

Hunted with a Winchester Model 70 .243 for about 5 years now and absolutely love it. I use a 100 grain Winchester bullet. Most of my shots have ranged anywhere from 50 yards to 150 yards. Make a good, smart, clean shot and you'll have no issues.