.243 inconsistent accuracy reports. Is there anything I can look for?

[stewmagoo]

Since I just purchased a youth compact, I want to buy another one for adults.  The question I have is that I have always read and heard of the inconsistent accuracy of the .243s.  Is there anything I can look for?  Is there any block of years?  20''vs 22''vs 24''?
I really want an ejector vs extractor.  I am definately looking for a used one.  One other thing would it be better for me to purchase a SB2 receiver and just send it to H&R and have a new barrel fitted to my rifle instead?
Thanks!
 

[Deerhunter#1]

Well if you really want an ejector sending in is only getting you an extractor. Many have conquered the 243barrel but not me. I have had 4 of them two fluted one standard and one standard ejector. I primarily wanted it for deer so i wanted and tried 95 and various 100grainothers bullets with 4the different powders. Best i could get was 21/2 100yard groups with teloads of factory ammo. I have my 25-06 and am getting great results with 115grainthat nbt and h4895 at a velocity of 2650. The high bc gives it better numbers than the 243 with a heavier bullet and less muzzle jump and recoil.

[bucco921]

You just sold a good one . Most negative complaints come from the super light barrel but that hasnt been my experience, mine shoots real nice as long as I dont clean the bore too much.

[cjrjck]

I have had several myself. The rate of twist tends to favor lighter bullets. 80 to 85 grain max though some here have had success with heavier bullets. Since I want a .243 for deer and hogs, the only bullets in the mid range (80 to 85 grains) that I personally would trust to hold together are the all copper or the Nosler Partition. Thus that may explain why the accurate .243 Handi has eluded me so far. Another hurdle to overcome is the long throats these rifles have. If your rifle/bullet combo likes the bullets close to the lands, good luck with that. I will find one eventually. I imagine that if I was just looking for good accuracy, some of the lighter varmint and target bullets would suffice. I haven't met many Handi rifles that couldn't be conquered accuracy wise.

[stewmagoo]

You just sold a good one . Most negative complaints come from the super light barrel but that hasnt been my experience, mine shoots real nice as long as I dont clean the bore too much.

Oh trust me bucco, hindsight, you know the rest of the story.  That one financed the superlight I just received.  Plus I am wanting to make a synthetic/blued combination for the mountains.  Really didn't want the heavier laminate wood.  It seems the .243 is the most plentiful out there for the reasons as folks are stating.  I really think the superlight is going to be a shooter...as soon as it ever quits snowing.  LOL

[stewmagoo]

I have had several myself. The rate of twist tends to favor lighter bullets. 80 to 85 grain max though some here have had success with heavier bullets. Since I want a .243 for deer and hogs, the only bullets in the mid range (80 to 85 grains) that I personally would trust to hold together are the all copper or the Nosler Partition. Thus that may explain why the accurate .243 Handi has eluded me so far. Another hurdle to overcome is the long throats these rifles have. If your rifle/bullet combo likes the bullets close to the lands, good luck with that. I will find one eventually. I imagine that if I was just looking for good accuracy, some of the lighter varmint and target bullets would suffice. I haven't met many Handi rifles that couldn't be conquered accuracy wise.

The reloads that we are working with a Sierra Game King 80gr BTHP.  I am getting ready to make some Sierra 70gr flat tipped varminters as well.  It just seems that there are so many factors with accuracy of these Handi's.  Either its the barrel, or the forearm, or the headspace.  Lol.   I guess I will have to pick up one "right" and try it out.

[stewmagoo]

Well if you really want an ejector sending in is only getting you an extractor. Many have conquered the 243barrel but not me. I have had 4 of them two fluted one standard and one standard ejector. I primarily wanted it for deer so i wanted and tried 95 and various 100grainothers bullets with 4the different powders. Best i could get was 21/2 100yard groups with teloads of factory ammo. I have my 25-06 and am getting great results with 115grainthat nbt and h4895 at a velocity of 2650. The high bc gives it better numbers than the 243 with a heavier bullet and less muzzle jump and recoil.

