Opinions on 243 win rifle

H

hermnrob

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 14, 2010
24
0
Sevierville, TN
#1
Looking to buy a 243 win rifle for target and hunting. I have been reading everything I can to get what I want, but just can't find a factory rifle with the right weight, barrel length, contour or twist. So far the Remington SPS DM comes close but the barrel twist is 1 in 9.125. After searching here about loads and barrel twist I was wanting a 1 to 8. I'll be shooting a load range from 90g to 115g and from what I have read the 1 in 8 should do well. I'm wanting a 24 inch barrel the 20 to 40 FPS lost from the 26 inch barrel is not a big concern but a 14 lbs rifle and scope is.

What I'd like to have:
243 win DM
24 inch medium contour 1 in 8 twist barrel
Weight 7.5 lbs
1/2 MOA



So here is my question can I find a semi custom rifle or custom barreled action for $1500, if so who would you suggest?
Second option buy the Remington SPS shot it until I have the funds for a new barrel, stock and gunsmithing?
After my rifle search, a complete custom rifle are around $3300 and up.
 
#2
Barrel and smithing will cost @ $800. $325 for the barrel, $225 to chamber and $225 to true it all up.
HS or BC stock will run between $200 and $300.
Then there is the cost of the donor action and trigger, assuming an OEM Rem or Savage of $400.
DBM will cost @ $400 for parts and fitting.

+/- these costs depending on who you use to build it.

If you need it bedded, add another $200.

My guess is that you can get what you want in a semi-cusom for @ $2k
Adding paint, muzzle brakes and threading, aftermarket trigger will push the total cost up to the $3K mark.

You will probably need a faster twist that the 8 for the 115s.

Why not use the 105 class bullets? The 1:8 will handle those with aplomb.
 
#3
if your looking low cost I have a new howa 1500 heavy barrel 243 win never fired dident like the crown so I had the show send it back to get redone... can go 520 shipped to your ffl
was going to use it my self but jumped in on the group buy so I have really no use for it
have a vxi or ii with it for another 275
dave

you can actualy get a dbm kit for it for another 80$
 
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#5
A true 8 twist will work with 115s most of the time but to be safe a 7.7 twist would be better and should still work with lighter bullets without having them blow apart. You just need to figure which bullet you will be shooting the most of.
 
#6
Order a Savage/Stevens in a configuration that works for you then order a barrel and spin it on yourself with $60 in tools. Not sure what hunting you are doing, but if carrying your rifle you'll want a lighweight gun, just get a Stevens 200 for $300 and shoot as is.. should shoot 105s fine, if not, 95s for sure. Then buy another and build a target heavy barrel gun. Unless you are varmint hunting from a bench, it's hard to build a target/hunting rifle.
 
#7
Thanks for the all the info!

Slavage I'll keep you in mind on the rifle. I also looked at the Howa a little heavy at 9.5 lbs (heavy barrel) and the twist is 1 in 10.

Going to look into the semi custom route. Rifle will need to be light to carry in the woods. I want the rifle and scope to be no more than 10 lbs. I figure the bullet that will be shot the most will be factory 100g or 105g. I wanted to go 1 in 8 so I could step up to 115g.

I'm finding out that a dual purpose rifle with want I would like is hard to find without getting it built. Thanks
 
#11
Thanks Hawk45, I do like Savage, it and the Remington 700 are on top of the list. I bought for my son one a few yrs ago and it's a good shooter.

I'll have to email RWS, I just emailed predator custom shop for pricing. Any other shops I should look at that want break the bank with a short completion time. Most of the one I've researched on here have a long ETA for rifle completion.
 
#12
I'm shooting a T/C Venture in 243. Taking it to S Dakota this weekend for some prairie dogs. I'm shooting the 95 Hornady SST at 2900 fps. It's a 1:10 twist. It doesn't like the 105 Amax with that twist. With the 95's it's a sub moa rifle from out of the box. Not many(any) aftermarket parts for it, but I'm going to be confident on Pdogs out to 600 with it. And if/when Indiana allows traditional rifle cartridges for deer, it will probably be my go to rifle for whitetail as well.
 
#14
Nice find Hawk45.
Is that normal for that site?
16 week wait and another 50 bucks through the barrel maker's web site unless I'm mistaken.

