Opinions on 2 low end .243s

G

getfoxy

New member
I'm looking for a sub 400$ .243 just to keep around as a beater, knock around the woods in bad weather type gun. I've narrowed it down to a marlin xs7 and a Howa 1500. I have a 700 CDL .243 but I've got other plans for it. My gf has the marlin xs7 and I have handled it once or twice but never shot it. Zero experience with a Howa.

For those of you that have experience with these 2 rifles could you please chime in with likes/dislikes of each? Thanks in advance.
 
Definitely the Howa out of those 2. I myself am a Savage NUT! Take a look at their rifles. You can easily find one for around $400. In fact, I would be looking at either the Howa or Savage for that price range. I don't think you will be dissapointed either way.
 
Well I DO have a Marlin XL7 25-06, Just stepped back in from shooting it. Just got the "Zombie Kill of The Week" with it in fact....

Like just about ALL synthetic factory stocks, they lick a bean-bag. Mine shot alright, I put a Boyd's on it, and am totally in love now. I have long been a Savage fan myself. The Marlin Accu-trigger is better than Savage IMO. My Brother in-law also bought a newer version of my gun. BOTH of those triggers are heavier than Savage's, but also have ZERO creep. My last 3 accu-triggers(savage) were so horribly inconsistent, and each one different. Overall they were light, and creepy. Savage has a "sear drop" issue if you adjust them too light also.
Another perk of the Marlin, is that they take the same thread spec as a Savage small shank. So were you to want to change calibers, buy a Savage barrel. Use the Savage nut wrench, and headspace it.
The Marlin bolt is fantastically smooth, and doesn't stick like Savages can. I'm waiting for the HB version of the 223 to come out, and will buy another Marlin.
 
The 700 will be a .260 one day, it's happy right where it's at in the safe and I intend for it to stay there.

If I found a good deal on a 700 ADL that's what I'd prefer but these two would work also.
 
Howa would be my choice as well.
I laid out the side by side and the Marlin Xs7 bolt end was "pot" metal looking to me, & xheap looking. Both ran about $349 at sportsmans warehouse.
The Howas bolt was much smoother and was real metal.
 
Originally Posted By: getfoxyThe 700 will be a .260 one day, it's happy right where it's at in the safe and I intend for it to stay there.

If I found a good deal on a 700 ADL that's what I'd prefer but these two would work also.


The Howa will come with a junk stock, as will the 700 sps. You will restock anyway so, get what you want. I think the Howa is GTG. But I would stick with the Remington just for options and Heritage.

A Remington ADL does look good in this mix though.

What about a Savage?
 
What good is a rifle said:
+ 1 If choosing between the two in your original post, I'd say definitely the Howa. Good luck with your choice Gary.
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Thanks john, thanks for all of the replies. It looks like Howa is the favored rifle here. I would rather find a 700 but we will see what I come across first.

Smokeless, I've had my fair share of savages, just not a real big fan of them.

I might just spend a couple hundred more and get a tikka. I should have never gotten rid of my t3 lite to begin with
 
Originally Posted By: Orneryolfart357Gary, what you need is a 700 sps in .243... "wink" lol

Get this one!

Not that you would ever do it, but it will have better resell value when you put it in the classifieds after a month or two.

oh yeah, wink, wink.
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Is there some rule about selling guns that idk about? Sure I've sold quite a few here over the last couple years, but I've also bought quite a few and kept quite a few.

Since everyone must know about the guns I sell the list in order is
1) TC venture 22-250/ruger mk II 22lr
2) glock 26 9mm
3) savage edge .223
4) tikka t3 lite .243
5) m700 300 rum
6) cz452 17 m2
7) sig mosquito 22 LR
8) m700 .221 FB
9) cz527 .223
10) glock 19

Here's the list do you guys can continue keeping tabs on what I currently have and do not have.

And FWIW, I know all about Grants m700, and if he really wanted to sell it we might be able to work something out..
 
Of those two, I would go with the Howa. They're a great rifle and have a good bit of after market available. And I have never seen a Howa not shoot, very well, without a lot of effort.
 
Buy a trued remmy action to keep for your 260 build and shoot your current 243.


Bruno Shooters is offering a special deal on the actions. Price for a basic action, including factory trigger (but no trigger guard) is $425.00. Bruno’s also offers the action in “trued form” for $525.00. Bruno’s does the blueprinting in-house for the $525.00 action. This includes lapping the lugs, truing the action threads, squaring off the face of the action.
 
Originally Posted By: doggin coyotesOriginally Posted By: Orneryolfart357Gary, what you need is a 700 sps in .243... "wink" lol

Get this one!

Not that you would ever do it, but it will have better resell value when you put it in the classifieds after a month or two.

oh yeah, wink, wink.
lol.gif


2 points awarded to DC !
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