suggestions on a cheap .243

[NAA]

Junk, even accurate junk, is never a bargain.

Yeah, but we all can't have Sako's....

 

[todbartell]

any of those guns listed will work Im sure, but best bang for the buck is Stevens 200. Easy to sell when you decide to move on too.

 

[Why not?]

I bought a Stevens 243 from a member here, and it shoots way under minute of angle out to 300 meters.

The rifle still isn't bedded, and I'm not going to touch it!

Ted

 

[pa guns]

Hi

I don't know how common the sale is, but NEF's were selling at the chain stores for under $150 last summer. That makes them pretty tough to beat price wise.

Bob

 

[Big Game]

Stevens 200 + Krylon paint = Custom gun
Stevens comes with a good quality barell and action, just needs to be "prettied" up a bit. I've never heard anything negative about them on CGN.

 

[pa guns]

Hi

Some of the Savage / Stevens plastic stocks can have issues. It may only be one in a hundred, but it's worth taking a look at the stock for barrel contact or near contact before you buy one.

Bob

 

[604shooter]

Hi

Some of the Savage / Stevens plastic stocks can have issues. It may only be one in a hundred, but it's worth taking a look at the stock for barrel contact or near contact before you buy one.

Bob

Yes, but nothing a wooden dowel and sandpaper can't fix in 10 minutes.

 

[pa guns]

Yes, but nothing a wooden dowel and sandpaper can't fix in 10 minutes.

Hi

Quite true, been there - done that. It still looks a bit odd afterwards though.

Bob

 

[bigbang]

just bought a weatherby vangaurd in 243 laminated stock.I love it so far.
2 inch groups @ 200 yrds. $600 at bc sports in red deer.

 

[mylesrom]

Yes, but nothing a wooden dowel and sandpaper can't fix in 10 minutes.

But you should not have to "fix" a brand new rifle. Thats just a reflection of poor quality by savage. I own a 200 in 308 and its a fine rifle, but when you look at it compared to a Remington SPS, tikka or Vanguard, the quality is not there. Its worth its 300 bucks and its a good deal for that price, but its not really worth anymore than that, by quality stardards.

With the SPS's going for 489 and 539 for the Vanguard's, I would look at those two first before buying another. At least I shouldn't have to fix the cheap stock right away.

 

[pa guns]

Hi

At least around here you can find Savages with better stocks on them *if* you want to spend more money. You may have to wait for a sale to get them at a decent price. There are other alternatives, but now you are headed more into a project than a simple purchase.

Bob

 

[604shooter]

But you should not have to "fix" a brand new rifle. Thats just a reflection of poor quality by savage. I own a 200 in 308 and its a fine rifle, but when you look at it compared to a Remington SPS, tikka or Vanguard, the quality is not there. Its worth its 300 bucks and its a good deal for that price, but its not really worth anymore than that, by quality stardards.

With the SPS's going for 489 and 539 for the Vanguard's, I would look at those two first before buying another. At least I shouldn't have to fix the cheap stock right away.

I guess so, but what the heck....it's only 300 dollars. I'll take a $300 rifle that I have to "fix", but shoots accurately any day. That's just me though. I'll agree that the finish is isn't what the Remington SPS, Tikka, and Vanguard are. Is it worth an extra 200 - 300 dollars more? That's up to the individual to decide.

 

[mylesrom]

I don't mind paying 300 bucks and getting the cheaper stock, however, if it needs repairs because of poor workmanship right out of the door, well that it just poor quality.

If you have to restock it, then you are looking at your 200 dollar savings gone out the door anyways. So in my opinion if you buy it for 300 bucks and hunt with it and put no money into it you have a good deal. If you start restocking etc, you are up to the same price as any other rifle and there is no deal there on the 200's.