Hi:
I haven't shot for over 10 years. I've been reading about rifles and calibers for the past year. I'd like to do some target shooting (not too serious, just slowly work up my skill), and some occasional fooling around/plinking with something that has more energy than a .22LR like my 10-22. I don't hunt. I also wouldn't mind the option of using an iron sight. Is that a peculiar thing to wish for with a .243?
I've oscillated around .223, .243, then .204 (I really like that), then back to .243. I used to think I preferred semi-auto, simply because I was "used to" the 10-22, but now I think a bolt action would be better, for accuracy, simplicity, and because even when I am plinking I don't really need to shoot many rounds. I'll probably shoot 20 rounds or so every two weeks. I do not plan to hand load.
The .243 is also highly versatile in case I do want to hunt, though this is unlikely.
The Remington 700 seems like a standard. I'm considering the SPS stainless, which is the only SS version of the 700 in .243. I hate the looks of the VTR. I do prefer stainless, but I'd consider other versions of the 700 if a nice combination of light weight, light or adjustable trigger, and certain out of the box accuracy could be assured. I'm unsure about heavy barrels vs. lighter weight.
The Tikka T3 has my attention, because I like the idea of a guaranteed <1" out of the box. That would allow me to feel confident that if I am no where near that level of accuracy when I start shooting, the problem is that I need to practice rather than the rifle. I do not want to worry about "accuratizing" a rifle!
Then there is Savage with their interesting adjustable trigger, and Ruger, Weatherby, etc.
Ugh! A lot of options. I'm tempted to just order the Tikka so I don't spend the next 3 months agonizing and not get any shooting done.
Your opinions are of interest.
I haven't shot for over 10 years. I've been reading about rifles and calibers for the past year. I'd like to do some target shooting (not too serious, just slowly work up my skill), and some occasional fooling around/plinking with something that has more energy than a .22LR like my 10-22. I don't hunt. I also wouldn't mind the option of using an iron sight. Is that a peculiar thing to wish for with a .243?
I've oscillated around .223, .243, then .204 (I really like that), then back to .243. I used to think I preferred semi-auto, simply because I was "used to" the 10-22, but now I think a bolt action would be better, for accuracy, simplicity, and because even when I am plinking I don't really need to shoot many rounds. I'll probably shoot 20 rounds or so every two weeks. I do not plan to hand load.
The .243 is also highly versatile in case I do want to hunt, though this is unlikely.
The Remington 700 seems like a standard. I'm considering the SPS stainless, which is the only SS version of the 700 in .243. I hate the looks of the VTR. I do prefer stainless, but I'd consider other versions of the 700 if a nice combination of light weight, light or adjustable trigger, and certain out of the box accuracy could be assured. I'm unsure about heavy barrels vs. lighter weight.
The Tikka T3 has my attention, because I like the idea of a guaranteed <1" out of the box. That would allow me to feel confident that if I am no where near that level of accuracy when I start shooting, the problem is that I need to practice rather than the rifle. I do not want to worry about "accuratizing" a rifle!
Then there is Savage with their interesting adjustable trigger, and Ruger, Weatherby, etc.
Ugh! A lot of options. I'm tempted to just order the Tikka so I don't spend the next 3 months agonizing and not get any shooting done.
Your opinions are of interest.