Just checked the Gun Shack special offers. I'm bookmarking that puppy!
 
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#16
hermnrob said:
Thanks for the all the info!

Slavage I'll keep you in mind on the rifle. I also looked at the Howa a little heavy at 9.5 lbs (heavy barrel) and the twist is 1 in 10.

Going to look into the semi custom route. Rifle will need to be light to carry in the woods. I want the rifle and scope to be no more than 10 lbs. I figure the bullet that will be shot the most will be factory 100g or 105g. I wanted to go 1 in 8 so I could step up to 115g.

I'm finding out that a dual purpose rifle with want I would like is hard to find without getting it built. Thanks
Click to expand...

You don't need anything close to a 1:8 to stabilize factory 100gr and 105gr bullets, a 1:10 will do that no problem. Depending on your style of target shooting you may not even need to shoot the heavies like the 105 amax, 107smk, and 115dtac. You would be quite surprised what a 90gr target bullets or even the 87gr vmax will do at long range and a 1:10 will stabilize those too.

You could save a lot of money and get a great rifle if you don't need a fast twist. The Weatherby Vanguard S2's are truely amazing factory rifles and with a decent replacement stock with bedding block and free floating it will shoot 1/2MOA. Their sporter barrel is what I would call a medium sporter contour and it's plenty heavy for a extended period of target shooting but not so heavy it sucks to lug around all day hunting. My favorite 243 to date though is my Kimber Montana. It's a 1/2-3/4 MOA rifle depeding on the load and is a pleasure to shoot and carry. With a Swaro Z3 3-10 is weighs 6lbs. You can't beat that for a rifle to lug around.
 
#17
redneckbmxer24 don’t take this personal.
I’d be real careful saying a 1:10 twist will work with the 105-107 class match bullets. My factory Remington lists a twist of 1:9.125” and using a cleaning rod to verify it I think that number may be a little optimistic as I tend to get 1:9.25 to 1:9.5

I am at 640 ASL where I do most of my shooting under 200y and my 1000y range is 961 ASL. The load I am shooting runs this weight class between 2890 and 3000 depending on which bullet/load I am using. During the winter months (10-40 degrees here in Michigan) the 105’s tend to start showing signs of instability by the group size growing to moa plus, whereas during the summer temps they are down around half moa. This has held true in my 100y.groups and at distance. Hermnrod may have an altitude advantage to me and therefore be able to get away with a slightly slower twist but I personally would not risk it when the shooter wants to run 105+ bullets.
 
#18
Well I spoke to RWS, rifle build would be 16 weeks out, still waiting for pricing from predator. After speaking to both seems like getting a barrel right now is going to prolong the build. Still checking out all options, for price and ETA.

Thanks for the info Redneckbmxer24 the 1 in 10 or 9.125 will probably work fine for what I will be mostly shooting, but after researching the twist and talking to two gunsmith. I would fill better with the 1 in 8 twist for the 115g. On the other hand the vanguard is a great shooting rifle I just gave my 30-06 to my father in law and he loves it too. He has a bad shoulder and like the lighter recoil compared to his previous rifle.

I'll be making a decision soon but I plan on going out to handle the savage, Remington and other factory rifle hopefully by this weekend. But I've never owned a custom bolt rifle and if I can get exactly what I want it will be hard to not to buy one after seeing most custom rifles cost $3000 and higher.
 
#19
I haven't had much luck with 105 Amax out of my T/C 1:10. Neither has my buddy's 1:9.25 Savage. After we get back from S Dakota, we might try playing with some different powders and such. Not holding much hope though. I have good luck shooting 95 SST's. Sub MOA and sometimes sub 0.5 moa.
 
#21
Niles Coyote said:
redneckbmxer24 don’t take this personal.
I’d be real careful saying a 1:10 twist will work with the 105-107 class match bullets. My factory Remington lists a twist of 1:9.125” and using a cleaning rod to verify it I think that number may be a little optimistic as I tend to get 1:9.25 to 1:9.5

I am at 640 ASL where I do most of my shooting under 200y and my 1000y range is 961 ASL. The load I am shooting runs this weight class between 2890 and 3000 depending on which bullet/load I am using. During the winter months (10-40 degrees here in Michigan) the 105’s tend to start showing signs of instability by the group size growing to moa plus, whereas during the summer temps they are down around half moa. This has held true in my 100y.groups and at distance. Hermnrod may have an altitude advantage to me and therefore be able to get away with a slightly slower twist but I personally would not risk it when the shooter wants to run 105+ bullets.
Click to expand...

