.243 Win vs. .308 Win

[Mistered]

Wonder why they did that?

Cost - no other reason.

and/or accuracy, do you think?

What Ozark said:

The longer range shots is where the precision of the bolt rifle will shine , IMO.

Does it become a durability issue or is there some impact on reliability

In the LONG TERM yes but most never get there.
Got to a pawn shop or LGS that deals in used guns and look at all the alloy guns you can find. Mostly it will be shotguns (and some others such as 10-22s) but he bottom line is you will see greater wear and finish issues with the alloy receiver guns.

[220]

If you are purchasing it purely as a deer rifle I would go the 308, if it will be used for a bit of preditor work or any varminting as well then the 243 is the logical choice.
I run a 240wby as a do anything rifle and have to say it has proven to be the most versatile rifle I have ever owned. 2-300fps more velocity than a 243 has it almost matching the 308 for muzzle energy. 100gr nosler partitions have really impressed me with their performance. 3 one shot kills on our Aussie sambar which are comparable in size to elk. 55gr bullets at over 4100fps make it the equal of my swift in varminting situations, recoil is a bit more but still manageable for a 50 round or more session of stretch out work.

You can shoot deer with a 22cal and use 30cals for varminting but for me the window for true dual purpose rifles where they can do either as well as a dedicated rifle is small. I would say it starts around the 243 and ends with the 25-06.

[ESquared]

This is all great input and I want to thank you all again for all you've added to the conversation.

Maybe, for me, as of right now, it might all come down recoil and recoil management of the 308 vs. the 243, which, in the scheme of things, may be the lat thing to worry about.
The ballistics speak for themselves, and the 308 will obviously do everything the 243 will do, and more, should the day come that I need/want a longer shot or a bigger animal than the 243 will deal with.
But (and there's always a but) Is there validity to too big a round at too close a distance can end up "messing up the meat"? If so, that argues for the 243 for now, the 308 when/if the need arises. Or do you manage that with different 308 ammo, depending on conditions of the day?
I'm a 6'5", 260 lb ex-offensive tackle. What am I worried about? Fear of the unknown and being spoiled by a .357, I guess.
So, maybe it will translate in shotgun terms, when it comes to recoil. .308 = 12 gauge?
Nobody said this was going to be easy!

[Ozarkridgerunner]

If you are purchasing it purely as a deer rifle I would go the 308, if it will be used for a bit of preditor work or any varminting as well then the 243 is the logical choice.
I run a 240wby as a do anything rifle and have to say it has proven to be the most versatile rifle I have ever owned. 2-300fps more velocity than a 243 has it almost matching the 308 for muzzle energy. 100gr nosler partitions have really impressed me with their performance. 3 one shot kills on our Aussie sambar which are comparable in size to elk. 55gr bullets at over 4100fps make it the equal of my swift in varminting situations, recoil is a bit more but still manageable for a 50 round or more session of stretch out work.

You can shoot deer with a 22cal and use 30cals for varminting but for me the window for true dual purpose rifles where they can do either as well as a dedicated rifle is small. I would say it starts around the 243 and ends with the 25-06.

Good observations here as well. Sometimes choice of calibers and gun types gets to be like trucks. Chevy , Ford or Dodge ? Gas or diesel? 1/2 , 3/4 or 1 ton ? Economy or bells and whistles ? The 240 Wby is a great round. A man better have deep pockets if he plans on shooting it very much. Lots of considerations but I'm confident you'll find a caliber and rifle that suits your needs. The pursuit of the firearm can be mighty fun too.

[ESquared]

If you are purchasing it purely as a deer rifle I would go the 308, if it will be used for a bit of preditor work or any varminting as well then the 243 is the logical choice.
I run a 240wby as a do anything rifle and have to say it has proven to be the most versatile rifle I have ever owned. 2-300fps more velocity than a 243 has it almost matching the 308 for muzzle energy. 100gr nosler partitions have really impressed me with their performance. 3 one shot kills on our Aussie sambar which are comparable in size to elk. 55gr bullets at over 4100fps make it the equal of my swift in varminting situations, recoil is a bit more but still manageable for a 50 round or more session of stretch out work.

