Author Topic: thoughts on .243? (Read 1107 times)

MSP Ret · « **on:** December 23, 2006, 10:32:45 AM »

Hi guys, seeing the post below got me to thinking, what do the majority of members here think about the .243 in a Handi? I don't think it's a bad round it's just that I have never felt the need for one, between my .223's, 7x57, .280, and 30-06 I do not have a need for one, BUT I don't have one and was considering attempting to get one. I do remember seeing here that the .243 was one of the "problematic" calibers in the Handi's although I also remember a few individuals speaking of how great thiers were. Perhaps similar to the .223's it was just the superlights that were the problems. So, what are your thoughts? Generally are they any good? How do they rank in Handi's as reliability and accuracy goes?....<><....

poncaguy · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2006, 10:52:16 AM »

I have 2, the nickle plated 243 and a bull barrel 243. The bull barrel has always shot MOA, and the lighter 243, which I really enjoy hunting with is down to 1 1/4" groups and improving the more I shoot it. Started out over 2" groups.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2006, 11:00:21 AM »

Andy:

I know how much you hate lugging a bull barrel around with ya up there in the bogs & swamps...but if I was ever going to get either a 243 or a 308...it would have to be in the bull barrel...I've had both..and they are great shooters...Over what you have...unless you just wanted one...I wouldn't really see the need either...but..having one fills the void a little for us Handi-holics

Mac

Trapper-Jack · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2006, 11:06:56 AM »

I've got one with the regular barrel. As far as problems, the only thing I can think of is I need to keep an eye on the length of the brass after it has been loaded a couple of times. It tends to stretch and won't eject relieabley. When I trim them to specification length, I don't have a problem. I've also polished the chamber a little.

As far as accuracy of the round, I've only used two different powders. IMR 4064 and IMR 4350. The 4064 will work fine with the lighter bullets about 1 MOA with the 65 grainers, but the sweet spot is kind of narrow. I never got any good results with heavier bullets. The finickey results I believe are inhearant to the cartridge and not the rifle.
The heavier bulllets, 85 grainers, got good results with 4350. The only things besides paper that I have shot with the rifle has been a few coyotes, and it did the job without any problems. I've really enjoyed the little rifle and hope it helps you make up your mind.

Jack

MSP Ret · « **Reply #4 on:** December 23, 2006, 12:33:26 PM »

Thanks for your input guys, it does help, a lot!!!....<><....

millwright · « **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2006, 01:34:09 PM »

I have a 243 handi and I load it with 85 gr sierra bthp and 4350 powder. It works for me.

safetysheriff · « **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2006, 03:29:33 PM »

MSP'

i suspect that the .243 is somewhat problematic not only because of the projectiles that fail quite often in this caliber.......opening up too soon or not opening up at all.........but also the ignition of the powders used in this round.

i think that if shooting a lighter bullet i this caliber, perhaps all the way up to 85 or 90grs' then the powders to use are those that are quicker than imr-4350, with imr-4064 possibly being an answer with some bullets. i'd actually try BL-C(2) with some of the lighter bullets. i think the heavier bullets help with getting the slower powders properly ignited in this seriously over-bore cartridge. some will deny it, but i see it in print and on the 'competition' forums too often where people find throat erosion to hasten the end of accuracy in the .243!

FWIW: in "Cartridges of the World", 10th Edition, on page 25 the editor makes a note about ballisticians finding erratic ballistics with the .243. i'm thinking that it's the ignition problem as i've said above. with 'ball' or sperical powders i'd use Winchester's Large Rifle primers.....not any of the standard CCI-type, for example.

take care,

ss'

Datil · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2006, 04:31:56 PM »

I think 243 is a great for texas white tails, mine is 1/4 to 1/2 incher
neck shots does trick marv.

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 23, 2006, 05:03:41 PM »

I'm about to find out if i like the 243 , i have a superlite barrel coming , so we'll see . am planning to use it for my sisters kids with some of the H4895 reduced loads for them .

stimpy

db22 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 24, 2006, 03:48:32 AM »

I hope it isn't incorrect to say so here, but I have a .243 bull barrel for sale on the trading page here. I'd love to try it out, but I'm selling it new to finance the purchase of another caliber.

I have a friend back in Texas who swears by his Savage .243 bolt-action. He took a nice buck in the Piney Woods with it this fall. There was an article in the Rifleman years ago that pitted a .243 against a .44 Magnum shooting through a screen of obstacles designed to imitate thick brush. The long 100-grain .243 slug did as well as the standard 240-grain .44. I guess it depends on the rifling twist -- spin a long bullet fast enough, and it'll get through most brush short of a tree trunk.

Dave

nea243 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 24, 2006, 05:44:38 AM »

i bought one around 2001 that was before i found GBO and knowed anything about cleaning and other handi tricks. installed a scope it shoots 3/4 to 1'' groups at a 100 yds using fed. power shok 100gr. have taken a nice 8pt and a nice 9pt buck with it over the years. never had any problems. i also have a 223 and a 30-30 handis of course

the 243 fills in the gap.

steve

MSP Ret · « **Reply #11 on:** December 24, 2006, 07:16:35 AM »

Well even with the references to some innate problems with the .243 I think I may go for one. I don't have one is another reason, and Marv's (Datil) reference to neck shots really struck home since they are my preferred shots on whitetails, also his mention of Texas got me to thinking of a great longbow hunting trip I had there years ago, I have always wanted to go back.
I have searched the classifieds and found an older posting regarding a .243 for trade for a larger caliber and have posted to it, I will also send the member a PM in hopes of making the swap. I do know that if he was looking for a larger caliber this 26" .280 Remington barrel is just what he needs....The .280 in a Handi is about all the gun you really need if you reload....
Merry CHRISTmas to all and to all my best wishes....<><....

youngbdv · « **Reply #12 on:** December 24, 2006, 09:44:20 AM »

You might do a Goggle search for Ultimate deer rifles , lots of info . We've had good results with 243 Federal 85 Grain bthp premium ammo. for whitetail.

handirifle · « **Reply #13 on:** December 24, 2006, 11:38:46 AM »

MSP
One thing to add, here that hasn't been mentioned. The 243 would be a great addition to your 223 as a varmint round also. It will REALLY extend the reach, with little recoil. If you're not after fur, the 243 and the Sierra 85gr BTHP will smack em down well past 500yds. There is very little "running away after the shot" with that caliber and bullet combo.

