Interarms Mark X .243 with Mannlicher stock & Leupold scope. Should I buy it?

[mm6mm6]

A local gun store has a used Interarms Mark X in .243 with the full length Mannlicher stock and a 3-9x40 Leupold scope mounted. It also has the factory front and rear iron sights. It's in excellent, like new condition. I remember these rifles in the Interarms catalog circa 1984-ish. I remember they were very well made (I think barreled in Serbia or Croatia?) and final assembly was in Manchester England and this is marked with that location. The blue is deep and beautiful and truly blue instead of black. The stock is a nice piece of wood and I just love full length Mannlicher stocks. The store has a trigger lock on it but I believe it's a single trigger and not a double set trigger. It looks all original and even an older polished black Leupold 3-9x40 scope is a good scope with mounts.

They're asking $695. I think I could get it for $549 cash. I don't really have a use for it, but I love the looks of the gun. Does anyone have any experience with one? I've heard they're very accurate. Again, any experience here? I have a Savage 114 .30-06 that's very handsome and my one bolt action.

What do others use their .243's for? Deer hunting and varmint hunting?

Thanks in advance for your comments!

 

[Husker Hunter]

Everyone in my family hunts deer with a .243. With good shot placement and 95 or 100 grain bullets it will kill whitetails inside of 300 yards just as easily as anything. also a great coyote/varmint round with lighter bullets. I don't know anything about Interarms rifles, but the one your looking at sounds gorgeous. Buy it and post pictures

 

[ccoyle]

I'm not an expert, but I believe those Interarms rifles had barrels and actions made by Zastava in Serbia, and yes they were very attractive rifles. .243 is a perfectly acceptable deer cartridge -- I have taken several California mulies with it, and none of them ever complained about it afterwards. Easy on the shoulder, too. The only thing that might make me stop and think about the deal you describe is that for the same price you could get a brand new Zastava M70 and Leupold VX-1 scope. However, I'm one of those folk who believe your firearms should speak to you on a visceral level, so if you really like that rifle/scope combo, I don't think you could go very wrong with it. You can see in my avatar that I also have a fondness for Mannlicher stocks, so I'm a bit biased in that direction.

 

[Sunray]

An Interarms Mark X is basically a Mauser action. Made in Yugoslavia by the nice people at CZ. $600 is about right. Lots of 'em, in assorted chamberings, on Gunbroker, etc. The Mannlicher stock adds some value, but not a lot.
http://stevespages.com/pdf/interarms_mkx.pdf
"...use their .243's for..." Varmints, deer, black bears, antelope and like sized critters. Some people supposedly use 'em for elk, but elk is too big.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I've got two. Both mine were imported by Interams. The early ones have 4 groove Wilson barrels. The barrels were installed in Virginia as well as the stocks. After a short interruption due to international events, they had to be shipped in via England. Some (low priced, were called "Viscount", the upper grade, "Whitworth". The difference was the stock. There was also the option of the mannlicher stock.
Prices have risen dramatically in last 5/10yrs. I bought my first one in 1975 at a TG&Y discount store in Winter Garden, Fl as my mother was living in Orlando at the time, and I was in college. I paid $137.50 for it. Iron sights, no scope. I mounted a Leupold Vari-X 2-7, which it wore for many years. Killed my first deer with it in Dec of 1976. (.30/06). I paid $75 for used Leupold. I own two dozen, but only 2 bought new.

I bought the second in 2010. It's a .270. It wears a Vari-X II 3-9 40mm.
When the '06 wore its original barrel, it would frequently shoot 3-shots touching at 100yds with most Sierra, Nosler, Speer, or Norma bullet. I swapped the .30/06 bbl for a .338/06 in '03. It's an Adams & Bennet, and is no where as accurate as original. The .270 is now as accurate as the original '06 barrel. It appeared to have had less than 100rds through it, though it has a lower serial number than the first. I cut the 14-3/4" pull stock to 13-1/2" with a 1/2" Boyd's pad to fit ME. I have the original stock for the .338 though it resides in a Hogue due to different taper of the barrel.

I "might" buy the Mannilicher .243, but I'm no fan of the .243. It would already be mine if it was a 7x57Mauser, however. I've never seen but two. One 40yrs ago, and another belongs to local attorney whom I checked hunting with it over the years. His ISNT FOR SALE.

My best friend has a MkX rifle like my two. His is the Viscount marked England. It's just as accurate as my two. He uses a peculiar load listed in a 40yr old manual as a "most accurate " load with a Sierra 117gr GameKing. 43.0gr of IMR4320. I've seen him shoot numerous 3-shot one hole groups with it. Even more deer that were bang-flops.

I would expect the .243 to be just as accurate. Though it won't be a "light-weight" rifle. Mine with Leupold one piece turn-bases and rings run over 9lbs.
For the mentioned price, I'd buy it; if, you want a .243. Closest thing in a NEW gun is the CZ-550.
BTW, the MkX is made by Zastava, in Serbia, formally Yugoslavia.
CZ is made by CZ in Czech. Republic.

