Gunsmithing .243 Barrel Length, is 24" the min.?

[GUNNER75]

Just curious.

Have been running a .243 in a 28" and a newer build in 24", but have little time behind the 24".

Noticed a 35ish fps drop between the two. Need to chrony more loads to verify this.

Has anyone ran a shorter barrel .243? (shooting 107's or 115's?)
I know many have said that a 20" is out of the question, any input or test results out there?

I grew up shooting a 22" 700adl that performed on game (deer) out to 350yrds, maybe even a 400yrd kill.

I do know that running Varget and a 55gr Nosler out of a 24" makes it a flame thrower!

 

[steve123]

Re: .243 Barrel Length, is 24" the min.?

I had a DPMS in 243 with a 20 inch barrel.It was hard to get 2800 fps with 105's in it.In my 6x47L,which is about the same ballistic wise with the 243,I get 3100fps easy with a 28 inch barrel.My next barrel I think I'll sacrifice and do a 27inch.LOL

IMO,I like larger calibers with higher BC's like 6.5 and 7mm for carbine length barrels.That way you can at least take advantage of .6+ BC when the bullet is going slower than average.

Steve

 

[jeepone]

Re: .243 Barrel Length, is 24" the min.?

Not the same I know, but I have a 6x47, running 115's and 105's at around 2800 fps, w/ a 20 in barrel, using H4350.

No problems out to 1000 yds...just a slight dope change from when I had a 28 in barrel. Cut it...it doesn't make that much difference.

 

[desertHK]

Re: .243 Barrel Length, is 24" the min.?

I have mine at 26". Iwouldn't go less than 24"

 

[BearMan]

Re: .243 Barrel Length, is 24" the min.?

I have a 24" 243 Win using a 115 Plain SMK Pill shooting 2935 FPS @ 75F 900 Ft.

GAP built rifle

Later,
BearMan

 

[858]

Re: .243 Barrel Length, is 24" the min.?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GUNNER75</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I know many have said that a 20" is out of the question...
</div></div>

How many have actually tried it? Those that have generally say it works fine, those that haven't...

 

[19818119]

Re: .243 Barrel Length, is 24" the min.?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BearMan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a 24" 243 Win using a 115 Plain SMK Pill shooting 2935 FPS @ 75F 900 Ft.

GAP built rifle

Later,
BearMan </div></div>

Would you mind sharing your load Bearman?

Cheers,
Rath

 

[UNCIVILIZED]

Re: .243 Barrel Length, is 24" the min.?

I'm guessing that there's a lot of data & info on this topic on 6mmbr.com