Author Topic: Lightweight .243? Worth the Effort? (Read 2752 times)

Supplyguy · « **Reply #30 on:** February 11, 2006, 06:35:05 AM »

Don, I own a .243 Superlite and it shoots wonderfully with 80 grain bullets. Sub one inch groups at 100 yards as a matter of fact. I have taken everything from squirrels to whitetail deer with this gun so it is a "versitile" gun to say the least.
I use "cheap" Rem 80 grain hollowpoints for varmits and Hornady's 80 grain jacketed bullet for deer. Using the same load, they group identically at 100 yards so all I have to do is grab a diiferent box of shells for the task at hand.
Others may have different opinions on this gun, but I myself couldn't ask for a better weapon to carry all day either setting up for coyotes or stalking deer in timber. If that's what you want, by all means, pick yourself up one and go hunting.

Roger

p.s. Mitchell, think before you type. Hopefully, you will be old one day and you'll know what we "ancient ones" mean about the joy of a lighter rifle to carry either at port arms or on a sling.

mitchell · « **Reply #31 on:** February 11, 2006, 06:51:27 AM »

Quote from: Big Blue

but the .243 gives you the opportunity to use it for larger game should the opportunity arise.

ok that and it lets you take 400 yards shots too. the 243 kicks everythings butt when it comes to coyote hunting , it only has one flaw, its a little ruff on hides. but when set up properly long shots are a breeze i don't even take my range finder out of the bag most of the time.

take a look

http://www.eskimo.com/~jbm/cgi-bin/jbmtraj.cgi

mitchell · « **Reply #32 on:** February 11, 2006, 07:04:55 AM »

humm didn't work , try this

plug in these numbers:

http://www.eskimo.com/~jbm/ballistics/traj/traj.html

BC .276
cal .243
bullet weight 55gr
muzzle velocity 4000 FPS
zero range 290 yards
range increments 25 yards

then hit enter

even though my velocity isn't quite 4k my range tests show that drop chart is just about dead on. i have it printed on a card and laminated that i take with me when hunting. just two days ago i made a 300+ yard shot on a yote that was hung up (busted me coming in), now i've not had the need to try a 400 or more but with that bullet going that fast it shouldn't be that hard. just something to think about while making your decision.

Broken-arrow · « **Reply #33 on:** February 11, 2006, 04:54:45 PM »

Quote

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 9:23 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well since you asked...I agree with Mitchell on this one, the short answer is no. I have never felt the urge to get either a .243 or a superlight barrel. If however you like a .243, want a superlight barrel and have no great desire for small groups, and you only want "deer" hunting accuracy there is no reason a superlight .243 Handi should not fill the bill

If you ONLY want deer hunting accuracy. Not trying to start anything, but I think that is a totally senseless statement and shows no respect whatsoever for the animal. Shot placement is everything when it comes to taking a shot at a living animal.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #34 on:** February 11, 2006, 06:19:08 PM »

Quote

Shot placement is everything when it comes to taking a shot at a living animal.

That's very true..but deer hunting accuracy is really saying nothing more than being able to put the shot into the vitals of a deer...at least that's how I see what MSP has said...and..afterall the kill zone on a deer is pretty darn big and I think most Handi's can shoot that good..

...I do like mine to shoot nice tiny little groups it certainly is a confidence builder for me..but I also know it really isn't nessacary to cleanly and humanely harvest whitetails..

Mac

MSP Ret · « **Reply #35 on:** February 11, 2006, 06:27:16 PM »

Thanks for beating me to the response Mac, we have been talking about guns that shoot between .5 and 3 MOA groups at 100 yards, to tell the truth that better than many people can shoot, and that is good enough to ethically take a deer or coyote at 100 yards with any .243 out there....<><.... :grin:

mitchell · « **Reply #36 on:** February 11, 2006, 06:35:28 PM »

Quote from: Broken-arrow

If you ONLY want deer hunting accuracy.

deer accuracy is a very relative term, lets say you gun shoots 10 inch groups at 100 well that really don't matter if your shooting deer at 10 yards now does it. but if your shooting them lets say 1000 yards well had better be able to shoot better then 10 moa or your not going to hit close enough to even freak it out. its all relative to the range you hunt , 2 moa will be fin for hunting coyotes at 100 yards but what happens if on the way back to the truck you happen to see one just sitting at 300 yards now what?? something to think about.

just muddying the waters

Mac11700 · « **Reply #37 on:** February 11, 2006, 06:47:15 PM »

mitchell..while most of the time we all want our rifles to shoot itty biddy groups..but..in this case....I think he's balancing between what his heavy bull barrel 243 will give him..against what a super lite one will..and he knows it will take a bit of tuning to get it there...Hopefully not very much..and it should work out for shots under 100 yards as he wants them..for coyote's..

