KinleyWater
Handloader
- Jun 15, 2019
- 1,071
- 1,421
Well friends, I was out today taking a look at a CVA Scout in 45-70 that showed up locally to me. I decided to pass on it as there was a lot of slop/ movement on the forestock, and I was worried how long it would hold up under the type of loads I would want it for. Also present was a Mossberg Patriot "Super Bantam" in 243 Win. Well, the wife has been looking for a shorter rifle to share with me, and we have a gap in capabilities for varmint and predators, and it's called a Patriot, and it's 4th of July, so it ended up taking a ride home with me.
The bad first, since that sticks in my mind. The bolt moves like someone threw in a handful of sand before packaging. I know that's just a lack of finishing work in the machining, but it bugs me just a little. It will work itself out, perhaps with the assistance of some lapping compound. The stock is synthetic, but makes contact with the barrel along one side. I think I can fix that with a tool easily enough. Plastic magazine. Yes, I know, saves on cost.
The good. Well, for one thing, the wife has no issues shouldering it from standing. That would be enough for me to lay money down as it is. It's light. Like, really light. Website says 7.5 pounds with the scope, but to me, it feels like less. Perhaps that's just the balance. The trigger feels to my highly calibrated finger
sneaky: ) to be about 3 1/2 pounds. I think those are adjustable, too. It was not too expensive; less than $400 out the door, with tax.
The meh. It has a scope. Basic 3-9 with a plex; nothing special, but likely enough for us to do whatever we need with it.
So, I've been accumulating .243 components for a bit now and I have 80 grain Sierras and 85 grain Speers, but I also want a dedicated bullet for coyote - don't need to keep the pelt, so may just stick with those. Got my hands on 250 primes 243 brass, uh, somehow. Don't like to buy primed because a) I like to side the brass myself, and b) I like to know what primers are being used. Good news is, it's all Winchester brass, so I suspect they are pull-downs and have Win factory primers in them. At least, that would make sense for why I bought them. I hope.
Open to any suggestions from the floor. Like I said, looking for a dedicated varmint, primarily yote, bullet. Any thoughts on powders. I've got 4350, Hunter, RL15, and one or two others that I think should work, but are there any stand-outs? Any pet loads? Anyone taken anything truly impressive with a 243? I was thinking the two of us would use it mostly for lighter stuff, but also deer and maybe pronghorn - if we ever... But, if there are other uses, I'd love to hear it.
Thanks, all! And happy 4th! (and for all of you in Canada, Germany, UK, Australia, & parts far-flung, just have a great day and enjoy some time outside).
Oh, one more interesting (to me) thing: The CVA I looked at was manufactured in Spain, while the Mossberg was manufactured in Connecticut - which nearly qualifies it as being made in the USA.
The bad first, since that sticks in my mind. The bolt moves like someone threw in a handful of sand before packaging. I know that's just a lack of finishing work in the machining, but it bugs me just a little. It will work itself out, perhaps with the assistance of some lapping compound. The stock is synthetic, but makes contact with the barrel along one side. I think I can fix that with a tool easily enough. Plastic magazine. Yes, I know, saves on cost.
The good. Well, for one thing, the wife has no issues shouldering it from standing. That would be enough for me to lay money down as it is. It's light. Like, really light. Website says 7.5 pounds with the scope, but to me, it feels like less. Perhaps that's just the balance. The trigger feels to my highly calibrated finger
sneaky: ) to be about 3 1/2 pounds. I think those are adjustable, too. It was not too expensive; less than $400 out the door, with tax.The meh. It has a scope. Basic 3-9 with a plex; nothing special, but likely enough for us to do whatever we need with it.
So, I've been accumulating .243 components for a bit now and I have 80 grain Sierras and 85 grain Speers, but I also want a dedicated bullet for coyote - don't need to keep the pelt, so may just stick with those. Got my hands on 250 primes 243 brass, uh, somehow. Don't like to buy primed because a) I like to side the brass myself, and b) I like to know what primers are being used. Good news is, it's all Winchester brass, so I suspect they are pull-downs and have Win factory primers in them. At least, that would make sense for why I bought them. I hope.
Open to any suggestions from the floor. Like I said, looking for a dedicated varmint, primarily yote, bullet. Any thoughts on powders. I've got 4350, Hunter, RL15, and one or two others that I think should work, but are there any stand-outs? Any pet loads? Anyone taken anything truly impressive with a 243? I was thinking the two of us would use it mostly for lighter stuff, but also deer and maybe pronghorn - if we ever... But, if there are other uses, I'd love to hear it.
Thanks, all! And happy 4th! (and for all of you in Canada, Germany, UK, Australia, & parts far-flung, just have a great day and enjoy some time outside).
Oh, one more interesting (to me) thing: The CVA I looked at was manufactured in Spain, while the Mossberg was manufactured in Connecticut - which nearly qualifies it as being made in the USA.
