Texas Hunting Forum
Is the .243 becoming obsolete?
Posted By: NathanaelGreene
Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/02/08 10:54 PM
In these days of super-duper magnums and new cartridges being introduced almost daily (it seems), is the .243 becoming obsolete?
I've never hunted with one, but I would think it's a pretty good cartridge. Still, are its best days behind it?
Posted By: Brother in-law
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/02/08 11:02 PM
Don't have one, wont have one but I would say no. I think the popularity with .22 centerfires and AR's is just over whelming right now.they will always be around. jmo
Posted By: ralph
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/02/08 11:15 PM
My only experience hunting with the .243 was many years ago,but my brother in law and niece too two deer and a couple of bobcats with one in the last several years.
I think the .243 will always have a place in hunting at least in Texas.
My opinion is based on the belief that the .243 is so entrenched in Texas hunting that it won't easily be dislodged.
In my opinion it really has no other "popular" competition in caliber,recoil,availability and cost.
There are many rounds that are interchangeable in the .27-.30 caliber i.e. 7mm-08,270,280 30-06, 308,etc. but the .24-.26 calibers(6mm,244 Weatherby,257 Roberts,.260) are not that common and certainly not as economical as the .243.
The arguments will continue each season as to whether it is "enough" gun for Texas whitetails and thousands of Texas whitetails will be taken with it each season for many years to come.
I believe the .243 has a future as long as there are hunters in Texas.
Posted By: 7mag
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 12:05 AM
It's a pretty versitile round, IMO. By far the lightest cartridge I would use on deer. But, you can go way down in bullet size, and also makes a heck of a varmint round.
Posted By: txtrophy85
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 02:01 AM
i think its popularity, along with the 7mm mag, is fading.
still, there are plenty of entry level guns being chambered in both.
i would't call it obsolete, but there are alot better choices avalible, like the 7mm-08 and the .260, that take sales away from the .243
Posted By: Crazyhorse
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 02:19 AM
The 243 has as much chance of becoming obsolete as the 270 and 30-06, PERIOD.
New cartridges and new fads are going to come and go, but 10 years down the road, you will still find the 243/270/30-30/308/30-06 in every store that sells ammo.
The only new cartridge I see lasting with that group is the 7mm-08.
All of the newer rounds are just fads and will in time fade away.
Posted By: 7mag
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 02:31 AM
I see the 7 Mag going before the 243. I disagree the 7mm08 and the 260 are more popular, or even better choice. They all have their place, but the 243 will be around for a while, IMO.
Posted By: Wild Boar
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 02:33 AM
Your calling the 7mm-08 a new cartridge it came out in 1980 that 28 years.
Posted By: Crazyhorse
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 02:44 AM
Did it come out as a FACTORY round in 1980????
Even if it did, how long have the 243/270/308/30-06/30-30/45-70 been around as FACTORY ROUNDS AND LOADINGS????
The 7mm-08 is a NEW round by comparison, and you know it.
Posted By: Wild Boar
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 02:52 AM
Yes remington brought it out in 80, I know what you meant.
Posted By: Crazyhorse
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 03:33 AM
Thank You.
I did not say anything about the 7mm-08 being a bad round, now did I????
While I do not want one, I do think that it is the only NEW round out there that will survive in the long run.
Do you have a problem with that statement????
Posted By: nuprofessor
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 03:40 AM
The 243 is about the best starter caliber for deer around here. It will never overtake the local popularity of the 30-30, but alot of young hunters and women opt for this caliber in bolt actions. I don't see it fading away any time in the future.
Posted By: TexasTransplant
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 03:42 AM
I wish I had never sold mine.
Posted By: mightyp
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 03:44 AM
.243 is here too stay.
Posted By: Wild Boar
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 03:51 AM
Quote:
Thank You.
I did not say anything about the 7mm-08 being a bad round, now did I????
While I do not want one, I do think that it is the only NEW round out there that will survive in the long run.
