Author Topic: ultra hunter or ultra varmint???  (Read 731 times)

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Offline mitchell

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ultra hunter or ultra varmint???
« on: October 04, 2004, 04:59:54 PM »
i have deiced on getting a 243win and i'm between the ultra hunter and the ultra varmint. this gun will be used mostly as a plinker and a varmint gun but will also be brought with me to west virginia and kentucky as a back-up for my 308. and well i just don't know what one to get. i have heard that the varmint has (although the factory wont say it) a 1-12 twist instead of a 1-10 and makes shooting 90-100 grain bullets hard , is this true??? one other thing i was thinking about is how much velocity is gained by the extra two inches of barrel the varmint has?? and is it worth it when hunting deer??? i'm not to worried about the weight difference in the two rifles an extra pound or two of rifle doesn't bother me. any information from someone who has one or just someone who has a opinion on it would be great. thanks.

mitch
curiosity killed the cat , but i was lead suspect for a while

Offline Mohawk

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ultra hunter or ultra varmint???
« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2004, 05:03:48 PM »
I can't say alot about your question except that I've killed many, many, deer with the .243 out of a 18.5" barrel and it did great.

Offline handirifle

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ultra hunter or ultra varmint???
« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2004, 05:09:08 PM »
Have never heard of diff twist rates IN THE SAME CALIBER, but the 243 has 1-10 ans the 223 Ultra varmint has 1-12, that may be the confusion factor.

If you'll not be carrying it far go with the bull barrel.  It heats up much slower and stays on target longer.  I have the 223 BB and my sons have the standard.  If you shoot repeat shots quickly the standard does walk.

My UV put about 20 rds  through it this weekend with only one break longer than 4-5 seconds.  Stayed on target the whole time.

The 243 will run hotter so it may not go quite that long.
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Offline Fred M

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ultra hunter or ultra varmint???
« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2004, 05:13:11 PM »
Mitchell.
By all means get the longer barrel if the weight is no hinderence.
From what I hear and my own experience most barrels are over size in the bore. In my 25-06 Ultra I loose 100 ft/sec with all loads across the board including the Rem factory load. So the extra 2" of barrel will make up 80 ft. If you get a 1-12" twist the 85gr Barnes Triple Shock will take any deer with a well placed shot. Fred M.
Fred M.
From Alberta Canada.

Offline Donaldo

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ultra hunter or ultra varmint???
« Reply #4 on: October 04, 2004, 07:17:48 PM »
The rifling twist rate for all the Handi's is listed in the FAQ section if I remember correctly.  Anyway, as I understand it all the 243's have 1/10 twist.  The 223 has a 1/12 twist.  I would agree, go with the Bull Barrel.  The 243 is very much a barrel heater.  The extra metal in the BB should help out in the heat sink dept.  My 243 bolt sporter heats the light barrel so fast that after 5 shots you can hardly touch it.
Luke 11:21

Offline BuzzKill

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ultra hunter or ultra varmint???
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2004, 03:36:20 AM »
Mitchell-

I've got the UV .243 and I really like it with 55-85 gr. loads.  'Mine' will not shoot anything over 85 gr. w/o keyholing!?  I sometimes wish I had the standard barell as this thing is heavy in my book.  But, as others have said it does get hot.  Between 5-10 shots on my heavy barell and it is hot.  Good luck with either of your choices.  243 is a really good caliber, I know I have a blast with it.  It is also a very fast caliber, so either barell length will still be smokin.  BuzzKill

Offline Donaldo

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ultra hunter or ultra varmint???
« Reply #6 on: October 05, 2004, 06:44:53 AM »
BuzzKill,
What 100 grn bullet have you been using.  Sometimes it makes a difference as to the bullet.  Some mike a bit larger than others.  They might shoot better if they are a bit larger.  I am only talking about 0.005" or so.
Luke 11:21

Offline Bis

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ultra hunter or ultra varmint???
« Reply #7 on: October 09, 2004, 12:52:47 PM »
Mitchell - I also have the UV and it will not shoot 100 grain stuff without keyholing. I tried Rem. and Fed. Premium-no luck. I measured the barrel with a thick patch on the cleaning rod (not the most scientific way but seems to work) and came up with 1/12 twist. I had a friend try it-same results. Called H&R they claim all 243's are 1/10 and suggested I return the gun. If the thing did not shoot so well with 80 and 85 grain ammo (3 holes touching each other at 110 yards) I would have. I can live with lighter bullets.