243 twist rate

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

The first three were done around 800 rounds burning H4350. I learned a thing or two and switched to H1000 for the current barrel. The current barrel has 1780 rounds. The groups I posted above were shot on the same day with approximately 1600 rounds through the barrel.

800rounds is quite fast from what you read. Was this barrel shot hot alot? What degree had the accuracy degraded?

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

OP as others have mentioned if you only shoot factory ammo go with the 6creed.

If you reload then the 243 Tikka with an 8 twist is a great option for your daughter. I have a 243 Tikka with an 8 twist and it’s shooting the 105+ class bullets really well.

Or get the tikka and shoot <100gr factory ammo. If super motivated can get custom 243win ammo. Later rebarrel to 6creed.

Main point is don't skip over getting a tikka or incuring the extra cost to immediately rebarrel a perfectly good 243tikka just to chase 6creed factory ammo.

 

[Thinkingman]

OP-If you decide to go 6CM, I have experience with the CZ600 Range and Alpha.
Cheaper than Tikka and shoots just as well.
For reference, I own a T3 in 300WSM and 7-08.
No wrong choice here.

 

[rclouse79]

If you want a 6mm, save yourself time and money and just get a 6 Creed. It has factory ammo that you will have to handload to duplicate. Almost same velocity. It will have the twist rate to handle the bullets you would want to shoot out of a 6mm (heavy match, monos, etc.) It is everything the 243 is without handloading.

I will probably go this route. I originally had my heart set on a Tikka, which is why I was looking at the 243. The threaded Ruger American is about half the price, and they make one in 6mm CM. I have a Tikka and love it, but it looks like the Ruger American gen 2 cleaned up a lot of the complaints about the gen 1. It will probably be more than adequate for a kids first gun. It probably is smart to go conservative on cost before I know if my daughter is going to love hunting, especially since the suppressor will cost the same or more than the gun itself. I do reload, so it will be fun to have something to tinker with.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I will probably go this route. I originally had my heart set on a Tikka, which is why I was looking at the 243. The threaded Ruger American is about half the price, and they make one in 6mm CM. I have a Tikka and love it, but it looks like the Ruger American gen 2 cleaned up a lot of the complaints about the gen 1. It will probably be more than adequate for a kids first gun. It probably is smart to go conservative on cost before I know if my daughter is going to love hunting, especially since the suppressor will cost the same or more than the gun itself. I do reload, so it will be fun to have something to tinker with.

Devils advocate:
-the americans are still not loved by folks. If she doesn't like it will you? The resale isn't nearly as solid. Is the action worth doing something with when the barrel is shot out?
- Having the same platform (you already have a tikka) allows for same ergonomics and some interchangeability. For instance I have multipe tikkas, all with sportsmatch rings and can shuffle scopes easily if needed and just make a minor zero adjustment. Something breaks or fails on a gun, I can rob off another if in a hurry, etc.

 

[rclouse79]

Devils advocate:
-the americans are still not loved by folks. If she doesn't like it will you? The resale isn't nearly as solid. Is the action worth doing something with when the barrel is shot out?
- Having the same platform (you already have a tikka) allows for same ergonomics and some interchangeability. For instance I have multipe tikkas, all with sportsmatch rings and can shuffle scopes easily if needed and just make a minor zero adjustment. Something breaks or fails on a gun, I can rob off another if in a hurry, etc.

I am sure I will change my mind again. I don't need to start putting it together for a while, as she is currently 8. I would expect the Rokslide Tikka lovers, of who I consider myself one, to look down at the Ruger. I would agree that the Tikka is a better gun, but I would not say that most people who own a Ruger American gen 2 don't love them. At least not the people I have watched reviewing them on YouTube. It seems the main complaints with the Gen 1 were a rough action and not feeding. My limited research of the Gen 2 has mostly turned up people who say they have had zero failure to feeds and that action is much smoother than the Gen 1. Not Tikka smooth, but better. An ultra smooth action feels like a luxury that is not necessarily a deal breaker for me. I have not seen a lot of complaints about accuracy for the RA either.
If I do go the Ruger route, I plan to put it in an MDT chassis with a XLR adjustable butt stock and folder to get a small LOP that can fit from the start and grow with her. I don't consider myself a gun nut, as is probably obvious from the questions I have been throwing out on this forum. I only buy guns that allow open up new hunting opportunities, like a savage 220 shotgun for short range seasons or this gun for my daughter. I don't plan on selling it, so I am not worried about a Ruger having a lower resale value than a Tikka.
I appreciate the advice. I am trying to be thorough in my research, so I don't have regrets afterwards. A tikka CTR with a 20 inch threaded barrel in 243 is my other top option at this point. It would also be nice if Tikka came out with a 6mm CM before I buy. I am thinking I could probably recover a bit of money by selling the Tikka stock and mag after I buy a chassis for it.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

