How short a barrel is too short for .243?

Hey all,

Probably flogging a dead cat but my forum/web searching has not really turned up anything.

14"-15" too far? It's currently 17 1/4 and shoots amazing but would like to bring suppressor right up to stock. If for no reason other than to make it more compact and because honestly I just want to give it a crack, see how it goes.

And yes I know there are better calibres to use, less overbore etc. but I have a cheapo .243 that I would like to get as short as possible.

Max range is realistically 200m and is suppressed with a DPT sup with stainless baffle and an extra normal one.

Understand I would need to be reloading (not currently) to experiment with different powders/projectiles etc. in order to regain some performance.

Be gentle.

*Edit - it's a 1-8 twist barrel.

What's wrong with a 20 inch barrel? If you really want to chop the cheap rifle then may as well cut it so the over barrel suppressor is flush near the stock

Nothing wrong with a 20" barrel but it is already 17 1/4".

That's why I asked, because it will be around 14.5" if I decide to bring suppressor close to stock.

Not being rude but I'm guessing you haven't spent much time crawling around the Desert Rd Manuka. 20" feels a LOT longer.

I want to try achieve something light and short that doesn't mean buying another rifle or molesting the.308 any further. For reference the complete current rifle weighs less than my .308 with red dot on it.

I know it's maybe not practical so that's why I asked, might just have to cough up for a new short .308 but still keen on opinions.

so buy a gunworks spartan,the skinny one...it will only weigh SIMILAR to 5 baffle DPT...will be at most 1" further forward than DPT, BUT the rearward part will be up closer to forend as it is....thats what Ive done with the new HOWA and surely cant complain with handling... find one and try it,even not threaded on will give you idea of balance... I prefer the balance of the skinny to the shorter fatter model spartan,and have tried/measured skinny,mid size and DPT on same rifle.

I have no issues with Gunworks, but I have found that I prefer the DPT modular.

Food for thought though MD

well i will TRY to be gentle with next bit too..... you have rifle that shoots amazingly.....you have the fast twist barrel so many .243s dont have so can utilize the heavier slipperier 105 hornady explody jobbies at reasonable range...
are you really really really positive you want to mess with a good thing for the sake of a couple of inches less to cart around????
I did cut a cheap rifle down short and used as bush rifle and loved it...then realized it couldnt do job any betterthan slightly longer one in cabinet at home that hit harder and could safely shoot further...so I on sold it...no regrets for doing it at all....
just would hate for you to bugger a great shooting rifle and kick yourself afterwards.....or bugger it just do it.........and you dont need to reload.... you dont put the plurry thing anywhere near a chronicgraph....just sight it in and go shoot stuff and BE HAPPY......if you dont know how fast/slow it goes IT DOESNT MATTER.
you not going to shoot past 200 so WHO CARES how fast/slow it goes...if it kills ok and you like carting it around.....just BE HAPPY.

Yeah i reckon the original model 7s with 18.5" tube was about as short as you wanna go.

Ive got two of them here. A factory 18.5" and a rebarreled one finished at 18". Neither are suppressed.

But i know what you mean about being as short as you can be when suppressed, ive got a M7 708 chopped to 15" with a DPT with only 2 baffles on it, it sure is nice for pushing thru the tight stuff.

If 200 yds is your max and thats the only type of hunting you'll do with it, im sure going down to 14-15" will still give you well enough performance to do what you want.

They use 15" barreled pistols for hunting in the US, chambered in rifle cartridges like 708 etc, i assume 243 as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nor-west

18 inches, I went 17" on a mod 7 lost a bit if zip now 19" on the Kimber.

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As per OP, I can't add barrel length. Not super concerned about the loss of zip, unless it's going to make it unusable at 200m-ish.

And again, I know there are better options for sure. But I have everything I need already (minus a chop) and don't really want to spend $ on a new rifle (would rather put better optics on the .308)

Shorten it. You will then be happy and I bet inside 200 yards won’t make one bit of difference performance wise.

They get noisier even with suppresser the shorter you cut.14 inch would be bloody loud.

Ive just looked up the 15" Pistol 243 data on Hodgdons site.

80gr at 3,000 and 100gr at 2660 fps from 15" 243 win with H414.

80gr has 1k+ ft lbs to 200 yards and plenty of velocity.

The 100gr holds the same to 250 yards.

So get the hacksaw out fella.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trout

They get noisier even with suppresser the shorter you cut.14 inch would be bloody loud.

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I bet!

With the 17 1/4" barrel minus extra baffle it definitely has a bark to it. Unsuppressed it's more than a bit rowdy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GWH

Ive just looked up the 15" Pistol 243 data on Hodgdons site.

80gr at 3,000 and 100gr at 2660 fps from 15" 243 win with H414.