I never said it would, I said it will stabilize factory 100-105gr loads. I'm not aware of any factory 100-105gr match loads out there, they are all shorter hunting bullets.

That said I know a guy running a 243AI that shoots 105 Bergers exclusively and is using a 1:14 twist barrel. His smith builds a lot of them apparently for the same purpose and came recommended by the smith. I don't know how but it works.
 
#22
I got to handle the Remington SPS and Savage this past weekend. Haven't found a Howa or Tikka to handle yet. I'm also still waiting for custom rifle pricing, I really don't know if I can wait for a custom rifle to be built, this itch is getting hard not to scratch. So I've been pricing actions, stocks and barrels (with the contour and twist I like), I was thinking it might be cheaper and faster to buy what I want and just have it put together by a local gunsmith.

The good part about not buying yet is being able to gather info for a build and handling the factory rifles that I would upgrade to what I want in the future.
HDfireman and TannerGun along with others posted pictures and spec of their 243's that I like in another 243 rifle thread. I'm pretty sure this rifle is going to cost more than I was expecting no matter what direction I go just to get what I want.
 
#23
I just built a 243 off a Stevens action. I went CBI .243 Match chamber 1/8 twist Barrell, choate stock(required ALOT of work to make it right) and rifle basis trigger. I shoot 95smk's and I LOVE shooting it to 600 yards...as well as punching paper. I never thought I'd be such a fan of 243 (I bought the Barrell in that chamber primarily because it was instock) but I'm having so much fun with it I think I'll always has a .243 bull in my safe!
 
#24
hermnrob said:
I got to handle the Remington SPS and Savage this past weekend. Haven't found a Howa or Tikka to handle yet. I'm also still waiting for custom rifle pricing, I really don't know if I can wait for a custom rifle to be built, this itch is getting hard not to scratch. So I've been pricing actions, stocks and barrels (with the contour and twist I like), I was thinking it might be cheaper and faster to buy what I want and just have it put together by a local gunsmith.

The good part about not buying yet is being able to gather info for a build and handling the factory rifles that I would upgrade to what I want in the future.
HDfireman and TannerGun along with others posted pictures and spec of their 243's that I like in another 243 rifle thread. I'm pretty sure this rifle is going to cost more than I was expecting no matter what direction I go just to get what I want.
Click to expand...

Building a custom rifle isn't cheap. Just doing bare bones work on the action using the factory craptastic Xmark trigger you're looking at over $1000 in just the barreled action. That's no coatings and just trueing the action. If you want to do the works and really strengthen the R700 action with a larger extractor, side bolt release, pin the recoil lug, weld the handle, and upgrade the knob you're looking at another $500-600 which at that point you should just buy something like a defiance, pierce, or stiller action. Then after all that you still have to put it in a stock. This can run anywhere from $350 for a crappy B&C with no bedding job and simple BDL hardware all the way up to $1500 for a McMillan or Manners with a bedding job and a nice DBM. There are also some nice chassis options around the $800-1000 range.

This can easily run you $3-4K whether you spend it up front or do it over time. If that was my money I would either look for a used AI AE and order a 243 barrel or call mile high and order a AE in 243. You'll have it in short time and have a rifle a R700 will never be.
 
#25
I'm with ya Redneckbmxer24 I've been using my free time gathering all the info I can. I received the pricing for a Stiller Predator with BDL and Timney trigger yesterday. I'm trying to decide what barrel ( hart, krieger ,Lilja etc to get) and the contour of the barrel I want. Also been looking at stocks, just getting all the ducks to line up now. As for buying a complete rifle now, I just can't spend $3000 to $4000. Like most, life is getting in the way, two kids one in college and the other on the way, plus this is a back door rifle build or purchase. The wife doesn't need to know about it until I have it. She thinks I have to many guns already! I keep telling her that she is wrong but she ain't listening.
 
