Best .243 for $600: bwheelersc
The CZ in .243 would be the model 550, and unless you find a great deal on one or a used one, the price may be above $600. MSRP is $871, but the trigger, action, accuracy, and quality should all be very good.
The Tikka T3 can probably be found for around $600, new. The triggers are excellent, the accuracy reputation is excellent, and the actions are extremely smooth. The bolt lift is only 70 degrees, so you can mount the scope much lower than many rifles if you wish. However, the Tikka rings that come with the rifle are probably medium height. If you like to mount the scope low, you may be able to trade for lower Tikka rings. Tikka has been successful in keeping the price down with some manufacturing and component changes compared to the Sako big brothers. I believe that some of the components are hard plastic, and not metal. If you have a strong preference for metal, this may be objectionable to you. The Tikka has a removable magazine, so you may wish to compare this with the box magazines of other rifles.
I have not had experience with either the new Remington X-Pro trigger, so I cannot comment about it. It may be very good. The Remington SPS has a good reputation for accuracy, and can be had at your desired price. It is available in .243, and my brother and a friend each have one in that cartridge. They handload for them, and rarely miss rockchucks out to 400 yards, unless the wind is howling! These rifles tend to shoot very well. And yes, Remingtons are made in the US, so you can keep your money at home! The last I knew, Remington was owned by Cerberus, the same private equity group that owns Chrysler. I hope their investment in Remington works out better than Chrysler!!
I have not had experience with the new Ruger LC6 trigger, so I cannot comment about it. It may be very good. However, many of the older Rugers were notorious for poor, heavy triggers. You may find some Ruger models at dealers close to your stated price range, but most of the MSRPs are $800 or so. Rugers are made in the US, and Ruger has been making their own barrels for a few years now. Their reputation for accuracy is quite good, and sometimes they are superb.
New Brownings will likely be above $600, although you may find some good used A-bolts close to your price. However, I do not believe that most of the A-bolts are available in .243.
The Savage 11 FNS is available in .243, and MSRP is $591. Savage has a good reputation for accuracy, so that should not be a problem. Also, the Savage safety is a three position tang.
The Tikka T3 can probably be found for around $600, new. The triggers are excellent, the accuracy reputation is excellent, and the actions are extremely smooth. The bolt lift is only 70 degrees, so you can mount the scope much lower than many rifles if you wish. However, the Tikka rings that come with the rifle are probably medium height. If you like to mount the scope low, you may be able to trade for lower Tikka rings. Tikka has been successful in keeping the price down with some manufacturing and component changes compared to the Sako big brothers. I believe that some of the components are hard plastic, and not metal. If you have a strong preference for metal, this may be objectionable to you. The Tikka has a removable magazine, so you may wish to compare this with the box magazines of other rifles.
I have not had experience with either the new Remington X-Pro trigger, so I cannot comment about it. It may be very good. The Remington SPS has a good reputation for accuracy, and can be had at your desired price. It is available in .243, and my brother and a friend each have one in that cartridge. They handload for them, and rarely miss rockchucks out to 400 yards, unless the wind is howling! These rifles tend to shoot very well. And yes, Remingtons are made in the US, so you can keep your money at home! The last I knew, Remington was owned by Cerberus, the same private equity group that owns Chrysler. I hope their investment in Remington works out better than Chrysler!!
I have not had experience with the new Ruger LC6 trigger, so I cannot comment about it. It may be very good. However, many of the older Rugers were notorious for poor, heavy triggers. You may find some Ruger models at dealers close to your stated price range, but most of the MSRPs are $800 or so. Rugers are made in the US, and Ruger has been making their own barrels for a few years now. Their reputation for accuracy is quite good, and sometimes they are superb.
New Brownings will likely be above $600, although you may find some good used A-bolts close to your price. However, I do not believe that most of the A-bolts are available in .243.
The Savage 11 FNS is available in .243, and MSRP is $591. Savage has a good reputation for accuracy, so that should not be a problem. Also, the Savage safety is a three position tang.
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Get you hands on all of them you can and see what fits. You will be impressed with Tikka. I like Steyr SBS too. I like detachable mags. You have to figure out priorities in addition to price. Wood, trigger, magazine configuration, sights, etc.
Watch the auctions, lots of good deals. Watch local papers. I have bought a couple of guns out of the paper lately. Sellers say "can you bring the cash today?" Maybe economic crisis, I don't know, but I have gotten some great deals.
I think you can get a lot of gun for $600.0 -
You will get the most bang for a buck with something made by Savage, CZ, Howa or Tikka. The Weatherby Vanguard is made by Howa. 0 -
In the last thread, the last post was aimed at buying american. I love Remington, and have been a fan since I started shooting...Winchester too. However, in todays world where litigation happy injustice systems rule, only the mfg's across the pond are making anything worth while...IMHO. I will stand by my advice with the tikka, and add CZ to it. The Weatherby Vangard is a Howa, and you will have a problem finding a howa for the $399.00 that Weatherby advertises. Good gun though, but it too is made on the other side of the pond.
Since Remington moved fron Illion, NY, their quality took a big dump, just like Ruger, and many other manufacturing companies, wether they are making guns, or microwaves, or widgets.
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to me at this time the Weatherby Vanguard is the most reasonably priced bolt rifle,just my .02 0 -
quote:Originally posted by deadeye46
to me at this time the Weatherby Vanguard is the most reasonably priced bolt rifle,just my .02
The Howa is the same gun, with out the extra $ for the Weatherby name on it.
Personally, I'd get a Savage or Stevens, use the extra $ for a decent scope.0 -
+1 on the Savage or Stevens and put the rest in glass. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by stevecrea
I have not had experience with either the new Remington X-Pro trigger, so I cannot comment about it. It may be very good. The Remington SPS has a good reputation for accuracy, and can be had at your desired price.
The X Pro trigger is pretty much the same as the older 700, but the sneaky little so and so's at the factory loctite the overtravel and sear engagement adjusting screws. Only the spring weight (bottom front) can be readily adjusted and it doesn't do a whole lot on its own. A bit of direct heat loosens the others & you can then set the X Pro just as you would a regular 700.
Actually, as set at the factory it's pretty good and is smoother/better than an unadjusted older 700.0 -
Remington 700 hands down for me. Great gun and will hold it value.My personal favorite, My winchester model 88 in 243 post 64[:D][:D][:D]. But you won't touch one of these for under 900 bucks unless it pretty beat up. Oak 0 -
I have a CZ 550 American in 243, LOVE the gun. Use it to hunt Mule Deer to rock chucks. Where I hunt rock chucks 480 yards is about the normal shooting distance.
Purchase price was $489.99 traded a Taurus Tracker in 357mag for it.0 -
I too love to see people buy American. That said-I own 2 winchesters, 1 marlin, 2 savages, and most recently a Howa(check your local pawn shops!). I gotta say, for the money Howa makes a very good gun. Savage also is a good value for wht you get. Great accureacy with little to no tweaking and ya gotta love the accutrigger. Are you set on new? There are some good deals to be had if you are a little knowledgable and alot dilligent. Good shootin 0
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