So I've got my eye on a Browning X-Bolt Micro Hunter in .243 with a Vortex Viper scope 6.5-20x50 PA. I am totally new to precision shooting, mainly into pistols and .223 at a hundred yards...So my question is do you think this is a pretty good kit to do the job...I am looking at .243 because I want a cartridge that doesn't recoil as much as the .270, 7mm-08 or the .308. and although I don't hunt in the event that I ever decided to then I could harvest deer or perhaps black bear. I know that bear is probably pushing it however since I'm new at this I'm looking for some ideas....Mostly this will be to shoot at the range with some pals that like to shoot 200 yards with .270. I'm 65 years of age and like to keep the recoil down a bit...I have a Savage Axis in .308 and I can handle that ok but the .243 sounds pretty attractive.
Considering Long distance rifle shooting 200 to 500 yards
- Thread starter conmaesta
- Start date
.243 is an excellent caliber and very flat shooting, the only downside is barrel life. Since this is mostly going to be a range toy I would suggest getting a heavier barrel profile giving you more consistency and more weight to further help with recoil. Any idea what you want to spend on the rifle or scope or both?
IMHO, if you are wanting to get into Precision/long range shooting go with something other then Browning..........I personally haven't seen any precision/long range rigs using a Browning action.............not a lot of aftermarket parts/accessories for Brownings as well..........................Look at a .243 in a Savage or Remington........lots of aftermarket parts/accessories options available for those........
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Why not just put a new barrel on your Axis in 6BR?
That would offer plenty of accuracy, low recoil, high bore life. Great ballistics to the distances you want to play
If you get a sporter barrel, you can still retain the orig stock. Nothing fancy but it will shoot nicely.
And you can always return to a 308 when hunting season comes around.
Jerry
That would offer plenty of accuracy, low recoil, high bore life. Great ballistics to the distances you want to play
If you get a sporter barrel, you can still retain the orig stock. Nothing fancy but it will shoot nicely.
And you can always return to a 308 when hunting season comes around.
Jerry
beavis_m305
Regular
- Location
- New Zealand
Why not a 6.5 swede? Heaps better ballistic wise, pussy cat to shoot.
.243 is a great choice for long shooting with no problem dropping a pronghorn at 400 or 500 yards and scaring the h*ll out of gophers much farther . Then , it comes down to the load , rifle , optics and you . Read what Jerry and Skullboy had to say again . 'nuther thing , i don't think your scope choice matches your gun choice , but that's just me . I don't know what rifle you have chambered in .223 but again , depending upon load , rifle and optics a .223 will have no trouble making the trip to 500 accurately on the range .
The 6br option would not feed from a magazine, so if you want a repeater, that's out. If you are ok with single shot, then you could not go wrong with that in an 8 twist 6br.
The 223 often gets a bad rap for deer hunting but with the right barrel twist and heavy bullets can be very effective. If you run an 8 twist with 80 grainers you will be great for long range and be confident you will knock down your deer. The thing here if you want a repeater is to find a rifle with a magazine that will accommodate long bullets. You do have the option to shoot 77 gr SMKs because they are made short to be fired from an AR15 magazine, so you could always just hunt with those.
The 223 often gets a bad rap for deer hunting but with the right barrel twist and heavy bullets can be very effective. If you run an 8 twist with 80 grainers you will be great for long range and be confident you will knock down your deer. The thing here if you want a repeater is to find a rifle with a magazine that will accommodate long bullets. You do have the option to shoot 77 gr SMKs because they are made short to be fired from an AR15 magazine, so you could always just hunt with those.
- Location
- calgary alberta
I think THIS is the best advise offered so far!!
The X Bolt might be a decent rifle, but you have to love it as it is as that is all it ever will be.
There are NO options for scope mounts, trigger, stock etc.
Yep I have to agree after doing more research...First off I didn't want a synthetic stock, I want it in .243 and with a nice walnut stock. Barrel replacement also became an issue...I have basically come down to either the Savage14 classic in .243 or the Remington CDL also in .243...both are between 7 and 8 hundred dollars...And I still like that Vortex Viper scope 6.5-20x50 PA. Unless someone could recommend a decent scope for these 2 mentioned rifles... My eyesight isn't that great...most of my shooting will be most likely no further than 200 to 400 yards and just target shooting for fun. Scope would have to be under 500 dollars...Any thoughts on this would be welcome.
Thanks for your thoughts and nice website as well...When I win the lottery lol I'm coming to see y'all lol...
Well after reading the comments above and listening to a few friends I've changed my mind about the caliber..I'm going to go .223 in a Savage Model 12 VLP-DBM. Long range, nice looking and cheaper ammo...Plus I have dies for .223. Now I still like the idea of the Vortex Viper 6.5-20x50 PA however I'm very new to this, don't have much experience with optics and fitting it to a rifle...I'd appreciate any advice you may have regarding the scope for this rifle..
Deltasilver
Regular
- Location
- Right behind you...
If your eyesight isn't that great you might find you have trouble with that high magnification range. If the scope exit pupil size doesn't match what your eyes can focus on you'll find yourself working with the magnification you can see best with and not using the remainder of the adjustment range.
That Vortex IS a really nice scope, a buddy has one on his Model 12 in 22-250 and it's certainly all he needs and more. I like the glass in the Sightron SIII better myself but some folks don't like the turrets.
PS, one of the easiest rifles to find at any retailer right now is the Savage Model 10 Predator Hunter. For some reason people don't like that camouflage paint. They are available in .223 or .243 and also as a package with a scope - Mine came with a fun little Nikon Prostaff 4-12 x 40 BDC that got me through load development and a winters worth of coyotes. 1 in 9.25" twist that stabilizes the 105gr AMAX just peachy. I paid under 800.
Hey Delta, thanks for that info...the Savage 10 Predator Hunter is one of the Rifles on my list...Will the Vortex match with that or is the Nikon be a better fit...I probably won't be shooting past 200 yards at the range.
Well I finally made up my mind and purchased a Savage Model 25 Lightweight Predator in .223 with a Bushnell scope 6-18x 50 can't remember the model right now...It's on order and should have it by Thursday of next week and out to the range on Fri....From what I've read this is a pretty good rifle for my purposes which is just range shooting...Now I can't wait...
