Versatility in the 243 Winchester

Versatility in the 243 Winchester

Welcome to the Ron Spomer Outdoors Podcast! In this episode, I read an article I wrote about an amazing pronghorn hunt I went on in Colorado.

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Who is Ron Spomer
For 44 years I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion – the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me – from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, to become an integral part of our ecosystem and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see, survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.

Disclaimer
All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not modify any cartridge or firearm beyond what the manufacturer recommends. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.

[jamesahoffman]

243, that's where the versatility plays in you can hunt with it more so than 223.

[curtismatsune]

My first firearm that I got on my 18th birthday in 1981 was a Ruger M77 in .243. I reloaded for it from the jump and developed several tack-driving loads that were consistently sub-MOA. It's still my favorite bolt action, and it has a beautiful walnut stock like they used to do back in the day.

[larrysayre]

243 over 22-250 you can stick with 100gr bullet and shoot everything from groundhogs to black bear. If you have not guessed it is my favorite, one of the first rifles I bought, still using it 40 plus years later. I bought a single shot H&R 243 for my great niece hopefully she will hunt with her father one day

[dirtpersonslash]

I got into Ron just after buying my 243! Hit a watermelon at 300 yrds first try and very capable of getting my moa at 100 with my howa

[RandySchaff-mugq]

And with the monolithic bullets and good shot placement it will work on anything.

[dinoquintana]

Ron excellent advice .readily available economical and excellent on game.i know your a 6mm Remington guy.ive had a 6mm rem and I loved it.i found a savage model 1920 bolt gun in 250/3000. I love this rifle it weighs 5lbs13 Oz. the original mountain rifle. mine does stabilize Hornady 120 gr round noses which I have a lifetime supply of. I can go down to 75 gr bullets but this is a deer rifle so it shoots only 120.however the 708 Remington in a model 7 shooting 120 gr beats all of the above for everything except varmints

[MichaelRobertson-if]

Basically the maximum velocity out of the 22-250 will ruin your barrel, and only by molybdenum can you prevent it- but finding the right load along the all the variables that molybdenum adds to the design of your accurate load.

[betweenthebars]

I purchased a CVA Scout in .243 and I can’t wait to shoot it!

[peterschena]

What is your opinion on the lever action savage 300, take down model

[shayewilliamsonwilliamson]

Inexpensive ammunition and readily available compared to other calibers.

[jerrybfowler]

I would pick the .308 Win. It will take bullets from 125 to 220, now that is fun!!

[arthurshingler]

I'd rather have a 243 or a 6mm than a 223 or 22-250....

But, a do all.... maybe a 30-30 or something like a 6.5X55 or 260 Rem... something like that.

While the 30-30 may not be as flat shooting or varmint quality accuracy... those 6.5s are as good as a 243/6mm for varmints, and a little more versatile on big and yet, to me...they all kicked the same amount. ALL fun to shoot!

[GigaLadd]

243 win is a great round. Killed my first deer with my Grandpa’s ol’ Remington 788. When Remington actually made a descent product.

[garywemmer]

A 7mm Mauser... For everything.
But shoot well... They are

[evanrodriguez]

Ron what is the best cartridge that is the most versatile for any predators to any varmints? Is it the 243?

[ishnifusmeadle]

We set grandma up on a 243 hunting (shes almost 80 yet hunts with us each year, granted we baby her, shes earned it, and try to post her up somewhere soooorta comfy and push stuff to her). As shes aging its easy to see that hunting with this particular rifle, not a result of being that caliber, is getting harder for he to handle. On one hand i wish i could set her up with something with more umph in case she misjudges (albiet 243 packs a plenty of wallop) although each time we go practice she shoots better than most of us, and technically has better eyesight ha! But we also need to keep recoil very light for her. Dad was set on a bolt for her and while the one they picked out is very nice, im trying to build her out an AR in a comparable caliber for multiple reasons. First the recoil is much easier (not exclusively less, but more of a push and less of a shove) due to the recoil system, also to me the weight is usually lighter and so far all the ones i have are better balanced than most, not all, of my bolts, but the biggest reason is the customization. Its a woods gun so looks wont be an issue, nor is it likely to be run in extreme conditions so above par durability isnt overly important, but if theres something too heavy, unbalanced, recoils wrong, caliber isnt what she needs, ect so easy to change. Plus the semi auto nature would be nice for her just in case she needs a rapid follow-up. Personally i like hunting with bolts more but in this instance i fully believe building her out an AR is worth it.

[momanslm]

Doesn’t the 243 Ackley improved also chamber standard 243 Win rounds?
If so, let’s go!

[steverugerguy]

Ron...why is it so hard or almost impossible to find 243 fmj ammo?...you can find 308 fmj easy....ive got a 243 coming....but got online searching for fmj and its a no go...im using it for fun...target shooting...thanks.

[cargotoolshop]

Personally the 243 and 270 are the only two guns that should have been made, all else are not required, but since they are there, the 30-30 30-06 308 all played a very important part, i bought a 350 legand for a n AR for my boys to deer hunt with, they are all fun, but many bullets are doing the same job, your playing the Ford and Chevy game

[robertjeralds]

Question, I don't hear much about the 17 caliber. what is your take on that