Single-shot .243 suggestions

[Herknav]

A friend of my dad's is looking for a used single-shot .243 for his kid. My dad asked me for suggestions, but I've never owned a single-shot rifle.

I am ruling out the Taurus 3-barrel setup because it's too new (i.e. hard to find on the used market.

I had an H&R (now NEF) single-shot 20 gauge and have heard good things about their single-shot rifles. I have also heard good things about the Savage Model 24.

I appreciate any comments on the above or any other recommendations. This is probably a good exercise for me as well, considering I'll need one in a couple of years.

Thanks in advance,
Herk

 

[zercool]

A friend of mine has one of the H&Rs and likes it quite a bit. He's got 20ga, .22, and muzzleloader barrels for it. Accurate as heck.

 

[Stevie]

Ruger No1 rifle, if he can afford it.

 

[Frizzman]

I wanted a cheap, single shot rifle to play around with the .243 for reloading before deciding to spend more on a fancier rifle in that caliber. I got a Rossi on sale at some big box sporting good store and it has proved reliable and fairly accurate with the loads it likes. I didn't develop any love for the cartridge and it now sits in the back of my safe. I will most likely give it to one of the youngsters in the family to use for a first deer rifle.

 

[Firehouse]

I've handled the Rossi's and the H&R (New England Firearms). I even owned a NEF in .243 at one time and killed the largest Whitetail deer I've ever taken with it. It was a 250 yard shot, (I know, is that all?) and he fell where he stood. I have to say the Rossi's are good, but I like the H&R's better. You can't beat them for the value, and the idea you can add shotgun barrels is a plus. Of course the Rossi's are the same way with regard to the barrel swap.

 

[gregintenn]

My vote goes to the H&R/NEF. I've had good luck with them.

 

[Speedo2]

H&R would be a good choice for a new single shot. However.....something to look for if you want something a bit older and classier without paying big bucks, would be a Savage model 219. I've got one in 30-30; I've seen them in 22 hornet; and I think that they made them in 243. Not often seen, but not expensive and very classy. -S2

 

[gregintenn]

H&R would be a good choice for a new single shot. However.....something to look for if you want something a bit older and classier without paying big bucks, would be a Savage model 219. I've got one in 30-30; I've seen them in 22 hornet; and I think that they made them in 243. Not often seen, but not expensive and very classy. -S2

I agree, but good luck finding one. I've seen them in 22 hornet, 25-20, 32-20, and 30-30. I'm not sure about the 243. They are neat rifles, but hard to find. Were the drilled and tapped? My 22 Hornet isn't, but it's really old.

 

[Speedo2]

Hiya Greg, you may be right; I've never seen one in 243. Probably one of those "should have been" things. My 30-30 isn't drilled & tapped; just an old buckhorn and blade. Neat rifles.

Back to the 243 single shot question; one other rifle that comes to mind would be the recent Browning (Mikuro) Low Wall. Fairly big bucks, but I know that they made them in 243. Beautiful rifles, but almost too nice to take afield. -S2

 

[H Richard]

I'll recomend an alternative. Buy a Savage bolt action, and put a "Score High" single shot adaptor in it. It's an aluminum block that fits on top of the magazine and converts it to a sgl. shot. You revert back to magazine fed by just removing it. (Available from Midway about $15.00). Also, you can't beat the accuracy of the Savage. I use one in the HB configuration for Prairie Dogs, and take shots well beyond 500 yards with it. Mine will group under a 1/2" at 100 and keep that 1/2 minute of angle out to the max. distance.

 

[pownal55]

dakota model 10, if he is a millionaire.

 

[Ignatz]

I had a TC Aristrocrat single shot rifle with double set triggers. Very nice rifle that did'nt go over big. Not sure what they bring nowadays.

 

[Gutpile Charlie]

I was going to say the H&R/NEF break action would be a good choice....but then again, the Savage bolt action restricted to a single shot would also be a very good one.

I've never had a .243, but do have a 6mm Remington aka 244 Remington. This is a similar cartridge...just a tad larger...but not much.

I think the .243/6mm cartridge would be a great first gun.

I have a Ruger single shot and it is a great rifle, but I think for the money and for what you want to do, the break action or Savage might be a best buy.

 

[2000Z-71]

I have no idea of the bidget or how old the kid may be but I'll throw out the suggestion of a Thompson Center Encore. It is available in .243 and can be had with a bantam length buttstock. The advantage of the Encore system is that the boy will be able to grow with it. The buttstock could be changed out to a full length or converted to a pistol. Different barrels could be added for rifle, pistol, shotgun or muzzleloader. Yes, it may be larger than the bidget in mind, but it's not money wasted once the kid outgrows it. It will last a life time and can be changed when interests change.

 

[Munsterf18]

NEF .243

Take a look at this 10 year olds face, and his first deer. Then you can ask him about his H&R/NEF .243. No recoil, heavy, steady, comes with the scope base, great gun.

 

[35Rem]

The Stevens 200 (Cheaper Savage 10). A little more $$ but not much. If not that, an H&R single shot. Both are American Made!

 

[Herknav]

Thanks for the inputs, guys. Several of you have mentioned things I hadn't considered. Keep 'em coming!