Thread: Rifle for my boy .243

I have been thinking about a .243 ( again ) for a long time. Admittedly it was the first rifle I owned and ive always had a soft spot for it.

I have been toying with the idea of a Sako peak but 6.5k is unpalatable at the moment. Why not give him the .223 to use you ask? Because I don't want to turn him loose with that until he has a few deer under the belt.
I have been specifically looking at the Sierra 95gn tmk as the bullet of choice now that 1"8 twist barrels are the go on Tikka's as well. I'm thinking we could get it humming at around 3100 fps which would give it massive killing power for as far as he is going to shoot in the foreseeable future.

For the type of hunting and walk in trips we do it needs to be lightweight. Here's what im thinking -

T3X superlite 1"8 twist ( which is a finnlite barrel anyway ) 2.8kg's

Drop some weight by replacing the stock with a carbon alternative and replacing the bolt handle should see it around 2.6kg. The bolt comes fluted. The same bare weight as the peak for around $3450 less . Optilocks, Suppressor and a Z5 would see it somewhere around 3.3kg I'm picking.

What say you experienced deer slayers?

ive shot the sako peak already, its a bloody good rifle as it better be for the price but its still not really going to outshoot a bog standard tikka, I think you've got the right idea of putting a carbon stock on a tikka and you can spend what 3-4k on scope/suppressor and be the same price as the bear sako peak, I think that just makes sense, by the time you set up the peak you will be in 10k, I really don't see the point of spending $6500 on a rifle without spending at least 2,2.5k on scope. just my 10 cents as somebody who has shot both

Various 100+ gr ELDMs are available too and will work in a 1:8 twist

Newer Remington 700s will be 1:8 .243 also when(?) available as another option



Can't go wrong really

Originally Posted by Howa1500

ive shot the sako peak already, its a bloody good rifle as it better be for the price but its still not really going to outshoot a bog standard tikka, I think you've got the right idea of putting a carbon stock on a tikka and you can spend what 3-4k on scope/suppressor and be the same price as the bear sako peak, I think that just makes sense, by the time you set up the peak you will be in 10k, I really don't see the point of spending $6500 on a rifle without spending at least 2,2.5k on scope. just my 10 cents as somebody who has shot both

yeah good call

Originally Posted by gimp

Various 100+ gr ELDMs are available too and will work in a 1:8 twist

Newer Remington 700s will be 1:8 .243 also when(?) available as another option



Can't go wrong really

Another good call

you could also go heavier than 95gr, check out what all the comp shooters are using like the 105gr eldm's, granted some of their projectiles are target only but id be taking advantage of the 1:8

I feel like Beretta have priced Sako out of the market. $3k for an 85 Finn vs a $1500 T3 or etc was ok, $6500 is getting way up there well into fully custom rifle territory


e:$6100 on the Beretta nz website I guess but still not worth it

Originally Posted by gimp

I feel like Beretta have priced Sako out of the market. $3k for an 85 Finn vs a $1500 T3 or etc was ok, $6500 is getting way up there well into fully custom rifle territory


e:$6100 on the Beretta nz website I guess but still not worth it

Couldn't agree more, I can remember the first new carbon Lite I got was 3999 now you can't even get a fin for that.
I reckon your on the right path with the Tikka Nathan

Sent from my SM-S916B using Tapatalk

Great plan with the Tikka Nathan

95 grainers are the go to

The 95g Nosler BT also has a solid copper boat tail for supreme penetration on game

Originally Posted by Nathan F

I have been thinking about a .243 ( again ) for a long time. Admittedly it was the first rifle I owned and ive always had a soft spot for it.

I have been toying with the idea of a Sako peak but 6.5k is unpalatable at the moment. Why not give him the .223 to use you ask? Because I don't want to turn him loose with that until he has a few deer under the belt.
I have been specifically looking at the Sierra 95gn tmk as the bullet of choice now that 1"8 twist barrels are the go on Tikka's as well. I'm thinking we could get it humming at around 3100 fps which would give it massive killing power for as far as he is going to shoot in the foreseeable future.

For the type of hunting and walk in trips we do it needs to be lightweight. Here's what im thinking -

T3X superlite 1"8 twist ( which is a finnlite barrel anyway ) 2.8kg's

Drop some weight by replacing the stock with a carbon alternative and replacing the bolt handle should see it around 2.6kg. The bolt comes fluted. The same bare weight as the peak for around $3450 less . Optilocks, Suppressor and a Z5 would see it somewhere around 3.3kg I'm picking.

What say you experienced deer slayers?

Greetings @Nathan F,
Are you quite sure that the rifle is for the boy, I mean the younger male that lives at your house? If so what would he like?
GPM.

You could buy older rifle and rebarrel for less cost then cut it down n suppress it without it loosing value.lad could use it without such fear of scratching it...

Originally Posted by gimp

I feel like Beretta have priced Sako out of the market. $3k for an 85 Finn vs a $1500 T3 or etc was ok, $6500 is getting way up there well into fully custom rifle territory


e:$6100 on the Beretta nz website I guess but still not worth it

couldnt agree more, why not go custom at that price

When are the 8 twist 243tikka available in nz

To throw a cat amongst the pigeons. If you're flexible on caliber and don't mind either 6.5CM or 7mm
The new Howa Superlights come in at 2kg available in 6.5CM, 7mm-08, and .308. At $2350ish with a carbon stock, threaded, a rail and cerakoted.
I adore a Tikka, don't get me wrong, but this offering at this price point from Howa having just hit the shelves is looking hard to go past. I also suspect the stock is going to be brought up very quickly.

Broncos has listed some stock already: https://broncos.co.nz/firearms/bolt-...ion_results=GO

Originally Posted by Longrun

When are the 8 twist 243tikka available in nz

now