So I want a new rifle but...?

[bullockcm]

I thought I had my mind all made up on a Savage 16FCSS in .243. 16FCSS is a short action, detachable mag, Accutrigger, synthetic on stainless bolt gun with a 22" barrel for an overall length of 41.75".

My first second guessing is caliber, 7mm-08 keeps crossing my mind. I will use this gun for punching paper and hunting woodchucks & white tail deer. Focus is on hunting so light weight(~7lbs) and overall length(42") are more important than bench performance even though it will be used to throw more lead at paper Not sure why since .243 is "enough" gun and the 7mm-08 will just have more recoil and muzzle blast. I reload so ammo price is about even. I also have access to a 30-06 if I ever needed something with more power.

So does anybody have thoughts on .243 vs. 7mm-08 for my purposes?

The other thing I am wondering about is my choice of Savage. Seems alot of folks like one make of a rifle but never explain why. I have also seen comments like Savage rifles are fine if thats your cup of tea. Why do you like one brand of rifle more than others?

I will admit though the FN deal from CDNN and the .308 SPS Remington 700 are both intriguing.

 

[transformerguru]

IMHO get what you really want. If you find out its isn't what you thought trade it in and get your other option. Both are fine calibers but the deciding factor should be ammo cost, that is if you don't reload.

 

[skinewmexico]

The 243 will work really well for varmints. And I like Savages, for the trigger, and the fact that I can do almost all of the upgrades I would ever want myself. Including a re-barrel.

 

[innerpiece]

Ive got a lil .17HMR, Savage with the accu-triger.
consistantly hit golfballs at 100yds.
The trigger is great!

a.243 is next on my list. it will definetly be a Savage with Accu-Trigger!

how much $ for the 16FCSS?

ip

 

[gvnwst]

the .243 will be a better target choice, as the good 7mm match bullets are, imo, a little heavy for the 7mm-08. the 7mm will be a little better on deer though, as the larger bullet dia and weight should make a small contribution.

 

[woof]

Too bad Savage doesn't chamber for .260 or you could have the best of both.

 

[bullockcm]

16FCSS are going for $540 locally.

What makes you guys say the Accu-Trigger is so great?

 

[Shawnee]

No doubt whatsoever that the caliber should be the .243.

Remington 700 rifles have been very good rifles for many. many years. Would be difficult to go wrong with them - However - ...

You really should take long, serious look at the Remington Model 7 in .243. Has to be one of the very, very most deerhunter-friendly rifles ever made anywhere in any century. Try to see one "in person" - it's AAAA+, especially the laminated stock flavor. http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_seven/model_seven_CDL.asp

Savage bolt-action rifles enjoy a good reputation, as do Rugers, Brownings and Winchesters.

 

[innerpiece]

bullockcm, I really like the AccuTrigger because it is adjustable for pull weight.
I have mine on the lightest setting (3lbs I think?). the trigger breaks claen and crisp, and even, every time.
for me, it makes 'precision' shots alot easier.

 

[woof]

I agree with the model 7, since cz doesn't chamber in .260 which actually does everything the .243 was supposed to do

 

[Bartkowski]

If you don't mind spending the extra money, a Remington 7 in .260 is probably one of the best guns for deer hunting. The only downside is how much more a model 7 is than a savage 16.

 

[Specialized]

Actually, the 7mm-08 will probably outperform the .243 in target shooting -- it was developed as a softer-kicking alternative to the .308 by benchrest shooters. It's a great deer round, some people say the best one -- ballistics like a .270, but with greater accuracy and a slightly heavier bullet. If you use lighter bullets, it's accurate and less wallop than a .308 by a significant margin.

I have standardized on 7mm-08 as a deer gun, just for those reasons. It's plenty of rifle for deer and most everything else in the US. It's a bit much for woodchucks, though. The .243 will handle both, and the range of bullet weights is better suited to your purposes.

As for Savage rifles -- there's a good article on them in this month's American Rifleman magazine. In a nutshell, Savage designed the model 110 to be the company's lifesaving rugged, accurate, inexpensive bolt-action follow-on after the Model 99 lever action's popularity began to wane. Its design was innovative and brought down production costs without compromising accuracy. They're really great guns, but some people think they aren't as sexy as other makes. I for one am a huge fan of them for several reasons; most people that like them are drawn to their out-of-the-box accuracy first and foremost. Read the article if you get a chance, it's a good one.

Hope this helps -- good luck in your choice!

Specialized

 

[woof]

If I liked the model 7 better than the Savage I would take the difference and divide by the number of years the rifle would be in my family and look at it that way.

 

[41magsnub]

I'd lean towards the .243 regardless of the platform. Both are perfectly adequate for deer and the .243 would be a slightly better target rifle.

 

[woof]

Long range bench shooters are the group that birthed the .260 and they widely use it. They don't tend to use .243. I'm not a .243 hater, but it doesn't have the stability or load potential of the .260. If you want a varmint rifle that is adequate for deer the .243 is fine. But the .260 has a much bigger tent under which many more applications will fit.

 

[skinewmexico]

You can make your Savage 243 into a 260 in 30 minutes in the garage, with a $269 Shilen supermatch barrel. I've got one in 6.5x47 lapua, shoots very well.