Thread: Ruger Walkabout

Had the pleasure this weekend of enjoying my inaugural attendance at the Central North Island Get Together, and arriving a day early there was an opportunity to walk the Ruger over some new ground. And a lovely afternoon it was too. Attempted stalks on a couple of Hares that embarrassed me by using the long grass to their advantage. But the Rabbit wasn't so clever. I found it sunning itself when scanning around with the binos, sneaked in to a perfect spot clear of rank grass and smacked it over at 129 yds. A great way to finish the day.

Nice one Grant, great shooting!

Hey mate, are you from the good old USA by any chance? Reading these posts the term "overkill" lept to my mind I guess it's highly ethical pest control, nothing you hit could possibly escape injured!

I wonder what the equivalent firepower vs body mass ratio of shooting a rabbit with a .243W would be when applied to a deer? 50BMG would probably be too small, maybe some kind of lightweight artillery cannon?

A Thinning of the purple heads.

Originally Posted by Ben Waimata

Hey mate, are you from the good old USA by any chance? Reading these posts the term "overkill" lept to my mind I guess it's highly ethical pest control, nothing you hit could possibly escape injured!

I wonder what the equivalent firepower vs body mass ratio of shooting a rabbit with a .243W would be when applied to a deer? 50BMG would probably be too small, maybe some kind of lightweight artillery cannon?

Hi @Ben Waimata
I'm 100% Kiwi, but if I was American would hope to be Texan. Just love much of what Texas has.
Yes, overkill for sure using the 243W, but I love shooting it. Sure beats underkill, right ?
Actually, I almost went the 223 route for this particular use but ended up buying another .243W and no regrets. Saved me having to buy SR primers and another die set.
Yep, liv'n large with the great 243W

@30.06king , Enjoying your thread. Appreciate getting the good with the bad. Real world experiences. I've shot hares with my 243 when I first got it, off this forum actually, both head shots at just under 100m. The first one was a clean kill at 96m. The 2nd ran and stopped about 30m further away..I proceeded to miss twice with dirt and grass exploding near its head but over the top. It was running up a grassed hill.and I over compensated when I didn't need to with this flat shooter. The missed shots herded it back towards where I shot the first one and the 3rd bullet put a deep furrow in the top of its head between its ears. Most of my rabbit shooting is close to town done with 22lr subs. But I go once a year turkey culling and the 243 has done duty then as well. Overkill? Maybe. But good legs and heaps of fun. Keep the reports coming.

Originally Posted by SL600

A Thinning of the purple heads.

Attachment 263347

@SL600
Nice. Great shooting.

Originally Posted by Jhon

@30.06king , Enjoying your thread. Appreciate getting the good with the bad. Real world experiences. I've shot hares with my 243 when I first got it, off this forum actually, both head shots at just under 100m. The first one was a clean kill at 96m. The 2nd ran and stopped about 30m further away..I proceeded to miss twice with dirt and grass exploding near its head but over the top. It was running up a grassed hill.and I over compensated when I didn't need to with this flat shooter. The missed shots herded it back towards where I shot the first one and the 3rd bullet put a deep furrow in the top of its head between its ears. Most of my rabbit shooting is close to town done with 22lr subs. But I go once a year turkey culling and the 243 has done duty then as well. Overkill? Maybe. But good legs and heaps of fun. Keep the reports coming.

@Jhon
Glad you enjoy my little reports, and thanks for posting yours. Sounds like mutual appreciation for the 243W capabilities, which may be a little greater than we sometimes think. There is a lot more to choose from in 6mm cal offerings these days and it's great the 243W seems to be holding its own.
In my little stories I merely try to state the actual events and don't want to sugarcoat anything. Of course there is the odd mistake or failing as I am only human after all. But none of it is bad. At my age it's all life enriching, trigger time fun which I intend to continue for as long as I can get onto the hill. And thankyou, I will gladly continue posting as long as folks are enjoying them.