I want to invest in a .243 rifle. Would it be cheaper to buy parts and build one?

Question

Like computers, if you buy parts and build your own (if you have the knowledge of how to) it is hundreds of dollars cheaper. Is it the same with rifles? I've never hunted before but am getting really interested in it. I have done some research and it looks like a .243 rifle with 100 grain ammo is just right for hunting deer. I have a pretty small budget of about $275. The only .243 rifles I can find in stores or online are at least over $400. Is it possible to cut down the price by just buying all the parts needed to make one online on ebay or something and building my own?

Answer 1

No.



also, the .243 is not the best deer round out there. look into the .270

Answer 2

computers are modular, rifles are not. The best rifles take a lot of hand-fitting.



I suppose to some degree AR-15s could be considered modular, but beyond that you really must be a gunsmith with a good set of tools and some special know-how to start with a bunch of parts and end up successfully assembling them into a finished product



(note, reassembly of an exisiting rifle is a fair amount easier)



Let's talk parts for a minute. The heart of the rifle is the recievier. It is also the part that has the serial number. As far as the law is concerned, this simple part IS THE GUN, so you will still need to buy that from a FFL.



The parts that are available are more designed as replacement parts to fix something that is broken, or upgrade parts. If you did have a reciever and had the skills and tools, it would be MUCH more expensive to build a firearm from the ground up.





So, what are your options?



Buy used! Check out Gunbroker.com, they are like ebay for guns.



Buy a single shot H&R, NEF, Rossi, or Remingtion 'Spartan International' break-open rifle



http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/13126

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/41856

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/20739

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/55048





If you can scrape together a few more dollars, you can get the bottom rung of bolt action rifle, which are really pretty solid guns



Stevens IMHO is a real good buy for the money

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/14605

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/57451



There are pre-scoped options, but the scope is pretty cheap, If your budget is tight it might be okay for a year or so, then after that plan on upgrading to a $100 scope, if not a $200 scope.



Yes, it is quite reasonable to put a $200 scope on a $300 rifle.





Remington 715 and 770 are okay, but if oyu come across a Remington 710, RUN AWAY. I think the Remington 770 is superior to the 715, but so far I have only seen them packaged with a scope. Same as above, the packaged scope is pretty darn cheap, don't expect it to last more than one season.



http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/41972

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/42071





The last two to consider as low budget rifles are the Marlin X and the Mossberg 100

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/57399

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/43850



They too have 'scope included' packages.





The 243 is a wise caliber choice

Answer 3

As mentioned, you need to have a receiver for a rifle to work and you need to be a gunsmith or have a license to manufacture a gun (in the U.S.)There are some rifles at the $250-$300 range--not great guns but will be quite usable. The Stevens Model 200 (built by Savage)normally runs at $300 and you can find some with iron (open) sites that are still drilled and tapped for scope mounts too. The Marlin XL 7 is similarly priced. Either one is a decent entry level new gun. The Mossberg ATR and sometimes the Remington 770s are that price and less,but I don't like either--poor fit and finish,bolt cycling is awful,and they retain zero value--but they can put a bullet where you need to. I have an H&R / New England Firearm Handi-Rifle in 243 I paid less than $200 for new. It is a single shot break action,not a tack driver but I would trust it with deer hunting to 200 plus yards easily,but not much farther,at least in 243. Even with a 100 grain bonded core bullet, the 243 is a small projectile,so you need to be aware of shot placement and penetration potential. With an accurate bolt action 300 yards is within reason,again with good shot placement. the 243 is capable of longer shots,but you have to be a very good shot and it would need to be a near perfect presentation. If you are in an area of larger deer or if you intend to hunt bear or other game,then 243 might be a bit small.

I actually prefer 270 or 7mm-08 as a deer cartridge,more mass on target for better penetration and bullet terminal performance(more margin of error as it were). I have a 30-06 for deer and elk hunting because the terrain and game demand something capable of long shots on large animals. Caliber normally doesn't impact the cost of rifles except in Magnum cartridges--but some places do sell specific calibers at great prices now and then. I almost bought a Browning A-Bolt Medallion for $525,but it was a 25 WSSM ,not a common cartridge and with no real advantages over a 25-06.

Answer 4

Short answer, no.



The gun companies have gotten good at putting things together cheap. Most of the time when you see "parts" for sale they are of a higher grade than you will get when you buy a ready made gun. Many times a barrel for a popular little 22 will cost more than you can buy a whole new gun for.



