AusVarmint

Ok, so I have sold my Savage Model 12 in .260Rem.
My missus has now got her own .243 Win, and for pure ease of reloading etc I am going to build / rebuild a .243 for myself.

What action would you use from the above and why?
For projectiles of 70 - 100gn what twist rate? if not still 1:10.
What barrel manufacturer for a heavy varmint profile?
Do you think 26" for a non Ackley is reasonable for velocity and accuracy gains?

Rifle will be "go to gun" when I leave my 30'06 behind.
Game to be shot ... everything from Rabbits (when i am further south) to Pigs , Goats etc.

Not looking to build a benchrest rifle, just a very accurate Varmint buster, with everyday components, except the barrel.
Not interest in DBM etc, i get enough of mag changing at work

Come on gents help me out here.

Mick

I would probably save the hassle and get a T3 stainless varmint in 243, but if you want to build you will get parts for the rem 700 much easier than the others listed mate.

For up to 70gr 1:14 Up to 85 1:12 and up to 90-95 1:10 with 1:8 for the heavies is how I think it runs in the 6mm department- I can be corrected on that.

26" would be a fine barrel length.

Brad,
Yeah had thought of the T3, but as much as I love my .222 T3, I wouldnt mind a 26" tube.
Guess I can always just put a quality replacement barrel in.

Oh well lets see what else gets thrown about?

Mick

Howa.

Cheap, quality construction, no dicking about with floating recoil lugs.

I know it's not on the list but I'd choose the Howa as well. I've had a lot of different actions apart now and purely from a machinist's point of view haven't seen a mass produced factory action that is better made. The $5-600 price tag is the clincher.

My appologies to the people who have already voted, in adding Howa/Weatherby I lost the original votes.

Yeap another vote for Howa here - they are well made and the price is spot on for a cheap build up. I own 3 Howa's, Rugers, Sakos, Brnos etc and the Howas are the one's I go to first.

They are accurate, chamber a round every time without fail, the same can't be said for the others which aren't as accurate and reliable when it comes to feeding rounds.

The downside to my Howa's is they are all Varmint barrels and as such are heavy, but having said that most of my hunting is varmint type hunting and spotlighting so the weight isn't than much of an issue for what I use it for.

For walkabout rifles I go to either the Sako or Ruger for that Job.

Its going to wear a 26" heavy barrel. . so its going to be more like a Varminter anyway,
For ease of carriage and accuracy I love my Brno 30'06.

At this stage leaning towards a Parker Hale .243 as the donor action, but i have plenty of time.
I like the Parker Hale, as it is a mauser action, controlled round feed, can get replacement triggers (I believe they accept standard mauser replacement triggers), pretty strong commercial action. (I am not adverse to seeing just how fast I can push a projectile through the chrony at times without getting major pressure signs)

Keep the trend going, get yourself a Brno 601.

I was out last night shooting under permit ... the 243Win was a hammer. Almost strengthened my conviction to run the 17PeeWee as my regular varmint rifle, ditch the 22cals and step to the 243Win when shooting for shits and giggles or where larger animals than the PeeWee can handle are on the menu.

I'd be inclined to go varmint weight and 22"-23" though. Can't see the advantage to a 26" barrel other than less blast and pyrotechnics. The shorter stubby barrel in theory may shoot better than a longer tube, and will be easier to carry after goats and pigs if that's the way you go in future.

As for actions? Very well made, increasingly more 'go-fast' bits, a trigger that can be easily and economically tweaked for a lighter pull, variety of stocks available ... I'm surprised a Howa isn't already in the safe.
Cheers...
Con

Camel wrote:Keep the trend going, get yourself a Brno 601.

Well would you believe I have my eye on a Brno ZKK 601 as the donor action and stock.
Currently is a 22-250, so an easy conversion.

They're pretty good actions I reckon, Ill be on the lookout for a nice one in 223, don't need another 223, but I reckon it would go well with my 308, and 7mm08 that is being built on the 601 action. I might be a little biased though.

I feel a bit despondent actually you have included a Sako on your list.

MISSED wrote:I feel a bit despondent actually you have included a Sako on your list.

Guess you mean I "havnt included Sako" on the list?

Because why would I want to destroy a Sako to rebuild it? If they came with a 26" barrel there wouldn't be this discussion hahaha

Honestly, if either Tikka or Sako had 26" barrels there wouldnt be this discussion, however . . .

Interesting topic this one, I am also trying to sort out an almost exact build.
I have settled on a howa stainless action [gunsmith happy] & Maddco barrel which will be heavy probably 26".
Its the stock that I cant make up my mind on. McMillan A2 [leading contender] or
similar Manners. Boyds would be cheaper option.
Like you Mick I want a go to 6mm varmint rig. Missed 6x47 Lapua got me all excited so
will see what happens. Interesting to see what you end up with.
Cheers & I'm slack & I should post more