Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Weaklink on February 08, 2016, 10:48:49 AM

Title: Ruger Predator or Remington 700 SPS Varmint in .243
Post by: Weaklink on February 08, 2016, 10:48:49 AM: Going to buy a new rifle in .243. Primarily coyotes and maybe deer. Looking for a straight shooting rifle with synthetic stock. Price is not a huge issue, but not unlimited either. Probably put a mid-priced $500 scope on as well (Nikon 4-18 or 20?). Used to have a 6mm 700BDL 40 years ago that was stolen and really liked that gun, but I don't reload anymore and finding ammo on the Oly Peninsula is a bit of a pain.

Anywho, any big +/- on these two rifles? Was also looking at Tikka too, and open to suggestions.

Thanks
Title: Re: Ruger Predator or Remington 700 SPS Varmint in .243
Post by: Mossy on February 08, 2016, 11:52:45 PM: I debated getting the predator for the same use as you are talking about but decided to make it a trio of tikkas. I went with the blued version this time to keep cost down. Tikka rifles fit me well and they shoot.
A guy at the gun counter of sportsmans says his predator shoots really well for him.
Title: Re: Ruger Predator or Remington 700 SPS Varmint in .243
Post by: carpsniperg2 on February 09, 2016, 12:18:16 AM: I have had excellent luck with tikka's and Predators. You cant go wrong with either IMHO. I have a predator in 308 and 22-250 both eat anything I feed it and spit out some great groups. All the tikka's we own are great shooters as well.
Title: Re: Ruger Predator or Remington 700 SPS Varmint in .243
Post by: jasnt on February 09, 2016, 09:41:57 AM: I have yet to shoot a rem in 243 that's not a great shooter. My current 243 is a rem700 sps varmint with 26" barrel. It's an amazing rifle. I have yet to find a load that would shoot better than moa and with hand loads I'm getting just a hair over half moa out to 730 yards sofar.
Title: Re: Ruger Predator or Remington 700 SPS Varmint in .243
Post by: DaveMonti on February 09, 2016, 09:51:42 AM: I've had .243s since I started shooting over 35 years ago. I have had a Rem. 700 Varmint for a good 25 years and it's a very forgiving caliber and rifle. It shoots very well with a wide variety of loads (I do hand load). My uncle had the same rifle in 6MM and it was a very finicky round. It was not as forgiving, he had to have a very specific load to get it to shoot tight.
I will say that it's tough to carry the heavy barreled rifles if you're moving around a lot while hunting. I know you can sit and call in coyotes, but if you're going to be mobile for deer, I'd seriously consider a light barreled version. It will still shoot very well.