Thread: .243 in 16 inch barrel - What are your thoughts?

Thinking about cutting down a .243 to 16 inch barrel and suppressing it as a bushpig. What are your guys thoughts?

Just concerned about potential losses of velocity/ accuracy - has anyone done this themselves or in a similar calibre?

Cheers in advance,

Josh

Wont loose accuracy just velocity. I reackon 16 is a bit short in a 243. 18" will still be a nice handy bush gun with still a bit of range in the tank.

Something i'm thinking of doing to my .243, or buying a cheap one to do it with... also keen to hear what folk think...

Hi guys cut mine to 16in couple of years back now suppresed it with one of dpts which you need to do or wear earmuffs cause it can bark real good. I handload using 85gn barnes tsx and 40gr of 2206h for just over 3000fps animals dont seem to notice the drop in speed.Acurate out to 250 odd most of my shooting is under 100 but have targets at the longer ranges and the odd sika at 200 rolls them over cant ask for more than that,no regrets doing it so if you handload go for it you will like it cheers Huk

PS also load 87gn vmax same load and quite by chance have the same poi as barnes which makes it a long range bunny buster or any other small critters and good cheap practice ammo cheers Huk

Iv got a pair of 18 inch 243s
my main rifle is a kimber like that

would happily do it again, it makes for a fantastic rifle. velocity is only mildly down

Originally Posted by Bill999

Iv got a pair of 18 inch 243s
my main rifle is a kimber like that

would happily do it again, it makes for a fantastic rifle. velocity is only mildly down

Good to know. What pill are you running with and what speed are you getting if you don't mind me asking?

Winchester 80gr factory is my standard as I got given a ton of it hence why I baught a 243
Iv tried handloads too they end up working at book stated velocities I just tend to go for faster end of the powder scale.
I think my barrels are 18.5inches from the action so probably less than 18 inches once you subtract the bullet length
Kills well, with factory soft point so I'll run it till I run out

NZ HUNTER does their bush pig in 243 at 16" I believe. Load monolithic (barnes, GMX) and use a faster powder and should be plenty good to 350m.

Originally Posted by 300_BLK

NZ HUNTER does their bush pig in 243 at 16" I believe. Load monolithic (barnes, GMX) and use a faster powder and should be plenty good to 350m.

Mmmm cant see that. A 243 loses quite a bit of speed when cut that short. Ie 100gr going 2960 in 24 will be down to 2670fps tops out of a 16 inch which relates to under 1000 ft/lb at 250 yards. Im a huge fan of the 243, but even i will concede that at 350 m you pushing the limit and in a cut down model you not going to have the energy required...far too long for a 16 inch 243. Only good for a bushpig and even thou a normal length 243 is capable of longer distance i limit my one to 250m and ive had alot of success and have a fair idea whats it capable of. Ie barnes 85gr triple shock at 3200fps has only 950ft/lb at 300m out of a 24 inch barrel. Out of a 16 you struggle to get near that without a very hot load then you still struggle with that light weight projectile to be great at 350m as its abit weak alreadyat 300m full length. Normal factory ammo and you well under gunned out of a 16 inch barrel in a 243 past 250m-270m

You would do 3150 fps with a 80grn Barnes or 80 grn Hot Core and 16" barrel no problem. Based on using the .243 with hand loads for longer than some of you chaps have been on the planet, I would be ok using it out to 300 yards on deer.

My 20" is 3280fps with 85 grn Interbonds. I get 3040 with 95 grn Targex and NBT. No pressure signs. With a fast powder. Its just a killing machine out to 350yds or so.

Originally Posted by Tahr

You would do 3150 fps with a 80grn Barnes or 80 grn Hot Core and 16" barrel no problem. Based on using the .243 with hand loads for longer than some of you chaps have been on the planet, I would be ok using it out to 300 yards on deer.

My 20" is 3280fps with 85 grn Interbonds. I get 3040 with 95 grn Targex and NBT. No pressure signs. With a fast powder. Its just a killing machine out to 350yds or so.

Yes, i believe you but just backs up my point that 350m is too far a stretch for a 16inch 243. ÿou be ok using it at 300yards"" which is only just over 270m (long way from 350m). You certainly have to reload a reasonable hot load to get that sort of speed and energy and with factory ammo for certain you be undergunned past 250m one would not