Mossberg 270 or 243?

[north red river]

I'd like to get one or the other for deer hunting.....I need some input or personal expierence with either. Thanks!

[harvey lee]

I have shot and own both calibers.I would rather us the 270 as its very flat shooting for long distances and I personally believe its got a little more knock down power.

The 243 is flat shooting but probably lacks a little in the power department.If you make every shot a great hit then it should not matter.But if your off a little the 270 would probably be a better choice.

I have not used my 243 for deer for years.If I went goat hunting then it would be my choice over the 270.

[Fish&Fowl]

I agree with Harvey. The .270 is a better caliber for deer hunting mainly because of its knockdown power. You will have a better chance of killing the deer with one shot and finding it because of a bigger exit wound. .243 is a good caliber, just a little small for whitetails.

[Cooter]

Go wit da .270 for deer - hands down.

[riverrat56]

Although many deer have been and will continue to be killed with a .243, If I were stuck between those 2 calibers I would opt for the .270 just because of the reasons already mentioned, especially if you hunt over feilds and will be taking longer shots. If you still hunt alot thouse a .243 might not be a bad choice because of the lighter weight and overall shorter length (usually) It would be quick to move through the brush, but a 30-30 is also a good choice in that respect.

I'd take the safe option and go with the more versital cartridge of the 270 just to be sure you put the deer down and don't need to make a long trackign job. Although no caliber can make up for bad shooting.

[almostthere!]

Either one will get the job done. Use good bullets; that is the key ingredient.

If you flinch from recoil, the best choice would be the 243. Remember. it is not the size of the bullet but the quality of the bullet and where you place that bullet that counts.

The best way to determine which one is best for you would be to borrow a rifle of each caliber and hit the range with the bullets that you intend to use for hunting. Fire off a few shots and see which one feels best. Wouldn't it be great if they allow you to take a rifle for a trial run, like a car, before making the purchase?

[Swamp Scooter]

.270 all the way. If you are just going to have one. The 270 can take up to a 150 grain projectile where the 243 can only get to about 100 grains. 50% lighter is a huge difference when you are talking about big game animals. If you are a serious marksman and "never miss" then the 243 will work too. But... someday you will miss and it will be the buck of a lifetime and you will never live it down.... maybe even get a daisy rough rider for Christmas from the boys for the next season.

[almostthere!]

Quote:

---

.270 all the way. ... If you are a serious marksman and "never miss" then the 243 will work too. But... someday you will miss and it will be the buck of a lifetime and you will never live it down.... maybe even get a daisy rough rider for Christmas from the boys for the next season.

---

Does it matter if you miss with a 243, 270, 300 mag, or 50 bmg? A miss is still a miss, right? Wish I get a Daisy rough rider for Christmas.