Author Topic: 20" 243 barrel Not what I expected!!!  (Read 555 times)

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Offline JerryKo

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20" 243 barrel Not what I expected!!!
« on: February 25, 2009, 09:57:01 AM »
I have had this 20" 243 barrel for a couple years now and kept putting off making up some rounds and seeing what it could do.  I expected it to be shooting everywhere as I've read they have a bad reputation when it comes to accuracy.  Well, I am be very happy with its performance.  I wasn't shooting anywhere near hot.  I used Hornady's 87gr BTHP pushed to a little over 2800fps with 40.0 grains of H414 and a Rem 9 1/2 primer. This was all in new Winchester brass. I seated the bullet long, chambered round and then set the seating depth another 1/4 turn with a lee die.  I didn't use a crimp.  I got it on paper quick at 25 yards and couldn't believe it was one hole with two shots.  I made somemore adjustments and got good under an inch groups at 50yds and nearly dead on.  I only had a couple rounds left to fire and let them fly at somebody else's old target at 100yds and was happy to see the result.  Now I'm not going to say I could cover them with a dime, but I could touch the edges with a dime!  That was 14 shots in less than 30 minutes of range time.  Minus target and chrony setup.

This could be part reason too.  I have found three barrels that have used this forearm to be very accurate.  The 22 versa barrel, a fitted by me 25-06, and this 243.  It is the wide channelled ATI forearm that comes with the adj stock.  I am about ready to find somemore.  All I've done is remove some material that was touching at the very tip, with a dowel rod wrapped with sandpaper.  The stock has been repaired and "bedded" with Permapoxy putty, and does not wobble on the frame like it did before. 

Hardly any recoil and lots of adjustment, in such a compact rifle.  I am really likeing this setup.

410/22lr/243/25-06   and like a  said with that forearm and limited torque, this multi barrel combo is showing no noticible POI shift when swapping back between the 22lr and 25, have to double check with the 243 still.!!

I just might have found my HANDI Heaven!  Too bad its my son's. :P

I'll post some pics later.  It looks pretty cool. I forgot the mememory card for cameraphone.

Jerry
"It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up."- Vince Lombardi

Offline cwlongshot

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Re: 20" 243 barrel Not what I expected!!!
« Reply #1 on: February 25, 2009, 10:30:52 AM »
Great news!!  I LOVE it what the unexpected happens and its good news!!

 CW
"Pay heed to the man who carries a single shot rifle, he likely knows how to use it."

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Offline dk17hmr

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Re: 20" 243 barrel Not what I expected!!!
« Reply #2 on: February 25, 2009, 11:18:40 AM »
Was this the SuperLight?

My buddies son has one, they wanted me to make up a lighter recoiling round that he could use for deer last year.  I had some 70gr Nosler ballistic tips on hand so I loaded those.  I only ran them to about 2750fps because thats where the accuracy was, I ended up with a 1.5" 10 shot group at 50 yards without letting the barrel cool, the first round was the one that opened up the group the 9 others were right in at 1".  The boy shot a doe at just over 230 yards this past deer season with the rifle so I guess it works for him also.

Sometimes those little barrel suprise you.
Doug
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Sticks and stones may break my bones but hollow points expand on impact.

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Offline mechanic

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Re: 20" 243 barrel Not what I expected!!!
« Reply #3 on: February 25, 2009, 01:29:17 PM »
Glad you like it JerryKo.  I've had one for about a year now, and love it.  I can hold very good groups as far as I can see to shoot, as long as I don't rapid fire and heat it up.  With a cold barrel, the first three are always good!
Molon Labe, (King Leonidas of the Spartan Army)

Offline JerryKo

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Re: 20" 243 barrel Not what I expected!!!
« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2009, 01:45:21 PM »
I suppose its the superlite, as the dia at muzzle is smaller than a 22" 22hornet I have that is standard contour.  Now I wouldn't mind hacking down to 16.5". ::)

Thanks guys, it seems we always hear about the bad ones.  Good to know there are shooters too.  But actually, this one I bought from a member here as a three barrel combo and receiver(matched) he had it sent back to fact and said it still wouldn't shot as good as he had hoped.  So needless to say I had my doubts, but am tickled pink now!!


Jerry
"It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up."- Vince Lombardi

Offline JerryKo

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Re: 20" 243 barrel Not what I expected!!!
« Reply #5 on: February 25, 2009, 01:49:56 PM »
Another pic:
"It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up."- Vince Lombardi

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 20" 243 barrel Not what I expected!!!
« Reply #6 on: February 25, 2009, 02:09:23 PM »
Nice shooting Jerry!! ;) Unless the barrel has been shortened, the 20" length makes it a Superlight, the difference in contour is where the barrel swell tapers down, it's a bigger step on the Superlight than the standard contour, there's less taper on the Superlight even tho there isn't too much difference at the muzzle. Standard contours will be ~.650" or bigger at the muzzle, the Superlight is closer to .600", Marv's is .595", both of my .243s are ~.625".

Tim
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Offline Singleshotsam

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Re: 20" 243 barrel Not what I expected!!!
« Reply #7 on: February 25, 2009, 02:14:05 PM »
Good shooter.  The only recommendation I have would be to put a larger AR style pistol grip on it so it will be more comfy.  That's what I did w/ the ATI stock I had on my Rossi. 
I'm voting 3rd party in this election by writing in Jesus Christ for president.  Sadly even if this were an option most of you would still vote Republican because "It's a two party system."

Offline JerryKo

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Re: 20" 243 barrel Not what I expected!!!
« Reply #8 on: February 25, 2009, 02:23:16 PM »
NOW YOU GOT MY INTEREST.  I saw a screw holding the grip on , but never realized it could be replaced.  That makes it even cooler.  Thanks for the info!




Jerry
"It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up."- Vince Lombardi