.243ai

[Elkeater]

I just put my first suppressor in jail and am looking at my rifles. I have a .243 win I built on a savage model 10 action. It's unthreaded. It was a factory take off barrel so rather than spending money to have it threaded I'm just gonna order a new shilen but I'm thinking in .243ai. I like ai cartridges for reducing case stretch and trimming.

Anyways what's a minimum barrel length you all would go with? I'm thinking 22-24" This ones not really a hunting rifle. More of a heavy target rifle and maybe something that gets used for coyotes once in awhile and something the kids shoot.

Thoughts?

 

[snox801]

I'm thinking of the same kind of build
. I would say bare min 24" but especially with your use I would do a 26" and really use that AI extra speed.

 

[ButterBean]

You won't see much gain in performance with the 243 but the brass will be easier to work with once you get the fire forming done

 

[Elkeater]

You won't see much gain in performance with the 243 but the brass will be easier to work with once you get the fire forming done

Yup. Same as my 7-08ai. But I'll never have to trim that brass!

 

[ButterBean]

Yup. Same as my 7-08ai. But I'll never have to trim that brass!

It's well worth it IMO

 

[snox801]

I agree. Especially with a new barrel. First 100 rounds of barrel break in I use for fireform. Then do all my load work. So for me it's worth it.

 

[Elkeater]

Maybe a 26" bull barrel with a 1-7 twist. Could shoot 105 Berger's and the thing would be like 15lbs so very little recoil. That could be fun.

 

[snox801]

I was doing a 1/7 25"-26". Medium contour. I was thinking the 101gr hammers would make a very solid performer on larger game, and some 69gr absolute would be very fast for deer and hogs. The hood old trusty eld or Berger for some steel and critters.

 

[waspocrew]

If hunting with the rifle really isn't in the picture, a 26" barrel would be great.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Maybe a 26" bull barrel with a 1-7 twist. Could shoot 105 Berger's and the thing would be like 15lbs so very little recoil. That could be fun.

24-26 is my preferred length depending on caliber. I think a 24 with muzzle device (depending on suppressor model) would be money. You would only need a 1-8 for 105s as guys have been shooting them for years. On the other hand you could go 7.5 twist to cover up to the 110s and be a happy median! I think you will love how this thing shoots coming from a guy that ran a similar set up with a standard 243.

 

[cowboy57]

22" if your planning on a suppressor

 

[QuietTexan]

Maybe a 26" bull barrel with a 1-7 twist. Could shoot 105 Berger's and the thing would be like 15lbs so very little recoil. That could be fun.

I'm doing the same thing. 243AI, 26"/as long as I can get heavy varmint taper, fastest twist, weighted stock. The 115 DTACs will hopefully come back in stock some day.

I run an 11" suppressor on 26" barrels, doesn't bug me at all. They screw on and off for a reason

 

[Floridaboy123]

24-26 is my preferred length depending on caliber. I think a 24 with muzzle device (depending on suppressor model) would be money. You would only need a 1-8 for 105s as guys have been shooting them for years. On the other hand you could go 7.5 twist to cover up to the 110s and be a happy median! I think you will love how this thing shoots coming from a guy that ran a similar set up with a standard 243.

I just got a 26" heavy sporter. 7.5 twist for savage build. Planning on putting together this weekend. Going to be hunting rifle. For target I would have 28" or longer.

 

[Tiny Tim]

If length isn't an issue, I'd probably go with a 26 inch barrel. I'm not sure the case capacity of the 243 (or even the AI version) is great enough to see much benefit beyond this.