243 build

Not sure on the barrel. Boyds and Stocky's have nice stocks

I'm not an expert by any means but I would personally get a 1:8 twist so it would stabilize the some the longer projectiles. As far as bullets go it will take some testing to figure out what the barrel likes. If it likes 80gr that's what I would use, 105gr that's what I'd stay with.

I've had experience with Boyd's Stocks in the past, would not hesitate to buy from them again. These might be worth looking at. Not sure your exact model so you'll have to double check that.
https://www.boydsgunstocks.com/Prod...-bull-barrel-channel-nutmeg-laminate-finished

24" #5

I built my Savage with a Lothar Walther 28", 8 Twist, Heavy Varmint (0.840" at muzzle) .243 barrel, Sharp Shooter Supply LVT Stock. Any of the top names build a good barrel, if you want to shoot heavy bullets or any VLD designs you absolutely need an 8 twist barrel.



For paper I shoot the Sierra 107 MK for over 300 yards, and the 60 gr. HP Flat Base Varminter under 300. For hunting I use the 85 gr. Gameking and it works well on deer size game and hogs. I have some loads worked up with the Berger 95 gr. VLD bullet also, but haven't had time to try them for accuracy yet.

Scott

I built a fast twisted 243 a few years ago to shoot the 115gr DTAC. I used a 1.250" straight Krieger 1:7.5 twist barrel and a Mc Millan A5 adjustable stock. I did this with the purpose of shooting 600 and out. It shoots very well with the DTAC's as well as others. I use a lot of Hornady 105gr Amax for general shooting.

You will want to match the twist for the bullet you intend on using. The 95 gr you mentioned is not the best choice for longer distances.

Look at the Amax. 107 Sierra, and Berger hybrid/VLD bullets

Found a video on YouTube "Mark and Sam after work" they shoot their Howa 1500 with 1:10 twist using 95gr bullets out to 1k yards (groups) and 1400(hitting a soda bottle) and 2000 yards (plates). 95gr with 1:10 twist and shooting 500/600y shouldn't be a problem

I vote to put the heavy barrel on the .243 but slow twist and make it a killer varmint rifle. With 55 gr pills it would shoot flatter than either .204 Ruger or 22-250 out to 500 yds. A bit of a barrel burner though. I don't see an advantage in trying to make it stabilize both heavy long-range and light varmint bullets from the same barrel.
Marlan

I have a .243 that I use for hunting. But, if I were doing what you are, I'd REALLY look at something like a 6br. Same bullets, lower velocity, but a lot longer barrel life. And ultra accurate.

There's also the 6 Dasher, 6XC.

At longer ranges, the heavy high B.C. bullets retain more velocity, less recoil and muzzle blast, and far better barrel life.

This should give you a start

http://www.varminthunters.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123914&highlight=Dasher

HTH

Is putting a new barrel on a Stevens now considered a "build"?

I'd look at any of the major makers for a barrel. They all make top quality goods that won't do you wrong.

For twist, a 1-10 will handle anything up to the 100 grain choices. If you THINK you might want to go heavier, a 1-9 or 1-8 twist will do.

I'd also suggest you get a barrel that finishes out at 23-24".

I have a factory rifle in 243 with a 1-10 twist. I shoot 90 gr Accubonds (I reload) and 85 grain partitions. The AB's I've taken out to 800 yards. I've got a 5-shot group pic somewhere that showed those AB's inside of 3/8" at 100 and 2" at 500.
If you reload, you can substitute the 90 Ballistic tips and smack anything from whitetail down to prairie dogs out to your desired 5-600 yard ranges.

7mm bullets generally have higher ballistic coefficients than many other popular calibers, which is the reason you're seeing better numbers in the calculators. 243 will do what you want, provided you do your part. 7mm will do it and be a bit more forgiving.

scottbird, I've got 243 with Kreiger barrel and 243AI with Hart barrel and I don't own 7-08. I do shoot 284 custom and nothing like 7mm and will handle those not so perfect conditions that 6mm can't.

I've kind of got full circle with 6mm including 6Br,6x250AI,6RemAI and some others and in ideal condition their hard to beat. There some shooters like David Tubbs and you give him a BB gun and he beat.

I had a 7mm-08 that I wrestled with for two years trying to find an accurate load. I traded it for a 243 and am much more satisfied. If I wanted something bigger, I would go with a .308 win.

Since you got the 7mm-08 already and the .243 has a bad barrel, should just work one the 08.

If I were you, I'd save more and get Shilen Select Match...I had one on my Savage in 308 and that barrel gave me the very best groups...I had a 5rd group that was essentially one hole.

Measure the center of the screws to determine if you have 4.27 or the 4.4" spacing. I have a Stevens 200 and I believe mine is 4.27" spacing.

B&C make some nice synthetic stocks for Savage. If you like laminate...Boyd's has some great prices.

The Stevens action that you have is an older Staggered feed/blind magazine model. Before you start ordering the barrel,I'd suggest locating the stock that you'd like to have. Staggered feed stocks are starting to be hard to find,unless you order a custom stock that can be expensive,and a long wait to get.

Since you're dealing with a blind magazine,you must also think about the over all length limits of your cartridges. Shooting any of the heavier and longer match grade bullets and seating them close to the rifling will in most cases turn your rifle into a single shot rifle because the cartridges will not fit into the blind magazine.
With the blind mag rifle,I'd look hard at the 6.5 Creedmoor. Even when shooting the long 140 gr match bullets,you will still be able to use the magazine. I built a 7mm-08 heavy barreled rifle on an older Savage 12 staggered feed action,and removed the barrel after I couldn't use the magazine with my OAL of the cartridges. I ended up building another 6.5 Creedmoor with that action,and it works just fine with the blind mag.

The 243-260-and 7mm-08 all use a 308 family case,the Creedmoor is shorter.