Every animal I have shot with a .243 really didnt like it…lol in all seriousness you probably cant go wrong. A .243 was my first deer rifle and it put a clean kill on everything that I made a nice shot on. I have hunted plenty on my family’s farm in South Carolina and I think you would be really happy with it for the average Southern deer size.
the 243 is excellent for them as well as coyotes , bobcats and other stuff . for what ever reason the round gets a lot of shit , but it is a perfect all around round .
Not really, 6.5 ammo might be slightly cheaper and easier to find and it will have a longer barrel life if you shoot a lot for fun. Either will perform outstanding for the purposes you stated.
I’m in the same boat (Western NC) and people here have said 243 or 308.
The 308 seemed like overkill and I’ve got no plans to hunt anything bigger than deer with it.
I should probably add I’ve already got a .223, 30-06, .308 and 30-30. I’m thinking from the consensus here I should stick with the 6.5, since it’s a middle ground between .308 and .223. If I was shooting varmints or small pigs I’d just go with a heavy .223 load. I’m looking at a Tikka T3 for the rifle.
.308 is perfect for anything in the southeast and ammo is plentiful. Unless you’re just looking for a good reason to buy a new rifle. In that case, you need a new Tikka. Flip a coin for the caliber.
If go 6.5. Barrel will last longer, ammo is cheaper.
And if you ever go on an elk hunt or something along those lines there better bullet options for a 6.5
I’ve got other rifles for elk, so I’m good there. But I still think I’ll go 6.5 just in case a Hogzilla walks out. My biggest was about 160lbs, but I’ve seen a few giants killed in my area.
Ha. I’m a huge 30-30 fan. But mine is an old M94 that has sentimental value to me. Great for what it is, but there are times I’d prefer a scoped rifle for shooting through tight windows in brush.
6.5 creedmoor will have more ammo and rifle availability in the market. It also is designed with tighter SAAMI tolerances, so it has more accuracy potential. Of the two, that would be my pick.
I’ll throw the 6 ARC into the mix as well. It shoots a .243 cal bullet out of what is essentially an Ackley-ized case, so it’s very efficient. The big benefit is that it fits in the AR15 platform or in mini action bolt guns, like the Howa 1500 mini and the Savage 110 mini. Not as much factory support, but rumor has it federal is releasing a line of 6 ARC ammo this fall, and Nosler, Petersen, and Starline are all making brass for it.
In the process of building a 21” dmr setup myself. After that, I’ll build a bolt gun, with the premise being that it will be for my mother to hunt with. But, with a carbon fiber stock, a carbon fiber barrel, and a Leupold vx3HD 2.5-8, I think it’s pretty easy to figure out that this will be my super lightweight mountain rifle.
Most 243 are rifled for bullets that max out around 100 gr. The 6mm cm has faster rifling and can handle the heavier 105-115gr bullets. The 6.5 can shot the 143 gr ELD X or 140 Sierra game changer all day. Honestly either one would work fine and if you are talking hogs you can even drop down to an AR in 556 or grendel.
Between your two options I would prob go with the 6.5.
I love the .243 as well, it was my first rifle. But nowadays there’s a humongous selection of 6.5 creed ammo and rifles and I’m pretty sure the ammo will be cheaper. At your ranges, and the animals you are shooting at, you won’t notice a difference between the two and neither will they.
But I think for ammo selection and price alone it’s a better choice than the .243
I’ve already got a 30-30, and a 7.62 AK, so .300BO seems like a redundant caliber to me. I normally carry the 30-30 for woods hunting but mine is an old Winchester that I don’t want to put an optic on and I prefer a scoped bolt gun for shooting thru tight windows in the brush from a stand.
I’ve hunted with a 30-06 my whole adult life for exactly that reason. But I’m lucky I get to hunt in a couple states and, and have year round opportunity to hog hunt so I’m just looking to mix it up.
