Moderate priced rifle for Antelope hunting?

[Dan877]

My brother-in-law asked me to recommend a moderately priced ($500 to $600) .243 bolt action that is reliably accurate to take on an antelope hunt in the fall. I haven't bought a new rifle in several years so I haven't kept up what's on the market now. Can anyone make a recommendation?

A bit of background might be helpfull here. Two years ago the he purchased a Mossberg .243 for my nephew to deer hunt with. It cost less than $320 but turned out to be impressively accurate to be so cheap, it shoots consistent 1/2" or under 100 yard, 5 shot groups. The B-I-L took it on a couple of hunts last year and used it to kill 6 antelope at laser-rangefinder verified ranges from 235 to 425 yards, all one shot kills. This year he's going back, but taking my nephew with him so now he needs another rifle. Of course we both thought about a Mossberg, but we both figure what are the odds of getting another $320 rifle that shoots that well?

So, all that said, if you have a Mossberg, or similar budget rifle, that shoots well and you'd recommend it then I'd be happy to hear that too.

 

[.260 james]

There is a tikka t3 on the sale forum. Got deal at 500 bucks and they all shoot!

 

[fr3db3ar]

If you want new, try the Savage Edge. Not a very nice trigger but they are known to be shooters right out of the box. Triggers can be stoned or replaced.

 

[LRPV]

Hard to go wrong with the Tikka T3 although the 243 comes with a 1/10 twist. Super smooth action, flawless feeding, quick handling, light and easy to carry, and very good accuracy. Some people don't care for the synthetic stock but I actually like it. Mine grouped better after free floating the barrel which was not that difficult.
Jason

 

[.260 james]

The Tikka with a 95 gr berger will kill all the antelope you need to. I plan to use my .243 with same load for a couple this year

 

[archerross]

Don't overlook Savage 11/111. MSRP is close to $700, but I'd be willing to bet you could find one retail near $600. Unfortunately, only Walmart carries Savage here...and NOT the 11/111 so I can't be sure.

 

[bheadboy]

check around for a rem mod 7 sps in 243 they run 500-600 and are good value accurate
B0b

 

[areaone]

Tikka T3. Nuff said.

 

[Dave T]

I have to agree with the Tikka fans, very nice and accurate gun for the price.
Dave T

 

[chuckw2]

If it were me, I would get a Savage or a Stevens 200....
Much more bang for the buck for me........

Chuck

 

[TheSnake]

Got my son a Savage Axis in 243 a few years ago and it shoots 1/2 MOA or better using Handloads. Yes the trigger on the Savage is heavy but my son shoots it well and loves the rifle. If you are going to shoot heaver bullets, the 1/10 twist on the Tikka T3 is better than the 1/12 on the Axis.

Has your buddy got a scope already or will that 500 to 600 price need to include a scope also? That may also drive your decision.

 

[Sully2]

Remington M700 LS ( laminated stock) Dont know how a guy can go wrong with one of them

 

[K22]

Last fall I purchased a Tikka T3 Lite in 243. Great trigger, great accuracy, great handling in the field, smoothest action I've ever owned and it comes with rings and mounts. The stock, while sythentic, it's very sturdy.

Mine shoot under 1/2 moa with IMR 4350, Nosler 90 grain BT's and Federal 210 Match primers.

Highly recommend it.

PS- I had to remove the pressure point on the stock just forward of the receiver to get mine to group well but this was very easy to accomplish.

 

[fr3db3ar]

K22, I know this will show some gun ignorance but how did you determine there was a pressure point behind the action? Is that a tightness issue that you notice taking the action in and out of the stock?

 

[K22]

K22, I know this will show some gun ignorance but how did you determine there was a pressure point behind the action? Is that a tightness issue that you notice taking the action in and out of the stock?

First, the pressure point was located in the stock in front of the recevier just forward of the recoil lug. The area around the recoil lug must NOT be altered.

When I first started shooting the Tikka I was getting about an 1 to 1 1/2 inch groups with reloads.

