How do you like your 243's?

[pickpick]

Thinking of getting a rem700 adl 308 rebarreled. I'm looking for a flat and fast coyote, deer gun. Would probably even shoot some 600yrd f-class matches with it. I think I would want a 1-8twist for the 95/100grain bullets, I like my barrels in the 20" range. Would ya'll tell me about or show me your 243s. Thanks

 

[rackchaser71]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

well im not a reloader or a competitive shooter but have hunted with my rem 788 in 243 for years and love it, its fast and flat. i shoot 95 hornady sst light mags at 3000 and have had great results on deer, complete pass throughs on all, all the way out to 375. ammo is cheap and they are fun to shoot. good luck

 

[spaniel]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

Fast, flat, recoil insignificant. One of my favorite chamberings.

 

[Top Cat]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

243 is a good performer, but if you reload, I would also consider a 260 or 708 for the same purposes with a little better overall performance and more versatility.

TC

 

[JamieD]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

Killed a couple deer and lots of chucks. 58 and 70 grainers.

JamieD
Wolf Precision
All Hogs Go to Heaven

 

[krummarine]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

See the 243 section on 6mmbr.com; everything you need to know.

 

[BgBmBoo]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

Get a fast twist barrel (so you can shoot the heavy high BC bullets)and it can be pretty much a do-all rifle....from 1000 yard shoots to pretty much all but the largest of No. Amer. game.

My little Tikka in .243 is a yote smoke'in machine.

Take care,Stan

 

[RHutch]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

My 243 is one of my most favoritist rifles

Built by R&D, remmy action, 22" shilen tube 1:10 in an A1-3.
I shoot the 87VMax over R15. Boringly accurate. Hell on pigs and prairie dogs.

 

[strick9]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

All the way gtg as mentioned, I built one off a youth model 700 bdl 20 incher 9-1/8twist, its a headshot machine.

 

[scotharr]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

243 is an awesome cartridge for both hunting and competition. Only drawback is a little shorter barrel life than the larger diameter calibers: 260, 7mm, 308.

 

[Dustin Morris]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

I shoot a 243 in Tactical competitions. It does very well.....
It shoots a 115 berger at 3050 very very easily. And kills deer, pigs, racoons, crows, frogs, steel, paper, and anything else Ive ever shot it at. When I go to the woods I take my 243 over my 308 every single time.
Flamesuit on,
Patrick Morris

 

[Stealff]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

I have two bolt 243's and am working on building up a third 243 on the AR-10 platform.

 

[pickpick]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Stealff</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have two bolt 243's and am working on building up a third 243 on the AR-10 platform. </div></div>

I just finished a dpms lr308 in 243. I like shooting it very well. That is part of what has sparked my interest in a 243 bolt gun.

 

[7mmRM]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

I think very highly of both of my 243s. Truely an excellent cartridge.

 

[pickpick]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

I called Douglas barrels and they told me $460 for a barrel, true and blueprint action and install barrel. Do ya'll have any experience with their work?

 

[darrenk75b]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

Douglas barrels are okay. For the price you pay, you could get a much better barrel installed. Get a barrel from any of the top makers (Kreiger, Brux, Bartlein, etc) and send it to RW Snyder (a member here) for install. He charges $200 to blueprint your action and install the barrel. Add that to the cost of the barrel, and you'll be close to what Douglas quoted you, but with a much better tube.

What twist and contour are you thinking?

 

[Mike]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Top Cat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">243 is a good performer, but if you reload, I would also consider a 260 or 708 for the same purposes with a little better overall performance and more versatility.

TC</div></div>

Or, you could listen to people who know what they are talking about and know that the 243 outshines both the 260 and 7-08 on every account.

The 243 with the 115's is an excellent all around cartridge and 2K round barrel life is the norm.

 

[pickpick]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

I have looked at Snyder's work on here and on his web site. Great looking work. I was wanting a Remington varmint contour in 8twist, 20" in length. I was going with the 243 instead of the 260 or 708, because of the info on 6mmbr.com and it is a new caliber that I will be loading for my DPMS any way. But, I was thinking that a Kreiger,brux,bartlein,etc. barrel would run me in the 300's before chambering or anything.

