.243 or 7mm-08?

[cmcbride]

Hello,
I'm new to the forum and I am trying to choose between buying a .243 or a 7mm-08. I am new to hunting, my boyfriend has gotten me into it. I have a PSE bow that I will be hunting with but I'd also like to have a rifle. Right now I am using my boyfriends .243. We live in GA so I'd be shooting whitetails but in the future we'd like to go out west and elk hunt. Which caliber would y'all choose? Does it make sense to get a slightly bigger caliber in case we do elk hunt or stick with the .243?

Thanks for your help!

[Deebz]

I'd think you' want a little more than the .243 for hunting elk, so if you are looking to buy just 1 rifle to fit your many needs, I'd go with the 7mm.

I'm pretty frugal, so if I was going to buy a rifle I'd try to buy more of a one size fits all.

Just make sure that whatever you buy is something you can handle well and are comfortable shooting. Don't get anything that is going to be too big and end up causing a flinch or is just simply painful to shoot...

[Dan Salmon]

With today's factory ammunition and bullets, a .243 Win would be plenty. It still comes down to shot placement. Hit 'em in the ribs and there isn't a thing that will live through it.

[shaman]

Of the two, I would prefer the 7mm-08. It is just about optimum for taking whitetail deer. If you're thinking about elk down the road, I'd step up to the 308 WIN.

If you're really recoil-shy, the 243 WIN is probably a better shot.

[1-GTOHunter]

The 7mm-08 is a good Caliber with less recoil,and its going to shot a long distance and flat with plenty of knock-down power,if Your still worried about too much recoil You can get the Managed Recoil Shells from Remington and tame down the recoil even more!Savage is making a Rifle designed for the Ladies that Hunt...check out the *New Model 11/111 Lady Hunter its a light 6lb Gun with a special ladies-specific geometry stock,oil finished American Walnut wood and the Accu-Trigger.

Available in .223 REM,.22-250 REM,.243 WIN,.270 WIN,.30-06 Springfield,..308 WIN,..6.5 Creedmore and 7mm-08 REM.