Ultra Varmint in .243

[mgeorge]

Hi!  I'm new to the forum and I didn't find a (useful) search facility that helped me find info on just the Ultra Varmints.  I have read the pinned topics about the Handi-Rifle, though.

A few years ago I purchased an H&R Ultra Slug Hunter Deluxe.  I've used it every year since then and it has performed flawlessly.  It's so accurate that I have had cases where I got off a clean shot under 100yds and I would just reload and put the sights on a second animal, only glancing at the first to make sure that it's down and out.  It always is.

I am now trying to sell a couple older WWII rifles I bought back when I was single and shot a lot more.  Once I do that, I want to get something that can clean up on 'chucks out to 1/4mi or so but can also be used on deer, should I ever get the chance to hunt in a rifle zone (in central MI we have to use shotguns).  I'm thinking about the Ultra Varmint in .243 Winchester.

I have seen reports on some other forums that H&R/NEF's quality has become more hit-and-miss lately and that one might get a lemon.  Specific problems were: inaccuracy, loosely fitting hings, sticking casings, and an extractor which doesn't work well on rimless cartridges.  "You get what you pay for" is how some put it.  I know from my USHD that H&R did make quality and I hope that they still do.  I don't shoot much, so I don't want to put $1,000+ into a rifle that might only get a few 'chucks per year.

Since this is an H&R/NEF forum, I wanted to ask here what peoples' findings have been.  Are these allegations true?  I don't have gunsmithing skills, so I want to spend money on a rifle that will be good out of the box (break-in not withstanding).  Is the Ultra Varmint a quality arm that will be good from the get-go?

Thanks for your replies!

[cajun]

I have an Ultra Varmint in .243 Winchester.  And it does shoot MOA (or better) with a 100 grain bullet.  BUT, it did not shoot that way out of the box.  First off, the trigger needed work.  Then, I had to do the O-ring modification.  And, I handload and I had to spend a lot of time developing a good load that this gun likes. 

I do still occasionally get a fired cartridge that will not extract and needs to be pushed out with a cleaning rod.

All that being said, I have taken 6 whitetails with this gun with shots from 100 yards out to 240 yards.

[cwlongshot]

I have one too. I got it here from another member and it shoots under an inch with my hand loads. (100 GR Sierras and 95 gr partitions with 4350 powder)

I didn't do a thing to it sans a good cleaning.

 Used it last year and I have venison in the freezer as a result.

 CW

[mgeorge]

I have an Ultra Varmint in .243 Winchester.  And it does shoot MOA (or better) with a 100 grain bullet.  BUT, it did not shoot that way out of the box.  First off, the trigger needed work.  Then, I had to do the O-ring modification.  And, I handload and I had to spend a lot of time developing a good load that this gun likes. 

I do still occasionally get a fired cartridge that will not extract and needs to be pushed out with a cleaning rod.

All that being said, I have taken 6 whitetails with this gun with shots from 100 yards out to 240 yards.

Trigger work: I'm guessing that would be the task of a gunsmith?

O-ring modification?  Is there a posting somewhere here which discusses what this is and how it is done?

If I read your post correctly, the UV is a good rifle, but it was not so out of the box.  Is that a correct assessment?

Thank you for your replies!

[cajun]

I did take mine to a gunsmith for the trigger job.  There are instructions posted on this site (not sure exactly where) for a do it yourselfer.

The O-rign mod is also posted here. 

Yes the UV is a great rifle but it does require a little work to get it up to its potential.

My best load is 100 gr Hornady Interlock with IMR4350 powder.  It will shoot Nosler Partitions also but not as accurate as the Hornadys.

[Mac11700]

Most all modifications are posted in the FAQ's at the top of the index page for this forum...Right below it is the basics thread you should read...http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,26264.0.html

Yes...most of the 243 Ultra varmints are very pretty good shooters out of the box...They become even better shooters when you do your part...and make some minor modifications to them...The old saying is you get out of it...what you put into it is true...The 243 Ultra's can be 1 hole shooters if properly prepared and your ammo is matched to it......With the new extractor barrels...it is very unlikely you will ever have a stuck case..When reloading for it..Check you case sizing fit by slipping a case past the extractor.ejector..and laying a flat edge across the chamber and case head...You want it flush...not sitting below flush...or above...this will give the most consistent results...One of the biggest problems I have seen is for guys to bump the shoulder back too far...You want to bump it back just enough so the case sits perfectly flush with the chamber edges...This has always given me the best accuracy...

Long rang shooting requires long range bullets...Look to the 88 grain Berger's and the 95 gr Combined Technologies( Nosler/Winchester) Ballistic Silver tips...The Berger's like to be seated into the lands...and the CT-BST's have worked great for me at .003"-.005" off the lands...from a perfectly cleaned hand lapped(Flitzed) barrel...Don't shoot any copper bullet after shooting the Lubalux coated CT'S...accuracy will suffer...nor shoot the Lubalux bullets after shooting the copper ones..I usually will shoot the CT's all by them selves...If you mix them...you will have a royal mess inside your barrels...I made that mistake...ONCE...

I had best luck with Reloader 22 right at max loads with 1x fired weighed/sorted Winchester cases and 9-1/2 primers..Start load development at the start loads and work up in small increments.Every rifle is different...and what may be safe in mine won't be in yours...

The 55 gr. CT's are good varmint bullets...mitchell got excellent velocity & accuracy using them as described...

Mac

[mitchell]

the 243 UV is one of the best rifles i own and with groundhog and coyote kills at 500+ the proof is in the pudding .  i shoot ct bullets in mine too 95's are a good long range bullet  but i've still yet to kill anything big way out there with them . now the 55's are great mine shoot groups in the .2's and at 4000 FPS they do their job . by looking at my primers my loads are getting up there so i'm not putting my load out on the net (i think i have before if you feel like digging it up) but varget , winchester cases and 55 ct bullet will make you a nice combo for what you want . if you don't reload try the 55 ct factory ammo i got groups from .5 through .75 inches with it and it did a number on coyotes .





one other option you should think about just getting a 308 bull barrel and shooting some blackhills or some FGM  after a little work on the barrel and maybe a trigger job that combo will shoot good enough for you to do want too .

[DalesCarpentry]

First off I would like to welcome you aboard. I have killed many Groundhogs this summer with my 204 Ultra Varmint Fluted. I just in the past couple weeks changed the barrel to the 243 24'' bull. I only have a few kills with the new barrel so far but I can tell you the 55 grain Winchester Ballistic Silvertips and the Hornady 58 grain Vmax really do a number on Groundhogs. It about blows them in half out to 300 yards. I have not shot any, any furter than that with this barrel yet. So far I am happy with this barrel and still kind of miss the 204 because of the price it costs to shoot the 243. They both do their job well. Here is a link to the adventures I have had this summer.    http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,118744.0.html            Good luck with the 243 UV. I am sure you will like it as much as me.   Dale