New Deer Rifle- Need Opinions

[Long Cut]

I traded for this Remington 700 in .243 sporting a Bell & Carlson stock that’s bedded & pillared.
The rifle appears to be an SPS Varmint model with a bull barrel, that was cut to 16.5” and threaded.
It has a Weaver rail currently with a Vortex Crossfire scope and unknown brand rings.

Rifles weights 9.7# as is looks on my scale.

Now for my question; I’m torn on what optic to put on this rifle.
- I hunt in the Southeast, mainly on powerlines, gas lines, food plots, cutovers and in the woods. Shots could be 50 yards out to 400 yards. Either run & gun or from pre-set stands.

- I currently own an SWFA 3-9 (on CVA Scout) and SWFA 5-20 on a built AR15 with an 18” WOA barrel.

I’m open to moving one of the above scopes to this rifle, or buying a new scope altogether for this rifle.

Thoughts?

 

[Ringbill27]

I’m not sure I’d go 5-20 on a 16” barrel 243. I wonder what your muzzle velocity is going to be.

 

[Long Cut]

I’m not sure I’d go 5-20 on a 16” barrel 243. I wonder what your muzzle velocity is going to be.

I’ve heard of 2400-2600 FPS from guys using .243 with 16.5” barrels. Grain weights 87-100 will determine if you’re on the higher or lower end of that spectrum.

I’ll have to confirm what this gun is doing, but I anticipate somewhere within that range.

I’m seriously debating on getting a 2.5-10x56 Trijicon Accupoint with the Mil Dot reticle for the Remington 700.
The reality of me shooting animals 400+ with this gun is very slim. I anticipate this gun to be a 0-300 setup in my mind anyways.

 

[Long Cut]

Update: Quick Look at a ballistic calculator is showing approximately 1800FPS at 300 yards with a MV of 2500FPS using 100gr projectile.

Knowing this, I’ll stick to an optic and shots inside of 250 yards to ensure adequate bullet expansion.

Lighter projectiles 87gr with 2600MV are showing 1800FPS out to 400 yards and 1900FPS at 300 yards.

I’m pretty dead-set on using Nosler 95gr BT’s for whitetails, so I’ll keep this setup 0-250 yards.

 

[KenLee]

Trijicon accupoint 2.5-10x56 w amber dot

 

[Ringbill27]

Update: Quick Look at a ballistic calculator is showing approximately 1800FPS at 300 yards with a MV of 2500FPS using 100gr projectile.

Knowing this, I’ll stick to an optic and shots inside of 250 yards to ensure adequate bullet expansion.

Lighter projectiles 87gr with 2600MV are showing 1800FPS out to 400 yards and 1900FPS at 300 yards.

I’m pretty dead-set on using Nosler 95gr BT’s for whitetails, so I’ll keep this setup 0-250 yards.

That sounds like a wise decision. I recently picked up a tikka compact in 243 which comes with a 20” barrel. I settled in on the 95 partition and was able to find a good load of H4350. MZ was around 3100fps if I remember right.

 

[Natebonebusta]

Vortex viper HD 2-10x42

I’ve been enjoying my 3-15 version of this scope. 2-10 should be plenty for 250y. Definitely impressed with the clarity on the glass. Adjustments are positive also. Plus illumination for low light. Good luck whichever choice you go with.

 

[Rich M]

6x is plenty for 250 yards. That's what I typically set 3-9 scope on at that range anyway.

 

[Megastink]

If that were my rifle: sell that Vortex, put the SWFA 3-9 on it, or buy an SWFA fixed 6x and put that on there. I would also sell that stock and put a Greyboe Trekker on there, but thats just me.

 

[Long Cut]

If that were my rifle: sell that Vortex, put the SWFA 3-9 on it, or buy an SWFA fixed 6x and put that on there. I would also sell that stock and put a Greyboe Trekker on there, but thats just me.

I’m going to hunt with it for the season, as it’s about to be our peak rut. Then I’ll assess the stock situation. I am open to changing the stock out. That will depend on how the current setup feels and “hunts”.

I know for a fact I’ll ditch the scope, rail and rings for higher quality options; I.E. Badger, NF or Spuhr.
Scope wise I’m still torn between SWFA 3-9, or a 3-15… Trijicon 2.5-10x56 Accupoints or NF SHV’s. Most of my shot opportunities are sub 150 yards, typically in lower light conditions.

 

[Megastink]

I’m going to hunt with it for the season, as it’s about to be our peak rut. Then I’ll assess the stock situation. I am open to changing the stock out. That will depend on how the current setup feels and “hunts”.

I know for a fact I’ll ditch the scope, rail and rings for higher quality options; I.E. Badger, NF or Spuhr.
Scope wise I’m still torn between SWFA 3-9, or a 3-15… Trijicon 2.5-10x56 Accupoints or NF SHV’s. Most of my shot opportunities are sub 150 yards, typically in lower light conditions.

Dont shy away from a fixed power scope. I know there arent many option anymore, but you can easily hit targets at 400 yards with a 6x even a 4x.

 

[Long Cut]

Dont shy away from a fixed power scope. I know there arent many option anymore, but you can easily hit targets at 400 yards with a 6x even a 4x.

I’ll most likely stick to a variable powered optic, although a fixed S&B is very tempting.
Most of the places that I hunt are very target selective. Being able to properly ID an animal with binoculars then transition and confirm the target animal with a rifle is important.

