Varmit Rifle. 243? Which one? Don't break the bank.

J

JAFO001

New member
Thinking the .243 is a good varmit round and could also use it deer hunting. Any thoughts on something around $500.
 
For a walk-around rifle, consider the Remington Model 7. My son has the youth version, but the stainless synthetic can be had for under $500.
 
$500 for the bare rifle? And then add the $ for scope, sling and mounts? Plus $ for ammo?

I'd haunt a gun store, regularly, looking for a recent trade-in. If you're Johnny-on-the-spot, you can sometimes get a great deal. Or, check out a gun show or two. There are a lot of good buys for rifle and scope for $500 or less.

If you are watching the pennies, and want only a NIB gun, the Savage 110 is the least costly and has had almost exclusively good comments here on TFL.

Wally World gets around $365 plus tax for a 700ADL, plastic stock, but I've only seen them in .308--so that's a "dunno". I have one in .308, and am still trying to get it to shoot as well as a .308 sporter should.

If the cost of a Leupold is a bit much, an older Simmons 44 Mag is a decent scope. I'm told that those made in the last couple of years are not as good. I haven't heard any squawks against Burris.

I've been using Weaver and Weaver-style bases and rings for 50 years; they've always worked quite well.

The Federal 85-grain HPBT loads work quite well on coyotes, and I've taken some 20 whitetails with that load. Most of my deer were well within 150 yards; mostly either heart or neck shots.

FWIW, Art
 
$500+ for gun only. I have the scope.

I kind of got the cart before the horse going. I bought a Sightron MIL-DOT scope, 4-16x42. Decent price ($381 including Z-rings and shipping), hope it holds up. Now I'm looking for the rifle. I have been trying to get a price on a Tikka. Any recommendations of dealers in VA, USA. Interested in any. Driving distance not a problem for a good deal on a gun. I can go higher than $500 on the right gun that will give good results.
 
Two things...the Remington 700 ADL IS offered in .243...and ART, I have an idea why that .308 ADL isn't shooting as well as you'd like...how can I say this KINDLY? The Remington "Synthetic" stock is a piece of cr@p!!! Put the barreled action in a good (more rigid) stock, and I'll bet your groups will improve....mikey357
 
i think a really great 243 is the savage. i bought a 110 with a wood stock, topped it with a leupold 3-9, got a trigger job, all for about 500, all new, never fired. mine shoots sub moa all day long with just about any bullet you put in it. never sell a savage short, they may not be pretty, but they shoot, probally the best buy out there in new guns. i thought i'd never buy anything but remington, winchester or ruger. i have owned, do own several of each , several 243s, the best one for the money is the savage. it will outshoot all the other 243s i have with a standard barrel.
 
Mikey, I've come to believe you're correct, but it's sort of a project gun, anyway. Right now I'm just meddlin' with it.

Art
 
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