First modern barrel a 18 or 20 inch heavy .243--thoughts?

[mikemayberry]

I want only light to medium recoil as I start down this path and still want to keep the accuracy.  In your expert opinions, would an 18 inch .243 heavy SS barrel work out fine for deer, hogs, coyotes?  

I might eventually work up with another barrel to 200 yards but am thinking my first year with the new Encore I'm a 100 - 150 yard kinda shooter.

Do you think this barrel would be fine for that if properly scoped and do you think the difference between 18 and 20 inches is significant?

If not, what about going on down to 16.25 inches?

Next barrel after this will probably be a 24 inch .270 as I work my way up the rifle ladder.

Thanks, your thoughts are appreciated.

Mike

[skb2706]

mike - on the Hodgdon website/loading manual they have some loading info. related to .243 in a pistol length barrel. You should get an idea from them what they got in the shorter barrel.......I don't have it here but I believe they were testing with 15".

[mikemayberry]

Thanks guys!  I am about down to making the decision between a 15" factory barrel or a 16.25" custom heavy.  the longer of the two makes it much more versatile and an inch and  a quarter shouldn't make that much difference in handiness and carry, will it?

Ballistically, it sounds like many of you shoot calibers like this in 15 inch barrels so I guess I should just get over my concerns and order one.  Last chance to talk me out of it!

Mike

[5Redman8]

If you don't want to go custom, by a factory rifle barrel and have it cut down to the size you want.

[New Hampshire]

Ive heard a few grumblings about erratic performance on deer sized game, but nothing more than grumblings.

As for the other species, well it should do fine with proper bullet selection.
Brian M