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.