243 with 20" barrel?

[tydaws]

I am currently contemplating rigging up a 243 with a 20" barrel. Just wondering if anyone has any actual chronographed load data out of a 20" barrel. I am wanting a light walk around gun, mainly for calling coyotes and carrying in the pickup. Let me know what you guys think.

 

[headhunter1111]

I had a 18 1/2 inch barrel on a Ruger featherweight for about a month one time... I couldn't stand 2moa accuracy so I got a 26" Douglas in 243ack. I believe I gained around 200 fps with the same load of 4350 with 87 gr HP. Part of this was probably due to the improved shoulders but I suspect that you would lose quite a bit of velocity with the shorter barrel. My favorite coyote gun at the moment is a .223 with a 22" barrel. Quick to get out the window when the situation calls for it , it's a Varmint contour but is still plenty light, shoots 1/4moa and doesn't slow me down a bit if I have to hike a ways and you save a few fps. Thats just my two cents though.

 

[Rustystud]

I have a 20" Broughton 1:8, 5C on a model 7 Remington. Shoots 95-105 grain bullets great. I am running them 3000-3250 with no problems.
Nat Lambeth

 

[Preacher]

What you'll loose in velocity, you'll gain in accuracy....

 

[K22]

I have a Model 7, Remington in 243 that I purchased in 1995 which has a 20" barrel.

My pet load in 38.0 grains of IMR 4350, 100 grain Sierra Pro Hunter, Federal 210M primer. I acheive about 2600 f/s + or - 50 f/s depending on temperature. This load is very accurate; well under 1 moa.

This rifle is the most unbelievable rifle I've ever own since there is no reason it should group as tight as it does with a pencil thin barrel and cheap unbedded stock. Five shot groups average about .675.

Another good load I've use is 40.0 grains of IMR 4350, 85 grain boat tail hollow point Sierra. It get about 2750 f/s. This is probably the best overall load for general purpose hunting.

 

[tydaws]

Thank you guys for your input. I think I am going to give it a try.

 

[weejohn]

I was getting 3390fps with 41.7gr N140 and a 65gr vmax using federal gold medal primers and 3500fps using 70gr noslers with cci primers. I cant remember the powder weight for the nosler load though as i just stuck with the vmax.