If you were looking to buy a 243 and had an $800 budget (scope not included)what brand would you buy?
Vanguard or Remington 700 are the two I chose between
I could be happy with a Tikka.
I'd try to find one of the Ruger All Weather rifles. Failing that, I'd go with either the T3 or the American.
The Americans are beginning to show up frequently at the range i shoot at most. Hard not to like a rifle that performs like they do.
Ruger American. Then plenty left over to upgrade on the scope, buy loading supplies, etc.
Or a T3 stainless for under $600
I also want a nice .243. I am looking for a Sako or a winchester feather weight.
Dink
Ruger, Remington & Savage are twisted faster than Tikka & Winchester. I like the faster twist cause I gives me option if I wanna load a 105 A-Max.
Cant warm up to the stock on the RAR. If there was an after market stock that wasn't so heavy it would be an option.
My last Rem 700 was an SPS ADL Walmart special that I was to happy with.
Savage I don't know a thing about and don't hear much about on these forums.
Was also looking for a SS option but not a deal sealer.
Remington or Ruger Hawkeye
I really like my 24" ADL in a Ti stock
The Tikka stainless/laminate is a very nice gun as well and is right at that price range
Yeah Tikkas are prove shooters, I can even live with plastic stock, but can it spin a 105??
I have a TC Venture. I am happy with . It is a .243 Win youth with 20" barrel. I have had some really good groups with it and some only 1" - 1.5" . It goes for about 450 now days. Cant say I LOVE the gun , but am happy with it. Kind of heavy for a youth 20" barrel though.
Winchester model 70 featherweight - period.
105 might be best in an 8 twist according to most sources, so I guess that does throw out the 10"
Hawkeye, 700, or used Kimber. Stainless.
Yep, Howa, Remington, Ruger Hawkeye, or Tikka.
Vic, I have a VanGuard in 270, damn thing is heavy. If the Howa is like the VG in 243 its a 10 twist
Tikka or Howa/Weatherby Vanguard.
Remington 700. I like the 9.1 factory twist.
I would rock a stainless tikka for that price range.
M70 Featherweight or Ruger M77 Hawkeye.
Thanks woodson. Its food for thought.
If you were looking to buy a 243 and had an $800 budget (scope not included)what brand would you buy?
Winchester Featherweight.
Winchester featherweight for me.
I've been very happy with my latest 700ADL. For that money you could be well-scoped in addition and use your scope budget for more components. Or be close to a McMillan stock to drop it in.
Thanks woodson. Its food for thought.
It turned out great for the money. Also with the 1-9.125" the 105s will hopefully stabilize.
My T/C Venture compact in 243 Win is accurate and handles nicely. Groups are under and inch at 100 yds with 60 Sierra hollow points for varmints and 95 SST for deer. 100 Soft point interlock from Hornady is also under an inch but not quite as accurate as the 95 SST. I have taken about 20 white tail deer with Hornady 100 gr soft point. At least 15 of those were shot at 150 to 200 yards. All were hit in chest area either facing me or broad side. None were lost and most ran no more than 20 yards.
My last five deet were shot with Hornady's 95 SST bullets at 100 yards or less. These were medium hand loads. The 95SST bullet appears to be kill quicker. No shots were at long distance so can not comment on effectiveness at lower velocity.
I have also hunted with Savage Axis in 243. The gun handles great and I especially like the tang safety. Trigger pull had to be reduced for me to get acceptable accuracy. 95 SST and 100 gr soft point bullets group around 1 1/4 inch at 100 yards with cool barrel. The one negative to the Savage is the light barrel. It heats up quickly and accuracy suffers with hot bbl.
Savage Model 14 Classic stainless.
Winchester featherweight for me.
Hard to beat a Winchester Featherweight in just about any cartridge.