243 for Antelope

[overlandozzy1]

I have a Tikka T3x Lite Stainless chambered in .243. Anyone have experience with Antelope hunting with a .243. I love my Tikka and will be purchasing another Tikka T3x Lite Stainless in 300WSM for larger game and longer shots like Elk, Sheep, and Black Bears. I put in for the ANtelope draw in Wyoming this year. Hopes are high to draw as my draw odds are pretty high in the unit I applied in.

I shoot Federal 100gr Soft Points as my Tikka is somewhat temperamental with ammo. Any info is appreciated.

 

[ElkArcher918]

243 would be fine for antelope. These critters are thin skinned and doesn't take much to put them down for the count. I normally hunt them with my Tikka 270 but if I owned a 6.5 CM that's the caliber I would take to the dance.

 

[justin davis]

The .243 is the perfect Antelope cartridge

 

[Oregonmuley]

Over the past 15 or so years Federal Fusion 95 grain ammo = several truckloads of antelopes so far.

 

[Rich M]

243 is fine.

 

[overlandozzy1]

Anyone else on here shoot a .243? And whats the farthest you reached out to successfully put an antelope on the ground?

 

[mlchase]

It's perfect - have downed plenty with 85-grain game kings in my .243. 350-400 yds have been farthest.

 

[Lytro]

On my only rifle pronghorn hunt, I killed a buck with a .243 using cheap 95 gr Winchester Deer Season ammo. It's not the greatest sample as he dipped under a fence only 60 yards from where I was sitting and I double lunged him as soon as he got across. He ran about 30 yards and stopped broadside again at about 50. Second shot through the the same spot dropped him. I only used that gun because I thought 7RM would be overkill, but now I would likely just load up some 139 gr SST's for it or use one of my .270's.

 

[Rich M]

Use bullets like SST or Ballistic Tip and you should be good for upwards of 400 yards.

Depending on where you go and what you limit yourself to, getting a shot inside 250-300 yards should be very reasonable.

Im going this fall and will most likely be shooting a 243. If not, Id love to use a 357 mag rifle, can shoot it well to 200-225 yards. Just need to get the outfitter to buy off on it.

This will be my second antelope hunt. Did DIY on the first one. Had 6 opportunities on bucks from 25 to 250 yards in 2 hunt days but no buck tag. Only had doe tags and shot 2 does.

 

[overlandozzy1]

I applied in Wyoming this year. Very small unit but with no points I was very limited in draw opportunities in units with a higher amount of public land. Most of the unit is NFS and wilderness area.

 

[JeffP_Or]

Hunting partner took one at 308 yards with a .243; I believe he was using accubonds. No idea about bullet weight. Fine caliber for Pronghorn. Do some shooting in the wind so you know what your drift impacts will be like.

 

[Laramie]

I have seen 25-30 shot with a .243. That caliber is great for antelope imo. The furthest I have seen one shot with a .243 is about 400 yards. The only negative, imo, is wind drift can get pretty bad. For instance a 20MPH cross wind results in about 30" of drift at 400 yards. A difference in 5MPH can result in 5"+ of difference in wind drift. For those reasons, I keep shots inside of 300 when it is windy. For comparison, my 30-06 shooting 165 grain bullets has about 1/3 less drift under the same conditions. Still have to compensate, but not as much guessing involved.

If you have never hunted antelope, calm days are rare.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

I've easily killed 30 or more with my .243. 100 gr simple Hornady SP.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Visit the 6/6.5 mm thread for all you ever needed to know about shooting the .243 at antelope, mulies, and elk.

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/6mm-6-5.291536/

 

[overlandozzy1]

Visit the 6/6.5 mm thread for all you ever needed to know about shooting the .243 at antelope, mulies, and elk.

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/6mm-6-5.291536/

I just ordered a 300 WSM for Elk, Bear and Sheep

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

I just ordered a 300 WSM for Elk, Bear and Sheep

Enjoy! If you're most familiar with the recoil (virtually none) from the .243, the .300 is several steps up in magnitude. A can or brake (mandatory ear protection) will tame recoil significantly with the magnum and make it more comfortable to shoot while honing your long range technique.

Since you've already bought the magnum, it's sorta irrelevant, but a .243 with 1:8 or faster twist barrel and heavy bullets is more than enough for elk/sheep at ranges most guys shoot. Maybe update your existing rifle in parallel, and if the .300 doesn't work out, you still have a very capable rifle in the stable.

Good luck!

 

[Joh03342]

Did my first Prong Horn hunt this past October and used a Ruger All-American .243 with the 95 gr Hornady SST and dropped him at 250. Very little meat damage with good shot placement and easy round to shoot practicing at high volumes. I would have shot out to 500 if need be with the SST round.

 

[Grassymike]

Last rifle antelope I shot was a .243 at 265 yds. 95 grain NBT handload .

 

[JoSwan]

Your 243 will do great with antelope. I’ve hunted many Eland with a 243 before so you’ll do great. The 300 wsm will be a great add to your arsenal. Good luck!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Killed several with the 243 and 100 grain bullets. Most were bang, flop. Love this round for antelope.