Ultra Varmint vs. Ultra Varmint Fluted

[mgeorge]

I'm thinking about getting an H&R varmint/deer rifle in .243 Winchester.  I have read that there can be some quality issues out-of-the-box with their rifles, though I've seen that less with the Ultra Varmints.  I am wondering if it is even less common with the Fluted rifles.

Have any of you had problems with your fluted rifles out of the box?  I see they are about $80-90 more expensive than the Ultra Varmint and I'm wondering if they would be worth it for me.  I'm not sure I like the look of the stock on the Fluted, but that bipod mount might be nice... I plan on putting a bipod on an Ultra Varmint if and when I get it, too...

I'd like to hear all comments, pro and con, about the Fluted and comparisons between the Varmint and the Varmint Fluted if you would care to take the time to go on about them. 

Thank you!

[darat100]

The only 243 I have heard problems with is the superlight.  I had a standard it was a great shooter.  Probably should have held on to it.  From what I have seen, the only difference is the stock and looks.  Performance seems to be the same.  Just a matter of what you like and what you have to spend.

[trotterlg]

The actions are all the same, the only difference is the weight of the barrels, They may look different but they really aren't.  These are an entry level rifle, lots of fun for a project but a poor bet for an out of the box shooter.  Just from my observations I would say that a full third of them have some issue, I like to tinker, have a good accurate bolt rifle (Savage), so it doesn't matter to me if I have to work on one a little to get it to shoot.  If you can't afford the ammo or the time to sort one out then either take the luck of the draw and hope you get a good one, (take your lumps if you don't), or go with somethig else like a Stevens 200 which has a high out of the box accuracy track record.  I really like the Handi's, I am working on doing a CF project in a 14 Cal now.  Larry

[mgeorge]

The actions are all the same, the only difference is the weight of the barrels, They may look different but they really aren't.  These are an entry level rifle, lots of fun for a project but a poor bet for an out of the box shooter.  Just from my observations I would say that a full third of them have some issue, I like to tinker, have a good accurate bolt rifle (Savage), so it doesn't matter to me if I have to work on one a little to get it to shoot.  If you can't afford the ammo or the time to sort one out then either take the luck of the draw and hope you get a good one, (take your lumps if you don't), or go with somethig else like a Stevens 200 which has a high out of the box accuracy track record.  I really like the Handi's, I am working on doing a CF project in a 14 Cal now.  Larry

Well, one issue I have is that I'm left-handed and a RH bolt is a real pain... even worse than a RH pump or auto.  LH bolt guns are often more pricey and I don't think I'll use the rifle that much so I don't want to put a lot into it.  I'm used to single-shots, but the Ruger No.1 is out of my range.  Someone recommended a CVA Optima Elite Centerfire, but I was hoping for a bull barrel in .243, which they don't offer.  I like my H&R Ultra Slug Hunter, so I was looking at the rifles, but I don't want to spend a ton of time and money on it to get it accurate, either.  Some I can manage, but not "too much"

[PartsMan]

Get the one with the stock you like.
The Choate stocks are most of the difference in price.
Flutes are pretty much for looks on a single shot.
My standard 223 heavy barrel shoots great.

[mitchell]

Flutes are pretty much for looks on a single shot.

wanta bet!!!! i can get mine hot real quick.


just playin with ya


i have a 243 ultra and it shoots better then most people would dream that their bolt guns would shot BUT i can't wait till i get back from iraq caz the first thing i'm doing is buying a 243 fluted (or two) so my soon to be wife (10 days left) can hunt with me , she only about 110lbs (and getting fatter , she one month pregnent right now) and my 243 or my ultra comp 30-06 is about all she like to shoot. and i have no worries that i can get it to  shoot a half a minute . the 243 i a accuret round i've never had one that would shoot one minute or less even before i reloaded . buy a new barrel give it alot of TLC and you'll be set