GTOHunter

Thanks Alleyyooper.....I never realized (or could find) that many choices of grain bullets for my .243,plus I didn't want to keep changing back and forth from Deer to Coyotes with it and have to re-sight it in each time so I have just saved up and bought several different Caliber Rifles for just Coyote/Predator Hunting.I bet that 55 grain Sierra Blitz King round would be a good choice and fast thru a .243!

I can choose from my CZ .204 using 39 grain Sierra Blitz Kings,a Savage Axis XP Camo .223 with 55 grain Hornady V-max down to the smaller .17 WSM 25 grain Winchester Bullets or .22 Magnum 35-40 grain CCI's!

Mickey Finn

I like the 25/06. It's a death ray for coyote, and whitetail.

Mine really likes the Federal 117 gr Sierra Gameking BTSP.

ATB

bucklessyooper

Great info guys.


For those shooting the 243 or 25-06 ans expecting longer shots (300+ yds) how do you sight them in?

Don't recall exact velocitys but think the 25-06 with 75 grain Vmax looked pretty flat at 300 + yards. Think the ballistic calculator for the vmax showed 12" low at 400 yards with a 250 yd zero.

Big Uncle

I have simplified shooting the .25-06 by using 110 gr Accubonds sighted in at 300 yards. I know the trajectory and POI at different ranges of this one load very well by now. I used to shoot the lighter bullets but don't think it was really a benefit at longer ranges with the wind blowing.

My .243 loads do use frangible light bullets that are great for varmits but just barely adequate for larger game.

redgreen

2506 wins hands down. 120 grain Speer hot cores flatten deer. Buddy uses his for moose and elk, after I turned him onto it. Prefers to be loaded warm, and will reach a long way. Blows the doors off of the 243 on the larger deer. Mega components available for it. Owned a 243 and shot a couple deer with it. Didn't impress me at all. I have had so many bangflops with the 06 that I quit counting. Much better in windy conditions and will totally ruin the day of whatever you are shooting at.

SecondChance

My personsal choice would have to be the 243.
Reasoning:
I would be doing more 'yote shooting than deer, necessates the more rounds shot for varmint, faster 55-85grn loads. Means more money spent, but cheaper than buying rounds for the bigger weapons.
2nd. You can play with various loads, if you reload or know someone who does, to find 2 loads that will print very close to the same sight in characteristics, less scope adjustments when the time comes to use the same rifle. May find a load in the upper weight range that will double duty.
I would personally stay to neck shots with the 243 just for the fact of you will be shooting larger bodied deer and no need to ask a lighter weight/design bullet to do what something twice its weight could be doing.

Ridge Runner

I've saw what a properly tuned 243 can do at ranges beyond what most people hunt, make it an accurate rifle with a fast twist and shoot heavy high BC bullets and it will surprise you at a grand. The 25/06 is no slouch either but there is a better selection of good bullets in .243
RR

fuzzbuster

I like my .243 pared with the hornady superformace I believe its a 58 grain bullet. Hits hard and is flat shooting. If you haven't checked out there superformace line check it out....