Capitol Armory ad

which caliber would you pick

The #1 community for Gun Owners in Texas

Member Benefits:

  • Fewer Ads!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • unicom

    Well-Known
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    May 19, 2016
    1,265
    96
    I'm looking at getting a bolt gun. just cant decide between a 243 win or 6.5 Creedmoor. the main purpose of this rifle would be hunting whitetail deer. I used a 243 when I was younger. I have many memories hunting with my dad using a 243 rifle (Winchester I think). Never owned anything chambered in 6.5 creedmor
    Texas SOT
     

    oldag

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 100%
    7   0   0
    Feb 19, 2015
    17,430
    96
    As a good friend of mine used to say, every .243 should come with a good deer dog. Otherwise, you may lose the blood trail when tracking down the wounded deer.
     

    avvidclif

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 100%
    3   0   0
    Aug 30, 2017
    5,794
    96
    Van Zandt County
    I have both. Sako 243 and Howa 6.5. Also Savage 6.5. The 6.5 has less recoil and is flatter shooting. A tossup really. For deer hunting the 243 ammo is more widely available. My Sako has never come close to the groups my Howa gives. Whichever. My family has used 243's for years, dad, mom, brother, and myself. I'm taking my clan over to 6.5 FWIW.
     

    EZ-E

    King Turd of Shit Mountain
    Rating - 100%
    2   0   0
    May 4, 2017
    7,629
    96
    Middle of no where
    6.5 CM are the newest & latest, some people bash em, some love em.
    Personally i just got the Ruger American Predator... for the price I'm happy.
    The stock could use some work, but for $400 + tax you cant beat it.
    Look around lots of options & price points to get into them.
    Check out gunbroker.com to get an idea of whats out there & price points.
     

    robertc1024

    Moderator
    Staff member
    Moderator
    TGT Supporter
    Lifetime Member
    Rating - 100%
    20   0   0
    Jan 22, 2013
    20,781
    96
    San Marcos
    I've got both calibers in bolt guns, but the .243 rifle is a lot lighter and has significantly more felt recoil. Either would work fine for deer. Since you're not that far away from me, holler at me and you can shoot them both if you want.
     

    Ole Cowboy

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    May 23, 2013
    4,061
    96
    17 Oaks Ranch
    .243, 6.5CM is great and its overkill for most of Texas till you get out West where there are not trees for miles and miles, then that 6.5 CM is gonna shine like a new dollar.
     

    unicom

    Well-Known
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    May 19, 2016
    1,265
    96
    I've got both calibers in bolt guns, but the .243 rifle is a lot lighter and has significantly more felt recoil. Either would work fine for deer. Since you're not that far away from me, holler at me and you can shoot them both if you want.
    I'll have to take you up on that someday. Thanks

    Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
     

    41magnut

    Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jul 25, 2015
    90
    11
    6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other unroll one wants to go after smaller targets or larger ones.
    If you want to go after Elk the CM W/140 grain bonded/ what have you would be a better choice. IMHO Prairie Poodles you might find find 243W w/70-75 grain varmint bullets more to your liking.
    Either way I don't think you can make a bad choice.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

    Sam7sf

    TGT Addict
    Lifetime Member
    Rating - 100%
    10   0   0
    Apr 13, 2018
    12,466
    96
    Texas
    Deer hunting doesn’t require a long debate about what cartridge you should use. I own a 6.5 Swede but that was more of an experiment. I can find nosler boxes on the shelf but my options are limited. It’s a howa 1500. As popular as the 6.5 cm or others are, my next bolt gun is going to be a 7mm-08. This forgotten treasure is everywhere. I also wouldn’t say no to a good old 270.

    Op, it’s just deer. A 7.62x39 will work.
     

    skfullgun

    Dances With Snakes
    Rating - 100%
    7   0   0
    Oct 14, 2017
    5,430
    96
    In the woods...
    As a good friend of mine used to say, every .243 should come with a good deer dog. Otherwise, you may lose the blood trail when tracking down the wounded deer.
    That's funny, I've taken dozens of deer with a .243 and never lost one. Most never took another step. I say .243. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. It is a proven round and available at any sporting goods store, and many a small town hardware store.
     

    Ole Cowboy

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    May 23, 2013
    4,061
    96
    17 Oaks Ranch
    That's funny, I've taken dozens of deer with a .243 and never lost one. Most never took another step. I say .243. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. It is a proven round and available at any sporting goods store, and many a small town hardware store.
    I would say the .243 is THE Texas White Tail rd, taken as many deer in Tx as as any. Folks have been using the .243 as far as I can remember, in fact my best friend Scott, got a .243 for his 12th birthday, back in the .50's...
     

    jetcycles

    Active Member
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Jul 7, 2009
    559
    76
    Shoreacres, TX
    I can't see your location using tapatalk, but I've got similarly equipped heavy barreled rifles if you'd like to shoot the two to compare...you bring the ammo.

    Sent from my SM-J327P using Tapatalk
     

    deemus

    my mama says I'm special
    Lifetime Member
    Rating - 100%
    30   0   0
    Feb 1, 2010
    15,590
    96
    DFW
    The 6.5 has less recoil supposedly. I would go with that one. In fact, my wife will be shooting a 6.5 this fall to hunt with.

    My runt has a 243 that she has taken several deer with. So if a 5'1" 110 lb woman can shoot it, so could you.
     

    HKShooter65

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=measurebate

    .243 (6.2 mm)
    105 gr, 3,025 ft/s, 2,134 ft⋅lbf

    6.5mm CM (.264 caliber)
    120 gr, 3,020 ft/s, 2,430 ft⋅lbf
    .............................
    The guys who say the CM recoils less never met Issac Newton!

    Actually the .243 rifles tend, generally, to weigh less. The rifle comes back with less energy than the 6.5CM , though faster, hence the perceived recoil (debatable).

    ................................
    I've taken years of pleasure measurebating and debating pro's and con's of cartridges.

    In truth, I've never met a whitetail who knew the difference between 6.2mm and 6.5mm.
     
    Last edited:

    country_boy

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Feb 7, 2009
    4,366
    96
    Round Rock
    I shoot a 107 gr match king 243 out of a 26” barrel it puts deer down for the deer around here it does the job.

    The factor I always say when you need ammo can you find it at your local store. My uncle has a 8mm Mauser and he can’t find ammo some years. Now I have seen 6.5 creedmoor locally. So flip a coin. Or buy both.

    For anything bigger I use a 30-06 for brush I use a 30-30.

    I’ve got a ruger pr in 6.5 creedmoor I love it but I ain’t dragging that heavy ass rifle to hunt with.
     
    Every Day Man
    Tyrant

    Support

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    116,119
    Messages
    2,953,347
    Members
    34,941
    Latest member
    Irowland1994
    Top Bottom