Do you have a problem with that statement????
I dont have a problem with anything.
Posted By: Crazyhorse
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 03:56 AM
Quote:
I dont have a problem with anything
This from, a man that knows full well that anything that was turned into a FACTORY ROUND AFTER 1970 is new.
Just remember, you were the one that questioned my classifying the 7mm-08 as a NEW round.
Notice, I did not make one deragatory remark about the 22-250 either now did I???? 
Posted By: Wild Boar
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 04:13 AM
Quote:
This from, a man that knows full well that anything that was turned into a FACTORY ROUND AFTER 1970 is new.Just remember, you were the one that questioned my classifying the 7mm-08 as a NEW round.
new my have alittle different meaning to me, means in the last 5 or so years not way back when i was in pullups.
Quote:
Notice, I did not make one deragatory remark about the 22-250 either now did I????
no but you were thinking about it.
Posted By: dadof5girls
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 05:32 AM
This caliber is used all over the US. It is used for everything from Predators to Deer to Black Bears. I know that ever time I shop for ammo at any store you always see 243. Great round for all hunting possibilities.
Posted By: yukons95
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 05:54 AM
Actually by saying the 260 is more popular is it is totally untrue! I have a good friend of mine that works here in a very reputable gun shop, the 260 was really a failure to remington! It was suppose to have taken over as the ultimate whitetail caliber. It did not, sales started off very good. Then have dramatically declined in the last years! Who knows if other companys will ever keep chambering rifles for it. Remington would probably keep doing it in one or so of their rifles. 243 will always remain popular. People buying the cannons are realizing there is no need for them! 300 win mag,7mm mag,30-06, even 308's, 7mm 08's 270's is all you will ever need here in north america! And hunters are starting to realize that! Those new adverised cannons are being brought back to the gunshop to be traded for those i just mentioned.
Posted By: TEXASLEFTY
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 10:55 AM
I think the .243 is still popular and it looks like a WSM cartridge at a glance. What I mean is if you saw a couple of rounds sitting on the table in your camper when you walked in they would resemble a WSM round. The fact is it will always be a great round for recoil sensative people
Posted By: Big Daddy K
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 02:52 PM
Quote:
The 243 has as much chance of becoming obsolete as the 270 and 30-06, PERIOD.
New cartridges and new fads are going to come and go, but 10 years down the road, you will still find the 243/270/30-30/308/30-06 in every store that sells ammo.
The only new cartridge I see lasting with that group is the 7mm-08.
All of the newer rounds are just fads and will in time fade away.
Agree.
I have most of those and will have them all. I would include the 223 in that group however.
Posted By: jjbrown
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 04:16 PM
I have 3 of them and the are good all around guns here in texas. I dont see them going any where.
Posted By: txcornhusker
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 04:21 PM
Quote:
is the .243 becoming obsolete?
Absolutely and for good reason! 
Posted By: 7mag
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 04:34 PM
The 243 WSM, along with the other short mags are another thing. I spoke with a local gungun shop owner, and he said they are the sorriest thing to happen to a long gun. His inventory is overstocked, and he can't sell them. The only manafacturer who will buy back is Remington. The others say he is just stuck with them. He asked if I had one, which I don't. He told me if I did or know of people who do, to make sure they save all brass. He wouldn't tell me why, but said 2 big ammo manafactures are pulling the plug on the WSM, all together witint the next year.Come to think about it, can't say I see much in the way of long guns or ammo, on these calibers
Posted By: 4X4FOREVER
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 04:35 PM
The 243 WIN has about as much of a chance of becoming obsolete as the 22LR.
Posted By: 7mag
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 04:42 PM
Quote:
The 243 WIN has about as much of a chance of becoming obsolete as the 22LR.
