243 build questions

[wburke2010]

I am wanting to build a 243 for my main go to rifle. It will be used for hunting deer, hogs, and some varmints, and will also be used for range shooting. Mostly will be used inside for 500. It will also be suppressed when I turn 21 this year. I have two options that I am thinking of doing.

Number one would be buy the savage model ten predator, since it already has a heavy barrel, and putting it in a Manners T4a and CDI bottom metal, and a aftermarket trigger, these will be done first. Then I will change the barrel out after this one is shot out.

My second option would be a tikka T3 varmint in 243, if I can find one which is looking hard, and putting it in a KRG whiskey 3, but I am not sure if the stock trigger is good or if there are any after market triggers on the market for the tikka.

Either way I go before I even shoot the gun it will have a stock change, and DBM if I go the savage route. I want the gun to be around 10-15 pounds so that I can use it for hunting and not have to lug around a 20 lb rifle all the time.

What do you think the best way to go would be?
I am also wanting a relatively short barrel because I am going to be running a suppressor all of the time on the gun, so my question there is how short for a 243 is too short. I am not trying to reach out to a mile or even 1k with this 500 would be the most and that won't happen very often most likely.

Walter

 

[Tackleberry]

Re: 243 build questions

I have a gap with a m40a contour 8.5 twist I think it is shooting 115 dtac. If you don,t take it long range it is a real let down. Works great at short range but makes you grow wood t long range. Don,t cut yourself short on a caliber that really shines at all distances

 

[Boltfluter]

Re: 243 build questions

A .243 with a 22" barrel shooting a 105A-max would be a great set-up. Good
length for a can as well. Will easily get you to 500 yds. Hope this helps.
Paul.

 

[former naval person]

Re: 243 build questions

Do it in at least a 8.5. GAP barreled mine and it shoots the 115's terribly wonderful. JMHO

 

[ejd049]

Re: 243 build questions

Third option:
at least here is my plan
Stiller Action from group buy
Stiller DBM from group buy
Timney trigger you guessed it group buy
24 or 26 inch 1 in 8 barrel from Third Generation Shooting Supply
Get with a gunsmith on here to have work done
McMillan A5 on order

Do a search on here for some good 243 info

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3139981&page=1

 

[rrflyer]

Re: 243 build questions

If it was me... and this is what I'm planning when i shoot the barrel out on this .243.


Trued Remington Action
1/7.5 twist medium or light palma at 26"
Manners T2 with carbon fill


Thatll get you whatever you need to be and shouldn't be too freakin heavy.

 

[Quackaddict]

Re: 243 build questions

Do you really need to push a 105 or a 115? To 500 I would think something like the 87 Berger would do it plenty well enough and you would be able to pick up some speed in the process...

 

[Brandon05_88]

Re: 243 build questions

I'm a .243 guy, but in this case I'd say stick with a .308. Better suited for a short(er) barrel. More junk in the trunk for energy on target. Well within it's effective range. Go with a 20" barrel for the can.

A 22" won't exactly neuter a .243, but it will cut the velocity where the caliber shines. I'd stay in the 95-105 grain bullet range. No shorter than a 22" barrel, 8" twist in Rem Varmint, Medium Palma or Tubb contour. Best place to save weight is in the barrel. Carrying a 15 pound rifle deer hunting all day isn't all that bad.

 

[wburke2010]

Re: 243 build questions

Thanks for all the replies guys. I really don't want a 308 because I think it is too big of a bullet for what I want to use the gun for and the 243 will do all the things I will need it to by a long stride. I'm not sure that I need to push a 105 or 115 but I want to stay close to 100 grain bullet. The reason that I want a shorter barrel, is because it will always be shot with a can. I know that the 243 will reach out past 500 but with this set up I do not see myself taking it out past 500 all that much if ever.

Thanks for all the replies
Walter

 

[diriel]

Re: 243 build questions

Ya know, for bullet weights up to about 95gr. Varget with 210m primers does a pretty spiffy job. Given the burn rate, even a 20" barrel would probably do pretty well. Perhaps someone with Quickload will pipe in with some numbers for you. A good friend of mine swears by the 85gr Barnes TSX and he uses Varget with it. Kick ass hog gun out to about 400 or so. His is the Savage with a 22" barrel.

