Thread: Chopping 243 barrel to 18"

Just picked up a Marlin 243 with suppressor - still at factory 22" but plan to chop it to 18".

Are there any accuracy issues chopping 243 down 4"? None that I know of...

Every rifle I have shortened has shown as good or better accuracy after the chop. You'll lose a bit of velocity but the deer wont notice.
Go for it

Here's my Ruger 243, cut to 18" and loses nothing really, so much better in the bush...

My old .243 was cut to 19", no issues, still good velocity.

Thanks guys - that was my understanding.

It'll be off to gunsmith this evening...

My dad has an older model 7 243 which is 18.5 inch standard.

I've got 100gr handloads doing almost 2900 fps. Factory federal 100gr in comparison were doing 2600 fps.

My old 243 was chopped to 18inches. Handloaded Nosler 55gr Ballistic tips to 3690 fps. Smashed roos to 450m with it.
Barrel started to show some wear and tear but still shoots deer with 80gr factory ammo.

All done... bought the 243 rifle at 5.30 and it was chopped to 18" for suppressor by 8.30. That's pretty flash. Greg Maniatis did a great job - also got a little JW15 chopped and suppressed at same time.

Greg makes some very cool rimfire and centrefire silencers. Recommended.

Originally Posted by mudgripz

All done... bought the 243 rifle at 5.30 and it was chopped to 18" for suppressor by 8.30. That's pretty flash. Greg Maniatis did a great job - also got a little JW15 chopped and suppressed at same time.

Greg makes some very cool rimfire and centrefire silencers. Recommended.

I hope you kept the bit that were cut off, if suppressors are banned next week you might wanna weld them back on

Originally Posted by GWH

I hope you kept the bit that were cut off, if suppressors are banned next week you might wanna weld them back on

Just take it back and get him to cut it longer.

Very nice wee unit now - actually 18.5" Marlin XS7 in 243 with a hushpower 12" suppressor which will do the job.

Spot on little truck rifle for a few north Canterbury farms we shoot on. The 243 is ideal round for its versatility at times - in this case long range bunnies plus the occasional pigs and reds we see.

Quite like the Marlin centrefires - pillar bedding, fluted bolt, adjustable trigger, recessed target crown, and well under 1" at 100. Alot to like there. We'll see...

No I'm afraid once the barrel been circumcised its very hard to glue bits back on again....

both my 243 barrels were 18-19 inches and were basically at where factory velocity should be when tested with winchester factory 80gr
i always shoot suppressed tho. I imagine they would be very unpleasant unsurpressed

Originally Posted by Bill999

both my 243 barrels were 18-19 inches and were basically at where factory velocity should be when tested with winchester factory 80gr
i always shoot suppressed tho. I imagine they would be very unpleasant unsurpressed

Yep Dads old Mod 7 243 with factory 18.5" unsuppressed barrel if a flame thrower and has a hell of a bark

https://youtu.be/39XUbgEIO_0

Originally Posted by GWH

Yep Dads old Mod 7 243 with factory 18.5" unsuppressed barrel if a flame thrower and has a hell of a bark

https://youtu.be/39XUbgEIO_0

HAHA Got to love that mine did the same