Think I'm in this guys corner for the most part. I believe that the ability to kill depends on a shooter that knows how to place his shot with the bullet he's using. If he does pretty much any bullet will kill well. At the same time I think anything below the 25 caliber is taking it to far and the animal deserves better than that. Same time anything over 30-06 is simply not normally necessary! In between the two are a bunch of cartridges that would work very well in the right hands. One reason I go this way is the older I get the less I like recoil! I do have a 243 but only for varmint and predators. My newest rifle, well old one I had re-barreled, is a 260 Rem. Also have two more 6.5's, a 6.5x55 and a 6.5x06. Absolutely no need for any of them other than I want them and their recoil doesn't bother me. At one time I was a big fan of 7mm's but for no good reason drifted away. I don't understand the need for a 70gr 224 cal bullet when you can get lighter and heavier both in 243 cal. And I don't recommend 243 for big game hunting but know it will work as well as any, if the shooter does his job.Re: gen Z thinking they can
and Im 68. Far from Gen Z. And I hate cell phones and am embarrassed for anyone over 50 who can text with two hands and still love the idea that there’s nothing like too much horsepower. But the 223 w/77TMKs has proven itself a superior killer in mortal hands to the big boomers many times over.
Let me correct this. "Killing power is there with the smaller cartridge's depending on the skill of the shooter".
I won't. Thing missing is you have to know where to put that first shot.
I have spent 40+ years in the field. I have spent as many years in off season training including range time, teaching, and taking new and accomplished hunters hunting.
I'd guess there's something to that. I recall when Carmichel fooled with the 260 Rem one of his thought's was to tame recoil on long strings of shots in the target game!
I believe that worst came to past I could kill every shot with a 22 LR IF, I could get in the position I want. With a 223, no sweat but again depends on me getting the position I want. I can shoot the mild to non recoiling loads lots better than recoiling loads also. But no matter what I still realize up to some point larger calibers are better if for no other reason better bullet's allowing the shooter to be off a little and still make the shot. While I say this about the 22 RF and 22 CF's I would never recommend either to anyone for even deer or antelope size game. I don't ever hardly ever recommend the 243 yet I have killed three deer with it with three shots. Something like the 223 is more prone to fail on big game for no other reason than the user may have selected a poor choice in bullet's and placed it wrong for what it is.
Well to be honest I have killed deer with the 22RF and 22 CF, both 222Rem and 223 Rem.
You should read the 223 thread from the beginning (https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/223-for-bear-mountain-goat-deer-elk-and-moose.130488/), I think you’ll enjoy the discussion a lot (including some of the points you brought up above having been debated with hard data and extensive field experiences).
No but I have with 50 and 55gr varmint bullet's from 22 CF's. Have also killed three deer with the 243 and I don't recommend it either. Because something is possible is no reason to recommend it! Most my deer have been shot with the 25-06, 6.5x55, 7mm Rem Mag and 308 Win. have also killed a few with the 7x57 and one with the 338 Win Mag! If I was to believe I wanted to shoot deer with 75/77/80 and 86gr bullet's I'd step up to the 243 and shoot 90gr and/or 100gr bullets.
Why wouldn’t you recommend the .243 for deer? I’ve seen it punch through both shoulders of deer and big pigs, and the only bullets I’ve ever recovered have been in the offside hide. I love my 6.5x55 but when it comes to deer it can’t do anything to them that a .243 can’t.
Don’t forget the walrus!!
Welcome to RS. Here is the above referenced thread about 223s. I shared your view and changed my mind. You may not, but you may still find it interesting.