 

[scotharr]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Top Cat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">243 is a good performer, but if you reload, I would also consider a 260 or 708 for the same purposes with a little better overall performance and more versatility.

TC</div></div>

Or, you could listen to people who know what they are talking about and know that the 243 outshines both the 260 and 7-08 on every account.

The 243 with the 115's is an excellent all around cartridge and 2K round barrel life is the norm. </div></div>

Be nice Mike....even if you are right.

 

[darrenk75b]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pickpick</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I have looked at Snyder's work on here and on his web site. Great looking work. I was wanting a Remington varmint contour in 8twist, 20" in length. I was going with the 243 instead of the 260 or 708, because of the info on 6mmbr.com and it is a new caliber that I will be loading for my DPMS any way. But, I was thinking that a Kreiger,brux,bartlein,etc. barrel would run me in the 300's before chambering or anything. </div></div>

You are right that the barrel may be a bit more, depending on manufacturer and how long you want to wait.

Order a Brux before the end of the month, and the barrel will be $285 shipped(there is a $20 price increase starting Feb 1st) with a 10 week wait. Benchmark can get you a barrel for $265 shipped (with the wait 4-6 weeks). Or, you can go to Bruno shooters, pay a little more, and get one of the Kreiger barrels they have in stock. All told, you'll have a bit more money into it than going with a Douglas, but the end result in my opinion will be worth the slightly higher price.

Here's Bruno's website
http://www.brunoshooters.com/Merchant2/m...ory_Code=2KR6MM

 

[Top Cat]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Scooter-PIE</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The 243 with the 115's is an excellent all around cartridge and 2K round barrel life is the norm. </div></div>

Be nice Mike....even if you are right. </div></div>

I don't disagree with Mike at all...the 243 is a great all-around choice, and it's the definition of a coyote/deer rifle. My point was not to dismiss the 243, but to consider the others before making a final choice...and that's exactly what the OP did.

The 243 is not generally considered to be a heavy hitter, but with the right bullet, I wouldn't hesitate to hunt anything on the continent with mine. The way I look at it, caliber choice is a decision about what bullets you want to launch, and less so about the chamber that launches them. If you want to be launching 115s, the 243 is certainly going to look very good, but a reloader can wring excellent overall performance out of all these shorty rounds, and they are all a good candidate for "excellent all around cartridge" in my eyes.

I'm content to make the round that happens to be in my rifle do what I want it to do at the moment. If that rifle happens to be one of my 243s, great. Many days are won with a 243, but a 308 tends to be a winner on a lot of days as well.

It's not about whose opinion is "right", it's about the OP being happy with his new rifle.

TC

 

[tlfw]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

243AI

243AI

It is almost as fun as shooting a 223AI....almost.


223AI and 243AI

223AI and 243AI

 

[pickpick]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

Bump for some more insight. Thanks everyone for looking and the advice.

 

[doc76251]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

Also looking for insight but more on the reloading - bullet / powder combo side. I've got a factory Winny that will get into the VA Whitetail game with #1 son next year.

Cheers,

Doc

 

[MikeeBooshay]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

Doc,

All can offer, ( well ok, maybe a bit off there ) is that I had an old ( early 70's ) 700 BDL, in 243, with a shortish barrel and cut down stock that I had for a my son when he was a young teenager. I found myself carrying it a lot at the ranch, even after he wasn't using it anymore, he got the bigger gun fetish. DOn't know how that happened???

Anyway, I loaned that gun out so much, every kid around the office shot it on early hunts, before their dad's ponied up for a gun for them, literally every kid at the office shot something with it. Had a light little 2x7 leopold, the gun was a pleasure to shoot and carry. Like I said, I took it everywhere, easy to handle around the ranch etc, and very accurate.

