Author Topic: New stainless 243. (Read 581 times)

James B · « **on:** March 16, 2005, 06:24:02 PM »

Well I went down to pick up the layaway that I talked about the other day. I ended up getting the 243 Stainless. As I reported in the other post, they had three. The Stainless, an Ultra and a standard handi rifle. The ultrta had a 24 inch heavier barrel but both the Ultra and the standard had awful triggers and the stainless trigger was smooth as glass and maybe three lbs. So the choice was not to hard. I like the lighter weight of the NON Ultra's. I have a 223 Ultra and its fine for sitting in one place and shooting varmits. The 243 may be used for walking to a stand or walking on a trap line. Anyway its another addition to the Handi family. I may send it in for a stainless 270 barrel later. I bought some 85 grain coated X bullets to try. Now if we were not under a winter storm warning, I could try it out tomorrow.

. I have a couple scopes on the shelf to try on it. I have a new Luepold 3x9 Rifleman that I have had for a couple years just waiting for a home. I also have a VX-l that I only used one season then traded the rifle off and put the scope away. I have two straight 6X scopes as well. The 3x9 will probably be the better choice. Have a good day.

Good Keen Man · « **Reply #1 on:** March 16, 2005, 08:54:26 PM »

I'll race you! It is 85 degrees and fine here in New Zealand at the moment and the range opens at 9.30am this weekend! I am trying out my Stainless 243 with a brand new Elite 3200 3-9x40 so will let you know how it shoots - I have a couple of boxes of 100 grain Federal Power Shok to work my way thru.

James B · « **Reply #2 on:** March 16, 2005, 11:00:33 PM »

Let me know how it handles those 100 grain bullets. I quess it will be a while before I can try mine out. I have been working across town at a green house planting flowers to try to beat the spring fever. :grin:

243tom · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2005, 10:29:32 AM »

JamesB....your post about the stainless handi with the nice trigger lit a bulb for me. I bought my stainless handi 223 in Feb. and it was made in 2003 and sitting on the shelf for a while. It too has a smooth, light pull to it. Much nicer than my ultra 243 or my sportster 22mag. Check when yours' was made,,,maybe it's an older gun too. With all the interest in these guns nowadays,,,maybe the factory isn't taking the time with the triggers as they used to. Or maybe it's just the stainless.
My ultra shoots factory Hornady 75gr hp real nice. Have only used that and some bulk 75 gr vmax from Cabelas and 58gr Hornady vmax....I do have some 100gr Win. sp on the way.......Just to see if it will shoot them.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2005, 11:16:05 AM »

My experience with the many handis I've bought recently is the triggers are lighter now than there were a few years back. I've bought 4 new '04 built H&Rs in the last 6-8 month, all have had triggers just below 4lbs, the H&R Ultra I bought last spring had an over 5lb trigger which is typical. All my older used frames had 5lb triggers, too......until I fixed em!!! :wink:

James B · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2005, 03:49:01 PM »

I don't remember what letter indicates the newer ones. I see it has a NT serial number. I bet Quick knows when it was made :wink: This one has the best trigger that I have ever seen on a Handi rifle and rivals the Ruger that I just had a professional trigger job. I believe its even better. I hope to heck that it will shoot at least 85 grain bullets well. I want to try the Barnes 85 grain coated X bullets.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2005, 04:25:57 PM »

James, from the FAQ...pertaining to the second letter of the serial number.

K=1996
L=1997
M=1998
N=1999
P=2000
R=2001
S=2002
T=2003
U=2004
V=2005

So yours was made in 2003.

James B · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2005, 08:08:50 PM »

Thanks. My 7mm-08 has a U so its a little newer. It has a good trigger as well.

Good Keen Man · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2005, 11:53:14 PM »

Message for James B - Bad news - there was a competition shoot on at the range today so very very crowded and by the time I had got my SS 243 hitting the paper on the 25 meter range where I wanted it to and waited for a bench to free up I only had minutes on the 100 meter range before I had to leave to set up for my babies first birthday party - only managed to get three shots away! They were a bit all over the place but another 3 and I think I would have had it nailed. Next time...

James B · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2005, 03:24:11 AM »

AHA!! I got you there :grin: . I can go out to our range about any day and have the place to myself. Seems nobody likes to set out in the snow and wind when its 10 degrees and sight in their rifles.

. Keep me posted on how your rifle shoots. I sat down last night and loaded about ten rounds of 85 grain Barnes coated X bullets to try when I get a good day. I loaded a few 100 grain round nose Hornadays as well. Thats a bullet that worked well in my old 6MM Remington. I hope the 85 grain X bullet shoots well. That would be a perfect all around bullet for the 243. Its a bit spendy though at 22.00 for 50 bullets.