Thinking about building a 243 for coyotes, etc. Any ideas appreciated

Buster Hindend

New member
I'm kicking around the idea of having a 243 bolt gun built. Its use would be for a calling type rifle and would not shoot anything larger than a coyote.

I'm a big fan of the 6mm bullets and like the range and availability of the reloading components. I will reload for this rifle.

Ideally, I would like to shoot bullets in the 55-75 gr range. Does anyone see a problem with this? I know the charts says bullets in this range will be screaming. Would bullets in this range stabilize? I really want it to be "bug hole" accurate too.

I'm not sure if a rifle could be built to do what I want. Any ideas on twist rate, barrel length, etc?

My wishlist would be
McMillan or HS Stock
Krieger Barrel 24"
Rem 700 action
Jewell trigger

I would also be open to other calibers
 
Ive been shooting the 58gr super performance hornaday out of my xbolt 24" barrel, and they group very very well, so I think youll be ok. and they are movin pretty fast!

mine is 1-10 and handles these and the 100gr pretty good.
but I cant recommend a twist for you, since I may be wrong

Dont know what velocities you wanto to run, but ive been looking at the 6x45 and boy does that look like a fun round and pretty easy/cheap to reload for. pretty accurate too from what ive read, its on my to do list as well LOL

Good luck
 
Originally Posted By: kal52Ive been shooting the 58gr super performance hornaday out of my xbolt 24" barrel, and they group very very well, so I think youll be ok. and they are movin pretty fast!

mine is 1-10 and handles these and the 100gr pretty good.
but I cant recommend a twist for you, since I may be wrong

Dont know what velocities you wanto to run, but ive been looking at the 6x45 and boy does that look like a fun round and pretty easy/cheap to reload for. pretty accurate too from what ive read, its on my to do list as well LOL

Good luck


At this point, I'm thinking real hard about having at Mike from Dtech build me a 6X45 upper.

I'm looking at something in a bolt gun
 
Find a used SA 700 with a .473 bf

Order a PacNor, Super match, Rem Mnt rifle con, SS, 1/9", 22"-24" OR a Krieger, but have them duplicate a Rem Mnt rifle contour.
Order a McMillan Mnt rifle stock. Your choice of colors
Talley rings
1.75-6*32 Leupy
Jewell set at 1.5-2lb.

Send your stuff to a smith to have 'em screw it together.

Then call it good

Or buy a Kimber Montana in .243 and rock it.
 
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Sounds to me like your wish list is pretty much spot on. Only disagreement is with superseal, I don't care for the skinny barrels even in a calling rifle. I would go at least a magnum contour, but thats just me.
 
I think superseal is spot on with the Montana. The only problem are finding them it seems. Super lightweight gun that will shoot great and not break the bank.
 
I like the mountain rifle contour, but would probably go 22" at most on that. Twist should be no faster than a 1-9" probably better at 1-10" for those bullets. Stocks are subjective, try some on and see what you like. Jewell seem a little much for a calling rig. I'd save some money and go Rifle Basix or old 3 screw Remington tuned.

If I were to build one for myself, I'd even consider the older pre X-mark Model 7 in 243 shooting 70 noslers with a laminate stock like my 7mm08 that I deer hunt with. The old triggers were great, they shoot great, and swing nice. They also don't weigh a ton or snag up in the brush with a long barrel. I'd even keep the sporter barrel profile if it's just for coyote calling.
 
A 1-12 twist would handle the bullets you mentioned, but I'd still go with a 1-10 or slightly faster like SS said. I'd most likely just go with a min spec 243 chamber.

I had a couple rifles put together with Shilen #2 contours, and that is about the heaviest I'd go for a calling rifle. 22-24 inch barrel, and a rifle basix trigger to save a few bucks. Talley lightweight mounts and Leupold or Zeiss optics.
Drop it all in a McMillan and go forth a slay some chit.
 