If you can go a little over $275 look in to a stevens, mossberg, or savage bolt gun. If that's tops and you want bolt, go to the used end. While around here you will not always find a 243, pawn shops have a fair selection of rifles.



http://www.whittakerguns.com/ Here is a link to a local gun shop here that has a good selection of used rifles to get a good idea on going prices.



Also you don't have to have a bolt gun. One shot from a 243 should be enough if you practice. There is always this option.



http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Rifles/youth.asp



I bought one of these in 223 back in the spring for $239 plus tax new, even with the cheap o scope on it it is a pretty good truck gun.



Dave

Answer 5

Computers are pretty unique in that you can buy the parts and build them cheaper than ones already put together. Most computer parts are interchangeable between brands. Rifles are more proprietary. About the only .243 you could have a chance of building for less than the cost of the rifle, would be an AR-10 type in .243. I just purchased a DPMS LR-243 for my son. It was $1101.82 delivered and transferred. I seriously doubt that we could build one for that price. I have used 100 gr Remington .243 ammo for years on deer without a problem. It will be tough to find a rifle in your price range in .243. One option would be a single shot H&R. I think they are $250 or so new. That is without sights or scope.

Answer 6

$275 might buy you the hand tools to make (assemble) your own rifle but not even come close to buying the parts. A good action will run almost $200 and a barrel another $250. Then you will need sights or scope mounts and rings. And of course the scope itself another $150 to $200. The stock will set you back another $200 for a cheap one or a poly one. You get the picture. Look around at gun stores or pawn shops for a used rifle. And while you are at it go up to a .308, 7-08 or a .270 rifle. They will be more versatile and let you hunt more different game.

Answer 7

1.A computer can't blow up and injure you if you get it wrong.

2. Building a rifle will take at least some precision machine work

which requires tools and training which you probably don't have.

(Even fitting a barrel to an action is a precision exercise, and while

a good, trained, amateur can do it safely, the result isn't likely to be

as accurate as an inexpensive 'out of the box' bolt gun.)

3. A 243, even with 100 Gr. premium loads is just a bit on the light side

for deer. OK for 'open range', not advisable in 'brush'.



At $275 dollars, don't restrict yourself to .243,

and look at the 'used' rack.

You'll probably be able to find something suitable.

Answer 8

Ebay doesn't accept firearms-related transactions, so forget that route.



When making a gun from parts, at some point you will need to get a receiver to hold the action. This will have a serial number, and you will need to go through a licensed dealer to get it. If you know your way around machine tools, you may be able to make one.



You'd be better served by buying a complete rifle. That's not a bad choice of caliber. However, if you want to stay under $275.00, you may need to revise your criteria. You can pick up Mosin-Nagant rifles for half that price or less in many sporting goods stores, and have money left over for plenty of practice and hunting ammo. By most accounts, these rifles are nuke-proof.

Answer 9

I doubt you could build a real accurate rifle. Get a Remington 700 in .270 for deer hunting, the .243 is on the lite side for anything bigger than a prong horn antelope. Something you didn't mention is the scope you will be mounting on your rifle. What ever you do don't skimp on your optics, you will regret not paying a little more in the long run.

Answer 10

* No, just buy yourself a Good Used one.* Remington or Savage Brand in a bolt action.* A New Rifle does not shoot any better than a Good Used one.* Buy Used and save $$$$.* I have a Model 700 ADL Remington in 243 winchester. Great Rifle and caliber.*

Answer 11

It's not impossible to build a rifle that way. It would be rare to do it on a budget. Your best bet would be to cruise the pawn shops for a decent used Remington 700. That is the rifle that has the most custom parts available.

Answer 12

finding a barreled action, stock, scope and mount or sights... plus getting a action vise, files, brass hammers.... get the idea?



other than the AR 15 ...building most sporting rifles isnt a "build the puzzle" proposition.



You can buy a nice bolt action rifle for $400 bucks or more... an that rifle will be worth what you paid for years later... guns are an investment.

Answer 13

Unless you can machine a barrel blank and carve a stock and do all the other gunsmithing stuff it won't be cheaper. The reason people build their own guns is for the experience or because they want something special. Look for a good used piece.

Answer 14

Cheap nerd, just pick up a weatherby for 400$. Why 275$? Why not 401$? Walmart has the CHEAPEST rifles- about 350$ish.

Answer 15

just go buy a complete rifle

Answer 16

buy a used one....putting one together would most likely cost as much or more than a new one