Will the .243 work for Hogs?

[m57jager]

He doesn't have to have years of hunting experience. A 243 is very versatile, but others may be better, like the 270. But he sure as hell doesn't need to go out buy a cannon that he may or may not jerk everytime he pulls the trigger. It won't matter if he has a body shot or head shot then. You can't expect to hunt in California and get the grand slam every year. He'll have to go to the range and practice, go out in the field and hunt and maybe not harvest an animal. In time he'll be able to get so close he could pull a butt hair off the pig. Just like we all did. It's called hunting not harvesting. By the way, you can kill a pig with a 243 with a body shot. It just may not lay down for you right there. You'll have to track, which is also a wonderful part of the hunting experience. Don't get a California Cape Buffalo Overkill Cannon if you don't need it.

 

[CaliDuckPro]

my choice caliber for elves... .50 Cal!

 

[hicntry]

I have never consider the 06 a cannon but probabably the best caliber a one gun owner can have. When deer hunting(on foot) I use a 6lb, scooe and all, 7-08. It is light and eady to carry and will do the job on bear, deer , or hogs. If I am set up to shoot cross canyon, I set up with the 300 win mag. If I was going to limit myself to a one gun arsenal it would be a 460 wthby.....oops...the 06 or the 270.

 

[m57jager]

Your right, the 06 isn't a cannon nor a bad cal. I don't know, I just don't like it that much. I think it's just because there is better stuff out there these days. But yes, its a good cal.

 

[HOGHUNTER714]

M57Jager,


Where did you get that "Elf" tag? Late night poker parties, I saw someone turn a "Little Green" hehehehe

 

[prohunter]

I also have a 7mm magnum that i shoot 139 gr hornandy's. It will hit a nail everytime, but just about every deer & elk i got with it ran a little ways.

 

[m57jager]

Hey, I just wasn't feeling lucky so I figured out a way to bail out on the game early buddy. You want to gamble!! I'll bet you ? that I will get a bigger hog on my trip than you on yours. I won't be using a guide. HaHaaaaa!!

What say you, Brian?

 

[ozstriker22]

A little background:

I've got a 30.06 right now. Due to a few years of heavy beer drinking and elf hunting, My body is slow to react and slow to flinch. Two months ago I put 48 rounds through it and wasn't even sore. I don't mind the kick at all. Even a 300WinMag isn't so bad for a few shots.

When I was younger I'd put Hundreds of rounds through my .22 Marlin in a day of camping. I'd shoot until I had a blister on my trigger finger. And then shoot some more. Did the same thing when I threw a scope on it. Shot at anything I could see, moving or not.

My 30.06 is going down the drain for some reason, I have to have it looked at by a competent smithy. Until then, it's a great excuse to buy a new rifle.

I'm a big fan of balistics... I just love em. Not into handloads yet. I saw this Steyr at the right price, I've read they're really sharp and super accurate guns, and thought it'd be great for hunting deer around here. Nice, long and flat trajectory.

But I'd be using it for pig too. My criteria for hunting is #1 head shot only if close enough NOT to miss and possibly hit the face/jaw. #2 Double lung shot, even if you strike bone. That last one is what I'm concerned about with the .243's 100 grain Nosslers... there's always a rib or shoulder in the wrong place. I don't mind tracking, I just want to know it'll die for sure and an animal can live with 1 lung for some time.

Any other thoughts would be much appreciated.

BTW if you are ever fortunate enough to shoot an elf on Christmas eve, NEVER aim for the big fat red and white one, only the short little green ones and you'd better make sure you always leave an ear attached - otherwise it's poaching and Jail time!

Jesse

 

[Heathen]

The 243 is a great rifle and is a favorite here for hogs and deer.But I've been reading your posts and you guys often hunt with longer ranges than we do.We often get closer range shoots.The .06 and 30-30 were for many years the top picks here.....but not anymore.....

This might produce a debate......my favorite shooter is the 6.5x55 sweddish mauser.Shot a spanish goat on the trot at 600meters+.Unless you reload the rounds are expensive....but I've never shot anything that easy to shoot.It shoots nice and flat.Lots of chooses in bullet wieght. I've got a lot of faith in the 6.5x55.

 

[wmidbrook]

Heya Heathen, I'm inclined to agree with you that the 6.5x55 is probably one of the most overlooked cartridges around that should not be overlooked. It's inherintly a very accurate cartridge. I think there were even pre-64 Winchesters manufactured in this cal. for a while. It's is a highly effective, efficient and accurate game killer for medium sized game. My father-in-law's best buddy who spent his career working for Idaho F&G shot many a muley with this caliber.

 

[BDB]

I had a Sweedish mouser that was completely re-done by a gunsmith friend in 6.5x55. Awesome gun and probably shot the smallest groups of any of the guns I have ever owned. Never got the chance to sink a bullet into a game animal so I can't speak to it's effectiveness there but at the range it was a tack driver. Plus you can shoot it all day with no recoil issues.