• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

Gunsmithing .243 barrel with .236 bore?

FALex

Headmaster of Romper Room
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 5, 2011
2,018
591
USA
Hey all, looking for some help or guidance here. My smith is telling me that I should get (or he should get) a .243 barrel/6mm that has a .236 bore, and not the .237 bore. I have been looking at all known and obvious sources for barrels, but all I can see are .237 bores. Is the .236 bore a special order deal with a .243 barrel? Also, if any of you folks, knows where I can get my paws on one (1-7.5"tw, 28-30", MTU contoured), please let me know.
 
i dont know if it does make any diff (236 vs 237) i just baught 237 1:7.5 bartlein at grizzlys they have a lot of 6mm barrel
 
There is no difference in performance in barrel life or accuracy between the two. Bullet failure is higher in .236 bore barrels. If you do go .236 stay with the 5R style rifling as it will help deform/upset the bullet jacket less vs. an even groove barrel. I use to shoot .236 bore barrels but don't anymore.

We do make both.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels
 
There is no difference in performance in barrel life or accuracy between the two. Bullet failure is higher in .236 bore barrels. If you do go .236 stay with the 5R style rifling as it will help deform/upset the bullet jacket less vs. an even groove barrel. I use to shoot .236 bore barrels but don't anymore.

We do make both.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

Listen to Frank, he knows what he is talking about. I run several Bartlein barrels all with excellent results.
My Bartlein barrels in 6mm are .237 bore, 5R 1-7.5 twist, one in 6mm XC & one in 243 both are 28" tubes.
Both are using 115 dtacs shooting little bugholes.

Tony
 
Listen to Frank, he knows what he is talking about. I run several Bartlein barrels all with excellent results.
My Bartlein barrels in 6mm are .237 bore, 5R 1-7.5 twist, one in 6mm XC & one in 243 both are 28" tubes.
Both are using 115 dtacs shooting little bugholes.

Tony

do you guys think I could get a 105 Berger (VLD or Hybrid) up to 3100 with a 26" tube?
 
do you guys think I could get a 105 Berger (VLD or Hybrid) up to 3100 with a 26" tube?

Which 6mm are you using?

The only 6mm loads I've chronographed was for my 6mm XC which were real light loads but the accuracy was excellent. I do not load for speed just accuracy.
I've used anywhere from 37.0gr H4350 to 39.0 with 115gr DTACS (BN coated & Naked) & all grouped well so I stayed with the lighter load (37.0gr BN coated) which came in at 2732fps. I haven't chronographed the naked DTACs yet.
No pressure signs in any loads. I never chronograped the 105 hybrids or 107 SMK's, sorry
 
Last edited:
Which 6mm are you using?

The only 6mm loads I've chronographed was for my 6mm XC which were real light loads but the accuracy was excellent. I do not load for speed just accuracy.
I've used anywhere from 37.0gr H4350 to 39.0 with 115gr DTACS (BN coated & Naked) & all grouped well so I stayed with the lighter load (37.0gr) which came in at 2732fps.
No pressure signs in any loads. I never chronograped the 105 hybrids or 107 SMK's, sorry

yes, I guess that might've helped...this will be a 6x47 Lapua.
 
yes, I guess that might've helped...this will be a 6x47 Lapua.

IN a 26" tube I'm going to say you that would be a stretch. 115gr. Berger's out of my 30" finish length barrel in 6x47 Lapua I got 3030fps. My load was 39.0gr. of H4350.

Most guys that I've talked to shooting like 1k yard bench that have shot that caliber we're getting 3000-3100fps but most of them were running a 30" finish length.

My guess is your going to be around 2900fps.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels
 
Have a .236" 243 25.5" and have no problem with 105-107 getting to 3175. 42.5 h4350. It is a Krieger barrel. I have several major barrel makes that i run, including some of Franks. All shoot good to great. When i talked to Krieger about the difference between the 236&237 bore they told me that the 236 was for commercial bullets and the 237 was for the boutique br bullets. I got a lv contour1-8 236 from them. It has not shed any jackets or had any issues out to 1300 yds. It was very forgiving as far as load work up, pick a velocity and it shot it. Between3 different powders and two bullets, it seemed to like just about whatever i threw at it. Those barrels,IMHO, are far and few inbetween. My 6 br bartlien is a 236, was what bartlien recommended to me about 3 yrs ago.
 
RE17 would/should get you to 3100, if Frank Green used 39grs H4350, then 38.8grs RE17 should be a safe load and up 200fps more speed. In my 6 Creed 41.9grs RE17 is hitting higher at 300 than 42.2grs H4350. Im pretty sure that indicates higher velocity, or not.
qytkJFE.jpg

DZQwlfG.jpg
 
IN a 26" tube I'm going to say you that would be a stretch. 115gr. Berger's out of my 30" finish length barrel in 6x47 Lapua I got 3030fps. My load was 39.0gr. of H4350.

Most guys that I've talked to shooting like 1k yard bench that have shot that caliber we're getting 3000-3100fps but most of them were running a 30" finish length.

My guess is your going to be around 2900fps.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

true with the 115's, but what about the 105's? I should be able to hit the 3050-3100 range, don't you think? PM sent your way too!
 
true with the 115's, but what about the 105's? I should be able to hit the 3050-3100 range, don't you think? PM sent your way too!

Not with a 26" tube.

If you did pull it off the primer pockets would be gone in 2-3 firings.
 
damn, no shit, huh? Do you think the extra 2" would help, or would I still be pushing pretty hard?
 
do you guys think I could get a 105 Berger (VLD or Hybrid) up to 3100 with a 26" tube?

I run 105 hornady hpbts in my 6x47 down a 26" three groove with H4350, Measuring case head expansion my cases didn't start to stretch till I hit 3160-3170. In my gun I hit a node at 3120 and one at 3000. Been running it at 3000 lately, Took a pd with her at 1013yd Saturday;)
 
The very best shooting 6ppc barrel i ever owned was one of franks 6mm 14 twist barrels with a .236 bore 4 groove. Shot lights out!! Also i think Brux barrels has a or one of the 600 yard records and all there 6mm barrels 8 twist are .236 bore. they dont really like to make anything else. Brux makes some dam fine sticks!! Lee