You can shoot deer with a 22cal and use 30cals for varminting but for me the window for true dual purpose rifles where they can do either as well as a dedicated rifle is small. I would say it starts around the 243 and ends with the 25-06.

Good observations here as well. Sometimes choice of calibers and gun types gets to be like trucks. Chevy , Ford or Dodge ? Gas or diesel? 1/2 , 3/4 or 1 ton ? Economy or bells and whistles ? The 240 Wby is a great round. A man better have deep pockets if he plans on shooting it very much. Lots of considerations but I'm confident you'll find a caliber and rifle that suits your needs. The pursuit of the firearm can be mighty fun too.

Exactly right, Ozark! There's just as much fun in the "hunt" for the right next firearm. Made even more so with folks like the members here who are so generous with their insights and experiences.
I'll figure it out. Maybe not soon, but I WILL figure it out.

[Ozarkridgerunner]

This is all great input and I want to thank you all again for all you've added to the conversation.

Maybe, for me, as of right now, it might all come down recoil and recoil management of the 308 vs. the 243, which, in the scheme of things, may be the lat thing to worry about.
The ballistics speak for themselves, and the 308 will obviously do everything the 243 will do, and more, should the day come that I need/want a longer shot or a bigger animal than the 243 will deal with.
But (and there's always a but) Is there validity to too big a round at too close a distance can end up "messing up the meat"? If so, that argues for the 243 for now, the 308 when/if the need arises. Or do you manage that with different 308 ammo, depending on conditions of the day?
I'm a 6'5", 260 lb ex-offensive tackle. What am I worried about? Fear of the unknown and being spoiled by a .357, I guess.
So, maybe it will translate in shotgun terms, when it comes to recoil. .308 = 12 gauge?
Nobody said this was going to be easy!

Sounds like you got plenty of frame to handle the recoil, ESquared! Terminal performance of the .243 on a deer is quite dramatic. If you want to save the front shoulder on a deer don't put a round in it. Damage is tremendous. But put it in the boiler room behind that shoulder and you'll mainly liquefy the internal organs. As to comparing the shotgun vs. 308 on recoil , I 'd say that depends. I think the way you feel it like a hard push compared to a quick jolt. Speaking from some experience, I've shot synthetic stocked 12 gauges in 3 1/2" chamber with extra full turkey chokes and heavy turkey loads and Ive shot .375 H&H Magnums in a heavy bolt gun. I will guarantee that I would rather shoot the .375 vs the 12 ga in that scenario! That configuration in a shotgun is very lethal on both ends.

[220]

I don't think size comes into it with recoil tolerance, have a mate that is 5'1" and lucky to be 110lbs. He hunts with big bores and shots them as well as anyone I have seen. He has a 416rigby 450 3 1/4NE 470NE that he alternated between as his deer rifles. Most have been customised for him with about 4" lopped of the barrel and 2" off the stock but I have seen him accidently fire both barrels on a 500NE. I would have been lying on the ground crying but he just stepped up and went again. Did the same thing the second time and called it a day.
There was a clip of it on youtube I will see if I can find a link.

If you are concerned about recoil then the 243 is probably the best option. Everyone shoots better with a rifle that is within their comfort level, a well placed shot from a 243 will kill better than a misplaced one from a 308.

[220]

I think this link should work

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ-yDHL_aYI

[ESquared]

This is all great input and I want to thank you all again for all you've added to the conversation.