Very true, now the 243 WSM, is a whole new story. The gun shop owner decribed the 243 WSM as a " yuppie round" He said kids with money just want something a little different Kinda like dope, with a trigger 
Posted By: luv2brode
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 05:07 PM
Quote:
This caliber is used all over the US. It is used for everything from Predators to Deer to Black Bears. I know that ever time I shop for ammo at any store you always see 243. Great round for all hunting possibilities.
i totally agree been using my dads for years and just bought my daughter one of her own this year. good round for most things and accurate. does not tear up much meat either. 
Posted By: WildEd
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 05:14 PM
I shot my first one at 8 years old. It was a Christmas gift from my father. It was a Remington 700. I am 54 years old and that very same rifle is my go to rifle today. It has killed so many deer, hogs, turkeys and varmints you would call me a liar if I tried to estimate the numbers. I carried it for many years as a guide and often used it to put down crippled game shot with the latest and greatest magnum. It can be shot with confindence and puts the bullet right where you aim without fear of bone crushing recoil. Long live the .243
Posted By: 4X4FOREVER
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 05:41 PM
243WSM The "yuppie round", Thats a good one 7mag!!
wasnt there a 223, 243 WSSM too? (SS=super short)
Posted By: 7mag
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 05:47 PM
Quote:
243WSM The "yuppie round", Thats a good one 7mag!!
wasnt there a 223, 243 WSSM too? (SS=super short)
yes sir there is. That's what the gun shop owner called em. I thought it was funny as heck
Its my favorite rifle because I can take it too the deer lease and kill anything with out to 300yds with no problem. Of course I could do this a bunch of different guns but for $13 a box of shells, you can tbeat that. Instead having to shot my $50 a box of 300WSM or 30-06 shells. Ever since I bought my 243 its gone on every hunting trip for whatever I was going after.
Posted By: texasd
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 06:30 PM
243,30-06,30-30,308,270,22-250,6mm,7mm....................guns are here to stay, all these guns are perfect for anything u want to shoot....some of the smaller calibers just require a better shot then the bigger calibers, if your a great shot any smaller caliber will work fine, if your not sure about your shot go with the bigger calibers....aslong as there in the boiler room it ought to be laying there when u get to it......
Posted By: JCB
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/03/08 07:41 PM
Quote:
243WSM The "yuppie round", Thats a good one 7mag!!
wasnt there a 223, 243 WSSM too? (SS=super short)
I love the WSSM's!! If you look hard enough you can actually buy the WSSM ammo cheaper than the standard 223 or 243!
I bought a ton of 223 WSSM and 243 WSSM ammo over the last few years on closeout for $6 a box!
I love "yuppie" calibers!!
Posted By: mrbigtexan
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/05/08 06:18 PM
it aint going anywhere!!!
Posted By: fishmagnet
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/05/08 11:25 PM
"Is the .243 becoming obsolete?"
Not in this century, perhaps the next, after you and I are long gone!!!!
Posted By: cibolo
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/06/08 08:14 PM
my grandfather hunted with one as long as i was around,and my dad started hunting with one,and started me out on one with open sights. I harvested many deer with both my .243's in the hill country,south texas,and mexico. It is imo the best all around caliber out there. Especially for young hunters just learning, because you teach them to shoot for the neck and either they miss or make a very clean and quick kill and drop em in there tracks. I never had an animal run on me until about the time i turned 14 when my father got me a .280 and told me i could take longer shots and put it behind the shoulder. The .280 is a fine rifle and i still hunt with it today,but the first kill i made with it was a little un settling when the deer took off,i was used to them just dropping with my .243.
Posted By: jsoukup
Re: Is the .243 becoming obsolete? - 03/08/08 03:38 AM
Yeah, group the 243 with the outdated, underpowered 30-30. Nobody shoots those anymore. *sheesh*
I still think all this new "short mag" stuff is too new. Give it a 20 years, some might still be around, some might not. The WSM could easily wind up like the weatherby mags, good ammo, more expensive, not widely used. Not saying that one or two of them won't turn into the next popular cartridge, but there's a whole bunch of new ones and I don't see all of them surviving.