Mac

MSP Ret · « **Reply #38 on:** February 12, 2006, 02:59:59 AM »

I'm with Mac on this Mitchell, I looked back at the original post/inquiry, just in case we were gettinag a bit OT and theoretical here and this is what it said:

"I've been thinking of a real lightweight .243 rifle for coyotes at close, under 100 yard, range. I can't think of a lighter rifle than the NEF lightweight. Now I haven't heard the best in regards to lightweight barrels from NEF, so what do you guys think? Can I get a lightweight and still get MOC (minute of coyote)groups?"

If he can get a lightweight .243 Handi (superlight barrel) that shoots 2" to 3" groups at 100 yards it should fullfill his coyote gun needs, and as I stated, even though I am not a big fan of either the .243 or superlight barrels I can understand his reasoning and think what he wants is possible and would fill HIS needs very well, with the added option of doubling as a deer rifle if needed....

Supplyguy, one of our newer members (

, Welcome aboard buddy!!!) has posted a great response which is the only one needed to the original question. I will end my post with a copy of his post, to answer the original question and answer it well from personal expierenece, and we all know that is the best teacher....

Supplyguy posted: "I own a .243 Superlite and it shoots wonderfully with 80 grain bullets. Sub one inch groups at 100 yards as a matter of fact. I have taken everything from squirrels to whitetail deer with this gun so it is a "versitile" gun to say the least. I use "cheap" Rem 80 grain hollowpoints for varmits and Hornady's 80 grain jacketed bullet for deer. Using the same load, they group identically at 100 yards so all I have to do is grab a diiferent box of shells for the task at hand. Others may have different opinions on this gun, but I myself couldn't ask for a better weapon to carry all day either setting up for coyotes or stalking deer in timber. If that's what you want, by all means, pick yourself up one and go hunting."

....<><.... :grin:

statelinerut · « **Reply #39 on:** February 12, 2006, 05:32:14 PM »

Ok heres my two cents for what its worth. I have the Handi in the .243 and off the shooting bench get 5 shot groups less than an inch at 100 yards. Off shooting sticks, which is the real scenario for hunting anyway, I can get 1.5 groups at 100 yards. Now I am by no means a bench rest shooter, but this Handi is just fun to shoot. I am using the Fusion 95 grain bullet and i can put 3 shots touching at 100 yards. The longest shot I have taken with this gun was Saturday. Shot a Coyote at 150 yards facing me through the base of the neck. Off shooting sticks. This gun puts down what ever I put the crosshairs on. All I am saying is don't limit the .243 Handi to just a sub 100 yard gun, its much more than that. Again, like I said, that is just my two cents.

Hunternz · « **Reply #40 on:** February 12, 2006, 09:43:55 PM »

As I said in an earlier post the H&R superlight .243 is a fine Rifle with careful load develpment it can shoot and while there is no coyotes in New Zealand it is a great gun for feral goats and walking up and down hill.
Regards Howard.

myarmor · « **Reply #41 on:** February 13, 2006, 05:37:30 AM »

It's funny that the saying 2-3MOA is even in the same sentence with the 243 :?

This caliber has many, many, many records under it's belt, shouting continual praise for its accuracy.
It's just one caliber that seems to be more finicky in a Handi rifle than others, and especially in a light weight config. I wonder how well a barrel deresonator would do on a light weight barrel?
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=213593
I for one don't like anything touching my barrel, but it just might be what these little light weight barrels need? I have never tried one, so I can't say.
Still there are some that just need a little TLC to get a load worked up, just as Howard said, or even just to find some good factory stuff that it likes. Good thing is that there are tons of different loads and factory goods to choose from.
I believe with a good float, flitzing, and have a solid lock up, a man can shop around for a few different ,say 4 or 5, boxes of ammo and should come up with something it likes.
All this talk about 243s is getting me excited about my standard in the mail. :grin:
Is Howard one of our only guys here that has a light weight 243?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #42 on:** February 13, 2006, 06:18:01 AM »

I got the search to work, 3 pages of superlight references, Howard NZ, Supplyguy, bigblueraptor, BKS, Piney and Stan in SC have .243 superlights that shoot 1½" or better 100yd groups. Federal Fusion ammo was mentioned a lot. and it shoots great in my .243 Ultra, if I had to pick one ammo brand to try first, Fusion would be it.