 

[22250Rem]

Never saw one of those in 7x57; didn't even know they produced any....... But if I ever come across one and it's in the Mannlicher stock I may be unable to control myself.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Your question, should you buy it. The answer, yes! See how easy that was. Now go get that rifle and thank me later.

 

[bannockburn]

mm6mm6

If it were me I would get the gun. Love the full Mannlicher stock and would be quite happy with it in the .243 chambering. The Leupold scope and mounts is a nice addition to the deal. The asking price of $695 seems high; I would probably offer them $575 OTD for it and see what they say.

 

[Captcurt]

I would buy it and I don't need another 243. Already have two. What I love about the Interarms guns is the metal work and finish. That is what the American guns looked like before they went matte finish and cheap. Have a soft spot for the Mannlicher stock too.

 

[mm6mm6]

You all are putting me over the edge! Did I mention it has the butter knife bolt handle?

 

[horsemen61]

So you going to buy it?

 

[bannockburn]

mm6mm6

You all are putting me over the edge! Did I mention it has the butter knife bolt handle?

No, no you didn't. If it has the butter knife bolt handle does it also have the double-set triggers too? I have seen some Interarms Mark X rifles in that configuration. If it does now you definitely have to buy it!

 

[ccoyle]

Is sounds like you need to be waiting at the door of the shop when it opens first thing tomorrow, cash in hand.

 

[zb338]

I was hunting with a couple of friends. We were in Wyoming hunting mule deer and antelope. The last day of the hunt came along
and my one friend had not shot a deer yet. he was using a .243 Sako. We saw a doe about 150 yards away and the guide said go
ahead and shoot it it's a dry doe & the day is almost over. My friend said O.K. and started walking up a huge hill away from the deer.
The guide said what's he doing? I told the guide that my friend wanted to shoot the deer from 300 yards. The guide was perplexed.
My friend got to the top of the hill and shot the deer. The deer dropped literally in it's tracks. It was the quickest kill I had ever witnessed.
300 yards with a .243.

Zeke

 

[Art Eatman]

Mark X actions and rifles have always had a good reputation for quality. Back in 1971 I was thinking of building a hunting rifle, and several people spoke highly of their own good results.

 

[Jim Watson]

A Mannlicher stocked rifle will be plenty accurate for hunting, have been since 1903.
But in the modern idiom of hunkering down over a bench and grinding out groups, maybe not. I once got caught up in the style fad and bought a Mannlicher stocked Sako which was not up to sporting and varmint rifles of the make.

 

[Captcurt]

You all are putting me over the edge! Did I mention it has the butter knife bolt handle?

Now you are talking dirty to me.

 

[adcoch1]

So the question remains, did you do the responsible thing and take the day off work and go buy this rifle?! Jk, but with the Leopold, mannlicher stock, and butterknife bolt this is a must have!

 

[eastbank]

if i walked into the store 5 minutes ahead of you, you would have to go home alone. eastbank.

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

Interarms Mark X Action? Check.
Leupold 3-9 X 40mm Scope? Check.
Butter knife bolt handle? Check.
.243 Win? Check.
Factory front & rear sights? Check.
Männlicher Stock? . Deal breaker for me

Sam

 

[midland man]

well using 100gr sp bullets and neck up only shots with a 243 is a deadly bang flop deer! it will just disappear out of the scope and you'll wonder if it ran off but rest assured go down to where it was standing and you'll find it laying right there!! so yes go buy it and give it a try!!

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Go for it!

 

[mm6mm6]

Well...

I went back to the gun store today. I brought my reading glasses so I could really look the rifle over closely.

On the positive, the blueing is truly stunning and there are no nicks or scratches. The wood is really nice, not a gorgeously figured piece, but very nice. The wood to metal fit is much better than most production rifles made today. The butt plate is a little scuffed and has the CZ logo. The frame has the CZ logo as well just to the right of where it says Manchester, England. The front sight protector is filled with an amazing amount of dust and lint.

I asked the lady at the counter if she could removed the trigger lock for me so I could see if it had a double set trigger. I really thought it might since it has the splendid butter knife bolt handle. Unfortunately it didn't. If it did, just like my Dad's old Steyr Mannlicher Schoenauer, I would have been much more interested.

I was a bit taken aback at the muzzle as the rifling looked dirty like it had been shot and not cleaned for 30 years. I withdrew the bolt and removed it, but when I held the rifle up to the ceiling lights, I couldn't see through the bore at all. I'm assuming it was just packed with spider webs or lint. I sure hope there isn't a bullet stuck in there.

I said my thanks and passed on the rifle. If it had the double set triggers, I'd have made a reasonable offer.

Bummer.

But thanks for all the input everyone. It was greatly appreciated!

-Steve

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Someone must have been playing a Jedi mind trick on you in the store. Go back, it is the Droid you are looking for.

 

[FL-NC]

I had one years ago in 308 and they are beautiful rifles. As for the 243, it is my favorite deer cartridge. Light recoil and excellent terminal performance- never even almost lost one. The 243 is also great for things like coyotes and anything smaller than a white tail. The price seems a little steep even at $550 though, considering what good new rifles cost. Unless you just really like that one.