Was looking at one of these today. Just wanted to get peoples thought on the 243 as a long range precision rifle. I plan to use it out to 400 to 600 yards. I am shooting a model 111 in 243 already so I have the all the brass bullets and dies. The other bullet i am looking at is the 6br norma in a model 12 as well. Just wondering if there are any major advantages to the br or the 243. Looking at ballistic charts the 243 seems to shoot a bit flatter and faster. I plan to use this gun for paper and yot and wolf hunting. I also plan to sell the model 111 to pay for part of the new gun.
Savage Model 12 Long Range Precision in 243 starter gun
- Thread starter Ryan_mcle
- Start date
I'm a 243 Win shooter and am looking for 2 things in my next rifle:
- faster barrel twist to be able to shoot 105-107 VLD (1-8" at least),
- cartridge with less powder capacity to get better accuracy and longer barrel life,
- and cartridge which feeds well from a magazine
The Model 12 Long Range Precision in 243 Win has a 1-9.25" barrel twist, too slow to work well with 105-107 VLDs.
Alex
redshooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Central Ontario
I'm assuming your rifle is a Savage 111. When you decide on the cartridge order a match barrel for the 111 you should get a much better barrel and save money. 
Just don't heat the barrel nut
Just don't heat the barrel nut I was thinking the same thing to about putting a better barrel on the gun. But then i would also have to put a better stock and trigger, by that point I am back at the cost of the model 12 at 921 plus tax.
As for the 260 I was looking at that one as well but don't really see that much advantage over the 243 and the 6.5 is more expensive to load.
So i am back to if the 243 is a reliable bullet for 400 to 600 yards and possibly out to 1000. Or do I go with the 6mm br norma. Like I said I plan to use this gun for hunting as well and know that the lighter bullets do no shoot all that great out of the 6br.
Are there any other advantages between them, ex barrel life, brass life, cost to reload etc.
thanks
Ryan
As for the 260 I was looking at that one as well but don't really see that much advantage over the 243 and the 6.5 is more expensive to load.
So i am back to if the 243 is a reliable bullet for 400 to 600 yards and possibly out to 1000. Or do I go with the 6mm br norma. Like I said I plan to use this gun for hunting as well and know that the lighter bullets do no shoot all that great out of the 6br.
Are there any other advantages between them, ex barrel life, brass life, cost to reload etc.
thanks
Ryan
When it come to overall shooting cost 6BR is almost unbeatable:
- relatively long barrel life,
- use around 30-32gr of powder per round,
- and 6mm bullets are less expensive than 6.5mm or larger bullets
For long range shooting, 6.5mm bullets are superior to 6mm bullets.
In fact, some 6.5mm are so good that they give a good run for the money to the best 7mm bullets.
Alex
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LongBomber
CGN Regular
- Location
- Fernie, bc
I would just do a shilen pre-fit, upgrade the stock and possibly the trigger. Sure you will be in to it the same $$$ but you will end up with a rifle that is very likely more accurate and with a stock that is fitted or can be adjusted to fit you well. If your 111 is a small shank action several barrels are in stock at site sponsors. If I was a betting man I would go for the shilen barrel, it is a crapshoot with a factory rifle, savage or not.
I have nothing against a M12, I have a LRPV 22-250 1-9 twist and enjoy using it for long range plinking. It is an honest MOA rifle with 75gr VLD for ten shot groups if I read the conditions right. Sure I get a couple screamer 3 or 5 shot groups now and again, but in all reality it is a MOA rifle. I have put many bullets from 40 to 75 gr through it and all can get loads into the moa range with some development. I would expect much better than that with a shilen select match pre-fit. When my barrel is done, likely this fall, I will be talking to Jerry about a Shilen.
Of course you may not get the "new rifle" feel by upgrading your current rifle.
I have nothing against a M12, I have a LRPV 22-250 1-9 twist and enjoy using it for long range plinking. It is an honest MOA rifle with 75gr VLD for ten shot groups if I read the conditions right. Sure I get a couple screamer 3 or 5 shot groups now and again, but in all reality it is a MOA rifle. I have put many bullets from 40 to 75 gr through it and all can get loads into the moa range with some development. I would expect much better than that with a shilen select match pre-fit. When my barrel is done, likely this fall, I will be talking to Jerry about a Shilen.
Of course you may not get the "new rifle" feel by upgrading your current rifle.
243 win
Long range shooting boils down to about 3 issues. Best equipment, choice of caliber (243 win) and the shooter. So if you decide to go with the 243 Win, you'll need a 1 in 8 twist barrel to shoot the 105 Berger VLD bullet, and the rest is you'r choice.
Enjoy. Bill
Long range shooting boils down to about 3 issues. Best equipment, choice of caliber (243 win) and the shooter. So if you decide to go with the 243 Win, you'll need a 1 in 8 twist barrel to shoot the 105 Berger VLD bullet, and the rest is you'r choice.
Enjoy. Bill
- Location
- Northern BC
If you look at what cartridge is winning the majority of IBS 600 yd competitions it is the 6BR or improved versions of it.
For target shooting I used to shoot 243 out to 1000 yds and this year I switched to a 6BR improved(6 Dasher) and I will never go back to 243. The 6BR is easy to load for accurate, cheaper to shoot(less powder and longer barrel life), and a bit lighter recoiling.
If I was just wanting a 600 yd varmint rifle, I may choose the 243 depending on the size of varmints I am shooting, due to the higher energy. However shot placement is more important than energy and I believe the 6BR is consistently more accurate cartridge at this range.
For accurate shooting at 600 yds you could also try a 95 gr Berger or something similar which may allow you a slower twist barrel. Some guys I shoot with do very well at 1000 yds with these 95 grainers.
For target shooting I used to shoot 243 out to 1000 yds and this year I switched to a 6BR improved(6 Dasher) and I will never go back to 243. The 6BR is easy to load for accurate, cheaper to shoot(less powder and longer barrel life), and a bit lighter recoiling.
If I was just wanting a 600 yd varmint rifle, I may choose the 243 depending on the size of varmints I am shooting, due to the higher energy. However shot placement is more important than energy and I believe the 6BR is consistently more accurate cartridge at this range.
For accurate shooting at 600 yds you could also try a 95 gr Berger or something similar which may allow you a slower twist barrel. Some guys I shoot with do very well at 1000 yds with these 95 grainers.
