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23 Comments

  1. Interesting article, one thing I agree with is the age age thing. I’ve used a .308 for yrs and now it is starting to beat me up ( not bad, but starting to feel it. I’m in my mid 70’s ). A few yrs ago I won a savage exp in a 30-06 in a drawing, after shooting a dozen of so rounds though, I got got rid of it. Now I’ve been given a sporterized springfield in a 30-06, nope it is going to be a history too.

  2. The .243 Winchester is a great caliber. Started both my kids on it. Browning is outta my comfort spending zone so I opted for a AR build in 6.5 Grendel. I’ve made plenty of follow up shots successfully. Either way I’m sure this rifle will serve you well.

  3. Feel the same way about, what feels like, the rocket launcher calibers. They are quickly becoming the muskets and bayonet adorned rifles of history. The 6.5 Creedmoor is a worthy contender for all the same reasons you mentioned – enjoyable to shoot. And the resent introduction of the (strangely similar to the 243) 6mm ARC has my attention even more. First, because of it’s shoulder friendliness, secondly, trajectory and lastly The Lego Factor of the AR platform. There is nothing however more alluring than blued steel and wood furniture on a JMB designed classic. Look forward to ~ the rest of the story.

    1. Yes!! I shot my first elk with .243…. broke its back! Best hardest hunt ever!!! I love .243 and thats a great all around caliber for the marksman/markswoman!

      Thanks

      1. I was only 13 yrs old at the time (i forgot the elevation issue)- a cow tag. We were on a cliff 100 feet above…about 180 yards away. I love SB because its for learners and experts ( and even the experts both teach and learn ). Great posts

  4. I’ve owned the Browning BAR in both 308 and in 7mm RM. I sold the 308 in a moment of weakness several years ago, but still have the 7mm. The Browning design makes even the normally hard hitting 7mm pretty nice to shoot. I’ve also got a Remington 7400 in 308. They do kick a little more than the Brownings. The 7mm Bar is actually on par with the 7400 in 308 as far as felt recoil goes.

    I haven’t switched out to a lighter caliber yet, as I tend to be a “one caliber for everything” type of guy. That, and normally cheap, available 308 ammo has kept me from switching calibers. It’s nothing for me to go through 200 rounds in an afternoon at the range, and having to pay for a newer caliber just hurts the pocketbook too much.

  5. Great article and looking forward to part 2. Amazing that I recently settled on a BAR in .243 also as a longer range back up to an AR or AKS platform. Very elegant and beautiful rifle.

    The one caliber mind set got me to also pick up a Savage 99 in .243 and a bolt action Mauser. The large selection of bullet weights is also a plus and very close to a ‘do it all’ caliber.

  6. A failed shoulder surgery and older age caused me to sell my Browning BAR in ’06. It was a reliable, accurate rifle with steel receiver.

    The .243 is a great caliber but in bear country the people who carry it tend to hunt with others carrying the big calibers.

    I wonder how those aluminum receivers are holding up?

  7. People hunting with the smaller calibers are good shots; you’re NOT really a novice, The Novice.
    Years ago, I bought a slip-on recoil pad for a .308 lever-rifle. The wood stock had to be cut down a bit, even when the old ‘pad’ was removed. [I make Elmer Fudd look tall and handsome.]

    The slip-on recoil pad can be made to ‘wobble’ bit on my shoulder, when I intentionally wiggle the rifle. The material of the slip-on pad also has a slight ‘clinging/grabby’ texture that ‘grabs’ my clothing slightly. The attributes are NOT really noticeable when shooting. A lever action is for quick shooting; not for long-range precision shooting.

    Brownells, link here on SurvivalBlog, has pads for reducing felt recoil. Some recoil pads do work. … People need to do some extensive ~research first, to get a ~correct fit. … A larger caliber bullet can compensate, for less than the pinpoint shots needed with a smaller caliber.
    [Some people are just ~natural good shots, and can hunt with a smaller caliber. +Some of us don’t have the money for an arsenal of guns, too.]

