.243 caliber 10 - 12" barrel--any encores using it?

[mikemayberry]

I have considered and reconsidered the ongoing question of which handgun barrel to purchase first.  Seems like the Encore SS might work well with a 10 or 12 inch barrel.  Lots of factory load choices and easy to carry if it will shoot where I want it to without excessive recoil . . .

I guess that is what I want to know--do any of you shoot the .243 for coyotes, hogs, deer, etc. and is that barrel length too short to be manageable? Since I will probably order from the custom shop, I can choose any length but was sorta favoring a 10-12 inch heavy or bull barrel.  Distance needs for my shots will range from 20 yards to 150 yards 99 percent of the time with most being well under 100 yards.

Don't want to do this if it is a bad choice.  I would appreciate your thoughts and counsel on this, so let me hear from you.

Thanks,

Mike

[mikemayberry]

What I am really asking here is whether this barrel is long enough to be accurate in the .243 and whether the recoil is managable for a beginner.  Would REALLY appreciate your thoughts!

mike

[mikemayberry]

Thanks Chris, I was just thinking portability.  Others will probably agree with you and I will end up with a longer choice.

[Big Gun]

I got on the portablity idea a few months ago and ended up picking up a 12 inch blued 7-08 factory barrel - I have not yet put a scope on it and shot it, but think it would fit the bill of what you are looking for.  Flexible and portable - with the advantage of being a factory barrel, I have seen them on Ebay for around $175 new - since they are discontinued and have been for a year or so.

[mikemayberry]

Let me know how it shoots when you shoot it.  Contender right?  I have an Encore.  Would everyone say they shoot the same with equal barrels in caliber and length or is there a general opinion that they will handle noticably differently?

mike

[Graybeard]

I think you will regret trying to burn that much powder in that short a barrel. Let me toss another idea your way. Why not a TCU round? If hogs and deer are on the agenda maybe the 6.5 TCU or alternately if you're using an Encore anyway maybe a BR or PPC case in either 6MM or 6.5MM. I think you'd be better served with either of those choices in that short a barrel. Less blast, better efficiency and about the same velocity.

GB

[mikemayberry]

Graybeard,

A friend of mine yesterday made a similar suggestion for the 6.5 TCU.  I was just unfamiliar with the caliber but will now plan to check it out.  Do you have trouble finding a variety of bullet options and if not, what is your favored weight?

Thanks,


Mike

[Wildwilly]

I saw an auction for a 6.5 TCU and a 7 TCU just yesterday.  They are still open at this time.

[Graybeard]

There are plenty of 6.5 mm bullets from about 85 grains up to at least 160 grains and no shortage of load data available for th 6.5 TCU. Should be an excellent choice for what you are wanting to do.

GB