Help me find a predator rifle...

C

Clevinger

New member
I want a 243 Winchester chambered rifle with a synthetic stock for predator hunting in winter. To date I have been using a Benelli M2.

I would prefer a camo synthetic stock for less than $1000, but there doesn't seem to be a lot out there. The main one I've found is the Remington Model 7 Predator.

What 243s with synthetic stocks are out there in that price range that you'd recommend?

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Find a rifle you like don't worry about it not having the camo job on it. You can either rattle can a camo job or if you google "hydro dipping" and you can have that done for less than $300 in most cases.
 
I have a Kimber .243 Montana. I think it was around $1100, slightly out of your price range, but for carrying on multiple yote setups its sweeeeeet! Somewhere in the mid 5# range. I love it!

You can find good used ones for around $900-950. It has a matte gray Kevlar stock with stainless barrel. I've seen a few that were rattle canned with good results.
 
I'd get a rifle I liked and then either have a camo job done to it or do it myself. I have done shotguns before and it is pretty easy. I like your choice of cartridge, I have a Weathery Vanguard S2 in 243 and it is fast becoming my favorite cartridge to shoot.
 
I have a Kimber .243 Montana. I think it was around $1100, slightly out of your price range, but for carrying on multiple yote setups its sweeeeeet!
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I can get up to that price range, but I don't really want to for a synthetic stock. I own a Model 70 Super Grade, so I like Model 70s. I checked out the coyote lights and again, I just struggle to pay that much for a plastic stock.
 
Clevinger said:
I can get up to that price range, but I don't really want to for a synthetic stock. I own a Model 70 Super Grade, so I like Model 70s. I checked out the coyote lights and again, I just struggle to pay that much for a plastic stock.
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I guess I'm confused, you specifically asked for .243's with synthetic stocks??

The Kevlar stock on this gun certainly isn't cheap, but whatever you like is what you like. I have a couple Kimbers with wood stocks, and while they're a work of art, I have a hard time using them as they should be. I'm constantly worried I'm going to scratch them. For me, all guns moving forward will be synthetic.
 
Ruger American, ~$350, 3-4cans of Krylon spray paint ~ $20, decent Nikon, Redfield, Vortex, Burris scope ~$200 and you are there with a great inexpensive Winter predator rifle. Not much snob appeal but it will kill predators with the best of them.
 
TnTnTn said:
Ruger American, ~$350, 3-4cans of Krylon spray paint ~ $20, decent Nikon, Redfield, Vortex, Burris scope ~$200 and you are there with a great inexpensive Winter predator rifle. Not much snob appeal but it will kill predators with the best of them.
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Lol...

Snob appeal, I love it... A guy spends more on a rifle than someone else would, and they're a snob... Yep, that makes sense.
 
Have you looked at TC's? Friend uses those and loves them for predator hunting. Not sure what all calibers he owns anymore, but I know he uses the 22-250 a lot. They also come factory with a matching camo scope. Seem like good guns, he has been very happy with them.
 
Find an ole Savage flat-top in .243 win, or even 25-06. You can spray a decent pattern on a riflestock, it's easy.. if you goof it up start over again.. then coat it in Matte clear from Rust-Oleum,, it doesn't really shine and it helps against scratching paint off...
If you handload, loading light bullets for each of these calibers is simple.. I haven't loaded light bullets for the .243 win, but I have 85 grain Ballistic Tips from Nosler for the 25-06, light recoil, cover four out of five shots at one hundred yards with a nickle..;) Put decent glass and mounts atop it...
Including scope you could spend 5-600.00 totally if you got the rifle right...Scope could be most expensive.. if your not careful.:)
 
I can get up to that price range, but I don't really want to for a synthetic stock. I own a Model 70 Super Grade, so I like Model 70s. I checked out the coyote lights and again, I just struggle to pay that much for a plastic stock.
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There are cheap plastic stocks, and quality fiberglass/kevlar stocks. The Kimber stock is comparable to a $600-$700 aftermarket stock. For the price Kimber charges for their rifles with a stock of this quality they are a bargain.

For your uses a Tikka might be a better choice. Kimbers are great rifles, but at about 5 lbs are better suited for a big game hunter wanting to hike into remote areas and looking for a lightweight rifle. The Tikka is about a pound heavier, but still a lightweight. Also about $500 cheaper and just as accurate. The Kimbers can be amazingly accurate, but a lot of people can't shoot one well because of the light weight. The Tikka has one of the better inexpensive plastic stocks.

If you like Winchesters look at the EW. The B&C stocks are decent. No where near the quality of a Kimber or aftermaket McMillan, but a big step up over the cheap tupperware stocks on many others

Forget about camo. Not needed and if you feel you really want it, Krylon it.
 
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I would suggest a Savage. If you are taking longer shots, and want utmost dead to rights accuracy out of the box the FSSV model. Though I would go .22-250 Rem. if it were me, and just for varmints. Though that is a bull barrel model for long range. It is heavy, I have its brother in .223 Rem. I put 4 coyotes down at 425 yards with 4 shots as fast as I could work the bolt, and be on the next one. They run around $850 localy here with no scope or bases. If you want it cammo then a graphics wrap, or spray paint are cheap.

If you are going to have to carry it, and maybe take off hand shots then a sporter barrel in the same model.

It think Remington also makes a VTR in .243 Win as well.
 
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