So if I send in a receiver to H&R for an accessory 22'' barrel upgrade that those barrels are extractor only? Ugh.  I too am wanting it for deer.  Now my Encore is a 25-06 and have had great success with it with factory 100 grainers.  Maybe I can find a shooter .243 with a little tweaking.

[gendoc]

2 very most important things you need to get.......
 
#1- infared temperture indicator (heat gun)
 
#2- a good quality  stop-watch.
 
superlight barrels get hot quick and distort your poa vs poi, causing inconsistency.
 
infared til back to ambient and use stop-watch to time yur wait.
 
be patient. these are not target shooters, but they can be excellent 1st shot hunting rifles as
all of our many superlights are.........................

[petemi]

I got my Superlight .243 late last Fall and it has only been shot in cold weather.  Sighting in, I fired rounds a minute or two apart; taking time only to check the target, reload, reposition and shoot again.  I had no deviation in accuracy.  In fact, it improved as the rifle fouled.  I'm thinking the heat problem is not as bad for us Damned Yankees as it is for the Johnny Rebs.  Where I am, we have eight months of winter and three months of rough sledding.  Summer, this year, is scheduled for July 31st from ten til two

Pete

[stewmagoo]

There may be some misreading of my info here.  I am wanting to gain another .243 for daddy (me),  more of a 22" range.  I am really understanding the superlight not being a range rifle, but will that go the same for the adult full size ones as well? 

[gcrank1]

Every new gun (whether new or used) is a 'cat in a bag' until you trial it out. Nobody else's gun or experience is going to be yours (shame, but true) so get what you think you want and give it a go, it just might be magic in your hands  .

[petemi]

As gcrank1 said.  Get it shoot it and see what happens.  I've had perhaps 25 or 30 handis.  Only one gave me accuracy problems and Brian56 fixed that.  Before you wrinkle your knickers, get it, shoot it, and go from there.  Don't put the cart before the horse.  You're worrying about something that may never happen......Hmmmm.....seems I have a wife that does that too.

Pete

[quickdtoo]

I have four H&R 243s, 2 Superlights, and two Ultra Varmints, they all shoot good with their favored ammo, as everyone mentioned, keep the Superlight barrels cool and they'll shoot good for ya, Handis like fouled bores, so if you clean em, expect accuracy to go south until they're fouled again, that's why I always hunt with a fouled bore, never a clean bore if I can help it. 

Tim

[gcrank1]

Oh bore, SO foul,
thou treatest me well
..........(sorry..... , poetry attack.....)

[petemi]

Tim, I hate to sound ignorant.....but.....what's a clean bore?  That's gotta be something you can see through.    Hoppes doesn't know I exist.  Very seriously, I clean nothing until I can see a reason for it... Excessive foulding, rust, crud, etc.  If I shoot cast and think there's some lead in there, I poke a few jacketed through it and put it away.  All of mine shoot well.  None are rotting off the rack.  They all shoot better fouled.  They're also in a dry environment and get shot regularly.

Pete

[Oldshooter]

There may be some misreading of my info here.  I am wanting to gain another .243 for daddy (me),  more of a 22" range.  I am really understanding the superlight not being a range rifle, but will that go the same for the adult full size ones as well?

In a word,  yep! Now there are some good hands around here that can fix em but unless you do the work and do it well , from my experience they just anoint paper punchers. That being said they will make excellent deer rifles.

[stewmagoo]

Every new gun (whether new or used) is a 'cat in a bag' until you trial it out. Nobody else's gun or experience is going to be yours (shame, but true) so get what you think you want and give it a go, it just might be magic in your hands  .
[/quote
You call it a "cat in a bag",  we call it here in West By GOD Virginia as a "pig in a poke". LOL     Is this the reason that people just don't take the interest into these rifles is that the inconsistency on accuracy or workmanship?  I really am learning these jewels, but I just hate spending money for a non shooter and then it requires busting it up and starting over.  I guess just start buying them and taking a chance.