Which ultra varmint would you buy?

[NYSdeerslayer]

I am going to buy an ultra varmint and want to know which one is going to be
the most accurate? I really like the looks of the syn. fluted.
Max range will probably be around 300-350 yds.

                                                 NYSdeerslayer

[LaOtto222]

All of them can shoot well. If you want the Ultra Varmint fluted, then that is what I would get. They are offered in 204, 223, 22-250 and 243 and all have 24" barrels. 300 - 350 yards is stretching the 223 a little, but doable, any of the others would be a good choice too. Personally, I think I would go with the 204 in the Ultra Varmint fluted, but that is just me. Just be warned that IF you have fore end problems, the synthetic fore ends are not as versatile as the wood fore ends to make adjustments to. I have a 223 Ultra Varmint rifle with the laminated stock and fore end. I have a weakness for the laminated woods, but that is a personal thing. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[chip-don]

I used to use a 243  because it was a back up deer rifle  but the jay of the 204 with no recoil and flat shooting now gets the most use
good luck  the most important thing is to shoot the more the better...

[shaner]

id have to say  the lower calibers , 204  223  22/250 would all fit the bill, check into your reloading cost? do you have any of the calibers already? reloading componets are high now?

[striker525]

I got the Ultra varminter  TH in 223 and am going to order the .204 and the .308. I like the 223 but I just don't think 300-350 yards is capable accurately. Am also thinking of the 25-06 or the .243  haven't made up my mind yet.

[Enios]

Here's a copy of the e-mail I got from them today after trying to call there toll free # for almost 2 weeks and it keeps telling you they have a problem with the line......

Factory spects for that firearm are 21/2 inches or less at 100 yards i1/2 being good if you feel your not getting that send it back to us with a note and we will target it at 100 yards and repair or replace the barrel if needed.

My problem is 2 1/2" would be a good group unless they are talking about 3 shot groups. I might could get that in if I was LUCKY.  I've done all the Basics listed above and then some. My 16" AR Carbine will put it to shame. With this kind of expected accuracy and service I'm done with them and going back to the Encore, Just hope to get some of my money I've wasted back. Look down the bore and you can see rings cut into the rifling and I told them that. Had I known there specs were 2 1/2" at a hundred I wouldn't even have thought of buying one.

Sent it back yesterday  May 5 will post results when I get it back...bet I won't have a 2lb trigger on it when it get back.

[NYSdeerslayer]

I have a syn. .223 std. barrel Handi and love it.
I have not shot the .223 past 200 yds. with 55 gr hondady v-maxes yet.
(under 1 1/2" groups at 200) thought that was pretty good myself.
I do want the new rifle to be my back up long range gun.
If I can get a fluted ultra varmint .243 to be a tack driver at 300+ yds. I
guess that's what I will be leaning toward.  So to narrow it down a bit is
the fluted .243 ultra varmint more accurate or the same as the rest of the
line-up? Keep in mind that I would like to start out shooting factory loads
before adding another set of dies to the collection.
Thanks for the info so far guys.
                                                   NYSdeerslayer

[GPR125]

I have to admit being a bit confused by your question.  You are expecting target grade accuracy out of an external hammer design with a trigger that is certainly not stare of the art.  Why not accept them for what they, a simple, sturdy design that doesn't require kid gloves.  They are certainly capable of good accuracy, but there are lots of bolt guns and slam loaders that can deliver the accuracy you seem to be expecting.   A .223 is a pretty consistent 300 round, a 204 doesn't add much if any to that.   a .22-250 adds 50 to 100 yards if you do your part.   A 6mm bucks wind better, but isn't much fun after the first 20 rounds.    Put some good glass on them and you'd be surprised what a difference that can make.  But being an econo rifle, it'll probably have a $50 chinese scope and guess what.  now you've got a pretty fair 200 yarder.    But hey,  I like the laminated wood too.  Barrel flutes look cool, and might add some surface area for heat loss.  But it won't make the weapon shoot any farther or closer to the POA. 

[knight0334]

Buffalo Classic model...    that is if you like lobbing them in like I do on varmints.

[poncaguy]

I have 2, a 223 and a 204, they will both shoot MOA.....................

[stimpylu32]

Knight brings up a good point , ever hit a P-dog with a 405 grain case bullet form a 45/70 , I have = varmint pudding . 

stimpy

If your going to max your shots at 350 yards , go with the fluted 243 , if you realy want to reach out there get the 26" 25/06 . 

[ECV Slick]

I went with .223 for my Ultra Varmint - but mostly because I have other rifles in this caliber.

[mrbgt]

enios , send it back and let them replace the barrel . all companies have lemons sneak out . the .223 is more than capable of 300 yd accuracy, even out to 600 yds with a good shooter , seems like the .243 is finicky but would be a great round also . i can't see .204 doing anything much better than the .223, especially when you figure the cost of ammo whether you reload or not. I've seen some 35 grn. bullets for the .223 if you want flatter and faster. i have 2 Ar's and a savage 112 in .223 and really love the caliber .