#26
If money is an issue why not buy a Remington 700 Varmint in 243 and drop it in a nice stock? You can get the dicks version for around $450 pretty regularly and then all you need is a stock and bottom metal. They typically measure out around 1:9.5 twist and every one I've had has stabilized 105gr match bullets. When the barrel is burned out sell the action for $350 and then get your stiller and build it, or build it in the mean time. Just throwing another option out there.
 
#28
redneckbmxer24 said:
If money is an issue why not buy a Remington 700 Varmint in 243 and drop it in a nice stock? You can get the dicks version for around $450 pretty regularly and then all you need is a stock and bottom metal. They typically measure out around 1:9.5 twist and every one I've had has stabilized 105gr match bullets. When the barrel is burned out sell the action for $350 and then get your stiller and build it, or build it in the mean time. Just throwing another option out there.
Click to expand...

This is a pretty sound recomendation in my mind. I will also throw in that factory Savage in .243 that you later re-barrel in whatever contour you want gets you a gun that will shoot and down the line something you can upgrade.
 
#34
I have decided to purchase a action, barrel and stock then have it put together.

Action- Stiller predator w/ BDL and Timney trigger
Barrel- Bartlein 24 inch 1 in 8 twist either in light Palma or heavy sporter.
Stock- Light weight Manner or Mcmillian
Gunsmith- ?
Total cost about $2500
The only item I'll have a wait time for is the stock unless I go with a B/C and the Action. The 1 1/2 month wait the Action will allow me to save the additional funds for the stock.

What's everyone's thoughts?
 
#35
Just finished a 243 build that started similar to how yours started. I thought that I could pull the pieces together and save some money as opposed to going full custom. I purchased Rem 700 SPS in 243 with varmint barrel (9.125 twist). I decided that the steps were to first fit the action to a better stock before bothering to re-barrel. I wanted a drop box magazine and so the choice was stock with it already configured into design (such as Accuracy International) or buy box magazine component ($250-$450) and fit it into stock. I also changed out the trigger. Now I had a gun I could train and improve my skills before sinking a huge amount of money. Long and short on the 9.125 twist you are capped in the mid-90 gr bullets for reloading. As I was developing the round for the gun I realized that I would be redoing the process in a couple of months with a new barrel. I decided to replace it early to avoid doing two bullet workups on 2 barrels.

What I learned from the process is that buying a Rem 700 action ($600 for gun), adding 20 MOA base ($100-$150), and gunsmith's truing the action ($250) costs about the same as buying a custom action like a stiller and for just a couple hundred more your have a surgeon action. For a stock with a magazine the price is about the same whether or not you buy a quality stock ($700) and add a drop box magazine ($250-$450) or simply purchase a stock that already incorporates a ($900 - $1200). If you add the box in separately you will need to either do some additional work yourself or have a gunsmith inlet/fit the magazine to the stock.

I went AIC stock, Rem 700 action, badger base, timney trigger, bartlein barrel with 1:8 twist (light varmint contour). I used Aaron Roberts (Robert's Precision Rifles) for all the gun smithing, which included re-barreling, truing action, threading and muzzle break, tactical knob and cerakote finish for around $1300. All in the project is fantastic but came at a price of mid $3K.

Lessoned learned: There is no saving if you piece it together yourself or go custom from the onset. The only difference is the timing of cash outflows in smaller amounts spread out over time or one big slug. Good Luck!
 
#36
This is why I like this site, it's a great place to search for information from people in the know with previous experience and willing to give great advise for which ever direction you choose.

Thanks Oso I appreciate the info and everyone else.I would love to buy a complete custom built rifle, but like you said I'm trying not to drop big money up front or paying half but have a 6 month wait. By piecing it out it gives me time to save for the build, heck the piggy bank has grown more in the time of all my searching for info. I've priced a m700 SS action and barrel for the group buy Barreled/ Action build on here. After pricing all I get from the Group buy its a great deal, if I go with it I just need to add a timney trigger and a stock, build done. I will have a custom rifle built by a reputable gunsmith. Right now the option of piecing it out seems to be my best option, I get what I want, no big pay out and a shorter build time. Again Thanks
 
#38
hermnrob said:
I have decided to purchase a action, barrel and stock then have it put together.

