243 help????

[robster]

Hi guys. Looking for some input. Got opportunity to get a Ruger Hawkeye in 243 but its a 16.5" barrel. Wonder pros/cons on a short barrel???? Use would be really for coyotes. I use a 12g and 308 currently, but the 308 damages them too much. Thanks for the replys!

[Pat32rf]

The amount of damage is going to be based more on the bullet style and velocity that results. A light high speed bullet will fragment and blow a large exit wound. Heavier slower bullets tend to leave a smaller wound channel and exit hole. If your bullet is REALLY light and fast, then it might not even exit if it hits enough meat to explode.....

[trimmer21]

Hi guys. Looking for some input. Got opportunity to get a Ruger Hawkeye in 243 but its a 16.5" barrel. Wonder pros/cons on a short barrel???? Use would be really for coyotes. I use a 12g and 308 currently, but the 308 damages them too much. Thanks for the replys!

Ruger rifles are tack drivers. I have two M77's, (.243 Ultra light 22") and an International (30-06 Sprg-18.5") My personal preference for varmint rifles is the 22",simply because of the longer range capabilities. You won't regret buying a Ruger,but,the price is virtually the same for either length of barrel.

[oilman]

i got the thomson centre bolt action havent tried it but a very nice handling gun with the scope

[jaycee]

Hi guys. Looking for some input. Got opportunity to get a Ruger Hawkeye in 243 but its a 16.5" barrel. Wonder pros/cons on a short barrel???? Use would be really for coyotes. I use a 12g and 308 currently, but the 308 damages them too much. Thanks for the replys!

Short barrels ? easier /lighter to carry , don't get tangled in brush etc. and some are very accurate, however my .243 is now a 26 inch re barreled pre 64 mdle. 70 win. with which I have shot countless coyotes over 36 years , other than this year due to snow and weather conditions.
Last year I worked up a load using Barnes bullets [62 gr. hollow point varmint grenade] Very accurate but must have a barrel twist of 1 in 10 or faster .
Extremely accurate capable of 3/8 inch groups if I do my part.
Last year the 7 coyotes I shot with that rifle and cal. , I did not get any exit wound, total blow up inside the animal.
Another load that I use is one with Nossler 55 gr. balitic tip bullets, which I have to push out at near max. velocity for accuracy[ 3900 fps plus] this load is also devastating and have only had a couple exits [ through the guts ] yuck.
I have also loaded and shot full metal jacketed bullets [80 gr. Hornady ] almost shoot three shots into one hole ,extremely accurate but the bullets went through the boiler room hitting lungs without much destruction and often the coyotes would travel another concession or two before the dogs would find them , literally no pelt damage but unless the coyote was hit in the head they were a poor killer, gave up on those bullets for hunting .

I do like my .243, it's a reach out and get them cal. but is noisier than my .222 which has a short 20 inch barrel and also very accurate with my custom reloads, I reload for all my guns .

Under normal shooting hunting conditions and range , there is no detriment to having a short barrel, some bench rest shooters also use short barrels as they do not flex / vibrate as much as longer barrels and contribute to some awesome accuracy.

[skypilot]

Pros= easy handling, lighter weight , maybe better balanced.
Cons=May lose some velocity when and if you use slower burning powders. Some varmint bullets need high velocity in order to function optimally. The loss in FPS wouldn't matter much inside 500yds.

I'm guessing the loss in velocity isn't more than about 200 fps from 22" to 16.5"