Would I be able to accurately ID a specific buck out of a group of 2-4x in a field or powerline at 200 yards with a fixed 6x? Possibly?
Would an extra 3 or 9x magnification hurt in that specific instance?

The specific scenario above is what’s keeping me from putting the 3-9x SWFA on the Remington 700. It seems ridiculous but, if I kill the wrong animal on the places that I hunt… it’s game over for me.

 

[bigeyedfish]

I switched to a SWFA 6x recently. We have a 250 yard shot in our back field that is a pretty good set up during the rut. I haven't hunted with it yet, but based on target practice in that same field, I feel pretty good with it. I also have a set of 10x binoculars when I deer hunt, so target ID is a non-issue.

If a guy was looking for a 4x option, what is reliable and low-ish priced? Optical quality doesn't have to be the greatest.

 

[KenLee]

I’ll most likely stick to a variable powered optic, although a fixed S&B is very tempting.
Most of the places that I hunt are very target selective. Being able to properly ID an animal with binoculars then transition and confirm the target animal with a rifle is important.

Would I be able to accurately ID a specific buck out of a group of 2-4x in a field or powerline at 200 yards with a fixed 6x? Possibly?
Would an extra 3 or 9x magnification hurt in that specific instance?

The specific scenario above is what’s keeping me from putting the 3-9x SWFA on the Remington 700. It seems ridiculous but, if I kill the wrong animal on the places that I hunt… it’s game over for me.

Well you can't currently buy a 6x SWFA, but fan Bois keep recommending them. Buy a Trijicon and quit listening to folks recommending a scope that hasn't been available in the last year...and the Trijicons are better in low light and variable magnification

 

[keystone112]

Nightforce SHV is my vote. 3–10 or 4-14. Pick your favorite.

 

[OXN939]

I’ll most likely stick to a variable powered optic, although a fixed S&B is very tempting.
Most of the places that I hunt are very target selective. Being able to properly ID an animal with binoculars then transition and confirm the target animal with a rifle is important.

Would I be able to accurately ID a specific buck out of a group of 2-4x in a field or powerline at 200 yards with a fixed 6x? Possibly?
Would an extra 3 or 9x magnification hurt in that specific instance?

The specific scenario above is what’s keeping me from putting the 3-9x SWFA on the Remington 700. It seems ridiculous but, if I kill the wrong animal on the places that I hunt… it’s game over for me.

Throw a Trijicon Huron on there. Half the cost of the Accupoint you mention, fits that rifle better, same quality glass and warranty. I just dragged mine across both Wyoming and Alaska killing a bunch of animals, and it's my favorite optic so far.

Also look at 70 or 80 grain Hammers, if you reload. Those things are bang/ flop city for whitetails and typically group like lasers.

 

[KenLee]

Throw a Trijicon Huron on there. Half the cost of the Accupoint you mention, fits that rifle better, same quality glass and warranty. I just dragged mine across both Wyoming and Alaska killing a bunch of animals, and it's my favorite optic so far.

Also look at 70 or 80 grain Hammers, if you reload. Those things are bang/ flop city for whitetails and typically group like lasers.

There's a reason folks pay $700 for an Accupoint 2.5-10x56 and go back and buy more. On powerlines, gas lines, cutovers and fields, they are the best value for the $.
Fits the rifle doesn't mean much when you can't see the target. Self adjusting illuminated center dot is handy.

 

[CJ_BG]

I'm getting 3100 with a 90gr eld-x and 22 inch barrel. Taking off even 50fps per inch you'd still be at 2800fps MV and hit 1800fps at almost exactly 500yds (Sea level)

The 243 is more capable than a lot give it credit for in my opinion. I think something in the 3-15 range compliments everything you'd want to do with a 243 well, unless you won't be using it for any varminting. My 243 currently wears a 3-15 strike eagle but will likely have a 2.5-15 mavin rs1.2 in the next couple years

 

[FLS]

I’ve heard of 2400-2600 FPS from guys using .243 with 16.5” barrels. Grain weights 87-100 will determine if you’re on the higher or lower end of that spectrum.

I’ll have to confirm what this gun is doing, but I anticipate somewhere within that range.

I’m seriously debating on getting a 2.5-10x56 Trijicon Accupoint with the Mil Dot reticle for the Remington 700.
The reality of me shooting animals 400+ with this gun is very slim. I anticipate this gun to be a 0-300 setup in my mind anyways.

Get the Trijicon. It’s one of the best scope’s available for how we hunt in the SE. 99% of what you read about rifle optics on here does not apply IMO.

 

[Long Cut]

Get the Trijicon. It’s one of the best scope’s available for how we hunt in the SE. 99% of what you read about rifle optics on here does not apply IMO.

That’s what I’ll end up doing I believe. After the suppressor & large objective scope, I anticipate this rifle weighting over 11# but for my style of hunting… it’s a non-issue.
I have a 7# rifle for when I’ll be more mobile anyways.

“Mobile” for an average southern hunter might mean walking 300 yards to 1/2 mile. I believe a lot of western guys consider “mobile” walking 5+ miles.

What we really NEED down here is low light abilities. Hunting thick swamp bottoms, cloud cover etc and how cagey these deer can be.. most wait until last light to really start traveling