308 vs 243

**Virgildonatifan** · 11-04-2012, 15:56

I have the opportunity to buy either a 243 K98 musgrave or a 308 P14 musgrave. I want to use it for any distance from 150m - 400m target shooting and maybe the odd hunting for feral pigs and baboons on a farm I visit regularly. The hunting isn't a definitive yet but the 308's added power would be good for the pigs and I can go hunting on my own rather than to invite someone else along just to be able to use their gun. I can also get ammo for the 308 at a price of R4,50 per round which as a student would be ideal as we don't have a very good cash flow. On other hand, the 308 has a bit more recoil (not sure how much) and I don't know if I will be able to survive 50 rounds in one day for competitions.

I use to borrow someone else's 223 for the competitions but the wind just throws me off my game and shooting with a rifle I don't know at all doesn't help my cause either. The thing I hate the most with such a small caliber is that when there is a wind blowing and the target is further that 200m I have to aim X amount of inch left/right of the target and Y amount of inch above it to be able to hit and I would like to be able to shoot where I am aiming at (if that is at all possible), not aim somewhere off target where I think the correct spot may be and hope my bullet hits the target. If that makes any sense at all. I'm not serious about the competitions, I do it for the experience and practice and most important of all, I enjoy doing it and putting time in to it but I don't like making crappy unsure shots with a small caliber when the wind is pumping.

Can one get use to recoil with enough practice behind a specific rifle?

**T Rex** · 11-04-2012, 18:22

308 P14 action would be my Choice

**rboshoff** · 11-04-2012, 18:38

Even though I have a 243 and not a 308, in your case I would go for the 308. The 243 can still be a bit wind sensitive.

Practice will definitely make you used to recoil!! You just need to practice enough, which is fine as you can get cheap ammo to practice with. Use decent (hand loaded) ammo for competitions.

**GameFarmer** · 11-04-2012, 18:43

I own both the 243 and 308 and for a grown man the recoil between the two is not that much different. Nothing a suppressor can not smooth out if the recoil really bothers you.

For the type of shooting you describe a suppressor will also be a bonus. Wind will always be a factor for long range shooting, only more so with lighter bullets. A heavier bullet will not eliminate the effect of the wind, but with good ballistic coefficient (BC) and weight (high sectional density) will make the effect of the wind less pronounced.

The 243 is a wonderful cartridge, but for your requirements I would've chosen the 308. It is not mere chance that the majority of snipers use the 308.

Most chaps I know not only get used to recoil, they get addicted to it.

**Virgildonatifan** · 11-04-2012, 18:45

Would the P14 be a better choice over a new HOWA? P14 going for about R5 000 and the howa for about R6 800. How does howa compare to other rifles?

I noticed this thread was posted in the wrong category, was in a bit of a hurry at the time so if the mods can just move it to general discussion, it would be much obliged.

**MyLani** · 11-04-2012, 18:50

I have a 308 and a musgrave 243. Although I love the musgrave, get a Howa 308

**GameFarmer** · 11-04-2012, 18:55

Musgrave made some fine rifles, and the P14 should be the Mauser 98 action. Best action ever. Out of sentiment I would've chosen the Musgrave P14 but only if the barrel is in excellent condition. Let a Gunsmith check it.

If not, the Howa's have over a really short period acquired a good reputation, plus you get a new action and barrel. Tough choice.

**archer** · 11-04-2012, 21:11

Get the howa,I have both p14 and howa .308.By the way p14 is not k98 but based on the 96 action it cocks on closing bolt,but is a very strong action non the less.Get a new gun at least you can have control and know its history from the get go.

**Virgildonatifan** · 11-04-2012, 23:00

I forgot to mention what competitions I will be taking part in, it is the field rifle competitions and I have spoken with some of the competitors and most of them recommended I look at a 243 or 6mm XC/Ackley but like I now know I would prefer the 308 since recoil isn't that much of a game changer in this situation and I can use it to go hunt feral pigs whereas I cannot do the same with a 243. Plus the ammo on the 308 will also be cheaper. Maybe shoot the cheaper stuff on the range and get use to whatever recoil there is and load my own better rounds specifically for the comps. Thanks for all the advice, I am going with the 308 and most probably howa.

**GAT** · 12-04-2012, 08:03

A .243 has a tendancy to burn barrels, so if you are buying 2nd hand, have the barrel checked. .308's recoil is still mild, compared to other caliberes, and .243 is not much less. My 13 year old twins has been shooting my 30-06 since they were 8 years old and the .308 is like a .223 for them.

No .243 barrel will ever out live a good .308! Same .243 will be shot-out in less than 2000 shots while a .308 will still perform well at 10000. Howa will not disapoint!