Tim

myarmor · « **Reply #43 on:** February 13, 2006, 06:30:18 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo

... if I had to pick one ammo brand to try first, Fusion would be it.

Tim

No doubt! :toast:

mitchell · « **Reply #44 on:** February 13, 2006, 07:06:00 AM »

but a 95 grain soft point isn't really what you want for coyotes, you'll get runners

quickdtoo · « **Reply #45 on:** February 13, 2006, 07:21:12 AM »

Quote from: mitchell

but a 95 grain soft point isn't really what you want for coyotes, you'll get runners

Not all of em!!

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=85863

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?p=496065&highlight=#496065

Mac11700 · « **Reply #46 on:** February 13, 2006, 07:47:05 AM »

I think the 22 mag would still be the best choice here.He doesn't want pelt damage..and he isn't hunting deer with it..and his ranges are 100 yards or less..here's what he said his distance requirments are..

Quote

I very much doubt I'd ever get a shot out as far as 100 yards, probably more like 30 yards

.Now...I'm just trying to be realistic here and unless he is rethinking what he is going to use this on..or the distances he will be shooting..I don't know about anyone else here..but I wouldn't have any concerns over a 22 mag killing a coyote at 30 yards..at that distance..it just seems to me it would be a lot better than any of the centerfire rounds and cause way less pelt damage..or am I off base here..

?

Mac

MSP Ret · « **Reply #47 on:** February 13, 2006, 08:16:01 AM »

My dedicated Maine coyote gun is a standard NEF .22 Mag Sportster with a regular contour barrel, a Survivor stock and now a Millet Red Dot scope. I now use Winchester Silver box ammo and consistantly get about 1" groups off a bench. More than enough for coyotes out to 100 yards. and 125 yards is a dead dog also. At home in Mass the regulations for coyotes and a no centerfire rifle stipulation calls for no rifles larger than .22 LR, some use .22 Mags and some Wardens or Environmental Police agree that a .22 is a .22 and it's OK, to be on the safe side I use my .17 HMR, no one yet has objected to the gun....I have yet to shoot a coyote with it and wonder what it will do with a good shot....<><.... :grin:

mattparliament · « **Reply #48 on:** February 13, 2006, 08:16:34 AM »

If you're looking at 30 yards, just pick up a 10 guage and use some lead deuces! :grin: No tinkering required!

my 2 cents...

statelinerut · « **Reply #49 on:** February 13, 2006, 06:02:30 PM »

Mitchell. I dont know you from Adam, but trust me on this. I shot 5 deer this past season and two coyotes with the 95 grain Fusion in my .243 Handi and none of them ran an inch after they were hit. Now I am no ballistics expert by no means, but that round is powerful to say the least. I have shot deer with a 7mm, 30-06, and 30-30 never with the results of the .243/95 grain Fusion combo. You just got to try it to see it. Just try it and see. I dont think you wil be dissapointed.

myarmor · « **Reply #50 on:** February 14, 2006, 01:54:08 AM »

Quote from: Big Blue

. As for calibers, both guns are available in .223 or .243, and the Savage is also available in .22-250. Any of those would do the job, but again there is the concern of pelt damage. I would think the slower velocity of the .223, along with the right bullet choice would be my best bet, but the .243 gives you the opportunity to use it for larger game should the opportunity arise. Any of these calibers, using the more explosive varmint ammo cause quite a bit of pelt damage as do shots through the shoulder. The varmint bullet designs seem better suited to use on prarie dogs and groundhogs. I had contacted Ty Herring, Customer Service Manager for Barnes bullets, and he does not recommend their Varminator bullets for coyotes, but said that the X bullets work better and damage pelts less. The Nosler Ballistic Tips also looks like a good choice.
Don

