How to Choose a Solid .243 Rifle?

 

 

One of the best deer hunting rifles that many new and aspiring stalkers have as their own kit is a .243 Win Rifle. The .243 rifle has taken down thousands of deer and other species around the world thanks to its accuracy when both the bullet and barrel are properly matched.

The .243 caliber was first introduced by Winchester in 1955 with its Model 70 bolt-action rifle designed as a ‘varmint’ round and quickly gained popularity among sportsmen worldwide. Today, hunters who need a rifle to help them bring down a big game such as a mule deer may likely prefer the .243 rifle over the 30-30. The cartridge is based on a necked-down .308 case with a flat trajectory and a relatively mild recoil.

The .243 rifle was originally designed as a varmint round, but shooters recognized its potential and began using it on medium to large game such as turkey, whitetail deer, mule deer, and pronghorn. It was also found that the .243 round performed well on wild hogs, black bears, and caribou. However, the smaller caliber bullet and basic physics of mass and energy meant that it would not be the best for bigger games.

What is a .243 Rifle Best Used For?

The .243 rifle might be used for general purposes, but it has really made its mark in the firearms industry as a reliable hunting rifle. Specifically for varmint and big game hunting. The .243 rifle has a good amount of firepower to hit any target and do some serious damage to it.

What’s the Effective Range for the .243 Rifle?

With such a powerful and high-speed round, it’s not surprising to find that the .243 has the ability to travel pretty far. Some users have even said that the rifle was able to help hit targets that were as far out as 600 yards out. Some could even surpass 1,000 yards. Nonetheless, an effective range of hunting purposes, such as when you want to hit a whitetail deer, is about 600 to 800 yards.

What To Look for when Buying a .243 Rife?

While the .243 round is versatile and capable of taking down a wide range of games, there are still a few important factors to look out for when choosing the best 243 rifle. Here are a few things to consider:

Barrel Life

The .243 Winchester round is lightweight and can reach speeds of up to 3,900 fps. The high operating pressures and the supersonic bullet also mean that it’ll eat up the barrel lining quicker than normal rounds. This is especially evident when you subject the rifle to long shooting sessions with consecutive shots on a hot day without giving the barrel some time to cool down.

You can expect the barrel life of a .243 rifle to be around 1,500 shots with some even giving out at 1,000 shots. To counter this issue and extend your barrel life, you can hand load your own ammunition. You may also consider using a slow-burning powder like the H1000 or H4350 with 70-100 grain bullets. This will result in lower pressure and less damage to your barrel.

Barrel Twist

For .243 Win rounds, the most common bullet weights are 78, 87, 95, and 105 grains. Longer and heavier bullets will need a faster twist rate while lighter ones can work with slower twist rates. You will therefore need to pick a balanced twist rate depending on the bullets you use.

Generally, a .243 rifle may use a barrel twist rate of 1:9 or 1:10. Seasoned or competitive shooters may opt for a more refined twist rate according to their individual preferences.

Stock and Design

The .243 rifle is mostly used as a youth rifle since it’s a relatively easy-to-handle rifle that’s suitable for teaching beginners. However, you may want to consider getting a rifle with an adjustable stock length to accommodate the youth as they grow older. This is where adjustable LOP stocks can be useful.

It’s not just whether the stock is adjustable but also the material used to fabricate it. A wooden stock may be prettier but it requires more care than a polymer stock. Additionally, you’ll also need to consider the barrel length, trigger pull weight, capacity, and ease of mounting optics depending on what’s your intended application is with the .243 rifle.

Quality

Most rifles are made from high-quality materials such as stainless steel barrels, synthetic, or hardwood stocks. Depending on how often you plan to shoot with the rifle, you might want to consider getting one made from durable materials and one that can last long enough.

Budget

This is possibly one of the most important considerations for budget shoppers and beginners who don’t want to spend too much money on a rifle. The price tag of a rifle is important, but it’s also critical to consider the overall quality and performance of the .243 rifle before making the final decision. Make sure you do not just settle for any rifle just because of a cheap price tag. It’s best to aim for the best quality rifle within your budget range.

Conclusion

With so many different .243 rifles available on the market, it is certain that you will be able to get a solid rifle to help you make the most out of your hunting sessions. A great .243 rifle will yield great results and stories for you to share with your friends and family over dinner. We hope today’s buying guide on how to pick a solid .243 rifle has given you enough information and details to help you choose a rifle wisely since it’s one that will stick with you for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a .243 rifle good for hunting varmint?

Yes, a .243 rifle is a good varmint gun that can be used to bring down varmint and coyotes thanks to its large stopping power. The .243 caliber even has enough stopping power to take down larger predators that could be scouring your properties uninvited.

What is the best bullet grain for a .243 rifle?

Most .243 rounds range from 80 to 100 grains but which is the best will depend on your personal preferences and how far you want your shot to reach. You might want to go for a lighter bullet if you want your bullet to reach further distances.

What is the maximum effective range of a .243?

The maximum effective range of a .243 rifle is about 1,000 yards out. However, the hunting rifle’s general range is around 600 to 800 yards.

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