Ok as mentioned in a earlier post,Im looking at the H&R 223 for a truck/small game/Varmit rifle......The gun will be used for beavers,coy dogs,bobcats ,wild dogs and for those long ranged stubborn Turkeys.

I would like it too be light enough too grab quickly and dependable enough too hold zero with heavy use.As you can see the gun will be in "abusive" hands (no I want be hitting anything in the head with it) , But you all get the picture.

So with that being said,do you all recommend the standard or heavy varmit barrel for this rifles use ?

I can get the laminated standard barrel for $250, and the laminated heavy barrel for $300

I'd spend the extra $50 if you're going to be shooting longer ranges. The heavier barrels are supposed to provide more accuracy.

Thats what I was thinking,just wanted too hear from a few of you all 1st before I spent the $

weren't you looking at the 223 and 243 ?

just the 223

A heavy barrel has nothing to do with accuracy unless you are fireing enough rounds at one time to heat the barrel up significantly, then generally a heavy barrel is less likely to shift. Quality of a barrel is what brings accuracy, and contrary to popular belief often a shorter barrel is more accurate at the expense of velocity. If you want a light, handy truck gun then a light barrel would be the ticket. For accuracy you might want to look real hard at a Stevens ($200.00) or Savage Package rifle($320.00) as just about all of them are tack drivers.

Thanks bsn,

Ive owned a savage 223 combo wood stock before and quickly got rid of it.After bedding it and trying different brands of ammo I couldnt get the **** thing too shoot better than 1 3/4" at 100yds.
Do you think iI would be better off with a stevens syn. ?

heavy barrel has less recoll but more weight. i would seroulsy consider the 22-250

A heavy barrel has nothing to do with accuracy unless you are fireing enough rounds at one time to heat the barrel up significantly, then generally a heavy barrel is less likely to shift. Quality of a barrel is what brings accuracy, and contrary to popular belief often a shorter barrel is more accurate at the expense of velocity. If you want a light, handy truck gun then a light barrel would be the ticket. For accuracy you might want to look real hard at a Stevens ($200.00) or Savage Package rifle($320.00) as just about all of them are tack drivers.

bsn: What Stevens are you referring to for $200.

Look at Walmart or D icks you can often find the Stevens for about $200.00.

My experience has been the same as bsn. I have a heavy barrel Ruger #1V in 25-06. I have a Sauer 202 in 7mm Rem Mag with a sporter weight barrel. Both are very accurate. The difference between the two being how long it will hold POI firing successive shots. The 7mm heats up quickly and follow-on shots start to string down and to the right. 3 shots with this gun and it's moved an inch. The -06 can go several successive shots before it gets appreciably hot and holds POI better before it needs to sit and cool.

I want a flutted heavy barrel where you have the advantages of both. My 221 Fireball is a Light Varmint Stainless Flutted and I can shoot it almost non stop in moderately cool temperatures and not worry about it getting hot.

heavy barrel has less recoll but more weight. i would seroulsy consider the 22-250

I am considering the 223 due too the price of ammo , due too the fact that I wont be reloading for this one.

I had a NEF Survivor in 223 with the bull barell.It was a very accurate,tough rifle and the barrel stayed cool.A real good gun/shooter.

I would just consider this : remember that a gun that is heavier takes more energy to carry, hold up, etc. and is slower to get into action, especially grabbing it with one hand... I recently bought a few guns, a couple with heavy barrels to get the match triggers etc with the rigs...but the heavy barrels have had a negative impact in some aspects as noted above. I wish I had the lighter guns, and I usually do not shoot fast enough or long enough to have an accuracy impact from heated barrels..an occasional shot at a predator... truck gun... I promise you I would go with the lighter gun...it makes a difference how light it is when ou are handling it or walking with it too.
the accuracy will not be bad with a lighter barrell .. I was mistaken in getting the heavy ones... hate to see you make a mistake.
dk