.243 vs .308 again... in Savage 11 VT

[JeeperCreeper]

So I just found out Dick's Sporting Goods is running a big sale on certain rifles, including their "exclusive" Model 11 VT.

It's basically a heavy barrel, short action savage on a plastic target-style stock with a beavertail. Comes with the accutrigger and a budget Bushnell 4-12 scope.

I'm thinking about getting one in 308 or 243. Problem is, I have .30-06 and other .30 cal rifles already so 308 is kinda redundant. But 308 is cheaper and easier to find variety than 243. But then again, I don't have a 243 or anything similar.

I'm thinking of using it for target first, maybe hunting, and maybe building off of.

What say you all??

 

[Llama Bob]

The .243 is a good target caliber, especially at long range. With 100gr match bullets it has a lot of reach for not much recoil. In terms of hunting, it's a good choice on most deer, hogs, antelope, black bears, sheep and goats in North America. Personally I wouldn't want an 11.2 pound gun for hunting in either .308 or .243 though - too heavy for either caliber except for stand hunting. There's no need for that kind of weight. But that's just me.

I'd get the .243 if you already have a .30-06. That's so similar to .308 as to be no practical difference.

 

[someguy2800]

If its going to be a target/varmint gun I would get a .243. If you have something else unique in mind you want you could also take off the barrel and sell it and then put whatever you want on it. The bolt heads and barrels are very easy to change with a few tools on a savage. Factory take offs are worth about $150.

I have a 223 CBI that I bought from this guy

http://northlandshooterssupply.com/match-grade-barrels-2/shilen-savage/
http://northlandshooterssupply.com/match-grade-barrels-2/criterion-savage/

 

[ironworkerwill]

I'm with Bob, 243 for target..... especially if you roll reload.....but if you don't ...243 anyway.

 

[LoonWulf]

check the twist on the savage .243, they are normally 1-9.25, any may or may not work with 105+ grain match bullets.

That said id still take the .243, I see no reason to get a .308 if you already have an 06. The .243 has a good number of bullets to select from, recoils lighter, and if you reload isnt any more expensive than the .308. Only down side is it WILL eat its barrel faster, but thats just a good excuse to get your gun a newer nicer tube.

 

[jmr40]

The 243 CAN be a great target round. If the barrels are twisted correctly for target bullets. Most 243's are not unless set up for target shooting. The Savages in 308 are.

If you handload having a 308 means only one caliber of bullets to buy. A 308 will almost always be more accurate than a 30-06 and do it with 20% less recoil.

If you want something smaller than 308 get a 223.

 

[dieselchief]

it doesn't have to also be a either this or that. or a minimalist/budget thing either. get the 243. and ya I shoot three different 308s two 243s, two different 223s and one 06.

 

[RPRNY]

If you only have an old, antiquated, inadequate, inexplicable 30-06, you have to get this rifle in 308. While it performs just as well, if not superior to, your 30-06, in all bullet weights at all times, and with the recoil of an air rifle, the new rifle In 308 will weigh nothing, literally. Short actions are made of anti-matter and have no physical weight. And the 308 is efficient. Like Prussian efficient. Not like that lazy old untermensch 30-06 with its 0.5" soul-destroyingly longer action. Ask yourself "What would Jesus do? " Everyone knows, "Jesus would get the 308" . Everyone.

Me? I would get the 243. It's a great paper puncher and varmint through deer rifle, plus it's in the 308 Win family, which confers upon it certain mystical powers.

 

[slowr1der]

243 gets my vote. It's one of my favorite calibers.

 

[JeffG]

I vote for the 243. You have a 30 caliber, and are expanding your battery. I have the Savage 10 Predator in 243, it's one of the most accurate rifles I've ever handled. 87 gr Vmax handloads had no problem with 3/8 inch mild steel swingers at 300 yards.

 

[cdb1]

check the twist on the savage .243, they are normally 1-9.25, any may or may not work with 105+ grain match bullets.

That said id still take the .243, I see no reason to get a .308 if you already have an 06. The .243 has a good number of bullets to select from, recoils lighter, and if you reload isnt any more expensive than the .308. Only down side is it WILL eat its barrel faster, but thats just a good excuse to get your gun a newer nicer tube.

I made the mistake of not checking the twist rate when I bought my .243. It's too slow to stabilize the Berger bullets I want to shoot.

 

[LoonWulf]

Yeah, I did that when i bought my .223, got a 1-12.....

 

[ironworkerwill]

check the twist on the savage .243, they are normally 1-9.25, any may or may not work with 105+ grain match bullets.

