Best .243 bolt stainless gun for around $400

[nasem]

I Just sold my bushmaster and I need a varmint gun.  I really don't want to resort to using my 7 mag or '06...

So I decided to go for the .243 win (never had one).... My budget is pretty low these days, I have become a believer into expensive scopes, now, If it ain't atleast a leupold vx-ii, I don't even look at it....

Anyways, due to spending over 250-300 on scopes, my buget for guns droped dramatically lol....  I would LOVE to have a tikka stainless, but they go for about 580 brand new (too high for me)....

whats your opinion on the best stainless steel rifle for just around $400 (Used but in GREAT condition is still acceptable.  I just have to have it for around 350-400 price range.

thanks

[mjbgalt]

a lot of good options here. my personal favorite is the Browning A-Bolt II, but it's about $100 out of your price range. Other options are, weatherby vanguard, howa 1500 (same rifle but Howa is $50 less or so), Remington 700 SPS, Mossberg 100 ATR, and several Savage rifles.

i really like Savage and the Browning...however the Remington SPS is a decent gun too...just no bells and whistles, just a plain-jane rifle but with a very nice trigger after adjusting one screw a half turn...would take about 3 minutes. the savage of course has the accutrigger and the ability to change barrels/calibers anytime you want, with the barrel nut.

a used Encore might be a good buy too...

the mossberg i know next to nothing about but i don't like the looks...plus every 5 years or so mossberg comes out with some "new innovation" that no one buys and then they discontinue it and you suddenly have no parts or replacement, should you need a new gun for some reason.

the howa has been around forever, and the vanguard has the guarantee of 1.5 inch groups at 100 yards. both have a silky-smooth action and fit and finish is good...however i have had one howa and two vanguards and of the group only one (a vanguard) would live up to the claim. the others had bedding issues or other problems that made shots go everywhere.

you might also want to look at CZ. they make a 500-series rifle that is close to your price range and i have yet to hear a single bad thing about them.

-Matt

[poncaguy]

I don't think Mossberg SS is available anymore.........

[poncaguy]

I would forget the stainless and get a Stevens 200 for around $260 and use the savings for a great scope..........

[Graybeard]

At this point in my life after being retired for eleven years my income (especially in real world spending dollars) is rather low compared to back in my working days. BUT I've learned that being penny wise and pound foolish makes no sense at all anymore.

Geez you're talking about $180 lousy dollars. Buy the gun you want NOW or wait a wee bit longer and buy it. Even at my reduced income level I've learned that $100-$200 isn't really a deal breaker.

Way back in my younger and more foolish days I walked away from a few deals over as little as $20 cuz I just felt it wasn't a proper value at that price and needed to drop a wee bit more. Many times I sorely regreted such decisions very soon after it was too late. So no more do I do that. If I really want it I make arrangements one way or another and get it.

One recent one I almost walked back down that path on was a really nice little 20 ga. SxS shotgun. I've been looking at that gun, picking it up and fondling it now for almost two years but I felt the price was about $100 too high. I felt that way mostly cuz I'm about 99.44% sure he raised it that much between the first time I noticed it and the next time it came to my attention in the store. No one bought it and it continued to sit there and haunt me, calling my name each time I went in the store. Finally after nearly two years of sitting and calling to me it came home with me this week.

[Savage .250]

  Don`t forget your local Gun Shows.  if your in no hurry no place better to "feel"
     guns of all makes.
   

[Mckie Hollow]

Ditto to Graybeard - As a Teenager, I dreamed of a Model 660 in 350 Mag..-$145. Settled for a 308 for $124. Been sad about this since.

[marlinman93]

 I'll jump on the "don't scrimp" bandwagon. Most dealers will take something down and hold it until you save the rest. Especially since you're so close to what you really want. Good bolt guns last a lifetime, so it's worth buying the right one!

[marlinman93]

 I'll jump on the "don't scrimp" bandwagon. Most dealers will take something down and hold it until you save the rest. Especially since you're so close to what you really want. Good bolt guns last a lifetime, so it's worth buying the right one!

[nasem]

thank you for the replays everyone, but
I have "almost" decided to, instead of buying another "good-ol american" 243 win..... I decided to get an "odd ball" into my collection.

And the winner is........................ 6.5X55 Swedish.

I know nothing about this round, never shot it nor do I know anyone who owns it, but I want to have just 1 odd-baller in my collection.  I heard its pretty accurante, I guess I'll find out soon.  I'll be posting something about it in the "medium caliber forum"

The rifle of choice, tikka stainless lite

thanks again everyone

[Zachary]

I know nothing about this round, never shot it nor do I know anyone who owns it, but I want to have just 1 odd-baller in my collection. 

It is essentially a longer version (although I think not quite long enough to be a standard long-action) of the .260 Remington, but with a bit slower velocity because of concern that they could be used in much older rifles.  That said, however, there are some manufacturers, like Hornady, that load the 6.5x55 hotter.  I'm sure that you will definately enjoy this round.  I have yet to talk to someone who doesn't like the 6.5x55.

Zachary

[nasem]

the only problem Im encountering with the 6.5X55 right now is.... I can't find any darn stainless steel rifles(I have a "thing" with stainless steel).  I know Tikka makes a stainless lite (accoring to www.tikka.fi) BUT they don't import it to USA
Sako makes one in stainless, but, thats Sako, and its a bit out of my price league.
Kimber made em a while ago, but they are extinct right now from the market.
I do want a more modern rifle, I am planning on developing my own loads and they'll be a bit too hot for the older 80-90 year old rifles.

[Graybeard]

IF you would settle for it's ballistic twin the .260 Remington the problem would be solved. The Model 7 Remington and the M700 LSS Mtn. Rifle are both made in it in SS.

[nasem]

I did think about a 260 remmy, but, I want to have just 1 non-american round, I know its silly but, the 6.5 swedish name catches me more than the 260.  They both have probebly the same performance

[squirrel_hunter6]

Nasem,

      Steyr makes a 6.5x55 rifle with a stainless steel barrel. You can get it in either a 25" or 20" barrel. I think that Steyr was the first manufactuer to produce rifles in 6.5x55.