Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles If you were in the market for a new 243 Win...

I'm bored and looking...

So, just curious at this point but if you were in the market for a new 243 Win, what would you consider? I already have some ideas where I'm gonna end up, but would be curious to hear what some others think. And to get this out of the way right up front, the answer isn't a different headstamp. Not going to entertain 6.5CM or 6CM, 6mm-06 or any other 6mm cartridge. Answers should be speaking specifically to the 243 Win cartridge in your choice of factory bolt action rifle. Would also be interested to hear why you suggest something. Personal experience? You're brother's, girlfriend's, uncle's, cousin shot a record book muley with it?

Price could also be a consideration so, let's try to keep it to factory bolt action rifles under $1000.

Go...

I like the Rem 700 platform, so I'd buy another Bergara B14 in 243. (Pick the model that works for you and your budget). Tikka would probably be my 2nd choice. Browning BLR would probably be a 3rd choice (not a bolt action, but a fun gun).

2 Bergaras (308 and 6.5PRC). Both are shooters. If it ain't broke...

I would just buy a stainless Remington M700 SPS and then install an aftermarket "Trigger Tech" trigger assembly on it. Then you would have an excellent .243 rifle, lightweight, safe and accurate.

Used TC Icon. I have a soft spot for those rifles. They are pretty much a laser beam

EDIT: Sorry for the used suggestion, if buying new, I’d get a standard hawkeye. I like the 1:9 twist and just the whole rifle in general. If Winchester’s didn’t have “Portugal” stamped on the side, the FW stainless would easily be my decision.

What bullet would you want to shoot?


I am a huge fan of the 105s. Which basically eliminates everything under 1k that I am aware of.

Ruger Hawkeye, which has a 1-9” twist. Mine is an excellent shooter with both my handloads and factory ammo. My gunsmith adjusted the trigger to 2.5 lbs and it breaks like glass.

Something used. Maybe a 700, Ruger 77 MK II or Hawkeye.

Contemplating searching for a 700 BDL SS after the first of the year.

Not much of the new stuff excites me. Seems detachable mags are the norm and I have no interest in them.

Kimber Hunter.

Was in the same boat about a half year ago and nothing got me interested. About two to three months ago, I check out the used rack at a local store, and there was the rifle that met all my needs. Steyr SBS in 243 Win for just over $400 and in like new condition. Had a Nikon on it and got a little over $100 for it when I sold it here. So got it for basically around $300. They were going for $800 asking and $600 when they were on Sale a few years ago. I've never heard of one that doesn't shoot great.

I'd try to hunt down a new Howa Alpine.

Same thought here. If you up the $ the Fieldcraft has been discontinued in .243 but there might still be a few floating around.

I literally just finished ordering a Weatherby Vanguard. 243 .

The .243 is a favorite of mine, and I've killed a lot of deer with one, as have several of my buddies. Even though they are assembled in Portugal, the new Winchester model 70 Featherweights are very nice. I love mine.

I'd look at a Remington model 7 as well.

1:10 twists kill stuff just fine for me, but heck I'm only a deer hunter.

Tikka, Fieldcraft or Remington. If going Remington, it'd be a Remage setup. I'd prefer a 1/8 twist as opposed to a 1/10. 1/9 would be OK.

I was never a fan of the 243. I bought a Gander Mountain Mountain Guide in 243 for my daughter and fell in love with the damn thing. Basically a stainless Remington 700 mountain rifle in a first generation Remington Ti stock. About the nicest carrying rifle I have lugged around, accurate and we have killed several truckloads of deer with it pushing an 85 grain TSX. We have killed the two biggest whitetails our family has shot with it. Don’t see them often but they do show up once in awhile. Gotta believe a Montana or Fieldcraft would be close to the same thing.

I’d buy a stainless Rem 700 action and then look for a 8” twist stainless barrel off either here or eBay and have it screwed on, then I’d get a Timney trigger and if money left over I’d get a 1st gen TI stock and bed it.

Kimber Montana - you can still find new ones for ~$1149 or used on the Classifieds for around $900 bucks.

Savage Axis II shooting the cheapest ammo available...

NEW —. Tikka T3X

USED — Win 70 XTR FTWT

NO questions about either one.


Jerry

I think any mentioned would be fine. I guess I’d go Howa or Wby VG. Like the Howa better w/22 inch barrel in lieu of Wby VG w/24 inch barrel. I would not give much consideration to barrel twist as a 1-10 twist does it all for field use. Fast twisting will take the accuracy of lighter bullets out of the mix and true duel purpose (varmint/big game) function. A 243 Win w/1-10 twist easily stabilizes 55-100 gr bullets, plenty adequate for quite a range of field use. One things for certain it pushes projectiles fast and flat.