Description
The Howa Fence Line 243 Win Scorched Earth is a .243 Winchester bolt action rifle with a 22-inch threaded barrel, a Scorched Earth camo synthetic stock and 5-round capacity. It’s priced at $626 and in stock now. Most buyers pick it for deer, pronghorn and varmints.
What you get with the Howa Fence Line 243 Win Scorched Earth
The Fence Line series is the Howa 1500 dressed for the field. The barreled action gets a Cerakote finish, the synthetic stock comes in camo, and the threaded barrel ships with a muzzle brake.
Howa Machinery has built the 1500 action in Japan since 1979. It uses a one-piece bolt with two locking lugs and a 90-degree lift, plus a three-position safety. The middle position lets you cycle the bolt and unload with the safety on.
The HACT (Howa Actuator Controlled Trigger) is a two-stage trigger. There’s a light take-up stage, then a crisp break, which makes it easier to shoot well from field positions. The muzzle is threaded 1/2×28, so you can fit a brake, flash hider or suppressor where your state allows it. It ships with a muzzle brake installed, which noticeably cuts felt recoil and muzzle rise.
Why .243 Winchester?
Winchester introduced the .243 in 1955 by necking the .308 case down to 6mm. It’s been a favorite first deer rifle ever since. It covers two jobs well: varmints with light bullets and deer or pronghorn with 90 to 100 grain bullets. Recoil is mild enough for younger and smaller-framed shooters.
Common loads run from 55 grain varmint bullets to 100 grain hunting bullets. A 1:10 twist is the traditional rate and handles that full range of factory ammo. For chamber and pressure specs, see the SAAMI centerfire rifle standard, or read the history of the .243 Winchester.
Howa Fence Line 243 Win Scorched Earth specifications
- Model: Howa Fence Line
- Caliber: .243 Winchester
- Barrel length: 22 inches
- Muzzle: threaded 1/2×28
- Twist rate: 1:10
- Stock: Scorched Earth camo synthetic stock
- Magazine capacity: 5 rounds
- Overall length: 45.25 inches
- Trigger: HACT two-stage
- Safety: three-position
- Muzzle device: muzzle brake
- Barreled action finish: Flat Dark Earth Cerakote
- Sights: none, drilled and tapped for scope mounts
- Price: $626
Who this rifle is for
If your rifle rides in a truck, gets rained on and leans against fence posts, the Cerakote and camo stock are made for that life.
Best .243 Winchester loads for this rifle
Try a few factory loads before you settle on one. Barrels have preferences, and a 20-minute test at the range tells you which load to buy in bulk. For hunting, use a bullet built for the game you’re after, and save the cheap full metal jacket ammo for practice.
Hunting rules are set state by state. Start at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hunting page for federal lands, then check your state agency for seasons and caliber limits.
Getting it zeroed
Set up at 25 yards first so your first shots land on paper. Then move back to 100 yards and adjust in small steps, firing three-shot groups and letting the barrel cool between them. Once you’re zeroed, shoot from sitting and kneeling too, since that’s how most field shots happen.
How the Howa Fence Line 243 Win Scorched Earth compares
Here’s how it stacks up against similar rifles we carry:
- Howa Fence Line 243 Win Prairie Reaper: a Prairie Reaper finish, $626
- Howa Fence Line 6mm ARC 20 Inch Scorched: chambered in 6mm ARC and a 20-inch barrel, $627
- Howa Fence Line 350 Legend Prairie Reaper: chambered in .350 Legend, a 16.25-inch barrel and a Prairie Reaper finish, $627
- Howa Fence Line 350 Legend Scorched Earth: chambered in .350 Legend and a 16.25-inch barrel, $627
You can also browse all Howa 1500 Fence Line Rifles and Howa 243 Win Rifles, or see every Howa bolt action rifle we stock.
Care and storage
Wipe down the Howa Fence Line 243 Win Scorched Earth after every outing, more so after rain. A safe or cabinet with a dehumidifier keeps rust away, and a quick check of the action screws each season keeps your zero where you left it.
Shipping to your FFL dealer
Rifles can’t ship straight to your door. When you order the Howa Fence Line 243 Win Scorched Earth, we ship it to a federally licensed (FFL) dealer near you. You fill out ATF Form 4473 there, pass the background check and take it home. For the federal side, see the ATF firearms Q&A. Your state may add its own rules, so look those up too.
Howa Fence Line 243 Win Scorched Earth questions
What caliber is the Howa Fence Line 243 Win Scorched Earth?
It’s chambered in .243 Winchester with a 1:10 twist.
How many rounds does it hold?
It holds 5 rounds in the magazine, plus one in the chamber.
Does it come with a scope?
No. It’s drilled and tapped, so you can mount the scope and rings you prefer.
Is the barrel threaded?
Yes. The thread pitch is 1/2×28.
Get the Howa Fence Line 243 Win Scorched Earth while it’s in stock
The Howa Fence Line 243 Win Scorched Earth is in stock at $626. Add it to your cart, choose your FFL dealer at checkout and we’ll get it moving. Questions about fit, caliber or ammo? Contact us and we’ll help you pick.
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