Good luck,
Gary

 

[murtaughf3]

Re: 243 build questions

hey there wburke2010, just notice your fight down the road from me. i'm actually in the process of trying to put together a 243 for the exact same reasons. i to am considering the model 10 predator, i like the brush over the max1. I was also checking out the model 10 trophy hunter xp, comes with a nikon scope, but not the heavier barrel and a walnut stock. anyone couple questions for ya.

you mentioned shooting 500 yards, is that range or hunting? if range what range are you going to? i go to the one out by phantom but it's only 200.

you hitting up the gun show this weekend?

 

[steve123]

Re: 243 build questions

Tikka T3 and Whiskey chassis!

 

[Tomg]

Re: 243 build questions

I agree Tikka T3 with the Whiskey chassis would be hard to beat.

 

[Radar360]

Re: 243 build questions

The Savage will allow you an easier DIY barrel switches. This would allow you to change barrels when you want something different. You will be able to use a .260 or .308 and then back again to .243, or use shorter or longer barrels. And it's all a DIY so you can save money while enjoying a wider choice of options.

 

[murtaughf3]

Re: 243 build questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Radar86</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Savage will allow you an easier DIY barrel switches. This would allow you to change barrels when you want something different. You will be able to use a .260 or .308 and then back again to .243, or use shorter or longer barrels. And it's all a DIY so you can save money while enjoying a wider choice of options.



</div></div>

note to hijack, but i'm in similar situation, so if i understand you right, by going with savage, and the short action, you can essentially buy one rifle, and a 260 or 308 and swap it out with your 243 barrel and basically have 2 or 3 rifles for the price of extra barrels? if this is the case sounds pretty good to me

 

[Force_Multiplier]

Re: 243 build questions

basically murtaughf3

 

[Radar360]

Re: 243 build questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: murtaughf3</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Radar86</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Savage will allow you an easier DIY barrel switches. This would allow you to change barrels when you want something different. You will be able to use a .260 or .308 and then back again to .243, or use shorter or longer barrels. And it's all a DIY so you can save money while enjoying a wider choice of options.
</div></div>

note to hijack, but i'm in similar situation, so if i understand you right, by going with savage, and the short action, you can essentially buy one rifle, and a 260 or 308 and swap it out with your 243 barrel and basically have 2 or 3 rifles for the price of extra barrels? if this is the case sounds pretty good to me </div></div>

You didn't hijack... this is in the order of discussion of considerations for the OP.

.. and yes, you can switch barrels as long as your using SA barrels the action is the same. (i.e. .243, .260 and .308, there are others too - do a wiki search on short action and it will provide you a longer list)

You will need a go- and a no-go gage but that's not a problem.

 

[murtaughf3]

Re: 243 build questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Radar86</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: murtaughf3</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Radar86</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Savage will allow you an easier DIY barrel switches. This would allow you to change barrels when you want something different. You will be able to use a .260 or .308 and then back again to .243, or use shorter or longer barrels. And it's all a DIY so you can save money while enjoying a wider choice of options.
</div></div>

note to hijack, but i'm in similar situation, so if i understand you right, by going with savage, and the short action, you can essentially buy one rifle, and a 260 or 308 and swap it out with your 243 barrel and basically have 2 or 3 rifles for the price of extra barrels? if this is the case sounds pretty good to me </div></div>

You didn't hijack... this is in the order of discussion of considerations for the OP.

.. and yes, you can switch barrels as long as your using SA barrels the action is the same. (i.e. .243, .260 and .308, there are others too - do a wiki search on short action and it will provide you a longer list)

You will need a go- and a no-go gage but that's not a problem. </div></div>


when you say SA barrels, do you mean savage factory barrels, or would that be any short action barrel that fits the savage action work. heading over to wiki now

 

[Radar360]

Re: 243 build questions

I mean short action. SA = short action It's not Savage specific.

