If these were your ONLY choices in building a 243, which would you choose and why?

My thoughts are a 24-25" barrel screwed into one of these actions trued up etc. to squeeze a bit more FPS out of the round.
Average shots will be under 350 on Texas Hill Country-sized white tails and the occasional Axis. (whitetails live weight 65-85 lbs (doe) and 95-150 lbs (buck), Axis doe around 90 lbs and axis buck from 125-200)

Question:
Of the actions listed below, which would you choose?

Choices:
Remington 700 SA
Remington 700 LA
Remington 7
Remington 788
Howa 1500

 

There are so many after market products for the Rem 700 action, and its proven itself over and over.
I have had a few built and the closest to what you are looking at is the 240 weatherby. Its a simple job, Rem LA with a 308 size bolt face, screw in the barrel and shoot. Mine is 26" and has accounted for a few antelope and deer. And its hell on coyotes, which is what I built it for.

any of the above would be a fine action to the .243.....as would several others not listed.....

I picked the Rem 700 SA......and you don't even have to square it....it's fine as is!

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

I picked the Rem 700 SA......and you don't even have to square it....it's fine as is!

I agree. You might check locking lug engagement, but that may not effect accuracy even if one lug isn't seating much. I am a big fan of rem 700's in varmint bores. You might consider a savage Target action:

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/actions/target/

Street price is much less than savages' suggested retail. Perfect out of the box, with a great trigger. A super stiff action, and available with loading ports on either side or both sides for left load right eject. My 1st choice for an inexpensive accurate utilitarian small bore. Your going to pay more for a trued action than this one. However, again, I think you would have no complaints with a factory SA Rem 700.

I have several 700 varmints, I cannot think of a one of them that is not a shooter.

1 piece bolts on the howa, flat bedding surface with integral recoil lug and excellent extractor and accepts remington mounts. Whats not to like, even the factory barrels are excellent shooters!!!

used to be a rem fan but given a choice i will take the howa all day!

I voted Howa, only because I don't have one.

I voted 700 SA only because there are so many aftermarket mods or add-ons available. The Howa is good, and I own a Howa .270 and a Vanguard .257 Wthby. I've owned 2 or 3 other Howas along the way, too. There are just more after-market options for the Rem 700.

None of those.

The 700's need options like screwing the bolt handles on, M70 safeties and crf.

The howa is jap.