.243 Handi or Ultra Varmint

[tmak]

Hello,
I am new to this forum and a huge fan of the H&R1871 product. I own a .50 Sidekick and other than the telescoping ramrod, I love this gun.

I have been trying to find a caliber that is good for all round hunting of game no smaller than coyotes and no larger than white-tail deer. I have a real desire to try my hand at some coyote hunting but want to keep things simple and try to keep the number of firearms I own down to just a few. I think I have decided on the .243 Win.

My understanding is that the .243 has better performance out of a 24" barrel. I can very easily purchase a .243 Handi-Rifle with a 22" barrel. Should I hold out for the Ultra Varmint with the 24" heavy barrel?

Thanks,
Tom
Tyler, Texas

[ncpreacherboy1]

if you want something good for coyote up to deer, get a 25-06. i just bought my first handi. a ultra in 25-06. the 25-06 also comes with a 26" barrel.

[dk17hmr]

I bought an Ultra Barrel for my Handi a few months ago.  Basically all I have done was put and O-ring on it and sighted it in with Federal 100gr Factory ammo.  I have a 4-12x scope mounted on it and it shoots right in at 1" with factory ammo at 100 yards.  Undoubtable it will get better once I start shooting reloads.  I dont have any hunting time in yet with my 243 but I am going to use it this year.

Longer barrels are a plus for velocity and with the NEF style gun it is about the same lenght as a bolt action with a 22" barrel.

I have to agree with ncpreacherboy1 about the 25-06, its a 400 yard gun on deer and with the right bullet your not gunna ruin a pelt to bad on a yote.  I have a Custom Remington 700 in 25-06 and have taken deer at close to 300 yards (279yds to be exact) with a dead on hold, zeroed at 100 yards, she went down right when it hit her.

DK

[tmak]

My father in-law gave me a Rem 700 25-06 Improved. I love this gun and I have shot 2 dear with it and the last buck was at 275+ yards. But since I moved to Tyler, I can't get the hand loads any more and I don't have the money, time, or skill to do it myself. I only have that rifle, an 870 12 ga., a Glock 27, and my Sidekick. So, I thought the .243 would be a good choice because of the availability of ammo and the good reports I have read using it to hunt varmints and deer.

But my question still stands. I can go and buy a .243 Handi off the shelf, or is the Ultra with the 24" heavy barrel so much better?

[darat100]

I had a standard handi in 243 that was extremely accurate with factory ammo.  I only traded it because I wanted something with a little more punch.  I can't speak for the ultra varmint, but unless you are really in love with the look of the varmint (which I love by the way), the standard would do fine if it was me. 

I have to throw in my two cents here.  I love my 25-06.  I wouldn't part with it for any reason.  Like it was said earlier, you can load it down, even buy factory ammo with small enough bullets not to do too much damage, and wow, what a tack driver.  I haven't done a single thing to mine and it is wicked accurate.  I have been looking for another 25 barrel for my dad.  If I had the ability to buy either, it would definately be the 25-06 for 1 all around gun.

Good luck and enjoy.  They will both work great.

[myarmor]

I haven't owned a 243 in an "Ultra" Config, with the 24" Bull Barrel. But I know of a few members here that have made theirs into incredible shooters, Mac and Mitchell worked on one, and it's awesome from all I have read. So I will let somone that owns/shoots one of those talk.
However I do shoot a Standard config 243, and am more than pleased with it. 3/4 to 1" are the normal with Federal Power-Shocks. And Handloads are getting better for it too. For what game and hunting you describe, I believe the 22" Standard would suit you nicely.
My reasoning is simple, try it out. If you don't like it or decide you want to step up to the 24" BB then put your barrel up for sale or trade here in the NEF/H&R Classifieds. Barrels are always in demand.
-Aaron

[Mac11700]

Yup....the one I sold to mitchell he is  getting  sub-1/4" groups with the 55 grainers...and I got sub moa groups with the heavier bullets consistanly...It's an awsome barrel..

Mac

[PartsMan]

I am not expert so you should ask a good gunsmith first
but some ackley improved guns can shoot factory 25-06 ammo.

I also have the 26" 25-06 mine shoots 3/4" at 100.
A real $200 400yd deer rifle.

on the 243 if you plan on carrying the gun all day and shooting a little
get the regular barrel or even super light.
But if you like to sit and shoot a lot get the heavy 22" or 24" HEAVY.
Most handis don't shoot as good with a hot barrel
but almost all will shot two or three shots right ware you need for hunting.

[tmak]

Thanks for all the imput. I just got word that I have some hand loads for my 25-06 on the way. Since I'll have a rifle ready for opening day, I'm going to hold out for the Ultra.

Thanks again

Tom
Tyler, Texas