New, Flexible Rig...I hope!!!

[juliang]

I ordered a new Bushnell 6500 scope, 2.5/16 *42 because I thought it sounded like a good idea, and I would like a one rifle does it all set up. I am going to mount it on a Tikka in 243 Win using a Dednutz 30mm mount, this will be my 5th Dednutz, they're awesome. My thinking is that mounting a scope that goes from a 41 feet field of view all the way up to 16* magnification should be very flexible. I will be loading both deer and predator bullets for this rifle. This should give me a very flexible set up which will cover a lot of hunting requirements. I am not going to throw away my 7mm, 223's etc but.... I would like to have one rifle which should be able to cover a variety of situations. With this scope and a 243, I'm hoping this could be it. Lightweight accurate rifle with flexible loadings and flexible scope. I am very much looking forward to putting this rig together next week.

[bigblue]

It sounds like it will be a great set up. I just recently saw that Bushnel had come out with the 6500 series. If the optics are as good as their 3200 and 4200 series it should be a great scope for the Tikka. The 3200 and 4200 series were nothing like their other less expensive scopes. I saw a used Sako at Cabelas wearing a 3200 and it was a real nice combo. I'm looking forward to seeing how you like that scope and also your load info for the .243. I haven't really come up with a good varmint load for my Savage .243. I use 100gr. Hornady BTSP and 40.0gr. of H414 for a deer load. My annual winter project has become the 1911A1 pistol I'm building/rebuilding, but I'm still looking to get another Tikka within another month. If this works out for you I might just follow your lead and get another .243. It seems that I always come back to the cartridges based on .308 and .30/06. Those old standards are hard to beat.
Don

[juliang]

Rilfe now has Bushnell 6500 scope mounted and bore sighted. My first 30mm scope and it sits in another Dednutz mount. I hope to get it fully sighted in ready for the weekend hog hunt. I love this scope, it was a little more than I usually pay but for the quality and flexibility, it seems worth it.

[psycho]

you should really like this rifle and caliber

[bigblue]

juliang,
That rifle is looking real good. The scope really fits with it.
Don

[juliang]

Seems that I like black rifles!!! I really hope that I can get to shoot it tomorrow. Weather today has been less than ideal. I called Beretta and they reckon that the twist rate should stabilize 100gr bullets, if it does, I will be in hog heaven!

[juliang]

Finally had a chance to try the rifle and scope today. I had bought Walmart's cheapest, Federal Power shok 100gr at $13, for sighting in. It took me only 3 rounds for the 50 yard zero and another 3 at 100 yards to fine tune. This scope is awesome, adjustments are absolutely precise, the sight picture is crystal clear. One neat feature is that after zeroing, pull up on the turret, put back to zero and click back down, all is at zero. This is a great feature for those who like to use the turret adjustments for various ranges. The rifle performed admirably, very easy to shoot. I shot 1* 3 shot group off sandbags and a lawn chair which was sinking in the mud. Given the somewhat unstable shooting platform, cheap ammo and brand new (unfired) rifle, I was pretty pleased with the results. We're off on a hog hunt tomorrow. When I get back I plan on finding a decent handload for the rifle, which I'm sure will break .5 moa. Tikka #3 has passed my test and the scope ..... wish I could afford one for all my rifles.

[bigblue]

There are many shooters that would be overjoyed to see the groups your already getting. I think your going to be very pleasantly surprised by what that rifle will do with handloads. If it's shooting good groups with factory ammunition, your customized loads will really make it shine. I can't wait to see the end result!
Don

[juliang]

Well this rig has experienced it's first hunting trip. The rifle worked fine, even if the idiot behind the trigger messed up with the safety. Looking at the results on game, I'm now convinced that this 243 is going to be my go to rifle 90% of the time. The scope was awesome!! The first night I sat beside a creek until it was way too dark to see. The scope still gave a super bright, clear picture. I compared it to the view through my Nikon Monarch Binos and it was better, the binoculars are excellent, this is a compliment to the scope, not knocking the binos! I fell over a few times, much to the amusement of my comrades and the scope still held zero. I am not in the market for any more rifles, I have fallen in love with this black beauty!!

[bigblue]

juliang said:

I'm now convinced that this 243 is going to be my go to rifle 90% of the time.

You have me curious about that statement. What do you forsee as the need for the other 10%?
I figure between the .30-06 and this .243 I have the lower 48 states about covered for everything from black bear and elk to groundhogs, with the exception of Grizzlies. If I ever see a Grizzly in the woods it will be by accident, which I'll probably have in my drawers.
Don

[juliang]

To explain myself Don....... my romantic dream is to have a rifle which I can look upon as,"old faithful". I do hope that this rifle/scope should do most of what I want to do. I will however continue to use other rifles of appropriate caliber for the job in hand, as I am also a spoiled brat with a bunch of rifles and intend to use them all!! Example, my 22 mag is my best bet on WMA's where rimfires are all that is allowed.

[bigblue]

Makes sense to me. An "old faithful" rifle does sound a bit romantic, but if any fit that category it would be something like the .243. When my choices in the safe were more limited, I used what I had on hand and had good results. Too many specialized choices may have spoiled many of us. I have to wonder if I might be a better shot and hunter if all I had was one rifle to do it all. Most all of my rifles had been justified by the need to fill a certain idealistic specialized niche. Over the years I think I've owned more rifles chambered for the .243 than for any other single cartridge. This will probably be number seven or eight for me. I cut my rifle inventory drastically in the last year and still have six rifles. So this .243 is going to be the last rifle I ever buy or is the .35 the last? Well anyway one of them will be the last. No I really mean it! Okay, stop laughing.
Don

[bubbawitha4570]

bigblue said:

Makes sense to me. An "old faithful" rifle does sound a bit romantic, but if any fit that category it would be something like the .243. When my choices in the safe were more limited, I used what I had on hand and had good results. Too many specialized choices may have spoiled many of us. I have to wonder if I might be a better shot and hunter if all I had was one rifle to do it all. Most all of my rifles had been justified by the need to fill a certain idealistic specialized niche.




I cut my rifle inventory drastically in the last year and still have six rifles. So this .243 is going to be the last rifle I ever buy or is the .35 the last? Well anyway one of them will be the last. No I really mean it! Okay, stop laughing.
Don

I was a much better shot when my go to rifle was my AR carbine...shot it all the time, every time.


I've also done the culling process, for the exact reasons stated above. Unfortunately, I've found that buying another rifle does something for my psyche...and it isn't good for the previously stated reasons for culling my selection.