Action- Stiller predator w/ BDL and Timney trigger
Barrel- Bartlein 24 inch 1 in 8 twist either in light Palma or heavy sporter.
Stock- Light weight Manner or Mcmillian
Gunsmith- ?
Total cost about $2500
The only item I'll have a wait time for is the stock unless I go with a B/C and the Action. The 1 1/2 month wait the Action will allow me to save the additional funds for the stock.

What's everyone's thoughts?
Click to expand...
Hem,
The guys at rifle worx in NC https://rifleworx.com/ build a bad ass gun and their leads times are low. They may even have the parts you are looking for give them a call. Cole Sawyer's quality is off the chart. Once you have the parts they can get your gun together in a few weeks. There are a few other rifle builders out there that are all high quality Rbros and RWS. Cole built me a 308 that shoots in the .2s. I've got a couple of GAPs that shoot in the .2-.3s so to answer a previous post. You can buy a factory gun and get lucky with one that shoots .5 moa or get one that shoots 1.25 moa or you can spend the extra $1500 and get one built that put them in the same hole all day long. If you look around you could probably get the action, barrel and stock pretty fast. Bug holes has barrels, Mcm and Manners may have what you are looking for right now and stiller may have and action or two available. Good luck and have fun
 
#41
I have everything for the build or being shipped but the stock.

What I would like to get is either the McMillan Game Scout, A3 Sporter but can't find one and a 6 mth wait is not in the cards. Both stocks are 2 LBS which I like.

I looked at the Manner EH1 & 2 but can't find what the weight of the stock is. Can anyone tell me?

I like some B&S stock but they are either heavy than I want or will not accept a #5 barrel.

Any other opinions on stock that I should be looking at for a Stiller Tac30 BDL with #5 barrel will fit that are 2 LBS.
 
#42
hermnrob said:
I looked at the Manner EH1 & 2 but can't find what the weight of the stock is. Can anyone tell me?
Click to expand...

Says it in both the description of the EH series:
"Based on the design and inlet, this line up weighs in anywhere from 22.5 to approximately 26.5 ounces."

And in each description:
EH-1: "Depending on the inlet, the standard weight with a ½” decel pad is 26 to 27 ounces."
EH-2: "Depending on the inlet, the standard weight with a ½” decel pad is 25 to 26 ounces."

Hunting Stocks | Manners Composite Stocks
 
#44
I've handled the Manners EH series stocks... they are crazy light. I have the Manners T5 myself and love it. The customer service is over the time amazing at Manners. I will purchase more stocks from them in the future. I have nothing buy great things to say about them.
 
#46
I have the factory 700 like Ncoyote, and it shoots the 105 Amax well under .5" at 100. I haven't shot it in cold weather (sub 55 degrees) but with H1000 and 10-20 thou off the lands it's really surprising what it will do. I was gonna send it in to Beanland for a rechamber, but I sent my 22-250 and had a 260 built instead. Mine does not care for the 107's much, but for deer hunting out to 3-400yds I wouldn't care a bit to shoot 107's. But for whitetail the factory 87 vmax put's em down, and groups great out to 1000. But that $1400 build from RWS looks like a real deal. I may go with that on a next build. Just slap it in a HSP, BC or a chasis and your gtg.
 
#47
Be patient and buy a "good" used custom rifle!

I paid $1900 for mine, SSG's own personal rifle. Only had 500 rounds through it. I was shooting it a week from buying it. I still have the wallet group .174" for 5 shots at 100Y.

Would a cost $3000+ to build it from scratch from SSG.
 
#48
Big thanks to everyone, I greatly appreciate all the input.

So here is the update:

Stiller Tac30 action
Brux #5 barrel
Timney trigger
Remington BDL bottom metal
Everything will be at the gunsmith Friday except the stock.
Stock: I found two that I like and are lightweight. Manner EH-2 26 oz(I emailed Matt at Manner to determine how much the inlet will need to be milled since it a prefab stock and not a built stock) Second choice is the prefab McMillan Ultralight A3 Sporter 23oz. Spoke to Mcmillan #5 should work fine in it.
I should be shooting it in about 5 weeks!:)
 
#49
Found a stock, had it cerakoted two weeks ago and I picked up the finished rifle today. I really like it and it's super light. On the bathroom scale it adds 5 LBS to my weight without the scope. I'll see how it shoots tomorrow. I'll try to post pictures soon.
 
#50
Here is a picture, and it shoots great.
 

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