My step-daughter wants a rifle of her own. She has already killed two whitetails with a borrowed .243. I am leaning towards a .243 for her, and I may try some varmits at some point in the future. What I don't know is the brand to buy. Rate of twist, accuracy, and so on. Price is very much a factor. I have a taxidermy bill on the way. Thanks for any help.
Jeff

I would suggest that you start looking for a good condition, used model 700 or model 7 remington.

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I would ditto what bucko said. If you need
new, I would recommend looking at the M700
SPS. This is a good buy.

Most makers use a 1 in 10 twist on 243 Win,
but Remington is a bit tighter at 1 in 9.
I like that, especially for a dual purpose
use rifle that will be shooting 100 grain
bullets.

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how about:

http://www.399weatherby.com/

Best bang for the buck IMHO would be a Savage. You should be able to get her one from Gunbroker with a scope and all for <$400

A few good options posted already. How big is she? Still growing, or is she about done? I say this because Savage, Remington, and Weatherby all offer their guns in youth models for reasonable cost. If she's in her late teens and can handle a full-sized rifle comfortably, throw the Marlin XL7 in there as well. Any of them will serve her well and are solid, no-frills rifles. I love my new Weatherby Vanguard, a bit more solid feeling than the Remington and Savage, but heavier. The Savage guns can be a good pound or so lighter. Probably best to bring her along and try them all out.

Ruger has M77's in .243 in something I think they call "Compact". Short barrel and short stock, too. Probably ideal for small-statured shooters, like most ladies.

If she's doing mostly shooting from a stand, they have the M77VT (also in .243, but with a heavy target barrel, target trigger and a wide forend.) My wife loves hers.

Nobody mentions the tried and true Handi-Rifle for a newbie? Great little gun, dirt cheap to buy.

My wife's rifle is a Ruger,she has taken deer and antelope past 300yds with it,no fuss, no muss. 100 gr Noslers will "get er done".

my wife has a m77 youth model in 7/08.
it a stainless barrel and a laminate stock.
very little recoil and more punch than the 243.
my wife loves hers.has taken several big mulies with it.one shot and it was a done deaql on all of them.with the right bullets,would take black bear and moose with it.i cannot say enough about the rifle.if it wasnt so small i would use it.she only 5'2 and i about 6 ft and 260 lbs.but find one she likes and go with that.
also savage is the best bang for the buck too!

Look at a 260 Remington. She can still shoot 100gr Partitions and not have any more noticable recoil. She will appreciate the choice as she and her hunting skills grow older which will not take near as long as you think.

I love my Ruger M77 .243, but other suggestions would be to look at Savage, Stevens, Weatherby Vanguard, Howa, etc. It will be hard to be a Stevens for the price. I own 2 Handi-Rifles buy now their price has gone up and you can purchase a Stevens for almost what they cost and I'd pick the Stevens over a Handi-Rifle.

Look at the Ruger M77 RSI. Handy as can be and I bet she"ll love the full stock.

quote:

Originally posted by citori:
Look at the Ruger M77 RSI. Handy as can be and I bet she"ll love the full stock.

I owned a couple of the older tang safety RSI 243's when my boys were younger, and they were great guns.