A tikka CTR with a 20 inch threaded barrel in 243 is my other top option at this point. It would also be nice if Tikka came out with a 6mm CM before I buy.

The CTR is heavier, keep that in mind with a kid. Yes it helps with recoil but makes it harder for them to carry or shoot in some situations too, pros/cons. You can thread a sporter for less than a CTR costs and has more common components (mags are cheaper, etc.)

Yes that would be nice and if you have time then see what the next year or so brings on the tikka front.

 

[rclouse79]

The CTR is heavier, keep that in mind with a kid. Yes it helps with recoil but makes it harder for them to carry or shoot in some situations too, pros/cons. You can thread a sporter for less than a CTR costs and has more common components (mags are cheaper, etc.)

Yes that would be nice and if you have time then see what the next year or so brings on the tikka front.

Did you mean the Tikka compact? I pulled up the Tikka Sporter and they were like $2500 with a fancy looking composite stock. I was worried about the lite or superlite being marginal thickness for threading, but maybe the compact would be a better option. I assume barrel threading is not a hard job for good gunsmith to pull off? I read a lot of guys do it and don't hear many complaints.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Did you mean the Tikka compact? I pulled up the Tikka Sporter and they were like $2500 with a fancy looking composite stock. I was worried about the lite or superlite being marginal thickness for threading, but maybe the compact would be a better option. I assume barrel threading is not a hard job for good gunsmith to pull off? I read a lot of guys do it and don't hear many complaints.

I meant the sporter weight barrel IE the lite, the basic models. There are no issues threading the factory barrel, including chopping it shorter if desired. $100-150 typically.

 

[coyotekilla]

Gonna relay some of my experience with the 243, then head down a different rabbit trail... I've hunted with a 243 for 30 years this year, killed probably close to that many deer with 1 as well. Rem 700 bdl 1:9.25 twist & 100 gr bullets to start.

Now its a beretta brx1 1:8 twist 20" pipe. Slick, accurate, nice rifle, but about $1,500. Doesn't like 75 gr vmax, loves 85 game kings though.

As for a new shooter, get an upper for an ar15 in 6 arc or 6.5 grendel. Put it on a nice collapsible stock m4 lower. They fit small shooters nicely, if you have a semi auto restriction look at doing a bear creek side charger with the gas tube removed, gas block reversed. Turns them into a spring assist bolt action. Just built 1 in 6.5 grendel, have 550 in a custom trigger, stainless barrel, well set up rig. And it shoots dimes.

 

[KyleR1985]

Gonna relay some of my experience with the 243, then head down a different rabbit trail... I've hunted with a 243 for 30 years this year, killed probably close to that many deer with 1 as well. Rem 700 bdl 1:9.25 twist & 100 gr bullets to start.

Now its a beretta brx1 1:8 twist 20" pipe. Slick, accurate, nice rifle, but about $1,500. Doesn't like 75 gr vmax, loves 85 game kings though.

As for a new shooter, get an upper for an ar15 in 6 arc or 6.5 grendel. Put it on a nice collapsible stock m4 lower. They fit small shooters nicely, if you have a semi auto restriction look at doing a bear creek side charger with the gas tube removed, gas block reversed. Turns them into a spring assist bolt action. Just built 1 in 6.5 grendel, have 550 in a custom trigger, stainless barrel, well set up rig. And it shoots dimes.

Any issues with manual extraction on that build? How many rounds have you gone through in this configuration?

 

[coyotekilla]

Just finished it, less than 20 so far, all factory hornady 123 sst's. It cycles just like it would normally. I run a supressor so it keeps the brass alot cleaner doing it that way. Converted a 16" side charge .223 first, ran it as a semi first. I like running them without the gas system.