Don if you feel that you would possibly later on double the use of this Coyote gun for deer as well, then the 243 would be a wise choice.
I know with myself when I get a new rifle for 1 specific purpose, I end up liking it more and more and using it on other game than I originally intended. Versitility is big issue for me, and a big selling point to the Handi rifle.

myarmor · « **Reply #51 on:** February 14, 2006, 01:57:51 AM »

Double posted again.. :x

mitchell · « **Reply #52 on:** February 14, 2006, 02:22:01 AM »

Quote from: statelinerut

Mitchell. I dont know you from Adam, but trust me on this. I shot 5 deer this past season and two coyotes with the 95 grain Fusion in my .243 Handi and none of them ran an inch after they were hit. Now I am no ballistics expert by no means, but that round is powerful to say the least. I have shot deer with a 7mm, 30-06, and 30-30 never with the results of the .243/95 grain Fusion combo. You just got to try it to see it. Just try it and see. I dont think you wil be dissapointed.

well i'll take your word for it i've not tried it so i don't know . but every time i've used a soft point (150gr 30 cal) i get runners, maybe that 95gr just comes apart quicker i don't know. i still say if you want a dead right there coyote use a B-tip.

Norseman112 · « **Reply #53 on:** February 14, 2006, 10:40:14 AM »

I like my handi .243 standard barrel very much, I never shot a yote with it, I always seem to grab my .223 and (another cal I won't mention) for that. However my .243 is a sub moa shooter and never really had to make alot of different loads for her to find one she liked. Lots of shooters like this caliber ( I include myself), and my feeling is this, can it be used as combo gun for deer and varmints and be effective? Sure it can as long one chooses good bullet selection, proper shot placement ect. If you get the super light and it shoots 2" groups at 100 yards and you plan on shooting yotes under 100 yards you should be fine.

John

Stan in SC · « **Reply #54 on:** February 15, 2006, 04:31:51 AM »

I think the one thing I did to my .243 superlite that helped it as much as anything else was to add the butt ugly "survivor" buttstock.The pistol grip causes you to hold the rifle tighter to your shoulder.I am tickled pink with mine and deer hunt with it a lot.It is light and easy to handle in a climbing stand.It is the next best thing to having a pistol with you in terms of handling due to it's relative shortness.
I use Remington green box 100 gr. and have found that the first shot from a squeeky clean barrel is not as good as the following ones.Therefore I do not really scour my barrel when cleaning it and that helps I think.
Different rifles shoot different for different people.There are good ones and not so good ones for whatever reason.Suffice to say I get 1-1/2" groups consistently from mine and I am well pleased with it.
For what the gentleman says he wanted it for I think he is making a good choice with the .243 superlight.

Stan

kenscot · « **Reply #55 on:** February 17, 2006, 02:59:40 AM »

I have yet to find a varmint weight bullet that my gun will shoot well but it will put remington corelocks under an inch on a regular basis

MSP Ret · « **Reply #56 on:** February 17, 2006, 05:06:11 AM »

Well guys we have spoken much on this subject and I have found it all interesting, if not all exactly pertaining to the original question:

Quote from: Big Blue

I've been thinking of a real lightweight .243 rifle for coyotes at close, under 100 yard, range. I can't think of a lighter rifle than the NEF lightweight. Now I haven't heard the best in regards to lightweight barrels from NEF, so what do you guys think? Can I get a lightweight and still get MOC (minute of coyote)groups?
Don

I think with all the discussion we can now give Big Blue a simple and definitive answer to his question, the answer is, YES!!!....<><.... :grin:

Mac11700 · « **Reply #57 on:** February 17, 2006, 05:14:55 AM »

Yup..I agree :agree:

Mac

mitchell · « **Reply #58 on:** February 17, 2006, 06:36:22 AM »

lol well put MSP .

i agree , yes it will do fine

poncaguy · « **Reply #59 on:** February 17, 2006, 09:57:03 AM »

Is the synthetic SS243 the light weight model? I have one, and it's the lightest of my 13 Handi's. It didn't shoot well at first (2"-3") , but the more I shot it,down to 1 1/3- 1 1/2" groups now My bull barrel 243 shot MOA from the git go.........