    Out in the Far West, a wounded deer can run off a high mountain ridge, and tumble deep into the Abyss.
    “He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended.” [The good book]

      1. The Novice, if the Browning Company will send you a rifle to test, some company must be willing to send a truckload of recoil pads. … SurvivalBlog is a good source of information. Reliable information on recoil pads would be useful.

  8. Great article. My favorite was a 30.06 six Springfield that was a dead ringer at 300-500 yards. I had a Burris high end scope on it, but I sold it to a sibling before I went to Africa.

    I got into 6.5 Creedmoor and the ammo came down in price even below the Springfield. I use a mix of plain Jane and solid copper (Fort Scott) with it. I know A lot of people don’t like the newer calibers.. But Hornady did create a caliber that hangs tight at 1000 yards. Its about about a 10’ difference in terms of ballistics drop @ the right conditions. I got them discounted, rebated dirt cheap.

    I now believe it’s good to have a number of calibers experience under your belt. I love 30.06!!! Best cal i ever used (yet).

    Thanks for posting.

  9. That’s definitely an interesting rifle. This is the first time in decades I haven’t owned a .243, but plan to purchase another. I traded mine, a Ruger M77 with tang safety, for a new model Ruger in .300 WSM. That was a huge mistake! I’ve since sold that one, and an excellent Ruger M77V in .220 Swift with tang safety to a friend. He wanted the Swift, on a Precision stock, for a long time and I wanted a newer one. As a replacement I bought a Ruger .220 Swift M77V in SS with laminated stock. I love it.
    Another Ruger M77 tang safety heavy barrel I used to own was a Remington 6mm caliber. One of the all around best rifles I ever had. After trading it, I tried to buy it back. The new owner said, “Not a chance!” Great long range rifle it was.
    I’ve decided not to sell or trade any guns again, especially in this strained time, but only attempt to add to what I have.
    I imagine most of us feel the same. And, those older Ruger M77 rifles with tang safeties were bringing a small premium with gunsmiths I know.
    Semper Fi

  10. For those you are not able to get another gun there are reduced recoil load for .30-06 and .308 Winchester. 6.5×55, 7mm-08, 7×57 are cartridges that are mild recoiling, yet still able to take elk and black bear inside of 200 yards.

    1. I again concur with The Rabbit. Chuck Hawkes has reduced load info for ’06 and .308 (and many other calibers) using IMR SR 4759 powder. i also used it to load down .30-.30 Win when my son was very young. Today we both have 30-06’s with removable muzzle brakes, a little loud when shooting, but almost all recoil is eliminated during practice and sight checking. A threaded cap is put on the threads when hunting.

  11. I would most definitely recommend AGAINST the .243 Winchester due to one reason, excessive meat Spoilage. I grew up in a rural countryside and can’t count the number of deer I have killed with this round, without exception the loss of meat due to bloodshot is very great. Otherwise everything you (and others) say is correct.

    I would recommend the old .270 for a very reliable (and field proven) round, which is also flat shooting and easy on the shoulder.

    1. Pat,

      Wow, your comment is spot on. The only centerfire rifles I own are .270s previously owner and operated by my father-in-law whom I considered the most experienced bear guide, boat man and general outdoorsman that I have ever known. He once told me that the .270 is all you need if ‘you know what you are doing’. He has taken Brown Bear with it in the 1930s when they were REALLY big.

      I also took note of yor meat loss statement. The ongoing discussion with my wife is where to shoot the deer. Well, now I’m told not to shoot them in the neck because that is what we use for mincemeat. It’s down to a nose shot, I guess.

  12. I have a 243 STALKER they do not make any more. I ABSOLUTLY LOVE the rifle. bought it used. VERY LITTLE USE though. At 50 yards it drilled 5 shots stacked on top of each other in a line. Did I say its a DAMN Good rifle. This is my 3rd BAR type Browning. 2 safari’s 7mag & a 300 mag.

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