Want to buy a rifle in .243 caliber

[sealow]

Greetings: New member from Nevada; I want to buy a rifle in .243 caliber, but I do not know which one, under 1,000. Why a .243, because is easy to shot, accurate, easy to reload, and cost effective, if I reload. For hunting in the future, under 150 pounds at a range under 200 yards, for a humane kill, need to learn how to place the shot at the correct moment and time. I am a beginner, but willing to learn. I have a Marlin 1894 JM .357 magnum, CZ 527 varmint .223 and few others toys.
Thank you and be safe.

 

[gohring3006]

my next short action is going to be the .243 win. I'm going to get the Thompson center venture predator. I love the paint job you don't have to worry about the exterior just wipe it off and your good. My tc. Venture in 06 is sub moa...

 

[Punisher]

Greetings: New member from Nevada; I want to buy a rifle in .243 caliber, but I do not know which one, under 1,000. Why a .243, because is easy to shot, accurate, easy to reload, and cost effective, if I reload. For hunting in the future, under 150 pounds at a range under 200 yards, for a humane kill, need to learn how to place the shot at the correct moment and time. I am a beginner, but willing to learn. I have a Marlin 1894 JM .357 magnum, CZ 527 varmint .223 and few others toys.
Thank you and be safe.

There can be only one. Winchester model 70 featherweight.

 

[Deleted member 48126]

There can be only one.

Correct Punisher! For the OPs application the Remington 700 SPS Varmint!

 

[JOHNNIE WALKER]

Savage makes a heck of rifle. The model 11/111 is a great rifle for the money. Savage rifles can also be easily modified later if you wish.

 

[Deleted member 48126]

Savage makes a heck of rifle. The model 11/111 is a great rifle for the money. Savage rifles can also be easily modified later if you wish.

Honestly, any remington 700, savage series, browning, tikka, etc. in 243 will satisfy the users needs. Out of the box rifle accuracy for the major manufacturers is pretty good. My stock remington 700 ADL with a laminated stock and nikon 2-7x32mm scope shoots a hair under an inch at 100 yards with 150 grain remington corelokts (off a bench on sand bags). Not the norm, but still a darn good factory rifle. OP, I think you will be happy with whatever rifle configuration you decide on per your specifications.

 

[Red Sparky]

If you are in a hurry you can buy a new one. There are great deals on used rifles if you are not in a hurry. Old timers whittling down gun collections (why I will never know or hope not to find out) or changing calibers to get something bigger. My brother in law got a great deal on a Rem. 700 BDl (i think) in .243. Paid half price for a nearly new rifle. The only new rifles I have bought have been for my daughters to get them youth models.

The .243 is a great little caliber for medium game to varmits.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

Remington has always been held in high esteem however, there are many out there who feel they are lagging behind several producers in the accuracy/quality department.

I'd probably make my decision in a similar order to this:

1) Custom, if you can afford it. Cruising the classifieds can produce a great rifle for a dern good price, if you're patient.

2) Savage Arms.
Pros- American made (very important to me). Usually stupid accurate out of the box. Better feeling target "style" trigger than the new Remington. Fastest lock time in the industry. Nearly as many accessories available as Remington. Several available models.
Cons- Can experience extraction issues after a long life (very easy to fix). Stiffer bolt lift than any of the others.

2) Tikka
Pros- Very Slick action. Good looking. Usually very accurate.
Cons- Not as much aftermarket support. Usually come with a pencil barrel. Non-American company (IIRC). Not as many models available.

3) Remington
Pros- There is nothing you can't replace via the aftermarket world. Great CS. Many, Many models available.
Cons- Lacking Quality Control. The SPS stock is garbage & should be (IMHO) replaced immediately adding extra cost.

Just a very quick comparison from the top of my head.


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[motown]

I just bought a tikka t3 in a 243 to add to the collection. I only have been able to do limited load development so far but it looks very promising. Using imr-4064 and sierra 85 grn hpbt gamekings i have been able to average 1/2" 3 shot groups at 100 yards and around 1.5" at 200 yards.

With that being said the post outlaw made about tikka is correct in the fact it has a pencil thin barrel and accuracy starts to suffer after 3 shots or so even allowing some time to cool between shots.


Just my opinion but if you are looking for a lightweight accurate hunting rig then the tikka is great. If you are looking to shoot a decent amount from the bench then i would look more towards a savage which sports a little beefier barrel.

 

[Punisher]

Correct Punisher! For the OPs application the Remington 700 SPS Varmint!

I know, just hoping to put another person on a Winchester!

 

[mountainman56]

I know, just hoping to put another person on a Winchester!

I agree. I don't quite understand how Winchester seems to have been moved so far down the list by such a high percentage of shooters.

 

[Deleted member 48126]

I agree. I don't quite understand how Winchester seems to have been moved so far down the list by such a high percentage of shooters.

Honestly for me, it's about the sleekness of the action. I don't like the CRF on the Winchester actions, but other than that no real issues or complaints(seems petty, I know). Also, I've grown up around Remington's my entire life so it has a lot to do with product loyalty, and that they always perform for me. I might have to go buy a Winchester now in .243 to go give it a swing

 

[mountainman56]

Honestly for me, it's about the sleekness of the action. I don't like the CRF on the Winchester actions, but other than that no real issues or complaints(seems petty, I know). Also, I've grown up around Remington's my entire life so it has a lot to do with product loyalty, and that they always perform for me. I might have to go buy a Winchester now in .243 to go give it a swing

The first rifle I ever took to half a mile was my dad's pre-64 30-06. I still have it and my son will have it next. That being said (and most Winchester fans would disagree with me) I've always favored the push style post 64 action. I prefer the safety, I think it has a better extractor than Remingtons and I like the integrated recoil lug.

There are just as many Remingtons as Winchesters in my safe. Remingtons are easier to work on with that round action and they are most certainly the small block Chevy of rifles as far as aftermarket parts go. I guess I don't really favor one over the other.........just can't figure why Winchester gets mentioned less and less.

 

[Punisher]

Honestly for me, it's about the sleekness of the action. I don't like the CRF on the Winchester actions, but other than that no real issues or complaints(seems petty, I know). Also, I've grown up around Remington's my entire life so it has a lot to do with product loyalty, and that they always perform for me. I might have to go buy a Winchester now in .243 to go give it a swing

Here is what I can tell you objectly. On my Winchester .243, the firing pin strikes the primer slightly off center. And the leupold rings I have on it are no good. Barrel life on the featherweight edition that I have is only about 3k rounds. And in 4 years I have shot the barrel out of it.

It did hold .25 MOA right out of the box. Which is pretty great considering I had to get a sendero before I had a remington that could do that out of the box.


505 yards. One shot in the head.