I have a gift certificate from a local gun shop to use up and I'll probably choose between the 2 guns available. It will be put away unfired. But, I'm torn between the 2.
Both are FN/SC Super grade model 70's, new in the box, with a shadow line cheek piece.

Question:
Which one would you choose? I'm leaning towards the nicer wood.

Choices:
.243 Winchester- Above average wood grain/figure.
.308 Winchester- Average wood grain/figure.

 

Nice!

I have owned a couple of the non-FN modern production super grades. There was nothing super about them.

These FN guns seem to do their heritage proud.

I also had a push feed 375 super grade and it was a nice gun. USRAC sucked the life out of whatever was left.

Good thing FN rebuilt it from the ground up.

Side by side, the newer SG's with the shadow line cheek piece are well above the quality of the current standard grade 1. Compare the two sometime. It's night and day. They also offer a SG with out the shadow line. I haven't seen one first hand yet though. I think they were taunted as a shot show special.

IMO get out there and use it. Better yet, plan a hunt and start making memories with the new rifle and the people that are around you. Life is short

I am a user and huge fan of the 308, and am not fond of the 243. However, if the rifle will be put away just to be sold or handed down, the nicer wood might enhance future value. They are nice rifles.

What Matt said. I voted 308.

This is a caliber question, and I had a 243, but I kept my 308 Win.

Tell the dealer you will take the 308 if he swaps the wood. Stranger things have happened.

LJS. Aren't the stocks serial numbered to match the action? I've never owned a M70. Ray

If I were in your shoes I would pick the one with the best wood. If equal I would take the .243 and I would use it. If it is purely an investment and to add to your estate I can understand that too.
I've not seen any serial numbers on my Super Grades wood, I have 5 and despite what the other poster says there is lots that's Super about them, I love my Supergrades.

I don't understand why you would put them away unfired. Buy the .308, use the heck out of it if it suits your hunting style and pass it on to your heir or heirs as a favorite. I inherited a batch of guns from my Dad, all of them well used. I use them just like he did and I'm sure he's glad I do. If he had left an unfired safe queen it would probably still be an unfired safe queen and worth about 2 dollars more than when he bought it. Rarely do production guns appreciate in value.

I took another look this morning bought the .308 The wood quality of the 2 is very close once I got it out of the display case and looked at the other side. It was a tough decision. Thanks.

Should have bought the other one !!!!!!!!!!!!

While the 243 is plenty for eastern whitetails, the 308 is plenty for elk and moose. Makes holes big enough in black bear to make a blood trail too.
Matt

Either one -- then rebarrel (or rebore) it to .358 Win!

I wouldn't mess with this one. However, I'd buy a rifle in .358 Winchester if I liked the rest of the package.

You said Super grade so go for the best wood!

For hunting big game I prefer the .308, I'm not much of a 243 fan for a couple of reasons. one it works great most of the time on deer size game, but I have seen it fail mislerably on occasion, mostly lack of a blood trail..The other thing that bothers me a little is according to Win and Whites Lab. more 243s have blown up than any other single caliber..This is caused by shooting light bullets in .243s with throat erosion or Maybe it was 100 gr. bullet, can't remember but don't own one anyway..There was a lot of publications on this some years ago, and inasmuch as I'm a 250-3000 fan, well lets not go there it upsets .243 afficiendos all to hell, and creates quotes from every reloading book in existence!

It's being put away unfired, so I voted for the better wood.

The wood was only marginally better, not by much. Neither one is a favorite caliber. I just don't care for sub-.264 calibers. That .243 might still be for sale if anyone is interested. That shop is near Lebanon, PA & $1,045 is a good deal for a new one. Credit is a little higher.

quote:

Originally posted by custombolt:
The wood was only marginally better, not by much. Neither one is a favorite caliber. I just don't care for sub-.264 calibers. That .243 might still be for sale if anyone is interested. That shop is near Lebanon, PA & $1,045 is a good deal for a new one. Credit is a little higher.

Got it. Hadn't read the post where you said you picked up the .308. Good choice if they were that close.

Shoot it. A gun not shot is an ornament. This is not an investment, it is a gun.

Buy the one with the best wood.