Budget 243

Whichever is least expensive at the time of purchase. All have their strong suit, all are budget class.
I'd take a Ruger or Howa.

...for hunting I assume?

Howa
ruger
Browning
Mossberg
Cva

The Howas heavy, otherwise I like it better than the other options. If weights an issue I'd switch to the Ruger.

I think Howa is the best built rifle on the list. But once scoped you're looking at close to 9 lbs and that is simply more weight than i want to carry around while hunting. Especially in a low recoiling rifle like a 243. In a magnum chambering I'd strongly consider Howa. The Howa and Weatherby Vanguard are essentially the same rifle. Most of the time Howa is priced cheaper, but not always. If you come across a Vanguard at a good price don't pass it over.

The Ruger American is going to be about 1.5 lbs lighter and probably just as accurate. I see them priced at $350 OTD including all taxes and fees. They can be a little cheesy and I think the 4 round rotary magazines are the weak link, but I consider them the most rifle for the dollar. I've had a couple of the magazines break, but Ruger will replace them promptly and at no charge.

Personally I like the Predator version of the Ruger better. Specifically the ones that take Accuracy International Magazines. These are much better magazines. Neither the rifles, nor extra magazines cost any more than the standard magazine versions.

https://ruger.com/products/americanRiflePredator/specSheets/26972.html

What is your budget does that include optics or is that part of a separate budget. To me two of those rifles aren't really budget class rifles the a bolt and howa don't really qualify as to pricing.
Of the rest you listed I'd pick the ruger, but I'd also research ten 700 ask version savage axis II or the m11 series of rifles.
Granted rem has had its issues but a solid platform with tons of aftermarket support. The 2 savage guns I have had both have more support aftermarket.
All three of the guns I added are all capable of sub moa out of the box. I've had all three and haven't been disappointed.

If you're going to use it in the field, as opposed to just on a range, you might consider limiting your choices to guns that lock the bolt closed when on safe. Some guns, like the Ruger and the Remington, do not.

I am going to be the odd one and say the Mossberg Patriot. My son has one in .243 and I am absolutely impressed with it, and I own a lot of rifles. Real Walnut stock, fluted barrel, true short action. The trigger on his breaks like glass at just under 3 lbs, and will put 5 shots into 3/4" at 100 yards with factory ammo, a little better with an 87 gr hand load.

andym79 said:

Thanks for you input so far, I am hearing good things about the Howa.

I would happily consider Savage, but I have got to leave Remington off the list!

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Savage and ruger top the list solely for twist rate, and savage shoots just fine and has plenty more aftermarket support, so #1, ruger #2. For just varminting or midrange targets, the howa would get it done, the extra weight would be nice, but 10 twist keeps it lower on the list, mossy and cva both kinda tie in 4th, if you want a cheap bolt marlin xs7 is right there with the mossy, all 10 twists in this arena, but for a dead-nuts accurate beater truck gun/balanced huff up the slopes gun, the cva is hard to beat!! Sooooo, whatchawandowitem?

https://www.cdnnsports.com/marlin-xs7-243-synthetic.html?___SID=U#.XHVaiuyIa9c
For the money, tough to beat. I have one chambered in .270 Win., and it consistently outshoots my Model 70 .270 WSM.
Of the models mentioned, I would lean toward the Howa. The Marlin is lighter and handier to use, though.

Of those contenders, A-bolt or M1500.

andym79 said:

but I have got to leave Remington off the list!

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Why? I would agree for the other-than-M700 budget models, but of all the inexpensive guns out there, a 700 ADL is gonna be one of the best shooters, and by far the best/easiest platform to alter later if you desire. ADL is base model, but it's still a 700 action, and the whole rifle is about the same price as a stripped action with bolt.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog...+bolt+243+winchester+24+4+1+synthetic+black+s

My top 3 picks would be:

1) Howa 1500
2) Ruger American Rifle-Predator
3) Browning A-Bolt

I own a RAR predator in 6.5 and a ranch in 300 blk. I am satisfied 100% with each of them. I had one in 308 but replaced it with the 6.5 CM. My 243 is a Rem 700 I've had for a long time, but if I were to replace it, it would be with another RAR.

LoonWulf said:

Howa
ruger
Browning
Mossberg
Cva

The Howas heavy, otherwise I like it better than the other options. If weights an issue I'd switch to the Ruger.

Click to expand...

Ditto.

Bought my daughter and nephew the CVA Hunter in .243 for their first deer rifle. They did the job and are certainly simple and affordable. My daughter shot two deer with two shots, including a very nice 8 pt. at about 125 yards. She put the bullet right through the boiler room on both deer. CVA is the lightest and as a result, has a lot of felt recoil, which may be a consideration.

To OP, are you looking at an A-Bolt or an AB3? There is a big difference between them.

Any reason not to consider Savage and Thompson Center? Both are good budget guns.

My choices in order of preference would be:
Mossberg Patriot
Howa 1500
AB3
Ruger American
CVA Hunter

I'd say Howa gives you lots of options, from different types of barrel profiles in a barreled action only which you can build to your specs. Scoped packages, and non scoped. I have a .243 for long distance shooting and ax39 for hunkering around.

This is a pretty good deal
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/mobile/product/415001528/243+yth+ltwt+bl+harvst+moon+pk

CDNN have T/C Dimension for $299. Smoking deal on a fantastic rifle.

I'd skip all of those and go for a Savage Model 10, 11, 12 (if you want a heavy barrel) or one of the new 3 digit variants. They aren't much more than what you're looking out, but in a different league quality wise.

Ditto with the Savage recommendation. They're 8 or 9 pounds unscoped and are pigs to carry in the field, but from a bench, those things can shoot.

Don't know about good deals or not, but I've seen them for $500 at Cabela's and that's definitely not where I go to get a good deal.

CDNN still has new-old stock of the discontinued Marlin X7S.
This is probably the best of the Savage “clones”.
I’m on my second one as I sold the first to the grandmother of a young man I mentored for her to give it to him for his birthday. 10yrs later he still marvels at how well it shoots.

My second one is just as accurate as the first. You will want to replace the cheap scope that comes with it. At $269.95, it’s hard to beat.