Interested in Handi Rifle 243.

[Com45acp]

I would like to buy one of these but see alot of negative on accuracy. Is this really a problem or just guys that are wanting it to be a 1 hole shooter. My local shop has 2 used Handi Rifles in 243. 1 blued and 1 stainless. He said the stainless one was traded in because the guy said it didn't shoot to his expectations for shooting ground hogs. Please help. Rifle will be used for deer and some varmints.
Thanks.

[xsilver03x]

I think I would go for a 223 or 204, like you I have not heard any good news on the 243.  But as you will hear, it just takes a little work to get it right.  I have a 223 handi, no bbl, and love it 100 yards with even cheap ammo it cuts  holes.  I like the round because there is really no recoil, I hate a gun that kicks on both ends.  I like I said it takes some work to get it were you want it, with  any cal.

[Com45acp]

I can't shoot deer with anything smaller in 243 in Va

[Jal5]

Read all the posts here on the 243. There are problems with the ultra light barrel, in that they are very finicky. I am still working with a regular contour barrel and have tried several different fixes discussed here. I am planning on making one more change to the scope mounting, if no good it will go back to the factory.

Joe

[Badnews Bob]

I had a standard barreled .243 and it shot pretty well, I traded it and wish I hadn't. I'd stay away from the super lites thou.

[mitch132]

I've got a .243 Fluted Bull Barrel Ultra that (with a few minor fixes and handloading) is shooting 3/4 to 1" at 100 yards. As far as fixes, I gave it a trigger job, Flitz polished the bore, free floated the barrel, replaced the factory scope rail with a Warne Tactical Steel Picatinny base and  epoxy bedded it to the barrel, and full length resize all my reloads. With time and patience these can be pretty good shooting rifles, just know that they are not bench rest material and stand a good chance of needing a bit of tinkering and fine tuning to shoot extremely well. I like them just for this reason, but if your needing grab and go pin-point accuracy with no work and factory loads, you may want to consider other options or calibers. For deer sized game, these should be just fine with minimal to no work.

[quickdtoo]

I have two Superlights and two Ultras, started with an Ultra 4yrs ago, it shoots the 100gr Power-shoks under 1", half that on my good days!! Bought a t-hole Ultra last year, it shoots the 80gr Rem Corelokts good enough that I sent it to my gunsmith for rechambering to 6mmAckley. 

I bought a Superlight barrel earlier this year, it shoots 80gr Rem Core-lokts inside 2", and handloaded 100gr Speers with H4895 with the first two rounds almost touching and the third opening the group up to 1½"-2", that's 3 shots at 100yds within 2 minutes. It shoots good enough that I bought another so my both my grandsons would each have one when they're ready....more like when their mom is ready to let them shoot!!

Tim

[mechanic]

I just "traded up" a youth 243, and put a varmint stock on it for my own use.  The only spare scope I had is almost as long as the little barrel.  I just about didn't want to shoot it after some of the things I've read, but I guess I got lucky.  Shoots fine.  My first 3 shots were a cloverleaf at 50 yards.  Opens up to just over an inch at 100.  I don't know about you guys, but for me thats hunting good.  I should still be easily in the kill zone at 200, and thats about as far as I'm inclined to shoot.  By the way, my best accuracy was with 95 grain Hornady polymer tips.  I haven't yet tried it on a deer, but since I've taken deer in the past with a 223, I have no doubt this will do better.

Ben

[dozernomore]

I just picked up a 243 thumb hole laminate,bull barrel,a couple of months ago,,when I first shot it,,it was all over the place,a lot of vertical stringing,,then checked and modified a little,,according to FAQ section,,and that dramatically improved accuracy,,around 2'' at 100 yards,,,then took it to a gunsmith to check my muzzle crown,,,he said  the crown is fine,,just keep shooting it,,it will get better,,and low and behold it has improved,,,I run the federal 243 80 grain psp,,it's relatively cheaper,,,to use for barrel break in,,,last time at the range i was doing a little over 1'' at 100 yard's,,,,might try experimenting with some different ammo soon,,,but not till I get some venison though,,,it's shotgun week here now,,,then bow again after

[guzzijohn]

Sorry, got to put in my two cents worth. I bought a new Handi .243 a couple of years ago with the bull barrel. It has been a tough road to hoe. After completing the the suggested checks and fixes this is how it shoots at a 100yds (was worse):
(Have tried with two different scopes, full through trigger pull, rest on bags just in front of trigger guard, dry latch, etc, etc.)

Winchester Supreme 55gr.       2-4"
Federal Fusion 90 gr.               2-4"
Hornady 58 gr.                       8"+
Remington 80gr corelocks        6-8"
Handload - H4895 90gr Speer   around 2" most of the time but sometimes a flyer will make it 4"+

If more than about one shot a minute it will start vertically stringing. I bought the gun for a knock around   on the ATV, pickup, etc. With reloads I can live with it but if I ever buy another Handy it will probably be a rimmed case caliber which appear to be more consistent. Also just to clarify it is not my shooting ability as my stock out of the box Savage 110 .243 will average around 3/4" and my high wall in .219 Donaldson-Wasp 1/2 to 3/4".

[quickdtoo]

H&R's accuracy standard is 2" at 100yds with factory ammo, there's no excuse not to send it in for repair unless you live in Canada. 

Tim

[tykempster]

Tim, is your 6mm Ackley done?

[quickdtoo]

Not yet, expecting a call anytime tho, maybe a Christmas present from Wayne!!!

Tim

[guzzijohn]

Quick,
What if any documentation is required for accuracy repair? I was the one that removed the hinge pin and had to send it in to have that  properly replaced and adjusted. At that time I requested that they check for accuracy concerns and explained what I had tried and the results I had. When the rifle was returned their was no comment or test target concerning accuracy.
GuzziJohn

[quickdtoo]

I'd just contact them and tell em you have tried everything to get it to shoot decent without luck, ask them to fix it. 

Tim

[quickdtoo]

Tim, is your 6mm Ackley done?

Just got an email from Wayne, he finished them yesterday, will ship them today or tomorrow!!

Tim

[the_spotdoctor]

Everyone has opinions on Handis. I have owned four of them. 2 243s one standard and one bull barrel. One 308 and an ultra 25 06. The bull 243. shoots 1 inch groups most of the time. The others were never in the ball park. I have since sold all of them, except for the bull 243 which I gave my daughter and it does adequate.
It takes some work to get them to shoot very well , and had problems with them out of the box. I guess it is kind of like optics, you get what you pay for. For $ 300 buy yourself one of the new Marlin centerfires and never look back. They will shoot 1" groups no problem out of the box. Don't want to offend anyone , but the workmanship on Handis was very poor in my opinion. Just passing along my experience with them.