Heavy barreled .243

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chains1240

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Good day, everyone. I have been searching the net but not coming up with the information I need. I have been thinking about getting a dedicated .243 for coyote hunting. I would like something with a heavy barrel between
22" and 26", synthetic stock, blue barrel and action. I am not brand loyal, as long as it is an accurate rifle.
 
Since coyote hunting does not involve long strings of fire in a relatively short period, I see no reason to get a heavy barrel. A sporter-weight barrel's first two or three shots will group just as tightly as a heavy barrel. So why tote extra weight which does not add benefit?

I readily get 5/8 MOA five-shot groups from my little Sako Forester with its 19" barrel and 2x7 scope. A longer barrel would of course give another 200 to 300 feet per second muzzle velocity, which would help when shooting out beyond 300 yards. As it is, my setup works on prairie dogs to 300 yards, quite nicely.

My coyote kills have come from calling, which means sorta up close and personal. Messy, though. The 85-grain Sierra HPBT is bodacious ruinacious.
 
i had a ruger m77 mk 2 fitted with a heavy krieger barrell. it was in 243 ackley improved. it was the most accurate rifle i have ever used. it shot inches at 200 yards with 62 gr bergers. i expect it would do far better in the hands of a really good shot. i wonder if it might be worth having an old action barrelled in 243 AI with a good barrell, in a nice heavy stock with a decent trigger? if i could afford it thats what i would do.
 
Honestly if you buy from one of any number of reputable manufacturers you won't go wrong. Rifles are that good nowadays!

Shop features, fit and price and don't worry about interweb reputation.
 
Your going to get everyone ones favorite pick including mine. Most manufacturers make good rifles. I choose a Savage (in 308 WIN) for a number of reasons; easily change barrels yourself, the floating bolt head design, they set each rifle to min head space, the accutrigger.

Not disappointed with this rig...

DSC_0988s.gif
 
I have a nice 243 in a Ruger m77, bull barrel, have not fired it in a while:(

It is one built 25 years or so ago, used more before the 22-250 and 223 became so versatile/popular...

Though if you really think about it the 243 is very versatile
Regards
 
I'm with Art on this one. I like my older wood-stocked Rem 700 ADL, for weight, balance and ergonomics. The Rem stocks fit me better than about anything and I'm used to the safety position, etc. I had the chance to get a heavy barrel for it when re-barrelling, but chose the standard contour .243 Win. It shoots very well, grouping about any load under 1/2 min, one Nosler BT load going under 1/4 min!!! The rifle weighs 8 lbs with scope. I don't want a hunting rifle much heavier than that, especially for coyotes.
 
I have to agree that a heavy barrel is not necessary for accuracy, especially with shorter barrels. How much it will start to wander as it heats up depends on the quality of the barrel.
 
Just looked at the new CDNN catalog. They have just what you are looking for in a Howa. Just not sure about the barrel. It says 20" or 24" barrel. Choice of calibers. Under 4 bills. Might be something to check on. Good Luck.
 
I have two different rifles for yotes, a Remington 700 ADL Varmint in 308 and a Savage Model 11 in 308. The Remington is for pretty much being stationary, also will be used for hunting out of an elevated blind in Nebraska. The Savage is light weight and accurate and for when I am on the move.
 
It looks like I should have first asked of a heavy barrel is better or even necessary for a coyote gun. Thank you everyone for the great information. If a heavy barrel is not needed I will have to take a long hard look at the rifles suggested. As well as a T/C Venture.
 
Just looked at the new CDNN catalog. They have just what you are looking for in a Howa. Just not sure about the barrel. It says 20" or 24" barrel. Choice of calibers. Under 4 bills. Might be something to check on. Good Luck.
Click to expand...

I own a Howa 1500 in .308. The ranchland compact comes with a 20" barrel and the standard non magnum comes with a 22" barrel. I do not know where the 26" in the CDNN magazine comes from.
 
Mne is a the Remington BDL 2506 loaded with Nosler 100 gr BT. It reaches far yonder and with little holdover.
 
I own a Howa 1500 in .308. The ranchland compact comes with a 20" barrel and the standard non magnum comes with a 22" barrel. I do not know where the 26" in the CDNN magazine comes from.
Click to expand...

Just going by what the ad said in the new catalog. Page 53, lower right corner.

Might be a misprint.......
 
I have a T/C Venture in .243 and it's a tack driver. I would definitely look at the Venture before spending more on something else. If you don't mind a synthetic stock, they're tough to be beat for the price.
 
Quote:
I own a Howa 1500 in .308. The ranchland compact comes with a 20" barrel and the standard non magnum comes with a 22" barrel. I do not know where the 26" in the CDNN magazine comes from.
Just going by what the ad said in the new catalog. Page 53, lower right corner.

Might be a misprint.......

Haha. I got a good laugh out of this. Even if you didn't mean to point it out, I found it very funny.
 
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