Varmint rifle in 243 win

G

Ghys_T3LSS

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
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Location
Sherbrooke, QC
Hi,

I need some advices. I want to get a 243 Varmint rifle, mostly for paper punching up to 500 yds. Maybe some coyote hunting. I want a 243 because I already reload for another 243 (small and light hunting rifle).
I don't want an expensive rifle. Just a sub moa rifle. I am looking for either a Remington 700 varmint, Savage 12, or Tikka varmint.

Tikka, I guess I could take it right away without any modifications.
Rem and savage, I think I should get a better stock. Both feel too plastic and flexible (my own opinion...)

Could be fun to spend time on a rifle, but what if the result is not up to par with a Tikka, let's say...

So what do you think?

Where would you shop for stocks?
What is your preferred shop for new guns?

Thanks for your inputs, advices, offers, whatever!!!
 
All of your options are great, if your looking to do some customizing down the road, the model 700 is the way to go. Tikka and Savage both, aren't far off either. I honestly don't think you can go wrong with any one of those 3. Ive owned all 3 at one point, (not all 243) but they all shot SUB MOA with my handloads.

Check out prophet river in Lloydminster AB. (theyre a supporter of this site as well) They have lots of stocks and aftermarket toys for firearms, but also have a pile of rifles in stock, and their prices are on par with others.

Prairie Gun Traders in Avonlea, SK. They also support this site, and Darren and his crew are top notch to deal with as well.

Wolverine Supplies in Virden, MB. They support this site, have piles of options for everything from firearms to chassis's, stocks etc. Very good customer service as well.
 
All your choices are excellent. Been really surprised and impressed with the Rem 783. Mine in 243 is a bit heavier and bulkier then the Tikka but it works really nicely with a bit of TLC. I qualified for the CGN sub 3/4 MOA challenge with this rifle.

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A bit of TLC, bedded into the factory stock and it actually works very nicely. The factory bolt knob is horrid and a clamp on knob or threaded on knob is a must do. Factory trigger can be tuned to a very nice crisp break. Firing pin spring may be crap but easy to change and consistency is excellent.

The factory plastic stock is one of the stiffest I have used... recoil pad is excellent. Open up the forend and it works very nicely. There are now walnut stock options which bring back a great classic look and are a fantastic value.

If you want to upgrade in the future, match prefits are possible as are a few stock options. For the money, hard to beat.

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Good luck with your search.

Jerry
 

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I have the sps varmint in 243. The factory stock is garbage. I got a bell and Carlson off the EE for cheap. Stock trigger isn't great either in my opinion. The 700 is nice as accessories are plentiful online and on the EE. The tikka would probably feel better. Mine favours 55 grain and 68 grain reloads. I cannot get decent repeatable accuracy with anything heavier than 87 grain vmax.
 
Hi try looking at Savage 12 LPV in 243, works great both for coyote and at range. I have mind set up with Ken Farrel rail and rings with a Steiner 3X12 X 56 sitting on top
 
Tikka T3X all the way. Only change you might want to do is a Yo Dave trigger spring change. Add a decent 20 MOA rail and some good optics and you will punching sub MOA as far as you want. I have had several Tikka's and they all impress beyond expectations.
 
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Rem 700 VLS would get my vote
 
Last edited:
Colquhoun said:
Look for factory offerings with a faster twist....1:8 would give you much better projectile choices. This rules out the Remmy (unfortunately)...
Click to expand...

While I agree with you on faster is better, Remington twists their M700s in 243 Win at 1-9 1/8". It's not perfect, but will stabilize many 105+ grain projectiles. Much better choice than Tikka's 1-10.
 
Thanks for this additional information.

The reason for a heavier bullet in target shooting / LR Shooting is because of the bullet being longer, so better bc, Right? Does that make a big difference if shooting 250-500yds?

also... I may have found a good deal for an older version of the 12 FCV. A 12 FV that comes without the accustock, with the top bolt release and no mag/floorplate. If i want to change the stock anyways, I don't really care for the quality of the stock. My big concern is the stock fitting. Is this configuration of model 12 something odd / rare? Do you believe I'll end up caught with the factory stock, or I will have some options for a nice upgrade?

How much would you pay for that configuration? (Blued shiny barrel and action, no accustock, no mag, no floorplate) seems rare but shows a price of 420 USD on cabelas.com... (Just as a comparison base...)

thanks,
 
how about a sako vixen II heavy barrel, blued with wood stock?? I know of a private sale but can middle man
 
I have a Remington Varmint that will put 4 shots into a quarter at 100 yards, but always has that one flier. This is while using cheap ammo. It’s been good enough for my son to shoot a gopher at a little over 120 yards and 8 shot one at 184. I haven’t had time to test my hand loads for it yet but I know the consistency will be there for all 5 shots.

It was an 243 youth but I found a brand new factory take off 243 varmint barrel. Got a great deal on a HS Precision stock with CDI bottom metal, a decent yet inexpensive scope and go. I’m probably $800 or so into this rifle. It was my project budget build and I think it worked pretty good.
 
My vote is for Savage if it will remain stock. The accustock isn't horrific, however where the vote comes from is the accutrigger is nice and easily adjusted.

If its going to end up all custom... then pick your poison based on what your end game will be.
 
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