Thought I had the disease under control

[snuffer#1]

Well, I thought that I had all the rifles I wanted.  Well it hit me last night. I'm thinking of getting a handi in 243. I've got a 223, 30-30, 270, 308, and a 45-70. And I love them all. I guess I'm wanting to try another set of dies. One thing I would like to know, is the 243 an accurate rifle or is it finicky? I've heard that the ultra light isn't so accurate. I just want a standard barrel. Also, since I reload, give me some powders and bullet weights. It will be used mostly for deer.  I have hodgdon powders and IMR powders The hodgdon powders are my pistols powders, except for H335. The IMR are 3031, 4198, and 4350. Would any of the 3 IMR powders be a real good powder for the 243, or should I venture out and try another brand of powder? If you would, give me some feed back.
                                                                                                     Snuffer

[stimpylu32]

snuffer

The 243 in the standard or the bull barrels are known to be very good shooters , even my SL will shoot but it took some work . For a deer bullet look at the 100g Speer BTSP or the 105g Hornady A-Max , both will do a great job .

As for powders , the IMR4350 would be good along with Varget and H380 , all 3 do real well in the 308 family of cases with Varget being my first choice .

stimpy

[petemi]

I understand the fever, I've got it too.  But, during deer season, the ones that get off the rack are .30-30, 270. 7-mm-08, .308, .30-06 and the .45-70.  The little guys, The .22s to 6mm and the .357 stay at home.  A lot of deer are killed with the .243, and the .357, but IMHO the .308 is a far better deer rifle.  Mine flops them with one shot out to 300 yards (my longest shot to date on a deer with it.)  It thrives on 168 gr. Winchester Supreme Ballistic tips.

Pete

[snuffer#1]

I went to a few other forums and the deck is stacked against the 243 mostly. I'd love to have a 257 Roberts, but HR/NEF doesn't make that caliber. But I was looking and they do have a 25-06. I wonder about that one. Some say that the 7mm08 would be a good one too. Right now I really don't know which of the 3 I want. Well, I really would like the 257 Roberts. But, well I don't know. Is the 25-06 a shooter?

[quickdtoo]

The 25-06 as well as the standard and bull barrel 243s are all good shooters, the 20" Superlight 243 is the black sheep of the 243s that gives the rest of the 243s a bad reputation, but as Stimpy said, even the SL can shoot good with a little patience in load work. I have three 243 H&Rs, two 24"  bull barrel Ultras and a SL, they all shoot good to excellent, that goes for my 25-06 Ultra too. I also have a 7mm-08 that shoots almost as good as the 25-06 which puts the first two shots touching or real close to it, then the third about ¾" out for a 1-1¼" group with two different factory loads and an untouched forend, if I needed 3 shots touching I'd bed the forend, but for deer/antelope, I don't feel the need.

Older 243s with ejectors had trouble with sticking brass, but that's easily fixed with help from the FAQs, and a moot issue for current production which are all extractors. My older Ultra has only stuck brass once and that was my fault for not wiping the chamber after cleaning at the range. 

Tim

[OBXPilgrim]

I've got a 223, 30-30, 270, 308, and a 45-70.

..I just want a standard barrel. 

 If you would, give me some feed back.
                                                                                                     Snuffer

What? No 357 mag?  How do you get by during the plinking time at the range without a 357 mag Handi?

I always love to drag my 357 mag Handi into the indoor range & punch out some nice tight 25 yard groups when the place is loaded with the 7yard "spray-n-pray" folks.

Gues you do have the 'basics' covered.

[petemi]

My 7mm-08 is a true sweetheart.  Flat shootin' hard hittin' lovin' lady. Go git yersef one.  I may jest get tnother for "the wifey".  (ifn I git it, does I have to tell her??)  I can't help it, it's the disease again!

Of all you mentioned, I would seriously go for the 7mm-08.  Mine surprises me every day.  It just loves to shoot well.  It isn't under-gunned for most North Ameican big game, and it isn't too much over-gunned for varmints, but then my .45-70 isn't either.  They both make "good" coyotes.

[dpe.ahoy]

Ditto on all of the above.  Except my 357 goes out to dance all the time.  Sorry Pete.  I too would like a 257 Bob, but the 25-06 has it covered so will just go on with it.  The 7mm08 is a sweet one that will do what you want and more.  It is an under rated round for sure.  Duplicates the old, great 7 Mauser that has done it all. By the way, there just is no cure, you have to keep getting more and more.  Thank God it costs less than oter addictions!   DP.

[GPR125]

I understand that feeling!!  I was walking down the aisle, not even intending to go anywhere near the boytoy racks, when I heard this little voice calling.   It was a .22 magnum Ultra with brown lami stocks.   Even had checkering.   I ignored it...well until today.   It found its way into the trunk. 
  Now I'm gonna have to watch two forums I guess.   It'll look good next to the 17 HMR & the HM2, not to mention the two centerfires.   Gotta remember to take that aspirin for the fever!

[snuffer#1]

After I have been looking at the ballistics, I'm leaning towards the 7mm.  It will be a couple of months before I get it, but I think that the 7mm will top out over the 25-06. Just will have to wait and see. I do like the different bullet weights for the 7mm, though.

[Troyboy]

NO Cure just hours and hours of thinking of new calibers and ways to shoot better starts as one in a closet then another then discovering this forum. Then the classified. Then the 7mm08 and the 270 barrel i just bought and so it goes for the handiholic lots of guns so many guns so many ways to make neat guns  so coool ! God Bless America

[quickdtoo]

A closet isn't big enough for a true Handi-holic, forty-four and counting!!

Tim

Pic taken 5 H&Rs ago!!

[Troyboy]

"A Picture is worth a thousand words"