80gr has 1k+ ft lbs to 200 yards and plenty of velocity.

The 100gr holds the same to 250 yards.

So get the hacksaw out fella.

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Well.......that's good enough for me. Similar with the current data with factory ammo at current length.

If it works, I shall post results. If it doesn't, radio silence (or I just forget).

FYI will be gunsmith shortened.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Preacher

Nothing wrong with a 20" barrel but it is already 17 1/4".

That's why I asked, because it will be around 14.5" if I decide to bring suppressor close to stock.

Not being rude but I'm guessing you haven't spent much time crawling around the Desert Rd Manuka. 20" feels a LOT longer.

I want to try achieve something light and short that doesn't mean buying another rifle or molesting the.308 any further. For reference the complete current rifle weighs less than my .308 with red dot on it.

I know it's maybe not practical so that's why I asked, might just have to cough up for a new short .308 but still keen on opinions.

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Last week 2 dudes shot a monster red stag from their wagon on the Desert. Stuck the barrel out the window and smoked it.

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Originally Posted by TeRei

Last week 2 dudes shot a monster red stag from their wagon on the Desert. Stuck the barrel out the window and smoked it.

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Yeah, good on them. It's all good if you are off of the public road and within public hunting area during legal hours. Or have Iwi rights in certain areas (old forestry tracks etc)

I don't shoot many animals per year but I those I take will be fair and lawful public hunting.

Massive problem down here with spotlight/thermal/truck jockeys

DPT “ MINI” is smaller and 25mm shorter over barrel. You have to custom order them. Might suit you without chopping more.

Iv never regretted shortening a barrel

it will still do the business at what ever length you go, Iv got 17-18 inch 243s and they loose very little

the round number is 50 fps per inch removed. even if it was 75fps per inch no biggie

it will still be a 243 but your trajectory/energy will be the same at the muzzle as it is now at probably 100-150m
still likely waay more than a 223

BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: Home

Ive got a 14.5 308 that is the business in the tight stuff for japoonies. Havent run it through the chronograph yet but intend to find out this weekend. Currently shooting buffalo river 135 sierra hollow points into 3/4 moa on a windy day at the range. Supposedly doing 3000 fps out of what ever test barrel they used on the day. Be interesting to see what they do out of the short barrel.

I wouldnt cut it any shorter, my ideal lenght for a 243 is 22 inches. I bush hunt, some real tight stuff and i dont find it any problem at all at 22.
Considering its alreally 17 something i leave it alone. Shorter you go, more muzzle blast and under 18 inches each inch off you lose alot more velocity than you think.
Im sure normlly its around 40-50 fps each inch with a 243 until you get to 18inches then its alot more.
Even with a suppressor im sure at 14inchs it shorten the life of the suppressor and barrel life.
Being a 243 man, i think cutting it under 20inches is a crime and i doubt you are "" fit and proper ""to own a 243 hahahah

listen to this man.....he KNOWS 243 and shoots a fair number of animals with it....

Definitely not "fit & proper". Supposed to be the Wife's rifle.

Get a dpt magnum suppressor comes back and extra 2 or so inch's

Chop it. It'll still kill shit.
I can run some quick load numbers if you have a preferred projectile and powder

Exactly. Stop over thinking it. I've got a 14.5" 243.. Used on reds earlier this year. No problems knocking over deer to 200. This is generally extreme range for me and a rare shot. Close up its lovely to shoot. Considering the 222 thread, the 14" 243 is an awesome killer and a lovely shooter. Just remember it doesn't have quite as good a grenade effect as the full speed version. My 308 is 15" and I'd happily use it shorter. Don't worry about the people that have never shot a gun shorter than 16".

Your call but could just get a dpt extended rear baffle to bring the suppressor closer to the stock. Have done plenty of bush bashing in snow damaged manuka etc with 16-20" barrels. Definitely prefer slightly shorter but don't think it is worth mucking with a tackdriver that is already a short. My 16" 308 was more savage even at moderate ranges than his 12.5" 308 as well as other more pleasant to shoot

I would leave it at 17.25in and remove the extra baffle off the DPT which will make for a 20in overall barrel length. That’s still a handy bush rifle with an efficient suppressor. My 243 is 23.75in including the suppressor and I’ve found it ok in the bush (admittedly not tight Manuka), and deadly in a more open environment

I’m sure chopping it to 14in will result in something that’s still adequate out to 200yd but I hate the idea of chopping something overbore that short. Resale may not be that great either

I have not and will never sell a rifle.

They get moved on to friends and family for free, last one went to Toby auction. If I decide to cut it that short then I'm stuck with it.

But I do appreciate the input. I'm pretty set on the experiment, worst case is a rebarrel at some point. Or a bunch of parts on the pay it forward page.