Rokslide is slowly converting me to a smaller caliber. The Tikka 1:8 twist 20” .243 looks great, but it feels so odd compared to traditional dogma, that I’d like to double check a couple questions…
My usecase is black bear, mule deer, and elk within 400 yards. I’m buying a .223 to practice, but state law mandates >= .24 cal for big game.
Obviously .243 will carry enough velocity to make a bullet “work” within 300 or 400 yards if you hit the vitals, but is it riskier than a heavier caliber that may carry more momentum if you hit shoulder or have to penetrate through a lot of tissue on a steep quartering angle? I can’t help but wonder if the guys in the .223 thread are experts with hundreds of hours in the field who can wield a .223 like a scalpel and put it right on the money (I’m aware the lack of recoil increases their odds of putting it right on the money). An analogy: professionals in various hobbies of mine do things I shouldn’t try because I’m not as skilled.
I reload, so I can work up loads with heavy-for-caliber bullets and utilize the faster twist .243, but looking for advice on the caliber itself. Obviously less recoil is preferred for accuracy, watching the shot through the scope, etc, but I don’t want to be toeing the line of practicality and ethics on a bull elk when a bigger caliber would’ve been more appropriate, so hoping to find a sweet spot (ie. avoid a situation where a heavier caliber would have overcome a less than perfect shot, but the 243 left me with a wounded animal). I always thought if I went on a bull elk hunt I’d be carrying a 7 mag so shifting my mindset to .243 is a hurdle (though I acknowledge the evidence in this site).
Thoughts?
My usecase is black bear, mule deer, and elk within 400 yards. I’m buying a .223 to practice, but state law mandates >= .24 cal for big game.
Obviously .243 will carry enough velocity to make a bullet “work” within 300 or 400 yards if you hit the vitals, but is it riskier than a heavier caliber that may carry more momentum if you hit shoulder or have to penetrate through a lot of tissue on a steep quartering angle? I can’t help but wonder if the guys in the .223 thread are experts with hundreds of hours in the field who can wield a .223 like a scalpel and put it right on the money (I’m aware the lack of recoil increases their odds of putting it right on the money). An analogy: professionals in various hobbies of mine do things I shouldn’t try because I’m not as skilled.
I reload, so I can work up loads with heavy-for-caliber bullets and utilize the faster twist .243, but looking for advice on the caliber itself. Obviously less recoil is preferred for accuracy, watching the shot through the scope, etc, but I don’t want to be toeing the line of practicality and ethics on a bull elk when a bigger caliber would’ve been more appropriate, so hoping to find a sweet spot (ie. avoid a situation where a heavier caliber would have overcome a less than perfect shot, but the 243 left me with a wounded animal). I always thought if I went on a bull elk hunt I’d be carrying a 7 mag so shifting my mindset to .243 is a hurdle (though I acknowledge the evidence in this site).
Thoughts?