The 243 barrel I tried on my handy was a std barrel, and I gave up on trying to make it accurate.

Stan in SC · « **Reply #14 on:** December 24, 2006, 12:11:15 PM »

There are those who have had great success with the .243.Five years ago I saw the ultra lite .243 advertised and fell in love with the looks of it. Triedfor five years to make it shoot accurately.
I did manage to kill one deer with it.But this year I gave up and sold it.I'll just stick with the buffalo classic for deer along with my Remington Model 7 in .308 and the custom .303 British.
Maybe the regular barrel in .243 is different.

Stan

MSP Ret · « **Reply #15 on:** December 24, 2006, 01:02:20 PM »

There seems to be an uncurrent here that on the average the ultralight barrels are not all that accurate (in any caliber) and in the .243 the standard contour also leaves a bit to be desired but the Bull Barrel may be a better choice. I normally try to stay away from the problem calibers and configuations in the Handis but since I have an extra 26" .280 barrel to trade away I am considereing a .243, now most likely only in a bull barrel though....<><....

cbourbeau32 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 24, 2006, 05:09:00 PM »

My second Handi was a 243 bull barrel which shot just over MOA right out of the box and continues to do so. I have taken 5 or 6 whitetails with it. I couldn't reccommend it highly enough. Charlie

Mac11700 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 24, 2006, 06:27:22 PM »

Go for the Bull Barrel Andy...Mine was awesome with the 95 grainers...and the 55 grainers for mitchell...I just didn't think you liked the heavy barrels...

Mac

georgeld · « **Reply #18 on:** December 24, 2006, 09:47:31 PM »

My only exp with .243 is with a M 700. Can't say what the twist is.

But, it's a one holer with 100gr. and nearly so with 60s.

Only killed two animals with it so far, but, it's my antelope gun out here in CO.

Killed a nice buck three yrs ago at +_90yds. Too close to tell much about it.
But, was done at the shot, but, again, hit the spine thru the shoulders. I was kneeling thru
a fence afraid he'd spook so didn't want to lay down, or lean against the post. I wasn't very
steady and just fired when it looked right.

The other was a coyote at 75yds with the 60gr. Hit at the base of the neck sideways.
Made two piece's of that one. head and body separated. Pelt wasn't much good.

My belief on accuaracy is: get a bunch of bullets of different makes of the wt you want to use and
sort them. same load, different bullet, five shot groups. Compare the size of the group.

Do the same thing with each wt bullets you want to shoot.
Main thing, measure the twist of that bore. IF you can't find a chart anywhere, call or e/mail any of
the barrel makers and tell them what twist you have, and what bullet you'd like to shoot in it and they'll tell you whether that twist will shoot that weight or not. If not, they'll suggest what wt bullets
that twist should shoot best.

Wish you well,

George

kennyd · « **Reply #19 on:** December 25, 2006, 03:12:53 AM »

First Handi I found was a .243 (regular) with Bushnell 3-9. Did some horse trading and took it home. Used it for antelope with good results. Brother now has it and used it for lopes this year. Good flat shooting, accurate enough, and really pleasant to use. We took it elk hunting, too, with premium shells, but decided it would be a better fall back gun. Am considering getting a bull put on the .45-70, that would be a good combo--different uses, same frame.

safetysheriff · « **Reply #20 on:** December 25, 2006, 04:07:02 AM »

we assembled some Very Accurate loads for my buddy's Model 700 in .243 Winchester. we used 100 gr' sierra boattails and both H-414 and Accurate's XMR-4350. i've never seen any other caliber heat up a barrel as quickly as that .243 did with an ADL synthetic of standard contour/weight. it was amazing how quickly that barrel was too hot to touch in just 3 shots.

i'd buy the bull-barrel'd Handi' model, and would not shoot it in rapid-fire strings. and i'd expect it to not last as long as other barrels if i "pushed" it.

INCIDENTALLY: the short length of the neck on this caliber is one of the reasons they believe that it eats out the throats in a rifle. for that reason, if you want a caliber that allows you to shoot varmints with light-weight bullets, while still having plenty of power, with 'mid-level' recoil, in a 22" barrel'd Handi'....................you may want to try the .270 Winchester. i'm serious about that concept because it is not as hard on barrels ....... though the recoil is heavier than the .243.

i love my .270 in an ADL synthetic.....even off the bench.......because the recoil is so tolerable.

merry Christmas MSP',

ss'

Woodbutcher · « **Reply #21 on:** December 25, 2006, 05:58:32 AM »

Dear MSP:
I did ask on this site a long time ago about using the 243 for a turkey rifle. We're allowed to use a rifle here in Pa. in certain countys in the autumn, for turkey. The response was very positive. Puts em down, and doesn't destroy a lot of meat. Factory deer loads.
I've handled an ultra light in the store and it sure would be nice to carry! A little 2 x 7 on top and I'd be good to go!
Perhaps this would fit into a slot that you need filled. Woodbutcher