Which .243?

[P03]

I've finally got land cleared for .243, FAC is on the way. Two questions

1. Which rifle (manufacturer and model) would you recommend for lowland deer stalking?

2. What round (manufacturer, round & bullet weight) would you recommend for small deer species?

 

PS No speculation please only answers based on hard experience, I can't afford to get this wrong.

 

Ta in advance.

[miffy]

I've finally got land cleared for .243, FAC is on the way. Two questions

1. Which rifle (manufacturer and model) would you recommend for lowland deer stalking?

2. What round (manufacturer, round & bullet weight) would you recommend for small deer species?

 

PS No speculation please only answers based on hard experience, I can't afford to get this wrong.

 

Ta in advance.

 

I have used the Sauer outback chambered for .243 using 100 grain RWS H Mantle ammunition. Never had any problems with the ammunition or the rifle and i have shot alot of deer with that setup. My mate who owns the rifle shoots 200+ deer a year (Fallow, Roe and Muntjac) and has no Problems.

 

I have however purchased the Tikka T3 in .243 and although i have not shot any deer with it yet i have tried some ammunition that i got free at the midlands game fair a few years ago and that grouped really well (one hole group) The factory ammo i tried in my Tikka T3 was winchester Super X 100 grain soft point (cxp2)

 

 

You shouldn't have any trouble at all no matter what rifle/ ammunition combo you try but just make sure you try as much different ammunition through it as possible to see what groups best in your chosen rifle

 

The Sauer is £1000 + and the Tikka cost me £500

 

Get the best scope you can afford then buy the rifle rather than blowing all your hard earned on a top end rifle and then having to buy a cheap scope it will be worth it when you are stalking in lowlight conditions

 

 

Good luck with whatever choice you make

 

[Graham M]

The Tikka T3 is a lovely light rifle for stalking (unless you put a bloody great big T8 on the end of the barrel )

I load up 100grn Nosler Partitions over 40 grns of H414 (this is @ 10% down so you could start from this point very easily if you chose to re-load).

On the subject of bullet weights, my Tikka is a 1-10 twist and shoots 100grn bullets better than 70grn, although this is probably due to them seating out further into the lead.

G.M.

[miffy]

The Tikka T3 is a lovely light rifle for stalking (unless you put a bloody great big T8 on the end of the barrel )

I load up 100grn Nosler Partitions over 40 grns of H414 (this is @ 10% down so you could start from this point very easily if you chose to re-load).

On the subject of bullet weights, my Tikka is a 1-10 twist and shoots 100grn bullets better than 70grn, although this is probably due to them seating out further into the lead.

G.M.

 

 

My Tikka T3 shoots the 65/75 grain Vmax and the 100 grain soft points really well. It doesn't seem fussy at all. All groups shot with the Tikka have shot sub 1" ( most being sub 1/2") no matter what powder bullet weight or bullet used

 

I personally don't mind the weight of the T8 on the end of the rifle........each to their own

[P03]

Thanks all,

I was just about sold on a Tikka T3 with Meopta 6x42 glass anyway (price more than anything else) but I think I'll have a look around and see what else I can find. As for the rounds well I'll just have to have a play . Thanks again