[swiss7.5]

I got the .204 flute a she is a DREAM to shoot

[Couger]

id have to say  the lower calibers , 204  223  22/250 would all fit the bill, check into your reloading cost? do you have any of the calibers already? reloading componets are high now?

Very good points.  Was me I'd stick with the economical .223.  If you're often concerned about any winds at 350yds, the .22-250 is the best of the choices offered in that barrel unless you go to an HB .243 (provided it shoots well in .243).

[Enios]

enios , send it back and let them replace the barrel . all companies have lemons sneak out . the .223 is more than capable of 300 yd accuracy, even out to 600 yds with a good shooter , seems like the .243 is finicky but would be a great round also . i can't see .204 doing anything much better than the .223, especially when you figure the cost of ammo whether you reload or not. I've seen some 35 grn. bullets for the .223 if you want flatter and faster. i have 2 Ar's and a savage 112 in .223 and really love the caliber .

Sent it back yesterday will post results of what they did when I get it back. I have a Bushmaster 16" heavy barrel carbine 223 that will do 1 1/2" all day, I have a 700VS in 223 that 1/2" is a rather large group for it, Had an Encore with 26 heavy barrel that would do the same. I bought the H&R to work loads for my AR but The AR would shoot circles around it with 1/3 of the scope and mounted on the carrying handle with a 6" shorter barrel. Only thing I hate is I had the trigger to a slick 2 lbs and I know it will come back with a finger breaker. If they don't replace the barrel that will be good though would be hard getting rid of it with the light trigger. Another thing along with the rings in the bore, The patch would get so tight in the last 2 or 3" of the barrel it was all I could do to push it through. I know the barrel is bad it just gripped my butt that they came back with "the specs are 2  1/2" at 100 yds for that model. AN ULTRA VARMINT my 22 will do an 1" at 100, if the winds not blowing it will do under 3 all day at 175 and have done under 2 with velocitors. The reply on the above post was a direct copy and paste from the reply not one I typed in. As far as loveing the caliber I've got 1500 rds loaded and ready to go now. Shoot between 100 to 200 rds almost every week end. I but my powder 8 lbs at a time and primers 5000 at time. LOVE the 223 my lite and most accurate 40 gr loads are running between 3500 and 3600fps. Got 2 hot rounds that run a little better than 3700 out of my Remington. I'll play with any 204.

[Enios]

Finally got it back today. Sent a target of what they shot with 55 grain Black Hills with about a 2" group and sent it back (three shot group). May have lapped the barrel didn't see the rings in end of bore.  Didn't bother trying just took it straight to my gunsmith and Traded for a new Encore Pro Hunter I should have got in the first place. Know what they are capable of doing. Changed out trigger spring and nice 2lb trigger. Will work it down more when I get it broke in. No more 2 1/2" + for me.

My son was doing 2" and under at 175 yds with a 16" AR carbine last Saturday and I was lucky to get that at a 100 with my ULTRA VARMINT and they thought that was perfectly acceptable.

[mrbgt]

i would have tried it out , you may be a better shot than the guy that tested it , but enjoy your encore !!

[Enios]

i would have tried it out , you may be a better shot than the guy that tested it , but enjoy your encore !!

Would have been a waste of time, I had already put nearly 200 rds through it with only 2 five shot groups worth a mention. I could shoot the group he shot most of the time but when you throw in 2 more rounds you have a shot gun pattern with a 3 to 3 1/2" spread, this is a heavy barrel rifle not a sporter, but I would still make sure the barrel cooled between shots. I know they make some shooters but I've never owned anything that shot that bad, but have never had and Encore that wouldn't do under and inch. There is no way 2 1/2" is acceptable in any rifle in my Opinion. As I have said if it shoots like that at 100 where might it be hitting another 100 or 2 down the line when it wont even get 2 bullets close together. It would double at 2 and triple at 3 without knowing which in the 2 1/2" spread might be where it should be hitting since no one bullet would hit in the same place twice. I do head shots on Varmints and a lot of paper shooting. The rifle was worthless for either and a 223 is an overkill at 25 to 50 yards, that's what the 10-22 is for. A good Pro Hunter is just about another 300, barrels are higher but I know what I'm getting into and they will fit all so if you don't like it they are no problem to get rid of. I traded my blued Encore to the gunsmith for my Bushmaster AR and offered him the price of a new Pro Hunter for it last night and he turned me down and showed me a case of 40 Hornday V-Max he had just bought to shoot in it said it out shot any bolt or any other rifle he had ever owned and hes been in the business for over 30 years and all I did was a trigger job down to a pound and stick a Muller Eridactor and bubble level on it. OH YEA I had the trigger on it down to just under 2 pounds and they didn't touch it either