SS Stinger
New member
looking to buy a new .243 bolt action what would you all buy in that caliber .............
Looking to get a .243 bolt action
- Thread starter SS Stinger
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stealthman
New member
How much are you looking to spend? What are you going to be using it for and what things matter to you most (price, weight, length, wood/synthetic, etc.)? I'm sure the guys here can narrow down your search a bit.
bowhunter57
Well-known member
SS Stinger,
Welcome to Predator Masters!
Savage has a great "out-of-the-box" reputation for accuracy. So, this would cover the Stevens line of rifles too.
Stevens rifles make good carry rifles as they're very light weight. I own a Stevens in .25-06, that I use as a carry rifle, for coyotes.
Not to push you off of the .243, but whatever it can do the .25-06 can do better...depending on what/where you're hunting.
More info from you is needed to be more precise in what would "fit" your situation.
Good hunting, Bowhunter57
Welcome to Predator Masters!
Savage has a great "out-of-the-box" reputation for accuracy. So, this would cover the Stevens line of rifles too.
Not to push you off of the .243, but whatever it can do the .25-06 can do better...depending on what/where you're hunting.
Good hunting, Bowhunter57
SS Stinger
New member
was thinking it would make a nice all purpose gun until the kids get old enough to whack a deer with it ......... meanwhile dad could use it as a backup predator rifle ...... in PA we cannot hunt with semi auto rifles or I'd go AR style for sure ..........
I was thinking A-bolt or X-bolt ........... but am open to all suggestions
I was thinking A-bolt or X-bolt ........... but am open to all suggestions
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stealthman
New member
Not sure if you mind synthetic or not, but the Tikka T3 and Sako A7 are good shooters. Both have detachable mags and are very light. I think just a hair over 22 inch barrel in the 6 lbs range. They do have a plastic stock that leaves some to be desired. Between the two, I would take the Sako A7. It has 3 lug bolt, steel feed lips in the mag, and a much larger ejection port that easily allows single feeding. Nothing wrong with the Brownings either and you have the option of wood or synthetic there.
Do you handload?
If not, I'd stick with the Brownings but get the BOSS.
If you do handload, Brownings are very good choices as well but there are many others that will serve you well.
Right now, I am on a Savage bent. Just built one long action and recently acquired another receiver and more barrels to add to the collection.
If you are considering a Savage or Stevens, you owe it to yourself to join the Savage shooter's forum.
And if you want to get the most out of your stay there, get yourself a paid membership. It's just $12 a year and it gets you into their tech articles and other advantages.
There are many good brands of rifles around. It would be easier to tell you one that's not too good ..... but I really can't think of one right off hand.
Not pitching for Ruger, but my favorite coyote wacker is a Ruger 77V (Liberty model) in .243 win.
Until the barrel gave out, my top tractor gun was a Rem 788 in .22-250 with a Canjar single set trigger.
Today, my every day ranch rifle is a CZ 527 American in .223 rem. (they have a factory single set trigger)
For a reliable varmint gun the main thing to look for is trigger quality.
If it does not possess it right out of the box .... at least the easy adjustability to achieve it .... then, it must be changeable to an after market trigger to accomplish it.
A Good Trigger ..... is a MUST!
Three 44s
If not, I'd stick with the Brownings but get the BOSS.
If you do handload, Brownings are very good choices as well but there are many others that will serve you well.
Right now, I am on a Savage bent. Just built one long action and recently acquired another receiver and more barrels to add to the collection.
If you are considering a Savage or Stevens, you owe it to yourself to join the Savage shooter's forum.
And if you want to get the most out of your stay there, get yourself a paid membership. It's just $12 a year and it gets you into their tech articles and other advantages.
There are many good brands of rifles around. It would be easier to tell you one that's not too good ..... but I really can't think of one right off hand.
Not pitching for Ruger, but my favorite coyote wacker is a Ruger 77V (Liberty model) in .243 win.
Until the barrel gave out, my top tractor gun was a Rem 788 in .22-250 with a Canjar single set trigger.
Today, my every day ranch rifle is a CZ 527 American in .223 rem. (they have a factory single set trigger)
For a reliable varmint gun the main thing to look for is trigger quality.
If it does not possess it right out of the box .... at least the easy adjustability to achieve it .... then, it must be changeable to an after market trigger to accomplish it.
A Good Trigger ..... is a MUST!
Three 44s
MRhinefield
New member
Tikka T3 or Sako A7.
You won't find a better out of the box shooter.
You won't find a better out of the box shooter.
ARCOREY
New member
I was very impressed with my bosses Savage Predator in 243. It shoots the 75gr. V-maxes and the 95 gr. Berger hunting VLD's great. It comes with a barrel contour similar to a varminter and a dipped brush camo pattern end to end. He got the detachable magazine model and dropped a VX-II on it. It shoots as well if not better than my SPS varmint, but he loses some FPS for the shorter barrel which really isn't a big deal. The package is very carry friendly compared to my SPS-V also.
The Famous Grouse
New member
Originally Posted By: SS Stingerwas thinking it would make a nice all purpose gun until the kids get old enough to whack a deer with it ......... meanwhile dad could use it as a backup predator rifle ...... in PA we cannot hunt with semi auto rifles or I'd go AR style for sure
This is exactly the reason I picked up a .243 last year. I wanted a varmint/coyote gun, but the boy is going to need a deer rifle sooner or later. I don't have the funds or inclination to support a whole cabinet full of guns that barely get used in the course of a year.
