Thread: Open country mountain rifle. 7mm Rem Mag or 7mm08??

Originally Posted by mawzer308

I'd have to disagree Hamish, 243 can easily smack targets at 500. Just because you can take an animal at 500 doesn't mean you should. 243 is a great calibre but long range hunting cartridge it is not.

I'd have to agree with that statement, bullet weight dependent. I have shot a stag at 500 with a 85 interbond out of the 243 into its engine room. The hit was good but it did not stop it, having said that, it didn't go too far as it was hurting bad. Found it bedded up in head-high tussock, it boosted as I spooked it, but poochy dragged it down and I dispatched it. Have bought some 95 sst's, just have to do load development now for them, but won't be doing long shots like that with 243 again. Accurate yes, but punch at range no.