Suggestion on 243 rifle with 1:8 twist

[levathain]

So I want to have a 243 rifle that I can shoot from 100 to 1000 yds with. I am wanting a 1:8 twist rate so I can stabilize heavier loads like 105 Amax without an issue. Does anyone know of a place to buy a complete rifle with 1:8 twist rate without spending way over a thousand dollars? Or is my only option available, without spending a lot of money, is buying a regular rifle & replacing the barrel?

 

[CPorter]

From what I have seen you would need to buy a rifle, probably a Savage, buy a prefit barrel and install it yourself. The rifle is about $600, the barrel about $300, and if you get a smith to install it you are looking at another $2-300.

Academy has cheaper guns, maybe $300, just don't know about the stock and fitting a barrel. To shoot 100-1000 you are going to need a decent scope with plenty of elevation travel and maybe a 20MOA base. I need 27.4 MOA from a 100 yard zero. My Nightforce ran $1200.

 

[wvlongshot]

You stated a want to be able to shoot from 100 to 1000. Ever tried an T/C encore? Match grade machine can fix ya up a barrel for under $400, and a reciever can be had in the $350 range. If its just for fun, not for match shooting they are a hoot. Change barrels to whatever u want.

 

[levathain]

I figured that was the case, thanks for the replies.

 

[watercam]

Look at a Ruger Target in 6.5 Creedmoor. Has a barrel good for the 140 grainers, generally accurate rifle (I would glass bed and tweak the trigger). Savage makes rifles in 6BR - folks in my neck of the woods do very well with 105-107s at 1000 yds.. Savage also makes Long Range Precision rifle in 260 Rem. - would also make it to 1000 with ease...

 

[placek59]

I would suggest getting a savage and replacing the barrel as stated previously. If you shop around, you should be able to get a used one (savage rifle) for 300ish without too much trouble. If you can sell the barrel for 50 you will be doing good and then the action is only 250ish. You can get a used stock (be careful about the action spacings) relatively cheap too, for about 100-175, or a new thumbhole varmint from boyds that will need bedded for about 125. Finally, you can get a brand new match grade barrel for just over 300 from a few different places depending on what brand you want (shilen, cbi, mcgowen, others??). Shop the classifieds and you might be able to find a used one for half that price. Add a picatinny rail (or not, your choice) for about 40 bucks and you can be having lots of fun (minus optics) for around 700 bucks!! If you are patient, there are lots of used parts that show up and, you might be able to find some of the stuff cheaper. I have numerous varmint savages I have put together for less than 600, you will need to be patient if you want to do it on the cheap.

Now, chances are this combo won't be "match grade" competitive at 1000, but you will have lots of fun, and it will probably shoot just as good as the best factory varmint rifles... With that said, you may want to ask around if the factory 9.25 twist barrels will stabilize the 95g vld bullets. Those may be able to get you to 1000 without having to mess with the rifle...

Does anyone have a factory 9.25" twist that stabilizes the 95ish grain target bullets, and have you shot those at long range??

 

[boltgunluvr]

My factory 1 in 9.125 shoots the 95 gr SMK well and they shoot the best when seated for mag length feeding. Have shot them out to 525 yds.

 

[jonbearman]

Go to savageshooters forum and join for 12 bucks a year and then you will be able to see the classifieds.There are a few recievers on there right now.You can build on a long or short action with these guns,well any gun actually.The long recievers are way easier to find.

 

[Stormbringer]

Are you looking for a hunting rifle or target rifle? Every factory Remington, Ruger, Savage and Tikka I have shot shoots the 105 Amax just fine. You do not need an 8 twist to shoot this bullet. Whatever you purchase may not shoot the 105 Amax as well as another bullet anyway. Just go purchase which ever factory rifle you can afford and like best and work up a load.

Mike.

 

[Boyd Heaton]

Savage m12 BVSS.....Mine shot the 105's well with Retumbo.Shot a 10 shot 1000 yard group with it just over M.O.A....And took many groundhogs from 200 to 990 yards with it

 

[super B]

Levathain, The least costly (nothings cheap),way to go would be a Savage Single shot action with their 6mm barrel in 1 in 8 twist. I would look hard at 6mmbr against the 243 win. round. the 6BR round may be a little weak at 1000 yd, but at 600yd it is the way to fly,IMOP. Better accuracy, longer barrel life, and not fussy to load for. Most use Varget powder, 107 Sierra's . This combo is usually competive right out of the box. I hope this helps, Brian

 

[jonbearman]

Call Jim Briggs at northland shooters supply 1-763-682-4296 .He is the man for real on the level answers.He has a deal on varmint precision actions and his barrel price's cant be beat.He also has all the tools for cheap.

 

[Savage243]

Since Ruger stopped making the RPR in .243 Win (1-7.7" Twist), I would say what the above have said is correct. I just finished a Savage Build myself. I bought the rifle a few years ago used for $300, The McGowen Barrel (8 Twist, 26" Sendero Contour) was right at $345 or so, I put it in a B&C Medalist stock for under $300. So for right at $1000 after tools, I had a bare rifle. After the Vortex Viper PST, rings, bases, and a bipod, it was still under 2k. Pawn shops are great places to look for rifles on the cheap.

 

[NewLiberty]

My Savage in .243 and 1 in 9.125 twist shoots 105 Amax fine. Also shoots the 95 SMK equally as well.