Maybe, for me, as of right now, it might all come down recoil and recoil management of the 308 vs. the 243, which, in the scheme of things, may be the lat thing to worry about.
The ballistics speak for themselves, and the 308 will obviously do everything the 243 will do, and more, should the day come that I need/want a longer shot or a bigger animal than the 243 will deal with.
But (and there's always a but) Is there validity to too big a round at too close a distance can end up "messing up the meat"? If so, that argues for the 243 for now, the 308 when/if the need arises. Or do you manage that with different 308 ammo, depending on conditions of the day?
I'm a 6'5", 260 lb ex-offensive tackle. What am I worried about? Fear of the unknown and being spoiled by a .357, I guess.
So, maybe it will translate in shotgun terms, when it comes to recoil. .308 = 12 gauge?
Nobody said this was going to be easy!

Sounds like you got plenty of frame to handle the recoil, ESquared! Terminal performance of the .243 on a deer is quite dramatic. If you want to save the front shoulder on a deer don't put a round in it. Damage is tremendous. But put it in the boiler room behind that shoulder and you'll mainly liquefy the internal organs. As to comparing the shotgun vs. 308 on recoil , I 'd say that depends. I think the way you feel it like a hard push compared to a quick jolt. Speaking from some experience, I've shot synthetic stocked 12 gauges in 3 1/2" chamber with extra full turkey chokes and heavy turkey loads and Ive shot .375 H&H Magnums in a heavy bolt gun. I will guarantee that I would rather shoot the .375 vs the 12 ga in that scenario! That configuration in a shotgun is very lethal on both ends.

There's no wrong answer, is there? When it comes to shotgun comparisons, I remember shooting at clays growing up, with what I think was a 16 gauge, single shot, and we shot that thing over and over. The research I've done tells me that the calculated Recoil Energy of that gun was most likely comparable to the 308.
Gauge, length (oz. shot@MV) Gun weight (lbs.) Recoil energy (ft. lbs.)
.410 bore, 2.5" (1/2 at 1200) 5.5 7.1
.410 bore, 3" (11/16 at 1135) 5.5 10.5
28 gauge, 2.75" (3/4 at 1200) 6.0 12.8
20 gauge, 2.75" (7/8 at 1200) 6.5 16.1
20 gauge, 2.75" (1 at 1220) 6.5 21.0
20 gauge, 2.75" (1 1/8 at 1175) 6.5 25.0
20 gauge, 3" (1 1/4 at 1185) 6.5 31.0
16 gauge, 2.75" (1 at 1220) 7.0 21.5
16 gauge, 2.75" (1 1/8 at 1240) 7.0 27.6
12 gauge, 2.75" (1 at 1180) 7.5 17.3
12 gauge, 2.75" (1 1/8 at 1200) 7.5 23.0
12 gauge, 2.75" (1 1/4 at 1330) 7.5 32.0
12 gauge, 2.75" (1 1/2 at 1260) 7.5 45.0
12 gauge, 3" (1 5/8 at 1280) 7.5 52.0
12 gauge, 3" (1 7/8 at 1210) 8.75 54.0
10 gauge, 3.5" (2 1/4 at 1210) 10.5 62.9

I remember, too, as an adult, patterning a 12 ga turkey gun and it was brutal.

[ESquared]

I don't think size comes into it with recoil tolerance, have a mate that is 5'1" and lucky to be 110lbs. He hunts with big bores and shots them as well as anyone I have seen. He has a 416rigby 450 3 1/4NE 470NE that he alternated between as his deer rifles. Most have been customised for him with about 4" lopped of the barrel and 2" off the stock but I have seen him accidently fire both barrels on a 500NE. I would have been lying on the ground crying but he just stepped up and went again. Did the same thing the second time and called it a day.
There was a clip of it on youtube I will see if I can find a link.

If you are concerned about recoil then the 243 is probably the best option. Everyone shoots better with a rifle that is within their comfort level, a well placed shot from a 243 will kill better than a misplaced one from a 308.

I'm leaning your way, 220, there's no need to get ahead of myself. Shot placement is everything in the debate we're having, and I share your belief that shot placement is facilitated by shooter confidence and familiarity and comfort with what the gun is going to do when it goes "boom."

I'll figure it out, but, in the meantime, thanks again for your help!