thoughts on .243 Winchester

[Magwa45]

You guys give me a lot of good ideas. I really like the Remington line, esp. the 700 and the smaller 7. Any other rifle options? I know Savage makes very accurate weapons, but they are just not classic like the 700 and not so slim. But I can see why some like them. My beef is they dropped the 99, one of my favorites. What about the Weatherby Vanguard in .243. That might be a subject for another post. Don't want to hijack my own thread.

 

[Maverick223]

The Vanguard isn't a bad rifle, but I would personally steer clear of Rem. (unless looking at used rifles like the excellent Model 600) due to poor quality control and customer service. IMO the Winchester M-70 Featherweight is probably the nicest of the bunch, though it is on the heavy side compared to some of the competition (more than 1 lb. heavier than the Savage Model 11 Lightweight Hunter).

 

[splithoof]

Trail Boss can indeed be suitable for hunting if you understand it's limitations. It was much cheaper to use it for squirrel control with cheap light bullets around our ranch than buying another centerfire rifle. We were able to get decent 100 yard hits that were much harder than with rimfire rifles, and it only cost about $150 in supplies. I can't buy a decent .243 for that, let alone an optical sight to go with it. After the season, we re-zero for hog loads, and call it good. If I wanted a rifle to be dedicated to varmint hunting only, I'd get something in .22-250.

 

[LoonWulf]

Vanguards are pretty nice, i cant stand the angular stock tho. Remingtons can be hit or miss, look the gun over well before you buy it and you should be fine. Howas, Tikkas, and savages are good. The M70 is a very nice rifle also, but not my personal cup of tea (ive always prefered remington LOL).

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I love the Model 7, but would opt for one in 7mm-08 over a .243 Winchester....However, if a Ruger Compact in 7mm-08 popped up at the right price I wouldn't pass it up.

 

[csa77]

243 is my favorite round for hunting, iv bagged 8 point bucks too 200+lb hogs with the 243.....i do have a 30-06 bdl 700 and 7mm mag M70 rifle but i doubt ill ever use them again, its not like im gonna see a 600lb hog or deer in florida , south carolina or texas.

IMO for where i hunt, i consider the 243 pretty stiff for the game in south east.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Another option would be to find a Ruger M77 tang safety rifle in 6mm Remington.

I've got one I'll make ya a smokin' deal on. Not a tang safety, but a wood/blued pre-Mk II M77. It's topped with a Bushnell 3-9x. Comes with 330 rounds of loaded ammo, another ~150 pieces of brass, some bullets and RCBS dies. I never shoot it, and it's too close to my .25-06 ballistically. Was suppposed to be my coyote rifle with 90 gr. FMJ's, but I found my .17 Rem. is optimal for that task.

 

[Zombiphobia]

My thoughts on the .243, after having owned and sold a .243 rifle, is that it's a miniture .308 and more expensive. Not a complaint though, it's a very useful and versatile cartridge.

 

[BrocLuno]

It's not expensive if you shop the 'Net and buy a few boxes ahead. Check out Graf & Son: http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/12528 Shipping is a few bucks and service is good.

It's a great round with a LOT of rifles out there. Plenty on the used racks as some hunters move up to magnums. I'd be haunting those used racks for a real nice one that fit me just right

 

[trex1310]

I love the caliber. I just wish it wasn't so expensive around here. I look at around a dollar per round here. Can't hand-roll yet, so. Only thing I really don't like about the round is it's a barrel burner.

The .243 isn't really any more expensive than other rifle calibers.
I just bought some Federal blue box for $14.99. I've never heard
of the .243 burning out barrels and I've been shooting a very
loooooooooong time. It might burn a barrel if you fire a 1,000 rounds.

 

[BigN]

243 - Very light recoil, less chance of a flinch, or developing one, it'll drop a whitetail on the spot w/100 grainers and reach way out there very quickly to drop a chuck or a coyote on the spot. As far as I'm concerned it's a way underrated caliber. Every one I've had was a joy to shoot, reload for, and also very accurate if you'll take the time to work up a compatible reload.

 

[Plastikosmd]

I love mine in my armalite AR10.

 

[THE MACHINIST]

remington 770 in .243 accurate got a six point mule deer with it....100 yds....ran about 50 yds after it was hit small entrance and exit hole....overall a good round if your gun shy...