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Author Topic: Need some input on new barrel decision.  (Read 842 times)

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Offline feerles1

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Need some input on new barrel decision.
« on: July 02, 2011, 05:25:41 AM »
I am about to place an order for a new barrel for my handi and i am torn between 2 diff. barrels. Trying to decide between the bull .308 or the bull.243 have a .223 bull on the rifle A.T.M but would like to reach out and touch some deer a little farther this year. Any input on current owners of these 2 barrels would be helpful in my decision.

Thanks
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Offline Jimbo47

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Re: Need some input on new barrel decision.
« Reply #1 on: July 02, 2011, 05:41:14 AM »
I've got the .243 Ultra bull barrel, and it shoots great.

Both the .308 and the .243 will reach out there, but the .308 will give you more options when it comes to bullet weights for deer sized animals.
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My culled down Handi's are the 45-70, and then I have a few others to keep it company...357 Mag/Max. .45 LC/.454 Casull Carbine, .243 Ultra, and 20 gauge Tracker II.

Offline jimbobb55

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Re: Need some input on new barrel decision.
« Reply #2 on: July 02, 2011, 05:46:53 AM »
I agree with Jimbo,I have a 308 handi and it shoots well.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Need some input on new barrel decision.
« Reply #3 on: July 02, 2011, 05:47:20 AM »
Welcome!! I have both, they shoot excellent, 243 shoots Federal Hi-Shok100gr and Fusion 95gr real good, have only shot handloads in the 308, the 6-shot group is two 3-shot loads, ½gr difference, all shot within 3-4 minutes, lower three are the lighter load.  ;)

Tim
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Offline oneshotonekill

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Re: Need some input on new barrel decision.
« Reply #4 on: July 02, 2011, 06:02:27 AM »
Have you considered splitting the difference and going with a 7mm-08?
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Offline feerles1

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Re: Need some input on new barrel decision.
« Reply #5 on: July 02, 2011, 06:15:48 AM »
Thanks for the fast info guys your great. I did look at the 08 round the only thing is the .308 and .243 are very plentiful in all the places i purchase ammo so i wanted to stick with something i could go buy if i was in a pinch.Thanks again for the great info.I may just watch the classified forum and buy them both. ;D
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Offline rdlange

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Re: Need some input on new barrel decision.
« Reply #6 on: July 02, 2011, 08:59:27 AM »
308... plentiful and more versatile than the 243...  a heavier hitter and greater range.  easier to reload for variety of uses, and cheaper.  I traded off my 243.

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Offline spikehorn

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Re: Need some input on new barrel decision.
« Reply #7 on: July 02, 2011, 10:43:34 AM »
It's been said get the 308
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308 win                 45-70                       12ga         
30-30                    223 stainless steel   20ga TDC
44 mag                  Tracker II 20ga        20ga
45-70 Manlicher     20ga USH                28ga
                                                              410ga

Offline gendoc

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Re: Need some input on new barrel decision.
« Reply #8 on: July 02, 2011, 10:47:26 AM »
Quote from: spikehorn on July 02, 2011, 10:43:34 AM
It's been said get the 308


yep !!! .308
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Offline yukondog

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Re: Need some input on new barrel decision.
« Reply #9 on: July 02, 2011, 10:53:15 AM »
Welcome feerles, and I agree, the 308 ammo will be easer to get.
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Offline petemi

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Re: Need some input on new barrel decision.
« Reply #10 on: July 02, 2011, 12:18:13 PM »
I agree, .308, versatile and deadly.  A question though.  If you're use is primarily hunting, are you sure you want a bull barrel?  They're heavy to lug around and sling awkwardly.  They're top heavy and keep wanting to slide backward off your shoulder.  You'll end up slinging it muzzle down.  I traded my bulls for standard taper, and see no difference in accuracy.  In fact, my Ruger .308 M77 MKII is one of the most accurate rifles I own and it has a pencil thin barrel.

Pete
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Offline Datil

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Re: Need some input on new barrel decision.
« Reply #11 on: July 02, 2011, 01:38:45 PM »
Get both then you have all covered. you will later!
 Good luck Datil
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Offline OldSchoolRanger

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Re: Need some input on new barrel decision.
« Reply #12 on: July 03, 2011, 07:00:23 PM »
I have both (.308 in bolt rifles, and .243 in bolt rifles and Handi's) but I think I'm biased, towards the military calibers. 
If you have to choose between, getting just one of the two calibers .308 or .243, go with the the .308.  IMO, military
calibers (.223 & .308) are always better as far as ammo availability, bullet weights, and price is concerned. 
Datil is correct tho, if you can swing it, get both.
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My quandary, I personally, don't think I have enough Handi's but, I know I have more Handi's than I really need or should have.

Offline cwlongshot

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Re: Need some input on new barrel decision.
« Reply #13 on: July 04, 2011, 02:00:57 AM »
I also have all three, a Nickel Bull (22") 223 and Varmint Bull (24") 243 and a Survivor Bull (20") 307/308.  ALL great shooters!!

For target, any one will do you fine. For hunting big stuff the 243 will work but the 308 offers a better cartridge.
For Varmints the 223 will do most while the 243 will get you more range and do better on larger varmints at longer distances.

CW
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Offline cjrjck

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Re: Need some input on new barrel decision.
« Reply #14 on: July 04, 2011, 07:11:28 AM »
I find the 243 much more pleasant to shoot in a Handi rifle. Similar in recoil to the 30-30 which is the standard I measure all Handi cartridges by. Both the 308 and 243 work very well for deer with properly selected bullets, but no doubt the 308 is much more versatile for larger game. Any of the 308 based factory cartridges would be a good fit for the Handi if they made them: 243 Win, 260 Rem, 708 Rem, and 358 Win.
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Offline Deerhunter#1

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Re: Need some input on new barrel decision.
« Reply #15 on: July 04, 2011, 08:44:41 AM »
dont forget the 25-06. Ammo not as cheap but looksl like it will meet all you needs. not a killer with recoil. less then 308 more then 243. flatter shooting for the far shots you say you want to take. rem 120 grain ammo sighted in 1.5 inches high at 100 is only 3 inches low at 300. waiting for mine to come back as it is getting fitted as we speak cant wait.
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Offline feerles1

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Re: Need some input on new barrel decision.
« Reply #16 on: July 04, 2011, 09:02:40 AM »
Thanks for all the info guys much appreciated you have all been very helpful.
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Offline feerles1

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Re: Need some input on new barrel decision.
« Reply #17 on: July 10, 2011, 09:46:50 AM »
Well got lucky Friday and found a .308 bull barrel at my local smiths shop bought it mounted my Nikon scope on it got to shoot it yesterday and loved it. I was shooting quarter size groups at 300Yards in no time this thing is smoking hot.But while digging through his barrels i stumbled across a .22wmr barrel and was curious if it would work on my frame since its a rimfire does anyone know.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Need some input on new barrel decision.
« Reply #18 on: July 10, 2011, 06:55:35 PM »
No, rimfire barrels will only work on SS1 rimfire frames due to being rimfire unless you can find a Versa Pak barrel here in the classifieds, they'll work on centerfire frames because they have offset bores to allow the centerfire pin to strike the rim.
 
Tim
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