Best, strongest, most accurate .243?

D

Dagny

New member
Reviewing the archives does not answer this question. I'm looking for a .243 for long range (300 to 500 yards), accurate placement with good retained energy from 80 to 107 grain bullets. The heavier bullets are required for better wind drift resistance. I'll be using the Federal 85 and 100 grain Sierra boat tails, Hornady's light magnum boat tail and eventually reloading with Sierra's 107 grain Matchking BTHP and likely pushing the envelope a bit for velocity and pressure (thus the "strongest" action).

Yes, I know that other similar calibers, such as the 25-06, may be better in some respects. But I'm wishing to stick to the .243 if for no other reason than I just sold my Winchester 670 and am looking to replace it since I've a lot of factory ammo (worth as much as a new rifle).
 
I have always been very partial to the Remington 700 action.

I've got a BDL with a custom barrel that is a tack driver.



------------------
Smith & Wesson is dead to me.

If you want a Smith & Wesson, buy USED!
 
If most of your shooting is going to be from prone/sandbagged/bench position, I would take a hard look at the Remington VLS in 243. It already has the 26 inch heavy barrel which should squeeze the last foot per second out of your loads, the trigger is pretty nice and the stock is very comfortable
 
I've been reading here that Remingtons quality is not up to what it used to be, and that some of their varmint specials, aka "sniper rifles" have been restricted from sale to regular people.

Might the Winchester 70 be the better choice?

No comments about Browning?
 
I've shot Browning Varminters in .223 and .308 extensively. I'm not sure if they offer them in .243, you might check www.browning.com They are as accurate as you can ask a rifle to be. They are heavy though, running a little over nine pounds with out scope or bipod IIRC. As far as action strength, I don't know. I like the 60 degree bolt throw, it is smooth as butter after 50 rounds or so, and I have never had a problem with a sticky bolt with my handloads like a friend of mine has with his .308 Remington 700.

BTW, the BOSS is a wonderful accessory. It works as advertised and will cut groups way down. I basically matches the gun barrel to the load rather than trying to find 1 load that matches the barrel. You can read more about it at Browning's website.
 
Wow, that's a rumor that refuses to die.

The Remington 700 varmint model, either the Varmint Laminated, or Varmint Synthetic, is the 700BDL with a 26" heavy barrel, housed in either a laminated wood stock or an H-S Precision synthetic stock. Either flavor of stock, they are chambered in .22-250, .223, .243, 6mm Rem, and .308 Win. Some were chambered at one time in .260 Remington. The heavy barreled varmint action in .223 and .308 is EXACTLY THE SAME as the 700 PSS, Remington will even confirm this for you if you call them up. The ONLY difference is the metal finish and stock. Remington has had a policy of selling their law-enforcement guns through law-enforcement dealers, like Hoplite, but that does NOT preclude these dealers from selling to the general public, hence the Shotgun News ads still selling them. People who "discover" how accurate the 700 Varmint models and PSS/LTR's are have caused a shortage of dealer stock, with Remington sometimes lagging in production. But there's no sales ban on the VLS, VS, etc.
Sales of the PSS/LTR may have to go through Remington-authorized distributors, that is all.

700pss.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top