Dumb barrel question looking for knowledgeable answer...

[trigg643]

So my Bartlein barrel came in for my first build. It's a 6mm 5R 1:8 M24 contour.

And I'm thinking all's fine with the world until I do some measuring, and maybe it's still all fine, but... well, I admit I didn't think this thing out like I should have, nor study up as I could have.

I'm wanting to have this done in .243AI and I'm going to start reloading for it. The longest cartridge I can load through the magazine I've chosen is 2.87". Looking at some of the loading data on this forum and others, am I going to be able to take full advantage of the heavier, longer bullets? and is this a non- issue that can be worked out with building up the proper loads within the length limitation?

Since this is the first gun I've ever rebarreled with anything other than a factory spec'd chamber, is there something I should be sure my smith knows when he's cutting the chamber?

The action is a Short Magnum Action FNH M70. The barrel is the last piece of the build.

I know these are pretty ignorant questions -- I admit, I'm guilty. I know what I want, I'm just not sure how to go about getting there from here.

 

[wwbrown]

"The action is a Short Magnum Action FNH "

Did you get a new bolt to go with the action as the bolt on the action you have is a magnum bolt face and won't work with the 308 sized rim diameters like the 243 or 243AI.

 

[trigg643]

Yes, the action is a .308 FNH SPR. I learned it was a short magnum length action while picking the scope rail... longer than a short action M70, shorter than a long action M70... there was some additional postage involved in this discovery.

 

[jonbearman]

The first thing to do is figure out what bullet or bullets you are leaning towards. Once you pick what you want call Dave Kiff at PTG which is a site sponser and tell him your plans and he will hook you up with the correct reamer rather than using a reamer your smith has laying around,which may or may not work for your application.That is the first thing you should always do before just having it chambered with whatever.

 

[NateHaler]

243 is notorious for eating barrels... 243 improved will only eat faster.

 

[Ggmac]

Go to 6 BR to be able to take advantage of 8tw , its good to go 1000 yds . Same bolt face , longer barrel life , less powder .