I bought a Tikka. It is impossible to think there could be a better gun out there for the money in terms of performance and accuracy for the dollar. First time out, factory ammo, shot multiple 5 shot groups the size of a golfball at 100. It only got better once I dialed in some handloads and I'm still working on the best combo, but needless to say flawless out of box accuracy.
I think the Tikka in .243 would be absolutely devastating on a deer with something like a 100 gr Nosler partition. No deer is going to walk away from a neck or vitals hit whit that load.
Nothing against Savage, and I almost bought a Savage, but I liked 2 things about the Tikka better. First, you have to move up the Savage line quite a ways before you can get the detachable magazine which is the only way the Tikkas come. The Tikka trigger is easily adjustable by the owner by turning a screw. The Tikka also has the enclosed bolt which I personally like better. Finally, the Tikka comes with a 1 inch guarantee. If it doesn't shoot, they buy it back.
My father has a T3 stainless in .22-250. Same story, just fantastic accuracy out of the box. Yesterday during a windy day on the range, we had 50 gr VMAX with Varget loads that were shooting 5 shot groups you could cover with a quarter. Winds were gusting 10-20, so that HAD to be affecting consistency to some degree, but it's hard for me to imagine how you could ask for more from a $600 rifle that's had no mods whatsoever.
Bottom line, before you buy anything, look seriously at the Tikka.
Grouse
This is exactly the reason I picked up a .243 last year. I wanted a varmint/coyote gun, but the boy is going to need a deer rifle sooner or later. I don't have the funds or inclination to support a whole cabinet full of guns that barely get used in the course of a year.
I bought a Tikka. It is impossible to think there could be a better gun out there for the money in terms of performance and accuracy for the dollar. First time out, factory ammo, shot multiple 5 shot groups the size of a golfball at 100. It only got better once I dialed in some handloads and I'm still working on the best combo, but needless to say flawless out of box accuracy.
I think the Tikka in .243 would be absolutely devastating on a deer with something like a 100 gr Nosler partition. No deer is going to walk away from a neck or vitals hit whit that load.
Nothing against Savage, and I almost bought a Savage, but I liked 2 things about the Tikka better. First, you have to move up the Savage line quite a ways before you can get the detachable magazine which is the only way the Tikkas come. The Tikka trigger is easily adjustable by the owner by turning a screw. The Tikka also has the enclosed bolt which I personally like better. Finally, the Tikka comes with a 1 inch guarantee. If it doesn't shoot, they buy it back.
My father has a T3 stainless in .22-250. Same story, just fantastic accuracy out of the box. Yesterday during a windy day on the range, we had 50 gr VMAX with Varget loads that were shooting 5 shot groups you could cover with a quarter. Winds were gusting 10-20, so that HAD to be affecting consistency to some degree, but it's hard for me to imagine how you could ask for more from a $600 rifle that's had no mods whatsoever.
Bottom line, before you buy anything, look seriously at the Tikka.
Grouse
gunrac
New member
Originally Posted By: SS Stingerwas thinking it would make a nice all purpose gun until the kids get old enough to whack a deer with it ......... meanwhile dad could use it as a backup predator rifle ...... in PA we cannot hunt with semi auto rifles or I'd go AR style for sure ..........
I was thinking A-bolt or X-bolt ........... but am open to all suggestions
Back-up pred. rifle suggest to me your more interested in the lower end shooters.
Check out the Marlin XS7. The adj. trigger and deep recessed crown really sold me.
IMO, they have it all over the other cheapo's, Rem., Sav. and Stevens.
I was thinking A-bolt or X-bolt ........... but am open to all suggestions
Back-up pred. rifle suggest to me your more interested in the lower end shooters.
Check out the Marlin XS7. The adj. trigger and deep recessed crown really sold me.
IMO, they have it all over the other cheapo's, Rem., Sav. and Stevens.
coloradobob
New member
Sauer 90 Stutzen (JP Sauer & Sohn.) .243
full stock w/raised cheek piece & blued snobble
cocking indicator
live round indicator
*set trigger
detachable box magazine
Beautiful rifle! Selling points for me were the *set trigger, accuracy, dull oil finish of the stock, and the overall quality. Not cheap but sometimes you really do get what you pay for, this would be one of those times. Would make a great heirloom rifle to pass down to the kids.
Lots of good firearms out there, this just happened to be my choice. Absolutely no regrets, none. Accurate (love the set trigger) as heck. Add a Leupold 3.5 x 9 and it will part the hairs on a buzzards butt with no problem at all.
full stock w/raised cheek piece & blued snobble
cocking indicator
live round indicator
*set trigger
detachable box magazine
Beautiful rifle! Selling points for me were the *set trigger, accuracy, dull oil finish of the stock, and the overall quality. Not cheap but sometimes you really do get what you pay for, this would be one of those times. Would make a great heirloom rifle to pass down to the kids.
Lots of good firearms out there, this just happened to be my choice. Absolutely no regrets, none. Accurate (love the set trigger) as heck. Add a Leupold 3.5 x 9 and it will part the hairs on a buzzards butt with no problem at all.