So you could go with a custom barrel if you like and use Savage, or Tikka's or Remington's or any manufacturer's action. Key is use SA for SA and Long Action (LA) for LA.

 

[BgBmBoo]

Re: 243 build questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: steve123</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Tikka T3 and Whiskey chassis! </div></div>

The problem is that Tikka only offers their .243 in a 1:10 twist and in the Lite model. So you would have a light profile barrel and a slow twist.
The 87g Vmax works very well from a 1:10 twist and would do a good job at 500 yards.

As for the Whiskey 3 chassis....I have a tikka action 6.5X47 sitting in one and like it a lot.

Take care,Stan

 

[wburke2010]

Re: 243 build questions

Murtaughf- I have a place close that is a Farmers field and he lets us shoot. It only has berms to 200 yards but road leading down too we can shoot farther when no one else is there. But I also have 60 acres out in east Texas that I hunt on a have some places to reach out as far as I would want to on neighbors fields and one of my friends has land in east Texas we go hunting on and there are plenty of places at his to shoot to 1k.

Thanks for all the info guys I'm just trying to figure out what I want so I can start to build here after I get a Giraud Trimmer hopefully this week or next. But all thoughts are considered.

Walter

 

[murtaughf3]

Re: 243 build questions

radar86, wow total blonde moment on my bart, thanks for clearing that up

wburke2010, i agree we'll have to meet up some time and shot, i usually shoot out by phantom, only have a mosin nagant right now, so 100 yards is about as far as i shoot, but i mostly stick the 50 yards.

bgbmboo, i noticed that about the tikka, the savages are 9.25 so that's a little better.

also i noticed alot of the factory ammo is either 80 grn or 100 grn. i have read lots that with the 105-107 grain you want preferably an 8 twist, so what about the 100 could that go either the 8 or 9.25?

 

[PRDRIVER]

Re: 243 build questions

The factory trigger is great on the Tikka. There is no need to spend extra money for an aftermarket trigger.

 

[BgBmBoo]

Re: 243 build questions

To really stretch the legs of a .243 you will want to hand load so you can use the heavy bullets. I use to have a 1:8 .243 and shot the 107 SMK's out to 1000 yards with really good luck.
I take it you do not hand load? If not then there is a limited supply of match grade ammo available for the .243. The stuff you will find is boutique stuff and pretty spendy.

That being said....my buddy had a slow twist .243 and used the 87gr Vmax and we could hit steel at 1000 yards with it. Not as consistent as the heavy bullets, but it can be done. But again, I do not think Hornady offers their 87gr Vmax in commercial ammo.

Take care,Stan

PS...my old .243 Surgeon Scalpel.

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[steve123]

Re: 243 build questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BgBmBoo</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: steve123</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Tikka T3 and Whiskey chassis! </div></div>

The problem is that Tikka only offers their .243 in a 1:10 twist and in the Lite model. So you would have a light profile barrel and a slow twist.
The 87g Vmax works very well from a 1:10 twist and would do a good job at 500 yards.

As for the Whiskey 3 chassis....I have a tikka action 6.5X47 sitting in one and like it a lot.

Take care,Stan

</div></div>

Yep but in about 2000 rounds it'll be time for a new premium barrel with a faster twist. Then he'll have a very nice custom rifle that will hold it's own against anything out there.

Did the 95 grain Berger stabilize out of yours? I've had some 10 twist 243's and a 243wssm that would stabilize it real good. .486 BC just shy of 3100 fps does pretty good.

Never been a Savage fan myself.

 

[wburke2010]

Re: 243 build questions

BGbmboo, yes I do hand load and that will be the only thing shot out of this rifle from day one.