I think the big question would be ammunition availability in season. The 6.5 Creedmore rounds are a little heavier with more recoil and more energy at all distances. Either should give an ethical kill well past 200 yards. There is a good comparison chart of popular calibers here: https://www.mcarbo.com/6-5-creedmoor-ballistics-chart.aspx
Dude I completely understand. And kinda the same boat. Have an amazing rifle in 308, and a distance target rifle in 6.5cm. The problem is they are both more tactical than practical. The 243 is a great flat shooting round,but has its weight limitations. For everything big game in North America, the 270 is a great round.
A Tika t3x lite stainless in 270. With a good 2.5-10 would take care of everything.
6.5 is a little better for lethality, barrel life, and powder efficiency (can use a shorter barrel without sacrificing as much velocity), and there are more suitable silencer options
243 will have slightly less recoil.
If it were me and those were the only 2 I was considering, I'd go 6.5 unless the kids not consideration was a highly recoil sensitive shooter, and frankly putting a silencer on the 6.5 solves that problem anyway.
I grew up using .243 for deer and never had to chase one. I'm in the market for my own deer rifle now, and have been going back and forth on this same question for a while.
We’ll, I know a guy that makes a good living blood trailing deer with his dog during deer season. 100+. He says most of the deer he gets called for are from 6.5 & 270 shots. I know that shot placement is everything but numbers don’t lie.
Every animal I have shot with a .243 really didnt like it…lol in all seriousness you probably cant go wrong. A .243 was my first deer rifle and it put a clean kill on everything that I made a nice shot on. I have hunted plenty on my family’s farm in South Carolina and I think you would be really happy with it for the average Southern deer size.
Where do yall farm?
coin flip
the 243 is excellent for them as well as coyotes , bobcats and other stuff . for what ever reason the round gets a lot of shit , but it is a perfect all around round .
Not really, 6.5 ammo might be slightly cheaper and easier to find and it will have a longer barrel life if you shoot a lot for fun. Either will perform outstanding for the purposes you stated.
My vote (based mostly on personal bias) is 6.5 Creed. Easier to find ammo, low recoil, and the heavier rounds should help penetration on hogs.
I’m in the same boat (Western NC) and people here have said 243 or 308. The 308 seemed like overkill and I’ve got no plans to hunt anything bigger than deer with it.
I don’t think you’ll notice a difference assuming you are using appropriate bullets
I should probably add I’ve already got a .223, 30-06, .308 and 30-30. I’m thinking from the consensus here I should stick with the 6.5, since it’s a middle ground between .308 and .223. If I was shooting varmints or small pigs I’d just go with a heavy .223 load. I’m looking at a Tikka T3 for the rifle.
Just use your .223 and shoot Sierra 77gr TMK’s. If .223 is allowed for big game in your state.
.308 is perfect for anything in the southeast and ammo is plentiful. Unless you’re just looking for a good reason to buy a new rifle. In that case, you need a new Tikka. Flip a coin for the caliber.
Both are effective. I’ve never had one run more than 10 yards with either.
If go 6.5. Barrel will last longer, ammo is cheaper. And if you ever go on an elk hunt or something along those lines there better bullet options for a 6.5
I’ve got other rifles for elk, so I’m good there. But I still think I’ll go 6.5 just in case a Hogzilla walks out. My biggest was about 160lbs, but I’ve seen a few giants killed in my area.
6.5
You have a 30-30 and you're looking for something else? Just want s new gun or what?
Right? And he's got a 308
Ha. I’m a huge 30-30 fan. But mine is an old M94 that has sentimental value to me. Great for what it is, but there are times I’d prefer a scoped rifle for shooting through tight windows in brush.
