Stock Rem 700 .243 pencil bbl

[RobertB]

Hey guys, all but 2 guns I have are custom. The 2 non customs are a win M70 Larado 300WM and rem 700 sps tacical in 308. Both shoot great. I have been predator hunting for a while and use 3 different AR's depending on which I carry with me. I live on the road so my usual carry rifles are a custom m700 in 7stw, my custom 260 or 308 for target shooting and my AR. In an attempt to lighten my load I want to consolidate my deer rifle and coyote rifle into one. I will still carry a heavy target/comp rifle. I'm looking into a 243 BDL rem m700. What I'm wanting to know is how they shoot. 1moa/2moa? what? My stw is the onlt small bbl rifle I have. I love the handiness of it. I want a light rifle that can take deer or yotes out to 300 yds or so. I feel like the 243 is my best caliber choice. I most likely will be putting some type of lupy scope on it. I just don't know how well they shoot. If they don;t shoot real well I might look into a ar type. I'm not trying to go custom here. Just a decent rifle that will be a beater. I want a shorter bbl. 21" would be ideal. Something light,fast,flat, and easy to carry. I bought my dad a sps varmit in 243 but feel like it's to big and heavy. I have probaly 12 rifles of so and I feel like I know a lil bit about how different ones shoot but I have never owned a pencil bbl factory rifle. Any help is greatly appreciated. I know that I won't be getting the results my surgeon, gap, and Lenord Baity guns get but knew someone here whould know what to expect. Gonna be coolto be able to buy store bought "regular" ammo like all the "other guys" buy.

 

[Oregonmuley]

Re: Stock Rem 700 .243 pencil bbl

Not a BDL, only came in ADL but its a 22" Mtn contour barrel that does shoot really well considering its a factory rifle with a lightweight barrel.

These Gander Mtn/Cabales special run Mtn Guide rifles for the most part where really accurate little rifles, especially the ones in .243. This one will pretty much shoot right at .5-.6 inch 3 shot groups with Fusion 95 grain ammo. Its stock except for the bolt which was fluted by Karl @ Kampfeld Customs. They come up used sometimes and if you can find one grab it.

 

[UNCIVILIZED]

Re: Stock Rem 700 .243 pencil bbl

Unless you get a REAL lemon, you've got nothing to worry about accuracy wise. Knock on wood, I have yet to own a lightly tuned box stock rifle which wouldn't shoot MOA or better with factory ammo. And as to the caliber in question & it's accuracy, George Gardner of GAP won a match or three [maybe more?] while shooting a .243.

You may have to try a couple of different brands of factory ammo, including various slug weights & types to get group sizes which make you happy. But in my semi-limited experience, I haven't owned anything finicky in that department yet. Often quite the opposite. The other thing for accuracy it pays to do, is bed it... perhaps in the aftermarket stock of your choosing. And then of course, the obvious, handload.

Years back, I had a Remington Synthetic Youth that came with a 20" barrel, which was approx 0.60" diameter @ the muzzle. The barreled action itself weighed 4.4lbs. I sold the factory stock, & bedded things into an inexpensive, lightweight, aftermarket stock [1.5lbs including recoil pad]. And following this I tuned the trigger. Without optics, ammo, or a sling, it weighed 6lbs & was sweet to handle & carry, not to mention shoot. With any decent ammo, it was 1.25 MOA max, usually a lot smaller.
Sadly, finances dictated my parting with it, but I'd go the same route again in the blink of an eye.

 

[groundhogbuster]

Re: Stock Rem 700 .243 pencil bbl

One of my first hunting guns was a shiny wood BDL, in 30/06. With a bedding job it would shoot sub moa all day with the old core lock ammo. I had another in 22/250, and it was also a tack driver. Next one was a 25/06 in Sendaro with the HSP stock. It shot .4's -.7's with a lot of ammo, but the 100,or 115 Nosler partition (cant remember) was a deer killing machine.

 

[RobertB]

Re: Stock Rem 700 .243 pencil bbl

Thanks guys. Probably pick one up when i go home

 

[FamilyMan]

Re: Stock Rem 700 .243 pencil bbl

I had one just like you described that shot just under MOA and possibly better but I pretty much sucked back then. I ended up selling it just to get the heavier barrel varmint model but it shot just as good if not better. I would have no hesitations getting another one for a deer/coyote gun and i have almost done it a few times.

 

[Boltfluter]

Re: Stock Rem 700 .243 pencil bbl

I would also consider a Tikka T3. I have yet to see one that didn't drive tacks. Just a thought.

Regards, Paul

 

[holy cow]

Re: Stock Rem 700 .243 pencil bbl

I would also take a look at the Remington model 7. They are dandy rifles and gun broker always has a good lot to pick from. Mike Bush built me a 22-250 off a older model 7 that i sent him along with a Brux #3 barrel. McMillan hunter lite weight stock and cut at 20 inches. It is accurate as all hell with 60 grain Bergers and a blast to pack around all day out in the field.