Savage Lightweight Hunter

[newbs55]

So I have been looking for a .243 to fill in the gap in my rifles caliber selection. I have 22's and 17hmr for plunking or varmits, 300 Win for open country deer elk, 45/70 for thick woods so I need a 243! I have looked at a few different brands and models (Savage, Tikka,  Winchester, Remington) and was fairly set on getting a Savage 110 Hunter with the Nikon BDC Scope until yesterday when I was at the store and put my hands on the Savage Lightweight Hunter. I love the way it looks with the fluted bolt and thinned out stock. Then you realize how light it is!  Does anyone have one of these with some real world review? Do you think only having the 20" barrel would hurt performance? Any other input?

[yorketransport]

I wouldn't worry too much about the 20" barrel. If you handload you can reduce the loss in velocity by running a powder on the faster side. Savage rifles have always shot well for me and I would expect the Lightweight Hunter to do the same.

Andrew

[newbs55]

I am thinking this will be a rifle for mid range distance ie no more than 350 400 yards for deer so velocity loss shouldn't be to bad once I work up a range chart. Then the debate kicks in for heavier bullets and maybe step up to 7mm08. This is the same debate I had with myself when buying a lever gun started out 3030 and came home with a 45/70

[Biggerhammer]

The .243 will do exactly what your looking for.👍

[carpsniperg2]

I love me some 7mm-08! I have never loved the 243. I like the heavy weights in the 7mm08 like the 140 accubond

If you are going to run the 243 you might check out the nosler etips. My buddy is running them in his 243 with some great results.

[bobcat]

You don't want a 7/08 in that lightweight rifle, unless you don't mind a bruised shoulder. The 243 is what I would get in that rifle, that will be a great setup.

If you want more horsepower, go with a 270.      

[carpsniperg2]

Come on bob!!! 7mm08 bruised shoulder?

You have to be strong like bull my friend

[bobcat]

I'm not kidding, a 7/08 with a 140 grain bullet at max velocity with a super light rifle is not going to be fun to shoot, guaranteed.

[huntnphool]

Come on bob!!! 7mm08 bruised shoulder?

You have to be strong like bull my friend

[newbs55]

I'm a big guy and recoil isn't really an issue. I just can't get over how light this gun is. I was talking to a guy and work and he brought up 260 rem. Now I got another to consider. But does anyone have real world experience with this gun?

[carpsniperg2]

My sister in law that tilts the scale at 110lbs rocks the tikka 7mm-08 which is about .7 pounds heavier. When ever they come to visit she loves to shoot it so much that is what she shoots for fun! It's my wifes rifle but she has tried to lay claim to it about 50 times

Newbs55 I do not follow savage much. I don't remember seeing anyone on her talking about it before. I would think it would be a pretty solid rifle.

I have had crappy luck with savage. So I do play with them any more.

[carpsniperg2]

260 is kinda a odd ball. It can be hard to find ammo and components for. It's a nice little round but you would be better with a 7mm-08 or 243 IMHO.

[huntnphool]

My sister in law that tilts the scale at 110lbs rocks the tikka 7mm-08 which is about .7 pounds heavier. When ever they come to visit she loves to shoot it so much that is what she shoots for fun! It's my wifes rifle but she has tried to lay claim to it about 50 times

Newbs55 I do not follow savage much. I don't remember seeing anyone on her talking about it before. I would think it would be a pretty solid rifle.

I have had crappy luck with savage. So I do play with them any more.

 I know Popeshawn has one in 6.5x284, you might see if he has shot it yet.

 Carps, I think Bob and his brother are the only ones that have ever bruised from a 7mm-08

[bobcat]

Actually I've never shot a 7/08. But I know the recoil is similar to a 270 Win, which is what I use.

[carpsniperg2]

Next time you are up this way let me know. You are welcome to shoot any of ours. I shoot a 7mm-08 handgun as well. It's a sweet little thing.

Maybe even get you switched over to shoot a ram with one Well maybe not As soon as I saw you drew your tag I thought 270 win and sheep hunting. Which of course took me to Jack O'Connor's hunting sheep with his 270. If you have not read any of his stuff. You might look into it. I bet his sheep hunting stuff would get your heart going! 

[Jolten]

I shoot a savage axis in 243 and absolutely love it. Barnes 80gr ttSX shoot well. Bergers aren't too bad either.

[bobcat]

Next time you are up this way let me know. You are welcome to shoot any of ours. I shoot a 7mm-08 handgun as well. It's a sweet little thing.

Maybe even get you switched over to shoot a ram with one Well maybe not As soon as I saw you drew your tag I thought 270 win and sheep hunting. Which of course took me to Jack O'Connor's hunting sheep with his 270. If you have not read any of his stuff. You might look into it. I bet his sheep hunting stuff would get your heart going!

Wow, you completely read my mind on that one. Exactly what I've been thinking, 270 Winchester, Jack OConnnor, classic sheep cartridge.  I wonder what bullet he used? Probably a Speer 130 grain I'd guess.

[luteai]

Speer 130 over 58 grains H4831 seems to stir in my memory from reading O'Connor. or maybe that was a pie recipe?  G with the 7mm-08 over .243.  You can load it anyway you want, light 120 grain or heavy 175s. 140 grains at 2800fps just drop the deer in their tracks.  Then again, the 120 grain youth load at 2600 does the same!