1-9 should have no problems in the 70-100g range. 1-10's I have had decent luck staying over 60g. I have had a 1-10 that flat refused to shoot under 65g's. So if you plan on shooting the light pills I would look at 11 or 12 twist.

And I will second bfr4570, and tell you to go with a 243 AI. Load up some max 243 loads for fireforming (that will shoot very well), trim and never trim again. Trying to push those light pills fast out of a 243 you will be trimming brass. Why not go AI and get the extra 1-200fps and trim once?
 
Originally Posted By: SuperSeal110Find a used SA 700 with a .478 bf

Order a PacNor, Super match, Rem Mnt rifle con, SS, 1/9", 22"-24" OR a Krieger, but have them duplicate a Rem Mnt rifle contour.
Order a McMillan Mnt rifle stock. Your choice of colors
Talley rings
1.75-6*32 Leupy
Jewell set at 1.5-2lb.

Send your stuff to a smith to have 'em screw it together.

Then call it good

Or buy a Kimber Montana in .243 and rock it.


.473 bolt face.

Can't go wrong with these ideas. I like Rem Mt. rifles. I could also happily build off a Model 7.

I do not prefer Jewell triggers for hunting, but they are great triggers, nonetheless. I just give an old style 700 trigger a "tune up", and I'm happy.

Barrel of no more than 22". Krieger, Rock, or PN, pick one. Twisted no slower than 1-10.

I'd go with Talley lightweights, and a Leupy 3-9x40 or 3.5-10x40.

For a factory rig, I like Sako Finnlights, and have always kinda wished a had one in 243. Mine is stocked with a McMillan Sako Hunter..........
 
Thanks guys for the great input. I like several of the ideas.
This forum is so informative.
I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to reply.


OK so I'm stupid
blush.gif
What's the difference in BF?
 
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Mike just made a typo, that's all. He knows it should read .473 and not .478. I just threw that in to clarify for you cuz he didn't catch it. BTDT.......
 
Yep, the 1-9" will handle just about any 6 mm up to and including 105 AMax. I love the 243 for calling. If you were to save pelts, the 55-58 or even 60 gr pills are good. Just about the same as a 22-250. I used the 58 VMax with good success. And the 85 gr Sierra HPBT is a great deer bullet. 87 Horn Spire Pt too!

I don't save fur, so the 87 VMax is my next load in development. I also like the 85 gr Sierra Varmiter SPFB.

I have a factory m7 pred. Other then the stock, I wouldn't change a thing. It's too flimsy and inconsistent. But the "magnum" contour bbl is fine. The fluted bbl makes it nice for weight savings.

I think superseals suggestions are right on. I, too like an old school rem trigger, adjusted. Also, the timney is a great option! Keep us posted on the build cycle!
 
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I like a lot of the ideas mentioned above. My ideal would be similar with a Rem. M7 action, Shilen 22" barrel, HS stock, any good trigger tuned to no less than 3 lbs (it gets cold in SD) and an excellent fixed power scope between 2.5X and 4X, manufacturer of choice. Handloads of Remington brass, 70grn Speer TNT bullets, Varget powder and WLR primers.
 
your wish list sounds perfect... make sure you get a 5r barrel... imo krieger is the best... i shoot a 1-8 and a 1-10 that shoot very well
 
I have both the 6x45 & .243 & built them on Savage actions.
Both 1/10". They will run up to 95g bullets with super accuracy. I keep the .243 at about 3200fps and it prints sub moa to 400yds. Both 24" varmint bbls.
My 6x45 does the same to 400yds, just about single/clover leafs at 100 yds then at 400 yds its at 2.5"-3".
My 6x45 will run the 65g vmax at 3000 fps and I ring steel at 600yds with it.
My basic coyote load in both for game is the 70g nosler hunting BT bullet.
For deer/antelope I run the 95 NBT.

FYI** There is a complete 6x45 upper in classisifeds right now & great price (not mine)
 
I'd build it around the Sierra 85 gr. BTHP. There are lighter bullets, and yes, they do "scream," but they lose velocity and impact relatively quickly.
 


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