16inch or 18inch 243

[EngelseJohann]

I have an old 243 with a damaged end of barrel. It used to shoot sub moa and I would like to keep this rifle for my sons so I’m taking it to a gunsmith to cut the end off and thread for a F&D silencer.

I would like to go 16inch as it would be a nice small and light carry rifle but I’m concerned I will lose too much velocity.

Any advice / recommendations?

I’m planning on shooting 85gr SBC’s and I don’t think I’ll need more 2800fps?


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[tripodmvr]

Depending on propellant both barrel lengths would be able to get to 2800fps. The 18 inch will be a bit more flexible. I used a safe pressure of 55K psi to calculate the speeds with Quick Load.

[Alwin]

I am all for short-barreled, handy rifles. Especially calibers with relatively small powder capacity relative to bore size do well in such a configuration.

A 243 uses slower burning powders, with a lot of powder going through a relatively small bore, meaning that it uses a lot of barrel length to completely combust all of the powder. This means it is not really ideal with short barrels.

If my 243 had a barrel with damage in the front part, I would have the 'smith remove just the damaged part and nothing more.

While he is cutting and re-crowning, let him also thread it for a suppressor. You will definitely need it.

[EngelseJohann]

So I got my 18 inch 243 back from the gunsmith with the F&D196 on the front.

For interest sake:

100gr factory loads have gone from 2755fps to 2690fps

90gr hand loads have gone from 2955fps to 2825fps

Any idea why the 100gr ammo has less speed drop than the 90gr? Due to the powder?


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[tripodmvr]

What propellant are you using with the 90gr bullets?

[EngelseJohann]

IMR4350


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[tripodmvr]

Using Quick Load and an initial 22 inch barrel the 100gr bullet speed drop is given as 2599fps. With the 90gr bullets the calculated value with the 18 inch barrel was 2793fps. There you have scored with the 2825fps. The bigger drop in speed might be due to distance from the lands or the type of propellant.

[EngelseJohann]

Thank you. Overall I’m very happy with the shortened barrel and new speeds


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[Arnold]

picture please

[EngelseJohann]

IMG_2988.jpg

It’s an old Sako but she still shoots sub MOA


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