That said id still take the .243, I see no reason to get a .308 if you already have an 06. The .243 has a good number of bullets to select from, recoils lighter, and if you reload isnt any more expensive than the .308. Only down side is it WILL eat its barrel faster, but thats just a good excuse to get your gun a newer nicer tube.

Good thinking!

 

[Hokkmike]

I used the .243 for varmints, target, and deer for many years. Very nice round. Extremely accurate and not too loud. Mild recoil.

 

[Nature Boy]

I see no reason to get a .308 if you already have an 06

Other than using the same bullet, which I appreciate.

Also, if you're going to shoot it a lot, you'll appreciate the longer barrel life of the .308 (+5x) over the .243

I'm just a fan of the .308, so take that for what it's worth.

 

[midland man]

I just got my savage axis in 243 yesterday and I use 100gr bullets in mine don't worry about the 105gr not worth the difference the 100gr bullets work very well with shots being neck up on all game!! I used to shoot 243 and reload for it a couple years ago so what I tell you is solid! I traded my h&r singleshot and stuff I had for it in for a set of really nice pistols that I still own and enjoy so now I am getting back into the 243 game!!

 

[Sunray]

Depends on what you're doing. .243 for varmints, up to deer sized game and black bears. .308 for any game in North America. So will your .30-06.
"...1-9.25, any may or may not work with 105+ grain match bullets..." 1 in 9 1/8 rifling works just fine with 105 grain bullets. Been doing it for 40 years with a gussied up rifle of a brand only made in Canada and is definitely not a high end rifle. Anyway, most, if not all, commercial hunting rifles in .243 have a twist for heavy deer bullet weights. Even the assorted heavy barreled varmint rifles.

 

[someguy2800]

For my uses I would never miss not being able to shoot a 105 match king. I would rather shoot a 75 grain V-max or 70 grain tnt or the like anyway.

 

[Jackal]

.308 will do everything that .243 will do. Then again, so will .300 Win Mag... And .338 Lapua.... And....

 

[Orcon]

If you only have an old, antiquated, inadequate, inexplicable 30-06, you have to get this rifle in 308. While it performs just as well, if not superior to, your 30-06, in all bullet weights at all times, and with the recoil of an air rifle, the new rifle In 308 will weigh nothing, literally. Short actions are made of anti-matter and have no physical weight. And the 308 is efficient. Like Prussian efficient. Not like that lazy old untermensch 30-06 with its 0.5" soul-destroyingly longer action. Ask yourself "What would Jesus do? " Everyone knows, "Jesus would get the 308" . Everyone.

Me? I would get the 243. It's a great paper puncher and varmint through deer rifle, plus it's in the 308 Win family, which confers upon it certain mystical powers.

This is utter nonsense. According to a USDoD source that I just made up, the 308 Win was adopted to reduce the occurrence of phrases such as "get off of my lawn" and "that damn music is way too loud." Not to mention that it was later found that soldiers who carried 308 Win based servce weapons had better credit scores, thicker heads of hair and reported higher levels of life satisfaction than their 30-06 toting counterparts. Those are some made-up facts that you can't dispute.

 

[hdbiker]

I had both .308 & 30-06, for years. So I bought a Tikka T3Lite in .243.I love it and its scary accurate. hdbiker

 

[webrx]

i would get 243, you already have a 30 cal

Variety is the spice of life

d

 

[cdb1]

This is utter nonsense. According to a USDoD source that I just made up, the 308 Win was adopted to reduce the occurrence of phrases such as "get off of my lawn" and "that damn music is way too loud." Not to mention that it was later found that soldiers who carried 308 Win based servce weapons had better credit scores, thicker heads of hair and reported higher levels of life satisfaction than their 30-06 toting counterparts. Those are some made-up facts that you can't dispute.

.308 users get out of the shower to take a whiz, use shoe trees in their topsiders and enjoy sitting on the drain when they empty the bath water from the tub.

 

[mavracer]

Also, if you're going to shoot it a lot, you'll appreciate the longer barrel life of the .308 (+5x) over the .243

3X is more realistic and if you play pure economics it's much closer to a wash by the time you pay nearly double the $$$ for 30 cal match bullets the savings will nearly pay for the new barrel

 

[VoodooMountain]

243

It's a personal choice but to me the 243 works in this platform a bit better. A 12 pound rifle is stable and will have very little recoil. Barrel changes are dead simple and inexpensive. Light bullets zipping along make quick work of varmints and you could use heavier bullets for long range paper punching.

The 308 is more of a big game rifle to me. Recoil will be considerably more considering no real advantages for this type of rig.