Hunting & Fishing Contingency rifle plan

[Jeff in TX]

I have a Wyoming mule deer hunt in 3-weeks and my Burris scope on my .300 WSM went belly up today at the range. I should have the replacement back in plenty of time for the hunt. However, just in case there are some unforeseen issues I’m figuring on a contingency plan.

My other rifle is my Tikka T3 lite .243 Win I normally use for deer and hogs here in Texas. Granted Texas deer are much smaller than a Wyoming Mule deer. I shoot 85 gr Barnes Triple Shocks out of my 243. We've been told by the outfitter that shots will out to about 300 yards +/-.

So my question is for those who hunt mule deer will this setup work as a contingency plan if all else fails? Are 85 gr Barnes Triple shocks out of my .243 Win too small for mule deer for shots out to 300 yards? I'm thinking it should be fine, but I've never hunted mule deer.

Thoughts?

 

[JCH]

Re: Contingency rifle plan

I would be worried about having enough energy out at distance with the 243 and the 85grain pills. Why can't you take the scope off your 243 and put it on the wsm until after the hunt?

 

[wfjames22]

Re: Contingency rifle plan

^^^^^ what he said, why isnt that an option??

 

[Jeff in TX]

Re: Contingency rifle plan

Switching scopes is an option and I have considered it, but I hate switching scopes and it mean buying 30mm rings.

Just trying to figure out if the .243 would work?

 

[JCH]

Re: Contingency rifle plan

Why can't you use the rings that are on the 243?

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: Contingency rifle plan

I think it would be a great Idea to bring two rifles regardless. I never go hunting with just one rifle. I think the .243 will do fine in the right hands, a buddy of mine just took a doe at 440yds with a .223 and 75 Amax, it may have been a tad light, but it went right where it was supposed to, and did the job fine.
All that said, I would do the best you can to get the wsm up to speed, and keep the .243 close by for emergency. and of course pracitce practice practice!

 

[Jeff in TX]

Re: Contingency rifle plan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JCH</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why can't you use the rings that are on the 243? </div></div>

The Tikka has a built in scope rail and that the rings mount to. They wouldn't work on my Win Featherweight.

 

[terrell35744]

Re: Contingency rifle plan

women and kids kill deer all day with .243's no reason a man cant do it too.

 

[jrpilot]

Re: Contingency rifle plan

Look at the heavy berger 6mm bullets. They will help with energy at distance.

 

[JCH]

Re: Contingency rifle plan

According to my JBM the 243 pushing the 85gr TSX at 3200fps drops below 1000 ft/lb of energy at 330 yards. I wouldn't want to shoot that bullet much further than that.

 

[bohem]

Re: Contingency rifle plan

What base is on the WSM?

I may have 2 sets of 30mm rings that are sitting on my shelf. I have plans for 1 set, but you're welcome to borrow either pair if
you take care of the shipping tab.

I also have a Simmons you're welcome to try out. It's tracked well for me in the past, I have it sitting as it's been replaced with a Nightforce. Again, shipping tab and you can borrow it.

Shoot me a PM and let me know what's up.

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Contingency rifle plan

I've got a Tasco Pronghorn sitting on the shelf doing nothing....for 3 years now...

 

[kraigWY]

Re: Contingency rifle plan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just trying to figure out if the .243 would work?</div></div>

YES:

If I were to hunt mule deer in Wyoming (and I do) of the two rifles you mentioned, the 243 would be my first choice.

I actually hunt with a 257 Rbts, its basicly the same thing (I use 87-90 grn bullets). I think over all the 243 would be a bit more accurate then the Roberts, it's just I like the gun the that shoots the 257. (Winchester M-70 Featherweight). I built my wife a 243 on a Model 70 action and it shoots circles around my 257.

Still I think the 243 is about the best round out there for Wyoming deer and antilope.

 

[wfjames22]

Re: Contingency rifle plan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jeff in TX</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Switching scopes is an option and I have considered it, but I hate switching scopes and it mean buying 30mm rings. </div></div>

I wouldnt let a $30 pair of rings keep me from taking a gun that I have more confidence in on a hunting trip, my $.02.

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Contingency rifle plan

There are people here that use a 243 like mine, 105gr Speers on ELK...

 

[Jeff in TX]

Re: Contingency rifle plan

Thx everyone for the offers of a loner scope and rings and all the advice. I feel confident that Burris will have my replacement scope to me in plenty time. More than likely I'll probably change scopes if it comes down to that.

 

[Biscuit]

Re: Contingency rifle plan

243 is fine, Ive killed a few thousand pounds of food with a .243

100gr sierra game kings are my choice.

85s are fine esp if thats what you shoot well.

I know a few outfitters that keep a turnkey .243 on hand for when customers gun doesn't make the flight or has issues.

 

[psinclair]

Re: Contingency rifle plan

I've seen the .243 in action on quite a few large mule deer bucks and wouldnt hesitate to use it...most of my big mule deer bucks were killed with a .220 swift, including the the one in my avatar. Shot placement trumps everyhting else in my opinion..

 

[LWILLIAMS]

Re: Contingency rifle plan

I own both calibers mentioned and I take the 243 with me more often than not. You will have no problem with it and proper bullet placement.

 

[JJones75]

Re: Contingency rifle plan

My daughter shot a 243 last year in a 22" barreld Encore. She made a 270yds shot on a hog that maxed out a 300lb scale and it only went about 30yds before it piled up , shot behind the shoulder bulet did not exti and their was very little blood but the organs were liquid.

Her ammo was factory loaded Hornady 95gr SST's , she has also shot a couple does and they all died withing feet of being shot. That round hold about 800lbs of energy to 400yds and put that energy into a bullet that expands well through ANY deer's lungs and its dead in short order.

 

[cracker4418]

Re: Contingency rifle plan

.243 works for me and I'm a horrible shot. I bring a tub sock (Camo of course) full of screws as my backup.

 

[motodog]

Re: Contingency rifle plan

i live in wyoming and our deer will not die with anything les than a direct hit from 300supershortultramag loaded with milspec explosive ammo.sorry to break it to you man but you must buy the latest greatest ubermagnum before you visit our state.lol 243 all the way.