.243 or .270 for newbie

[htnseymour]

I am taking someone hunting and starting to teach them. I think at first rifle season will be the best best to get them in a blind and get them some experience. Question is should I get them the .243 or the .270 to hunt with since they are new to hunting?

 

[TNReb]

Are they new to shooting? Are they an adult?

Either way, I would take them out to shoot before taking them deer hunting. Make sure they're comfortable with the gun. Somebody who has never shot at all doesn't need to take their first shots at a deer.

If they're comfortable with shooting, either rifle would be fine. If they're new to shooting, maybe the .243 for lighter recoil and less intimidation.

I'm partial to the .270. :)

 

[deerhunter10]

270. Let them shoot a 22 or something like that. And then take to 270. Not a fan of a 243 when they shoot at a deer they won't feel it any way.

 

[Urban_Hunter]

Anything bigger than 243.

 

[280longshot]

Are they new to shooting? Are they an adult?

Either way, I would take them out to shoot before taking them deer hunting. Make sure they're comfortable with the gun. Somebody who has never shot at all doesn't need to take their first shots at a deer.

If they're comfortable with shooting, either rifle would be fine. If they're new to shooting, maybe the .243 for lighter recoil and less intimidation.

I'm partial to the .270. :)

X2

 

[EastTNHunter]

You can get managed recoil .270 ammo for younger shooters and they can "grow into" the full power stuff later. Finding a youth rifle in .243 will be an easier task, though.

 

[Winchester]

.243 hands down IMO A GREAT caliber for young and or small frames.My boys have killed literally dozens with a .243 and it performs GREAT!

 

[woodsman87]

Niether. 7mm08 is best for young begginers, old begginers, medium experience, big kids, little kids, adults, seasoned veterans, and everything inbtween.

 

[TradHunter]

I have both and have seen more deer drop in there tracks with a .243. I hunt more with a .270 , but feel that a .243 is a great deer round with little recoil.

 

[htnseymour]

Thanks, it's actually a new adult hunter. Small frame person. Shot my .270 and did ok, so maybe that's the way we will go. Good shot however, just a little nervous on the recoil still.

 

[bigtex]

If recoil is not a problem the .270 "might" be a better choice. I've got both and the ones I've killed with the .243 were just as dead as the ones I killed with the .270. ;)

 

[W.Seay]

243 is worthless in my opinion for deer.

 

[W.Seay]

A 7/08 is a MUCH better choice than a 243 and with managed recoil rounds the 7/08 has less recoil than a 243.

 

[Born and Raised]

I love threads that get hijacked by people that think hey, I've got a gun that shoots x so you should too.

The question was 243 vs 270, not anything else, geez.

If they were younger or lighter frame, 243. Older and heavier frame 270. Easiest solution, have them shoot both and see which one they like the most. Both will kill deer just fine.

 

[infoman jr.]

I've killed many deer with both a .243 and .270. Since he is an adult, I'd go with the .270 for more bullet weight options.

Have him dry fire several times at the bench before loading the first round.

 

[in the dog house]

Both are good and will no doubt kill deer. You said the recoil was a little bit of a problem for them. In that case I would go for the 243 and good shot placement. Can't beat it with the right load, and recoil isn't an issue, therefore shot placement can be spot on. JMO

 

[Winchester]

I love threads that get hijacked by people that think hey, I've got a gun that shoots x so you should too.

The question was 243 vs 270, not anything else, geez.

EXACTLY, especially making pure nonsense comments to boot!

 

[oldmanelrod]

Thanks, it's actually a new adult hunter. Small frame person. Shot my .270 and did ok, so maybe that's the way we will go. Good shot however, just a little nervous on the recoil still.

Won't notice the recoil when the new hunter drops that deer.

 

[backwoods7]

270 all the way. if recoil is a problem have him practice with a 22 or even the 243 buy hand him the 270 for the hunt. im not a 243 fan for deer.

if he is going to buy a gun of his own i strongly reccomend looking at a 7mm08. very good gun with bigger bullets and less recoil imo

 

[deerhunter10]

I wouldn't say they are hijacking the tread at all they are just giving more suggestions then those two calibers to help make his decisions.

 

[pressfit]

I love threads that get hijacked by people that think hey, I've got a gun that shoots x so you should too.

The question was 243 vs 270, not anything else, geez.

If they were younger or lighter frame, 243. Older and heavier frame 270. Easiest solution, have them shoot both and see which one they like the most. Both will kill deer just fine.

Many a time has a hijacked thread helped me make the right decision..

 

[scn]

Make sure the HS part is covered if he was born after Jan. 1, 1969. Sometimes we tend to forget that if they are adults and not kids just starting out.

If you are talking about guns on hand, I'd go with the .270. If it is an upcoming purchase, mine is another vote for the 7mm08.

 

[Urban_Hunter]

Make sure the HS part is covered if he was born after Jan. 1, 1969. Sometimes we tend to forget that if they are adults and not kids just starting out.

If you are talking about guns on hand, I'd go with the .270. If it is an upcoming purchase, mine is another vote for the 7mm08.

x1000000

 

[Bobs8pt]

you will not go wrong with either gun... I bought my son a 243 just because of the recoil... I didnt want to get him into bad habbits because he was afraid of the kick... however I think if you are buying this for a child that is a little heavier then 50lbs and can handle the 270 then that is a better deer rifle in my opinion. Both guns will do the trick.

 

[Hunter 257W]

I recall the 1st sporter 243 that I shot recoiled more than I expected. To be honest I don't think I could tell any diference between it and my current lightweight 270.

Assuming both guns are aleady owned and available, let the prospective hunter shoot both and see if they can feel any difference. If not, then go with the 270 without a doubt.

If the 270 is the only gun currently available, and a 243 would have to be purchased, then the advice to consider a 7mm-08 is highly recommended if the 270 recoil is too much.

 

[Lost Lake]

Whichever they will shoot the most accurately. You'll hear comments on shot placement being the ticket. That's true no matter which cartridge is used. Either of the two mentioned in the OP's question will work quite well.

 

[BSK]

A 7/08 is a MUCH better choice than a 243 and with managed recoil rounds the 7/08 has less recoil than a 243.

THIS!

Shot placement is critical with a 243. Put the shot EXACTLY where it needs to go, and a 243 is sure-nuff killer. Make a less than great shot and the 243 will cost you a deer.

Go the 7mm-08 route.

 

[TheRealSpurhunter]

.243 is a killer when you hit them right. Id start them with that so recoil doesn't ruin their first experiences.

 

[BSK]

.243 is a killer when you hit them right. Id start them with that so recoil doesn't ruin their first experiences.

A low-recoil round from a 7mm-08 kicks quite a bit less than a 243. And I definitely would not start a new hunter with a caliber that requires precise accuracy in a hunting situation. Give them a gun that provides a little leeway.

 

[Lost Lake]

.243 is a killer when you hit them right. Id start them with that so recoil doesn't ruin their first experiences.

A low-recoil round from a 7mm-08 kicks quite a bit less than a 243. And I definitely would not start a new hunter with a caliber that requires precise accuracy in a hunting situation. Give them a gun that provides a little leeway.

.243 is a killer when you hit them right. Id start them with that so recoil doesn't ruin their first

experiences.

A low-recoil round from a 7mm-08 kicks quite a bit less than a 243. And I definitely would not start a new hunter with a caliber that requires precise accuracy in a hunting situation. Give them a gun that provides a little leeway.

Please define leeway. Most low reduced recoil rounds are lighter and lower sectional density bullets. Penetration on hard bone shots might not be as good as expected.