Steve, there will be a better barrel on the gun as soon as I can but the whiskey 3 and a few other mods will be done first as well as the suppressor. I've pretty much found out that you have to get it in a sporter barrel if you want the 243 which I'm not sure how well that will work out so I might get the 223 instead because That comes in the factory heavy barrel and will still do anything that I need it too with the heavier bullets. But I have decided that the tikka and whiskey three is the way that I want to go.
Thanks for the info guys.
Walter

 

[Joop]

Re: 243 build questions

I'll relate my experiences and opinions, too. My wife has a Tikka T3 Lite in .223, as does my neighbor, who also has one in .22-250, as well as the T3 Tactical in .308. All of them are excellent. However, as was mentioned, the barrel twists tend to be a little slower in most models than other manufacturers and I would assume that the .243 is no exception. On top of that, I'm not sure if a Varmint model was ever made in .243 and, if so, it's possible they never imported them (as with many Tikkas in other great calibers, which we don't get access to!). If you want to do a custom build, start with the Tikka.

I have the Savage 10 Predator Hunter Max-1 in .243. I know Savage used to list the barrel length as 22", but mine is 24" (which was a pleasant surprise when I got it), but I see they've updated that on their website. My main load is the 87 grain V-max, over either Varget, or H4895, which I have shot out to 725 yards on prairie dogs, with great success. At 500 yards, as long as they stand still and you have the wind doped right, you can't miss them. In short, it's a frickin' laser beam. I've recently started playing with the 105 grain A-max, as well. So far, I've shot it out to 803 yards and was able to hit a gallon water jug with every shot, with a couple different batches of test loads, running in the 2650-2715fps range. Stabilizing them doesn't seem to be an issue, at least to that range. However, I think the 87 grain bullet is more than enough for your intentions and, no, you don't need a super fast twist to shoot them.

If you want to spend more money up front to get the better action, go with a Tikka, but get a good aftermarket barrel from the start (edit: If you plan on shooting any heavier bullets). If you want to get by a little cheaper on the front end, buy the Savage. You'll have the advantage of being able to change the barrel yourself, when the time comes, but the action will never be quite as nice as the Tikka. I don't think you can go wrong with either, really.

John

 

[Radar360]

Re: 243 build questions

Totally agree. If you want a better action Tikka would be my choice too. My wife as a Tikka T3 223 1:8 and we got a Manners stock for it. The action is very smooth and it's a shooter.

 

[steve123]

Re: 243 build questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wburke2010</div><div class="ubbcode-body">BGbmboo, yes I do hand load and that will be the only thing shot out of this rifle from day one.

Steve, there will be a better barrel on the gun as soon as I can but the whiskey 3 and a few other mods will be done first as well as the suppressor. I've pretty much found out that you have to get it in a sporter barrel if you want the 243 which I'm not sure how well that will work out so I might get the 223 instead because That comes in the factory heavy barrel and will still do anything that I need it too with the heavier bullets. But I have decided that the tikka and whiskey three is the way that I want to go.
Thanks for the info guys.
Walter </div></div>

You are right about 223 being fine with heavy bullets, especially out to 500Y. A friend had his T3 rechambered to 223AI. He's shooting 75 Amax close to 2900 IIRC.

The only problem with going 223 is you'll have to buy another T3 if you want a bigger cartridge later. If I were restricted to one rifle for a while I'd rather have a 243.

 

[wburke2010]

Re: 243 build questions

Joop thanks for the comments that helps too hear more first hand accounts.

Steve123- I still have a few other rifles but I am still liking the 243 over the 223 also.

Thanks for all the info guys.

Walter

 

[murtaughf3]

Re: 243 build questions

wburke2010, just curious where you plan on getting your 243 from? the reason i ask is i've check most places in town and they don't have any, at least for the model i'm looking for

 

[wburke2010]

Re: 243 build questions

I have my gunsmith in lavon looking for some and went to cabelas last night to look at what models they have, but the more we look the only thing with a heacy barrel is the 223,22-250, and the 308. So what I plan to do now is get the regular T3 LITE IN 243, once that comes in I'll order the KRG whiskey 3, Then get a scoped for it and run it untill I turn 21 at they end of the year and get my NFA trust set up and get my supressor on order. After the suppressor comes I'll have the gun rebarreled to a heavier match grade barrel and threade to run the spressor.

Which model are you looking for?

Walter

 

[2Shots]

Re: 243 build questions

I also have a T3 I rebarreled and put in a manners, very nice like it a lot. And 243, hard to beat, just to short a barrel life.