Fat-Arrow

It is faster, but the ammo is more expensive and I don't reload, so bullet choice is also limited. I think in hind sight, I would rather have a regular 243 win. If you reload though, I am sure you could work up something great. I was actually considering selling mine to buy a different gun, but my buddy keeps convincing me to keep it, and still buy another gun. That's what friends are for!

Fat-Arrow

bronko22000

In my younger days I used a .243 for whitetail and black bear. I never had a chance to shoot a bear with it but I did take several deer with it. I always used handloads. My favorite load out of this Savage 110 was 40.5 gr of IMR4350 behind a Hornady Interlock 100 gr bullet. Out of the roughly 10 or so deer shot with this rifle/load, only one needed a follow-up shot.

Duckbutter48

The 243Wssm isnt that bad though. The regular 100grn power pts are around 16bucks and the Nosler Bt Winchester Supreme ammo is only around 19-21$ at alot of places Ive checked. Still more than a regular 243 but not the 30$+ like some of the WSM stuff.

They have 55grn BTs(over 4000fps)and 95grn Bts along with the 100grn power ptsI mentioned. Federal is supposed to be coming out with rounds for it, so their will be more offerings soon. I do think that the Reg 243 is fine but if you can get or if you reload the WSSm is had to beat.

Fat-Arrow

Yeah, the price of the ammo has come down, but the bullet selection isn't there. I guess that is the bigger of my complaints. There are the three offerings from winchester, and I think federal was making some too, but it is really hard to come by around here. Don't get me wrong, I love the gun, it is a Browning A-Bolt Hunter and a dream to shoot. Sometimes it just doesn't seem that versatile for me. Maybe that means that i should get into reloading! HHHMMMMMMM, I've been thinking about that for a while too....

Fat-Arrow

Duckbutter48

I have the same rifle. Its getting bedded as I write this. I have good luck with most everything I've tried with it so far. All right around 1" groups, nothing real awesome nothing real bad.


If you do get into reloading. I have abunchof load info I've saved on the 243Wssm that I'll happily send to your just let me know. If not let me know if you want to sell your brass.

ejpaul1

bronco22000, that is almost the exact same recipie I use. Except I use 40 grains of 4350. It is good for a smidge over 2900 fps. Good-n-accureate. I likes!

buckstalker1187

The 243 will get the job done for whitetail deer as it has so many countless times in the past for women and youth. "this of course does not mean that men cannot use it" But anyways, using the right choice ofammo and keeping shots in the maximum effective range along with well placed shots will put venison on the table. And the nice thing is you dont have to punish yourself with recoil either.

zrexpilot

In many, if not most states, the .243 is the minnimum cartridge for Elk.
Which is the best way to describe it for elk.

Mike from Texas

IMO the 243 will get the job done, but bullet placement is critical. The .260 would be a better choice and the recoil would be about the same as the .243.

James B

Minimum. The 243 WSSM is about 200 fps faster than the standard if I recall. If I already had a 243 I would stay with it. If I didn't I would be tempted to try the WSSM.