.243 versus .270

[hodgson]

I'm thinking of getting a rifle in the moderately near future. In pricing them, I came across the Savage Stevens 200, which has been well-reviewed. I believe in comes in higher calibers, but I'm trying to decide between .243 and .270. I'd like something with fairly low recoil and that would be suitable for hunting deer as well as small game.

Is there much difference in recoil? And would the .270 be too much for small game?:confused:

[Art]

I'm not an expert, but I would say based on what you have said I would go with the .243 for sure between those two. A .270 will destroy small game. I will take some heat for this, but for a gun that is good on deer and small game, I'd go for the .223. Just my opinion.

[trader rob]

the 270 will do everything the 243 will do and more, as far as small game damage, either would be excessive unless limited to head shots. get the 270 you won't be sorry. a 22 rimfire for small game.

[rick243]

I'd like something with fairly low recoil and that would be suitable for hunting deer as well as small game.

Is there much difference in recoil? And would the .270 be too much for small game?:confused:

You need to define what you mean by small game.:) The 243 is a superb deer/varmint round but would destroy anything small intended for the table. There is a considerable difference in recoil between the 243 and 270 but both are quite pleasant to shoot.

[hodgson]

Thanks. It sound to me like I'll just have to stick with the shotgun for small game until I get a .22. I would try the .223 for both but until I see my shooting is sufficiently precise, I'll probably stick to larger caliber for deer.

As for the .270, I don't doubt that it's a great gun. But if there's a considerable difference in recoil, then maybe I should get the .243 unless I get a chance to shoot a .270 in the meantime. I wouldn't like to find out too late that it's a shade more than I find comfortable to shoot. I don't think Wal-Mart (or Bass Pro or wherever) will necessarily give me a refund because I flinched.:D

[aceoky]

Thanks. It sound to me like I'll just have to stick with the shotgun for small game until I get a .22. I would try the .223 for both but until I see my shooting is sufficiently precise, I'll probably stick to larger caliber for deer.

As for the .270, I don't doubt that it's a great gun. But if there's a considerable difference in recoil, then maybe I should get the .243 unless I get a chance to shoot a .270 in the meantime. I wouldn't like to find out too late that it's a shade more than I find comfortable to shoot. I don't think Wal-Mart (or Bass Pro or wherever) will necessarily give me a refund because I flinched.:D

If you don't shoot rifles much, you'll notice the difference in recoil, I'd bet on it. My 11 yr old son(can see his pic in "played hookey" in the fishing section) shoots a Savage .243 syn very well, and doesn't seem to mind the recoil that much, though I handload Nosler Partitions for him( in a slightly lighter weight 85 instead of 100) that being said, he's shot several of the 100 grains including factory, without too much problem....

The .270 shoots heavier bullets and uses more power in factory loads, both will cause more felt recoil, though honestly stock design has almost as much effect as anything else does in felt recoil....

The general rule is: the more powder charge(weight) and the heavier the bullet, the more recoil for any given round...fwiw, so a .270 will "kick" more with a 150 grain bullet than with a 130......

A .243 will "kick" less with a 95 grain than with a 100(though most wouldn't notice it, and probably none shooting at a deer) :)

It's hard to go wrong with a .243, one thing though, be Certain, that you're using a "deer bullet" and not a "varmint bullet" in that caliber(usually those over 85 grains are deer i.e. big game bullets those under, check them most are for varmints,(but not all the Nosler Partition comes to mind as does the Barnes Bullets) meaning they're not built for penetration, but more for "explosive results" on smaller things like varmints)....

With good shot placement and proper bullets the .243 will do the job, without "kicking your hat off your head"

Hope this is at least of some help....

[hodgson]

It's hard to go wrong with a .243, one thing though, be Certain, that you're using a "deer bullet" and not a "varmint bullet" in that caliber(usually those over 85 grains are deer i.e. big game bullets those under, check them most are for varmints,(but not all the Nosler Partition comes to mind as does the Barnes Bullets) meaning they're not built for penetration, but more for "explosive results" on smaller things like varmints)....


Well, I've heard 100-grain as a deer standard and I've also heard a lot of the 95-grain being used in the .243. I'll try them both.