Late last year, decided to "upgrade" it, for a hunt I had in mind. Took it to the 'smith, was going to rebarrel, true it up, and put into a Mac stock. Well, next thing you know, I had made it into a 308, #2 Lilja barrel, still light and short, now has a brake, and a sexy new stock. Shoots great too, not a lot of bite, so kids can still use it without concern. But the truth is, I miss the old gun a lot. There was something old school about a wood stocked BDL, with an old Leo with half the blueing worn off. Just felt right. The "new and improved" rifle, is great, but no "something" that makes you reach for it out of the safe.

I found myself looking thru the safe this morning, going to shoot with a friend around noon, wondering what to shoot. And the other 243 got the nod......

Maybe not the answer you were looking for, but....

Oh yeah, Fed Premium Barnes TSX 85 grains for the whitetail. You need look no further on that.

 

[doc76251]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

Mike,

Thanks for the input. This is not going to turn into anything other than a light hunting rig for my boys (and maybe their kids). I've heard good things about Barnes TSX or MRX but I was wondering what to put under them and how much.

Cheers,

Doc

 

[sgtusmc_nc]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

I love mine, remington 700 short action blue printed, hart number 7 barrel in 1/8 twist fluted. B&C 1000 stock, bushnell elite scope. it shoots the 100 grain nos partitions into tiney clover leav groups, im currently working up loads for the 107smk and 115 berger vld's. theres nothing in north carolina I wouldnt feel comfy shooting at.

as for barrels you couldnt go wrong with hart, pacnor, shilling. im sure others are top notch I just dont have any exp. with them.

barrel life, my buddy has one with over 2000 rounds through it, no loss of accuracy yet. in my humble op. if you are shooting so much you are worried about barrel life then IMHO buying a new barrel prob. isnt a factor.

 

[long range dogr]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

Hard to go wrong with the 243.

I absolutly love mine!

 

[Adam B]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

I smacked a prairie dog at 675 yards with my badger m2008 1:8 twist in 243 this last summer. Hard to go wrong with a 243!

 

[gnfiter3]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

My Mod. 70 with 1:10 twist has been a nightmare for me. It only seems to shoot lightweights. I addressed some load data in the reloading section, but maybe one of you can throw a load with OAL at me to try. Have tried Barnes 90's and 75's but only have gotten under an inch with Ser. 60's. 90's did not group at all. All loads were with IMR 4064.

 

[GUNNER75]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

A LOT

 

[tireys]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

I don't know as I can't seem to get all the parts I need to finish putting it together. Its my fault thought because I am currently try to build a non-spec M40A1 and that sponges alot of $$$ up. The .243 is only a R700 ADL and I lack an action.

 

[Jerry m]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

"...And kills deer, pigs, racoons, crows, frogs, steel, paper..." Boone and Crocket sizes frogs, I'll sure......lol

 

[Jerry R]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

243 Ackley

This is the improved version set in a spec A4 topped off with an S&B 5-25. It is currently slinging 105 AMAXs at around 3300 with outstanding accuracy from a 1-8" twist 26" Rock 5R.

The 243 would be a very good choice for your intended application. I would highly recommend it.

 

[264win]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

+1 more for the 243 . 243 ai is even better, plus it just looks mean

 

[scotharr]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

Go with a 1:8 or 1:7.5 twist for new 243WIN builds. Then you can shoot the heavier bullets for matches and hunting. 105 A-MAX, 105 Berger VLD, and 107 SMK are my choices. You can hunt with the A-max and Bergers. I've tried H4350 & H4831 sc, the H4350 works a little better for me.

 

[knockemdown]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

I'm liking mine more & more every time I shoot it...

 

[pickpick]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

Thanks for all of the help fellas. I believe I will send it to the smith and tell him to hook me up. Thanks again.

 

[nathan1485]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

I have a 243 AI and loveit has 1-12 twist lilja just took a coyote at 665 yards last weekend with it.

 

[rackchaser71]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

this is what i did yesterday at 100 with off the shelf 95gr winchester silvertips. not bad for a "drag through the bushes deer gun"

 

[Superswamp]

Re: How do you like your 243's?

I have T3 .243 for my sons when they were 12 and a BAR for me in .243, they all shoot great! In Florida the round is great for everything that we can hunt.