Best bang for the buck .243

[mattri]

Thanks to all who posted in earlier threads.

To recap looking for a rifle to shoot targets/varmints out to 600 yards, with most being within 300-400.

Not looking for a dedicated br gun but would like to be able to enter local/informal matches from time to time.

Also not looking for a hunting rifle, this won't be used for deer.

 

[jo191145]

Savage model 12 VLP.

 

[mattri]

Thanks for the reply, been looking at the Savages. Also been thinking about a Rem 700 SPS. Any advantage to one over the other?

 

[MarkS]

mattri,

One thing nice about the Savage is that you can add custom barrels or replace you barrel when wear yours out. I think the svage is the most accurate factory out there.

Mark Schronce

 

[jo191145]

mattri,

One thing nice about the Savage is that you can add custom barrels or replace you barrel when wear yours out. I think the svage is the most accurate factory out there.

Mark Schronce

Mark summed that up very well

Just screwed on my first 243 Sav factory tube a few weeks ago. In this day and age of lawyers I was surprised to find a proper throat on a factory tube. I can reach the lands with a 58 V-Max. Shocking
80gn Bergers are just about perfect for this particular throat. The 95 Berg VLD's fit nicely too.

Heres some preliminary 200 yd three shot groups. Tried some HBN coated 80 Bergs (.010 jam) with Varget and Wolf primers.

36.0gns = .854
36.5 = .706
37.0 = .728
37.5 = .528
38.0 = 1.036
38.5 = 2.690 :-[
39.0 = .653

For a mild load 37.5 might work. havent had the chance to get back out and verify and tweak.

Definately hit a spot at book max (38.5) that it did'nt like. I could try going higher yet as I haven't reached high pressure or book velocity. Most likely due too the HBN. This tube will be designated for 300yd factory egg shoots. A mild load would suffice for this. Other powders might be better for increased velocity :-\


My friends Remy 308 has a throat so long the bullet does'nt start spinning until just before exiting ;D

 

[mattri]

Thanks for the information, I'll take a harder look at the Savage line-up.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Rem. 700 has the most aftermarket support of any action, if looking to customize later, Remington is the way to go. They are also very accurate out of the box.

Do yourself a favor and get a Remington!

-X3M

 

[Sin_arms]

defiantly get a Savage, for the money they can't be beat and who wants to pay a gunsmith something anyone could do?

 

[Vermin]

Out of the box the Savage and Remington may be equal. You however can do most upgrades to a Savage where as the Remington is gonna require a smith to upgrade.
Hard to beat a VLP Savage for an all around 243 if you have any mechanical ability at all!
I may be a little bias though as there are 4 243 and a 6 br barrel sittin in the safe that fit a Savage that shoot better than I do.

 

[cliffy]

A .243 Winchester 100 grain Speer Grand Slam is impossible for a deer to say "NO! Not Enough Ommph" to. A Savage Model 12 is impossible to say "NO" to. A Remington Model 700 is also impossible to say "NO" to, just bring the trigger down to 2 1/2 pounds of pull by buying an aftermarket trigger. A great scope is necessary for either choice of rifle. Cliffy

 

[Erik Cortina]

Yes, the Remington requires a gunsmith to do barrel work, after that, everything is easier to do to a Remington. Bedding, changing out triggers, stock work, etc. and ultimately you can have a much better gun if you start off with the Rem. 700.

Let's say you want to pillar bed and glass bed your gun, a Rem. 700 is easier than a Savage to do by yourself. Changing out a trigger is as easy as can be, two pins, pop in new trigger and you are done, that easy.

Actually, if you never plan to upgrade your rifle and want to keep it as is, either one would work fine for you, but if you ever plan on doing any upgrades for it, get a Remington.

By the way, does anyone know the part number for a Jewell trigger for a Savage? LOL, enough said...

-X3M

 

[Sin_arms]

They did make a jewell trigger for Savages at one time, But an SSS Evo trigger is as good as a jewell

 

[jo191145]

What is so hard about bedding a Savage ??? ???
I've bedded four of my Savs and my friends Remmy. Personally I'd rather work on a Sav than a Remmy any day.
Savage Trigger? = Rifle Basix II. Literature claims it will go down to four ozs. I've found 7 ozs is best for proper functioning.
7 ozs should be just fine for a factory rifle. The evo triggerSin arms mentioned will go down to 2 ozs. This does require a smith to do tho.
Plenty of aftermarket stocks for any discipline.

Want to change calibers with different bolthead size. No problem with a Sav. Lets see you do that with a Remmy in your basement LOL's Nuff said

 

[Erik Cortina]

Sounds like you Salvage guys spend more time working on your stuff than shooting it, not my case. And by the way, I do switch barrels in my basement anytime I want, my recoil lugs are pinned. I bet I can switch barrels faster than any of you guys can, my headspace is already set!

If you had a pretty woman (Remington) and an ugly woman (Savage) that could satisfy a man equally, which one would you rather take out and show off to your friends?...

I picked the pretty one! LOL

-X3M

 

[300echo]

uuummmm the ugly one, easier to work on and my friends wont hit on her!

 

[jo191145]

Sounds like you Salvage guys spend more time working on your stuff than shooting it, not my case. And by the way, I do switch barrels in my basement anytime I want, my recoil lugs are pinned. I bet I can switch barrels faster than any of you guys can, my headspace is already set!

If you had a pretty woman (Remington) and an ugly woman (Savage) that could satisfy a man equally, which one would you rather take out and show off to your friends?...

I picked the pretty one! LOL

Sounds like a smith works on your Remmy a whole lot = money and time. Savage has pinned lugs from the factory.
I set my headspace tight to the lot of brass I intend to use in a particular barrel. No uneeded stretching during fireforming. Never shoot factory ammo so this method works very well for me.
How much does a smith charge to chamber and headspace a Rem barrel? Mine come out of the box ready to go. Shilen tube costs $290 ready to go.

How much to have your spare bolts fitted to your action?
Savages floating bolt head allows me to swap at will.

When you get right down to it I think your ''pretty woman'' has had a lot of expensive plastic surgery to make you satisfied. Seems she satisfied your gunsmith along the way too
My "ugly" Savages are faithful to me and me alone. Priceless.

 

[25AI260]

Remington ... 1st choice

X3MHunter .. e mail sent

 

[Erik Cortina]

If you think all the custom action builders are wrong, get a Salvage, else get a Remington.

 

[long40shot]

My Remington VLS shoots like a house of fire. I heard that Savage makes a great boat oar. ;D

 

[Erik Cortina]

The only time I would like to have a Savage is in a knife fight! LMAO

-X3M