If you don't shoot rifles much, you'll notice the difference in recoil, I'd bet on it.

And I'll take your word on it. The .243, it is.:cool:

[aceoky]

I've heard some great things on the Hornady 95 grain SST in the .243, though I've never tried them myself in that caliber.

My oldest son did take a nice 9 point last year with his .308 downloaded to .300 savage specs with a 165 grain Hornady SST, Dead Right There! That was @ IIRC 245 yards! They are it seems very accurate in at least most calibers .

I wouldn't have any problem at all in taking my youngest son's .243 deer hunting(I use a 30/06 btw) :) They will do the job nicely if you place the bullet where it counts!

There is a guy that runs another forum that has taken a B&C Caribou with a .243! Used 100 grain Nosler Partitions and they did the job very well!

[moreammoplz]

I would steer towards the .270, my son shoots a Rem 700 in .270 and uses the low recoil shells from Remington. (50% less recoil) Does great for deer. Then if you want to hunt larger game you can still use full load shells...

As far as small game???? You probably are not going to use either a .243 or .270 for rabbits or squirrels.

.243 is lighter yes, but it still screams out of the barrel and still has great impact, it will still mess up a ground hog or Coyote. If you really want a small game gun go with a .22

My buddy just bought a .270 at Dick's Sporting goods today for $349 with a scope. (Savage)

[Born to Hunt]

I shoot a 300 WSM currently for deer, but I've killed a bunch of them with a .243 Win. If you even think the .270's recoil will be too much, get the .243 Win....it will wreck a deer's boiler room...you have to get the bullet there with whatever caliber. I've seen deer shot three or more times with a 45-70 by guys who can't shoot their guns or guys who take bad shots. You can shoot one with a 30 mm Howitzer blowing his rump off and the buck will live longer than if you blow his front end off...placement is everything.

[AR 34 Bowhunter]

both are great guns for deer hunting ,but if you are looking for the perfect gun for coyote, groundhog ,deer the 25-06 is the gun for you. p.s. the recoil of a 25-06 is in between a 243 and 270

[Turkeyhunter4]

I like both, but if you want somthing for small game an deer get the 243, they are awsome guns, i own one. my uncle owns a 270, it to is a great gun

[moreammoplz]

I think Bass Pro has the Stevens guns on sale for $199 pretty good deal...

[trust me]

Don't ever try to shoot small game (squirrels, rabbits, birds) with a deer-class centerfire. A 22 rimfire is plenty. As proof, try this little experiment:

Save up a few empty soda cans and fill them up with water. Shoot a few with a 22, and see what it can do. Spend a few minutes looking at the damage done to the cans.

Then, try it with a 243, or even larger cartridge. Spend a few minutes looking for the can. When you find a few little shreds of aluminum 20 yards away, try to figure out if they were part of your can.

Even a 22 Hornet puts too much thumping on anything small you might want to eat.

[ptbrauch]

I'm thinking of getting a rifle in the moderately near future. In pricing them, I came across the Savage Stevens 200, which has been well-reviewed. I believe in comes in higher calibers, but I'm trying to decide between .243 and .270. I'd like something with fairly low recoil and that would be suitable for hunting deer as well as small game.

Is there much difference in recoil? And would the .270 be too much for small game?:confused:

To meet what you're looking for, I'd go with the .243. I think the considering a .243 to a .270 is like considering apples vs. oranges. Apples to apples would be comparing the .270 to a .30-06--both of which have put bruises on my shoulder. If you're afraid you'll flinch, go with the .243.

[KY Deer_SLayer]

i would get the 270 im a firm beliver in them.. for small game get somethin a little better than a 22 like a 22-250 or maybe a 22 hornet.. hope you get lined out

[winchester3030]

the .223 is a great varmet gun havent shot one for my self but everyone i know likes them. as for the .243 i have one it is a great gun for deer and it doesnt have very much kick at all. the 30-30 on the other hand is also a great deer gun but it has a range of about 90 -120 yards to be accurrat.

[Gobblergetter2.1]

I have shot many deer with a .243, but it doesnt have much power. Get a .270 if youre wanting to hunt deer. Both the .243 and .270 are way too much for small game. I would stick with anything smaller than a .243 for small game, and a .270 for deer.