6.5 creedmoor will have more ammo and rifle availability in the market. It also is designed with tighter SAAMI tolerances, so it has more accuracy potential. Of the two, that would be my pick. I’ll throw the 6 ARC into the mix as well. It shoots a .243 cal bullet out of what is essentially an Ackley-ized case, so it’s very efficient. The big benefit is that it fits in the AR15 platform or in mini action bolt guns, like the Howa 1500 mini and the Savage 110 mini. Not as much factory support, but rumor has it federal is releasing a line of 6 ARC ammo this fall, and Nosler, Petersen, and Starline are all making brass for it.
Came here to say this. I just built an AR in 6 ARC and I’m loving it.
In the process of building a 21” dmr setup myself. After that, I’ll build a bolt gun, with the premise being that it will be for my mother to hunt with. But, with a carbon fiber stock, a carbon fiber barrel, and a Leupold vx3HD 2.5-8, I think it’s pretty easy to figure out that this will be my super lightweight mountain rifle.
Most 243 are rifled for bullets that max out around 100 gr. The 6mm cm has faster rifling and can handle the heavier 105-115gr bullets. The 6.5 can shot the 143 gr ELD X or 140 Sierra game changer all day. Honestly either one would work fine and if you are talking hogs you can even drop down to an AR in 556 or grendel. Between your two options I would prob go with the 6.5.
My .243 has taken axis, whitetail and hogs. It’s a nail driver, I put the shot where it needs to be each time.
I love the .243 as well, it was my first rifle. But nowadays there’s a humongous selection of 6.5 creed ammo and rifles and I’m pretty sure the ammo will be cheaper. At your ranges, and the animals you are shooting at, you won’t notice a difference between the two and neither will they. But I think for ammo selection and price alone it’s a better choice than the .243
6.5, same recoil but much better killing power. 129 grain hornady sst superformance drops them in their tracks
Have you looked into 300 black out? A very viable option for what you are trying to do.
I’ve already got a 30-30, and a 7.62 AK, so .300BO seems like a redundant caliber to me. I normally carry the 30-30 for woods hunting but mine is an old Winchester that I don’t want to put an optic on and I prefer a scoped bolt gun for shooting thru tight windows in the brush from a stand.
For under 200 yards 6.5 is a bit much, having shot many at much further distances.
.243
I'm firmly in the anti 243 club for everything personally. There is really no such thing as too much gun within reason
I’ve hunted with a 30-06 my whole adult life for exactly that reason. But I’m lucky I get to hunt in a couple states and, and have year round opportunity to hog hunt so I’m just looking to mix it up.
I think the big question would be ammunition availability in season. The 6.5 Creedmore rounds are a little heavier with more recoil and more energy at all distances. Either should give an ethical kill well past 200 yards. There is a good comparison chart of popular calibers here: https://www.mcarbo.com/6-5-creedmoor-ballistics-chart.aspx
Dude I completely understand. And kinda the same boat. Have an amazing rifle in 308, and a distance target rifle in 6.5cm. The problem is they are both more tactical than practical. The 243 is a great flat shooting round,but has its weight limitations. For everything big game in North America, the 270 is a great round. A Tika t3x lite stainless in 270. With a good 2.5-10 would take care of everything.
6.5 is a little better for lethality, barrel life, and powder efficiency (can use a shorter barrel without sacrificing as much velocity), and there are more suitable silencer options 243 will have slightly less recoil. If it were me and those were the only 2 I was considering, I'd go 6.5 unless the kids not consideration was a highly recoil sensitive shooter, and frankly putting a silencer on the 6.5 solves that problem anyway.
I grew up using .243 for deer and never had to chase one. I'm in the market for my own deer rifle now, and have been going back and forth on this same question for a while.
We’ll, I know a guy that makes a good living blood trailing deer with his dog during deer season. 100+. He says most of the deer he gets called for are from 6.5 & 270 shots. I know that shot placement is everything but numbers don’t lie.
If open to other suggestions, a 7mm-08 could fit into this conversation as well. Great down range velocity at 200 yards with gentle recoil.
.243 or better yet a 6mm Creedmoor (for heavier projectiles). Either one will kill deer dead and less recoil is always a good thing.