Ruger Compact 243

[GlennGTR1]

I was wondering if any of you have had any experience with the 16.5 inch barreled 243. Thinking of using this as a walking varminter/scout rifle/predator/kids first deer rifle. I like the way it handles but need a review. This is a kicking around gun that would get carried a lot. Stainless laminate helps with the weather around here also. Bullet weights used will be 70-95 grains in weight.

 

[zedsdead]

A friend has one but his is wood/blued. Nice handling and light. He got it for the same reasons you stated. His daughter used it as her first deer rifle. It was fairly accurate, right around 1" three shot groups, as long as he didn't get it hot. The barrels on those things are so pencil thin it is almost scary. After three quick shots you could fry bacon on it. In my opinion it is a good gun for its intended purposes.

Jason

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

I don't know if you're concerned about the velocity of the bullet but, with the short 16.5" barrel you may not be able to attain the velocities that you may want. Just not enough barrel there to alot the time it takes to burn all the powder. Another option would be the 22" barreled Savages out there. You can get them with stainless barrels, accustock, but, I don't think they are as affordable as the Ruger. Just an option!

Mike

 

[bigred]

I can't speak for the the .243 but I have one in 7mm-08 and i love it. Light, accurate and easy to maneuver through brush. Bought it for the wife but i let some of the young kids hunt with it, its perfect for them. I even catch my self taking bear hunting. At 5.5# you can carry it all day. Just be aware, you can pull a truck out with the factory trigger.

 

[Bugs]

Decent little rifle; picked one up for my 11-year-old grandson, Tyler, & started with 60 grain Sierra's and 15 grains of XMP5744; About like shooting a hornet; moved up to a mild load of 3031 with the same bullet and then moved on up to 87 grain Hornady's and a fairly stout load of H414. Ty got to the point where he could shoot the little gun fairly well and took a medium sized Penna. buck at a little over 200 yards. Just a great rifle for a small youngster.

 

[GlennGTR1]

What kind of velocities were you getting with the lighter bullets. I was thinking of using this rifle on predators out to about 350 to 400 yards. It will be a multi purpose rifle and youth gun. Im thinking about using 75 to 95 grain bullets for most things. The 75s will be varmint and predator load.

 

[cliffy]

70 grain Speer TNT and RL-15 seem a good varmint match cartridge. 85 grain Barnes TSX-BT and H414 seem a good deer match cartridge. Recoil should be mild in either. Powders betwixt RL-15 and H4350 burn-rate should work well in short .243 barrels. cliffy

 

[blackjack]

Just got the SS Laminate compact in .300RCM a replacement after returning a 22 Hornet that would not shoot. Best group during barrel break in was just a little over 3 MOA. Needless to say I called Ruger and much to my surprise they said worst case scenario was 1" to 1 1/2" at 50 yds. I returned it and they called 2 days later to say they put a new stock on it and it would shoot 3/4" at 50 yds. It has a control round feed so forget dropping 1 in at the time they have to come out of the magazine to feed right.If I had know this before I would have purchased another brand.Customer service girls are supper to deal with though.

 

[cliffy]

Sturm/Ruger is a great American company. Often way ahead of its competition in development of the NEW, the potent, the useful. Still, regarding the .243 Winchester's already superior qualities for hunting in so many ways, Ruger manages to elate hunters every year with new products. A Remington Model 700 CDL in .243 Winchester should remain its top competition as All-American as Ruger. Cliffy