I'm going to be picking up a new 243 in the near future and I've decided on the Ruger American. Currently it is offered in a 22" barrel however they are releasing an 18" compact version soon and I'm kind of tempted to wait for that. How much would 4" less of barrel effect accuracy/velocity/etc.? I think I may end up going with the compact version regardless just because of its size, but I'm still curious to know how a shorter barrel effects the 243.

You will lose some velocity, but I don't think it's going to be anything you are going to notice within 200 yards. With that length barrel I am assuming you are not intending for the rifle to be a long distance rig. An 18" barrel will make a good compact package for sure.

Compact barrel is handy, but that sucker will spit a fireball at dusk. I had a 16.5" .308 that would just about blind you...

I love my compact 18". Lot easier snaking it through the blind window. I have other guns for long range

My Tikka Whitetail Hunter is 22" and I have no problem with it.
I have shot 18 & 20" barrel high caliber guns and the blast and fireball is mind boggling!

My GSR does that.

I still love the rifle, though.

In the tight confines of a box blind or pick-up cab, shorter is better. One of my .243s, a Ruger 77RL, has a 20" barrel. I also own the similar 6mm Remington with an 18" barrel. Both are handy and accurate.

If you are a walk-about hunter/stalker, you might appreciate a 22" barrel and the better balance it provides.

But I've hung around Texas hunters all my life and almost all of them won't walk 50 yds from the vehicle if they can drive closer. And faced with the prospect of climbing even a 150' hill sends them into fits of apoplexy.

It seems we've met.

4" shorter, will equal about 100 fps less than a 22". For hunting at normal distances (i.e. less than 300/400 yards), it won't matter. Accuracy, depends on the ammo being used.

I've got a Ruger 77 Compact in 260 (16.5 inch barrel) and I'm really fond of it. I've shot pigs and coyotes to 400 yards without a problem at all. I'd prefer an 18 inch barrel to the shorter one that I have, but I'll make do with what I have. I have to say that I don't notice any great increase in muzzle blast noise or fireball when I compare that rifle to my 22 inch barreled 270. That may be because I reload with a fast powder (fast for that caliber).

Get the compact. You won't be sorry.

HA! I've shot more than my fair share of hogs without even leaving the seat of my Kubota RTV.

Love my 18.5" Mohawk 243.

have had 3 243's with 18.5 inch barrels. Mowhawk and 2 788's deadly combination makes for a great blind or truck gun.

Anyone know the estimated release date of the compact models?

I just saw the advertisement in a Handloader mag I bought a couple of days ago. It didn't say what the barrel length was, though I'm sure interested. I think Ruger is doing some smart marketing with this Compact. I wonder what our old friend Google has to say.

If you shoot from your truck get an 18". I have a 20" and I am shopping for a 22" replacement. I need all the power I can get to make up for my field marksmanship or lack there of.

I'm all about the shorter guns now, I personally like the benefits of maneuverability, lighter weight, easier to swing and point, deployment from a vehicle so on and so forth over the very little velocity gains from a extra 4-6" of barrel.

10-4 I'm definitely going with the compact just gotta wait for it to be released