I felt the rifle could do better so I started checking things out. I ran a dollar bill down the barrel between the stock which is suppose to be free floated and discovered that it was obstructed about 3 inches in front of the receiver. I removed the stock and discovered that there was a designed pressure point built into the stock. I debated whether to remove it or not and decided to sand it down so that the barrel was free floated up the recoil lug. Tikka's have a slot in the stock that houses the lug which fits into a notch in the barrel. That area of the stock should NOT be touched. The reason I free floated mine was because almost all my rifles shoot considerably better with the barrel free floated but I'm not suggesting that this is absolute for all rifles.

My groups reduced dramaticlly down in the 1/2 moa range. Also, I discovered that my rifle favored bullets seated to a relatively short COL (2.650") which is consider less than my other 243's (Remingtons) which prefer 2.700" and above.

This worked for my rifle but may not for yours - you would need do some testing first since you may be satisfied the accuracy out of the box. If you alter the stock, it will probably invalidate the 1 MOA accuracy warranty from Tikka.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Another vote for the Tikka's and Savage's. Both are a pretty good bet to be a shooter. Savage has it's weaknesses but accuracy usually isn't one of them. Tikka is a great gun, IMO though.

 

[5spd]

Savage .243 M11 at wallymart right at about $450 w/scope. My handloads average .750" @ 100yds and moa at 400yds.

 

[BigDMT]

Thompson Center Venture. Guaranteed 1 MOA or less at 100 yards using premium factory ammo or your money back. I am in no way affliiated with TC. Just that I've owned 2 in the past (7mm Rem Mag and 300 Win Mag) and both shot in the .3's at 100 yards or less with hand loads. 7mm would shoot in the .1's!!! I'm not kidding. Straight out of the box too. No modifications, not even bedding. Come with scope bases, adjustable trigger, 60 degree bolt throw, centerfeed magazines, premium recoil pad, 5R rifling (a dream to clean), lifetime warranty, and 1 MOA guarantee. All that and unbelievable accuracy for around $450. Can't beat it for the money. All you need is ammo, a scope, a set of rings, a trip to the range and you're hunting.

Could even go buy a Sako 85 and it wouldn't shoot any better than a Venture, just might have a nicer stock and a prettier lookin action I'd probably even wager that the venture would outshoot the higher dollar rifles in the hands of a skilled marksman.

I always recommend the Venture when I hear someone looking for good value in a budget rifle.

I am actually a HUGE Savage fan. Extremely accurate. I own 3 of them in 20 VarTarg, 6.5 Rem Mag, and 6.5X47 Lapua. BUT....I only like custom Savages. Not a fan of factory Savage rifles. Horrible triggers, flimsy synthetic stocks, or cheap wood stocks, thin recoil lugs, barrels foul up badly, etc... Though even the factory Savage rifles are no doubt very accurate

Tikka is a good buy and a good looking gun. Accurate enough for any hunting. Not a fan of the ejection port being very small so if there is a cartridge that doesn't feed correctly, it takes time shaking the rifle around to get it out of the port. But not bad rifles for the money

Best bang for your buck when shooting in the $500 range for an all factory rifle is bar none the Thompson Center Venure IMO. Like I said, TC guarantees the accuracy so you can't lose. Just my two cents from wonderful experiences owning 2 of them in the past.

AND THEY ARE 100% MADE IN THE USA!!!

 

[CaptainMal]

I can tell you what NOT to get.

Friend's son is a bit slow but is able to hunt and has a license. He saved and saved from grass cutting jobs and had enough for a 243 Remington 770. Now the gun only cost $300 at Wally World WITH a Chinese 3-9 Bushnell.

I got it first and was shocked to see a 4 # trigger, which I thought was pretty good. It's fully bedded (???) and has a bolt movement like a brick paved road. Stock is cheaper than you could imagine but servicable. I had to adjust and tighten EVERYTHING before giving it back to him for shooting.

Darn thing defies logic and shoots MOA or maybe less with factory Remington 100 gr. ammo.

We would never be remotely satisfied with something like that. He is extremely happy and surely will take many deer with it in his lifetime.

It's in the eye of the beholder.

 

[newgun]

Savage! Made in the good old U.S.A They shoot really good.They all so have less plastic in them like the mag. if that maters to you any.