Setting up a .243 for Predator Hunting Rig

I also shoot a Savage 110 in .243, I use an extended bipod (so I can shoot seated), I have a BSA Contender 6-24x scope. I shoot 100 grain bullets.

Optics are a personal choice, I've made shots out to 350yrds on bunnies and prairie dogs. I like being able to zoom in and get a closer look at the target, my binoculars are only 8x so the scope serves a dual function. My rifle isn't camo'd, except on the grip and on the scope. The scope gives off a real glare in sunlight, and I wanted a non slip grip for when it gets wet.

072807PHOT0018.jpg


060907PHOT0004.jpg
 
Here's my set up. Ruger 77 Ultra light 243, 20 inch barrel, tang safety, 4x.

85 grain Sierra Gamekings, IMR 4064.

Fast handling, accurate, hard hitting, no perfect shot placement needed. Makes coyote hunting alot easier.

Hard to beat the 243. Bang flop gun of doom.

91xlt......You are not overgunned with the 243, you are undergunned with anything less /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

DSC01308.jpg
 
My .243 predator rifle is a Remington 700 BDL. I chucked the shiney BDL stock and replaced it with a satin finished CDL stock. By using a BDL I got a 22 inch barrel instead of the 24 incher that comes on a CDL. This rifle handles very nicely and will shoot my reloads into .75 inch on a regular basis.
I scoped my rifle with a 4.5-14X VX III with a 40 MM objective. I zeroed the scope one inch high at 100 yards. I shoot 85 grain Sierra Game Kings over IMR 4064.
I want to keep my rifles as light as possible, so I don't shoot off a bipod preferring instead to shoot off my knee. I sometimes use shooting sticks but less and less all the time..

Coyote6974
 
Last edited:
hello...as i was throwing out advice i forgot to mention i have never used a 243 for a calling rig yet..mostly 223..i did purchase a.. 243.. this spring...i will use this for coyote's..maybe deer..the grand plan is to hand down to my daughter in a few year's for her 1st deer-coyote rig...then i can get another..aye..anyway i set mine up with a nikon buckmaster fixed four power scope...i settled on a load using 90 grain speer spitzer's...only time will tell...i think it will work !!
 
Quote:
i will use this for coyote's..maybe deer..the grand plan is to hand down to my daughter in a few year's for her 1st deer-coyote rig...



Good point Dave. This is the beauty of the 243 I forgot to mention. A lightweight 243 bolt makes up into a nifty whitetail gun for moderate ranges that anyone can shoot well. I have killed lots of whitetails over the years with my 243's and 85 grain Sierras. Shoot 'em behind the shoulder......they won't go far /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Quote:
WOW...
Some great replies and quality info!

In the back of my mind I was thinking I may be extremely overgunned, but it seems to be a very valid choice.
One mistake I probably would have made was to mount too powerful of a scope, the comments refering to shots being quick made a lot of sense to me.

Thanks...and keep it coming!



One thing to look at when your buying a scope is not the power range or how big the size of the optics are, but the field of view. I usually like a minimum field of view at 40 to 45 feet at a hundred yards. Some of the low power variables can well exceed that with fields of view up to 70 plus feet at a hundred yards.

You would be amazed how much quicker it is getting on a target like a coyote with those wide field of views. This spring I switched out my 3 by 9 to the 8 by 32 which I use for spring squirrel hunting to early and missed a dandy bobcat which popped up at about 25 yards. I know it was still chuckling while I was trying to find it with that scope cranked up to 12 power. Even my grand daughter thought that was funny.
 
Well i took the first step...
the bbl on the 110 is not free floated, picked up a stock for a savage 110fp(heavy bbl)
gives me a third mount for a bipod option and floats bbl well.
 
My 243 is a Remington SPS with a 4 X 12 X 40 Nikon Monarch scope. I free floated the barrel, bedded the action and lowered the trigger pull to 3 lbs. It shoots great and is much nicer to carry than my Rem 700 22-250 Varminter.
Christmas2005_0675.jpg
 
sleddog I see you like 4064. I think the fastest burning power I've used with the 85's is h-380 but they group great with 4350.
 
My 243 is a Rem 700 ADL camo painted wood stock. For glass it's a Weaver V-10(2x10) and I use a health dose of 4064 under a 70gr SMK. I use it mainly in the late season realy open country calling. Most of the time it's a Rem 600 6x45mm 55gr NBT or Blitzking. It wears a 1x4 VX-II, field of view is everything.

AWS
 
I shoot a Remington 700 with a Leupold Gilmore Red Dot scope. No power to 4 power is all you need. fast in close shots with both eyes open is the best for coyotes next to a shotgun with 4buck loads.
 
OK...
ordered scope, Nikon Monarch 2.5-10x42 Mil dot reticle.

I figure this should handle all of my needs, close range thru long and windage or lead if needed.
Light gathering ability should be excellent.
 
I have a buddy who shoots a savage 110 in 243 which is twisted 1:9 so there fore your rifle probably is also, his rifle shoots the 100 gr. bullets like a house of fire using one of the 4350 powders,my coyote rig is a n old ruger 77 liberty model RS thats twisted 1:10 and mine tackdrives the 80-85 gr.bullets,I started using this 243 about 4 years back for calling coyotes and I just love this thing,even killed a few whitetails and a muledeer Buck,when this little rifle barks the quarry gets on its knees like right now, Ive been ringin wileys dinner bell now for 31 years and Ive hunted him with a 222 Rem. up to 25-06 even shot a couple with a 7mm mag.but the one rifle that has impressed upon me the most is this little 243 winchester,I dont know any other way to say it other than it is just AWESOME!!!!!! Hope you have the same experiance with yours,Good Hunting,Mike.....
 
My .243 ATR loves 4064 (1 in 10"), it will get under an inch any day of the week. My .243 700 BDL likes Varget a little better(1 in 9.25" twist). Has anyone used RL 22 in a .243 for a 100 grain bullet? I was thinking some where between 44 and 45 grains out of the Remington.
 
My thompson encore .243 (accuracy bull barrel, stress relieved) is hanging below a 2.5 x 10 56mm so that I can pull in alot of light late in the day when the fall sun is hanging lower. It's all about what you like

In the valley of the blind the one-eyed man is king
 
Back
Top