I need 243win build help

[pickpick]

I would like a 243 win that I can run 95 to 107 bullets through. I would like a rem 700, 18 or 20" barrel, maybe a contour smaller than a rem varmint, to cut down on weight some. Here's where I need help. I have a 308 adl that is my goto deer rifle, that I could have rebarreled, or do I buy this rem vls that found and have the barrel cut down and fluted for the difference in weight? I can buy the vls for 700. I believe a rebarrel will run me about 600. The vls is a nine twist. I think I would rebarrel to an 8 twist. What should I do? The purpose of rifle would be my always with me, coyote, paper and steel to AT LEAST six hundred, and whitetail deer. With the hopes of a mule deer hunt out west some day. Thanks for any and all help.

 

[Tim Neitzke]

Re: I need 243win build help

I'd rebarrel and make it 243 AI.

Forgot to add ,
I wouldn't run anything less than 22".

 

[Graham]

Re: I need 243win build help

If you are not going to shoot past 600 yards, and want to take game the size of mule deer, get a .308.

Unlike in a .308, a 20" barrel is conter-productive in .243: you will have a rifle with very short barrel life and no way to take advantage of the increased powder capacity.

If you do decide on .243 you'll need a 9-twist for 90+ VLD's and an 8-twist to run the 107's reliably in cold weather. If you decide on a custom barrel I would choose a 7.5 twist because, if you are like me, eventually you will want to try the heaviet highest-BC bullet available and the 111-115's need a 7.5.

 

[JFComfort]

Re: I need 243win build help

My Dad runs a 18" 1-9" twist and it shoots the Sierra 107's nicely. He's running them @ 2750 fps (38.5 grs H4350). He isn't talking advantage of the 6mm at that velocity but the thing shoots well.

I'm pretty sure his next tube will be 24" 1-8" or 1-7.5" like Graham mentioned.

 

[BobinNC]

Re: I need 243win build help

pickpick,

The Rem VLS is a heavy beast w/ 1 - 9 1/8" twist. Fluting an existing factory barrel is a sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't kind of thing.

The better 105 grainers and up 6mm really need a 1-8" twist.

Better to rebarrel your ADL, or find an older Rem 700 VS (most made in the 90's) in 243 or 22-250. It has a fairly good H-S Precison stock, the old style Rem trigger, and are fine candidates for rebarreling. You can find those in 22-250 readily in the mid $500-600 range. One of the great bargains as the stock is serviceable for a variety of uses.

I bought one last year for $550 delivered. I was going to build on it, but wound up parting it out for $150 more than I paid for it whole.

IMHO,

Bob

 

[ChameleonCamo]

Re: I need 243win build help

save your money and rebarrel the .308. With the weight of the new rig you'll have another go to rig for deer and anything else you can throw at it. SST in 243 is my deer round and has taken a few deer with no problems.

 

[darrenk75b]

Re: I need 243win build help

Go grab a SPS youth 243 20" barrel with a twist that should stabilize 105 AMAX's. Run 85 TSXs for deer, 87 VMAX's for yotes and blast away. Buy before the end of the year to cash in on Remington's rebate. You'll likely be into the rifle less than it would take to rebarrel your existing rifle.

 

[pickpick]

Re: I need 243win build help

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: darrenk75b</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Go grab a SPS youth 243 20" barrel with a twist that should stabilize 105 AMAX's. Run 85 TSXs for deer, 87 VMAX's for yotes and blast away. Buy before the end of the year to cash in on Remington's rebate. You'll likely be into the rifle less than it would take to rebarrel your existing rifle. </div></div>
I was thinking the sps had a 10 or 11 twist. Too slow for what I'm wanting.

 

[ChameleonCamo]

Re: I need 243win build help

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pickpick</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: darrenk75b</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Go grab a SPS youth 243 20" barrel with a twist that should stabilize 105 AMAX's. Run 85 TSXs for deer, 87 VMAX's for yotes and blast away. Buy before the end of the year to cash in on Remington's rebate. You'll likely be into the rifle less than it would take to rebarrel your existing rifle. </div></div>
I was thinking the sps had a 10 or 11 twist. Too slow for what I'm wanting. </div></div>

its a 9 1/8... you would have to push those smk or amax pretty good to get results

 

[Fred_C_Dobbs]

Re: I need 243win build help

It's not the bullet's weight that counts, BTW, it's its length. A 1:10 .243 will stabilize a short, blunt 100-gr bullet like a Partition or a Cor-Lokt just fine @2500 fps but you'd have to drive the long, streamlined 95-gr SMK to 3100 fps to get even marginal stability. The 107-gr SMK is a pipe dream. JBM's Miller formula calculator says you need at least a 1:8.4 to stabilize a 107-gr .243 SMK @2800 fps & 59°F. Sierra's literature says to use 1:7 or 1:8.

Have you considered the 7mm-08 or .260 Remington? Both are based on the .308 cartridge, which means they'll fit your current magazine and action perfectly. And this forum certainly has a lot of shooters who think either/or is superior to the .308. I bought my current .308 with the intention of rebarreling it in .260 but it shoots too stinkin' good to throw out, so I guess I'm stuck with it as is until it's shot out.

 

[lmhans4440]

Re: I need 243win build help

You can get an action with the 243/308 boltface for $425 cm or $475 ss from Iron Brigade Armory. It would save the money wasted on the cheap sps stock, bottom metal, and factory barrel.

 

[darrenk75b]

Re: I need 243win build help

A factory remmy 243, with 1:9.125 twist, has no issues with the 105 AMAX's. 105 Bergers are another story.

 

[pickpick]

Re: I need 243win build help

I'M listening fellas. Keep the opinions coming. Thanks.