Remington 700 .243 — Should I Change It or Leave It Alone?

This Remington 700 .243 has been with me for over 30 years. It's the rifle I used to shoot my first deer, and after spending years chasing modern rifles, optics, and precision shooting, I decided it was time to pull it out of the safe and see how it still performs today. But this isn't really a rifle review or a rifle modification video. It's a story about the connection many hunters have with their first deer rifle. It's about nostalgia, memories, tradition, and the question of what happens when something that meant everything to us years ago no longer fits the way we hunt and shoot today. At what point does preserving something become letting it sit unused? And at what point does changing something risk losing what made it special in the first place? This video is the beginning of that journey. What would you do? Leave it alone or modernize it? --- ACCURACY RESULTS Federal Fusion 95gr — 0.75" @ 2808 fps Hornady Precision Hunter 90gr — 1.15" @ 3023 fps Federal Premium Sierra GameKing 100gr — 1.08" @ 2884 fps Hornady Whitetail 95gr SST — 1.27" @ 2746 fps Remington Core-Lokt 100gr — 1.51" @ 2827 fps Winchester Deer Season XP 95gr — 1.63" @ 2937 fps Nosler Ballistic Tip Handload 95gr (Loaded in 1993) — 1.18" @ 2653 fps Average group sizes shown. Several loads displayed significant variation between groups, which is discussed in the video. --- GEAR USED IN THIS VIDEO (Some links may be affiliate links that earn me a small commission and help grow the channel. Thank you for the support): Athlon Rangecraft Velocity Pro Chronograph https://amzn.to/4u94LZg Harris Bipod https://amzn.to/3PU0mLv LimbSaver Slip-On Recoil Pad (to increase LOP) https://amzn.to/49wtr6u --- Honest, real-world gear reviews for hunters and shooters. On this channel we test optics, rifles, accessories, and other gear to see what’s actually worth your money. Business inquiries: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) -----------GEAR I RECOMMEND----------- These are products I personally use, have tested, or would recommend based on my experience. Some links may be affiliate links that earn me a small commission and help support the channel. Thank you for the support. ---- OPTICS ---- Nightforce NX8 4-32x50 https://amzn.to/43IyWvj Arken Optics https://www.arkenopticsusa.com/ Use Code: GEARDUDE for 20% off eligible products CVLIFE Optics & Accessories (CVLIFE EagleBlaze 5-30x56 FFP reviewed on the channel) https://www.cvlife.com/?ref=GEARDUDE Use Code: GEARDUDE10 for 10% off eligible products ---- RANGE & SHOOTING ---- Athlon Rangecraft Velocity Pro Chronograph https://amzn.to/4u94LZg Harris Bipod https://amzn.to/3PU0mLv DRC Fortune Cookie Shooting Bag https://amzn.to/3Rtqq0J ---- MOUNTING & SETUP ---- Leupold Backcountry Picatinny Rail https://amzn.to/4nVvqXM Vortex Precision Match Rings https://amzn.to/4u13q6v Warne Skyline Scope Mount https://amzn.to/3Qb43N5 Fix It Sticks https://amzn.to/3RGGADS Wheeler Scope Leveling Kit https://amzn.to/4wPm18i Wheeler FAT Wrench https://amzn.to/4x0xUs0