Affordable .243 'varmint' ?

Z

Zak Smith

New member
So I have narrowed down my next bolt-rifle purchase to .243. I want a medium-heavy or heavy barrel since I will mainly be punching paper at 200-300 yards. I would prefer to spend less than $800 on the rifle itself.

The choices I have found so far:

1. Winchester model 70 "coyote". This has a 24" barrel, and weighs 10.75 lbs. It is the "push feed" action, which I don't see as a big detractor for my intended usage.

2. Remington 700 VLS. 26" barrel, 9.5" lbs.

3. CZ 550 Varmint. 25.5" barrel, 9.25lbs. I'm not sure this is imported in .243, since it is not listed in the CZ brochure.

4. Ruger M77VT Mark II. I don't particularly care for this one.

Unfortunately, the Blaser R93 is out of my price range, as probably is anything custom.

I am leaning towards the Winchester 70 "Coyote" right now - has anyone tried it? How is it? Any other suggestions, or feedback on the Remington or CZ?

thanks
-z
 
Going further, who makes a .243 rifle with enough twist to shoot 105 and 107gr bullets?

What kind of accuracy can be expected from one of these "out of the box" ?

thanks
-z
 
I'm looking for a .243 as well, and at that price range, don't skip the Tikka's!!!

http://www.sako.fi/ <-- Take a look at the Tikka's, they are lower end Sako's, but still have a match barrel, and that Land O' Lake buttery smooth bolt.

Albert
 
Although I recently bought a .243 (last fall), Rem. VLS, I only bought it because the Tikka Continental wasn't availble in the U.S. at the time. If you can find a Tikka Continental in .243, I'd say go for it.

I've freefloated the VLS and bedded the tang and recoil lug with Marine Tex. After all that, I finally just decided to swap the .243 action into my VS stock, in which my .223 came.

I would not buy the Winchester, due to the lack of creep adjustment in the trigger. Unless you want to buy a Jewell trigger for the Winchester, I'd go with the Tikka or Rem.
 
Howa

Take a look at Howa too. Legacy Sports is now importing these rifles. They have added new stocks including a thumbhole available in the 243 (blued - $585, SS - $679). Note a heavy barrel, but not a lightwieght either. RifleShooter (Jan/Feb 2002) has an article about Howas. My gun dealer also recommended the Howa. My Howa M1500 Lightning (yes, the cheapie of the family) 243Win is due in on Tuesday. Total with Tasco 6-24x Varmitmaster......~ $ 430.
 
Fresh out of the box, a buddy's Tikka in .243 was getting 3-shot groups inside 1" at 100 yards from my benchrest--which ain't the world's most stable bench. No tweaking with the bedding or the trigger; factory ammo.

Seems to me there's lots of potential in that critter.

:), Art
 
Savage triggers

Regarding Savage .243....... They always seem to be excellent shooters with crummy triggers... I bought a "Rifle Basix" trigger for my Striker and LOVE it. 10 oz pull for $79.95...... I am going to order a new Savage in .243 myself and will order a Rifle Basix trigger at the same time.
 
I have an old style Ruger M77

The old style Ruger 77 = standard weight barrel, tang safety, 'semi-butterkife' bolt handel.....a tackdriver out to 200 yds for varmints. However, the more modern M77's seem to have fallen in with "evil companions"= the Ruger Accounting Department:( :rolleyes: Stiff actions, gritty triggers and imprecise extraction/ejection:eek: The result of trying to save a few bucks on the production end while running the purchase price up.
They sure don't make these like they used to...I'd spend a little more and get a Winchester, or spend less and get a CZ or a Tikka.
If you want a bullet heavier than 100 gr, you really want another caliber, a .25 or a 6.5.....Usual Disclaimer = IMOonly:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top