Well,went out to the range yesterday, and sighted in the .243, put about 10 rds down range. Woke up this morning, and no hurting shoulder from shooting it, aside from the everyday pain I already have. So, very happy with the .243! Only if I could find reasonable priced ammo now....that will be a challenge.
These aren't cheap, but they are devastating rounds. Don't let the 80 grains put you off. Being non lead, they are lighter, but if you do a little research on Barnes bullets, you'll see where they have a big advantage. I saw a section of T-post that had been penetrated by a Barnes bullet. The target, a big hog, was on the back side of the post, and was dead right there. I believe the bullet was a .257.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/53...-shock-x-bullet-boat-tail-lead-free-box-of-20
If you find you need more recoil protection, here's an option you may not know about. I recommend against a muzzle brake for hearing damage reasons, but I have a mercury recoil reducer in a 12 ga 870 Trap that makes it kick like a 20 ga.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/678973/graco-breako-mercury-recoil-reducer-standard-7-8-x-4-14-oz
http://www.brownells.com/items/mercury-recoil-reducer.aspx
On an unrelated subject, your Savage is a great "switch barrel" platform. With the short action, you can convert it to any short round with the standard 30-06 case head in a short time. The bolt face can be changed if necessary, but there many short action rounds that won't require that.
I converted a 110 (long action) 30-06 to a .338-06 several years ago, and it's a great (still ugly) rifle.
Let me know if you are interested in doing that and I can give you a couple of good websites.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/53...-shock-x-bullet-boat-tail-lead-free-box-of-20
If you find you need more recoil protection, here's an option you may not know about. I recommend against a muzzle brake for hearing damage reasons, but I have a mercury recoil reducer in a 12 ga 870 Trap that makes it kick like a 20 ga.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/678973/graco-breako-mercury-recoil-reducer-standard-7-8-x-4-14-oz
http://www.brownells.com/items/mercury-recoil-reducer.aspx
On an unrelated subject, your Savage is a great "switch barrel" platform. With the short action, you can convert it to any short round with the standard 30-06 case head in a short time. The bolt face can be changed if necessary, but there many short action rounds that won't require that.
I converted a 110 (long action) 30-06 to a .338-06 several years ago, and it's a great (still ugly) rifle.
Let me know if you are interested in doing that and I can give you a couple of good websites.
Thanks for the plethora of knowledge there! How exactly does that recoil reducer work and installed?
It's cool to hear that I have some options with this gun if I ever decided to go another direction with it. I have to say I'm pretty happy with the .243 round so far though, but I'll see after I take it out and use it on something other than paper what my feelings are on it.
