I've been a gunsmith, benchrest shooter, varmint and big game hunter for over 40 years.
For my money, the Tikka T3 and T3 Lite are excellent! My new .243 T3 Lite has impressed me more than any factory rifle I've shot in many years. They are presently selling for about $550 and they're a high-quality rifle. Mine shoots preliminary handloads under 1/2" and may be better as I find the right load.
I also have an older Tikka in .243 Win that consistently shoots 1/4" groups at 100 yards.
The Weatherby Vanguard is also a good rifle, though it's quite heavy for walking around a lot.
I also have rebarreled my pillar-bedded 1980s Remington 700 ADL.243 Win with a fancy (read Expensive) Super Match barrel and the Tikka shoots just as well out of the box!!! Tikkas have the same match quality barrels as more expensive Sacos. They're super-smooth and clean very easily.
For my money, the Tikka T3 and T3 Lite are excellent! My new .243 T3 Lite has impressed me more than any factory rifle I've shot in many years. They are presently selling for about $550 and they're a high-quality rifle. Mine shoots preliminary handloads under 1/2" and may be better as I find the right load.
I also have an older Tikka in .243 Win that consistently shoots 1/4" groups at 100 yards.
The Weatherby Vanguard is also a good rifle, though it's quite heavy for walking around a lot.
I also have rebarreled my pillar-bedded 1980s Remington 700 ADL.243 Win with a fancy (read Expensive) Super Match barrel and the Tikka shoots just as well out of the box!!! Tikkas have the same match quality barrels as more expensive Sacos. They're super-smooth and clean very easily.