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New .243 Winchester Build

hoagiejoe

I’ve decided to build a .243 Winchester and would appreciate any advice. I will be shooting from a bench at 100, 200 and 300 yards (and the occasional gong out to 600, but focusing on 200-300).

I really like the Savage style barrel/nut setup and currently have a Rem/Age version on a Remington 700.

With that, I’ve narrowed my choices between two setups: Shilen DGV barreled single shot action with barrel nut, which I believe uses Savage threads but I think a Remington footprint. In addition to Shilen, Criterion makes Savage switch barrels for these as well.

I’m leaning towards a Stiller single shot action (Diamondback perhaps), and using a Criterion Reg/Age barrel from Northland Shooters Supply. For the action I plan to go with a left port, right bolt.

I need the most help with the barrel. For that distance, with the goal of getting the smallest groups as possible in paper, what would be the best length and twist rate to match the best bullet weight for that distance? I’ll be buying factory ammo at first but will be set up to reload within the next week (and learning til the end!) I’m thinking 26 or 28”, 1:8 twist. Northland has Varmint (.815”) 26” 1:8 with match chamber on the shelf and the same in 1” diameter on the way.

Should I add a muzzle brake? If so, and I get the Criterion, Northland has to send it out for threads. I’ve had muzzles threaded with brakes installed by Gentry and EABCO with success, so I could hold off and send it out later. If I go with the Shilen, I would have them thread it out of the gate.

Any opinions on action/barrel?

Thank for reading!

Joe
 
The factory ammo is going to be a limiting factor. Not much, if any, match grade 243win around that isn't custom loaded.

I would think, for your primary distances, I'd build a 6BR or possibly a 6 Dasher. 243 is great, but that's a lot of boiler room for even heavy bullets at short range. Smallest groups possible is probably going to be a short barrel 6BR or 6PPC shooting flat based bullets out of relatively short, slow twist barrel.

If you are set on 243, in see no reason your barrel or action choice would hinder you. It's all got to be strait and put together correctly or none of it will matter.
 
For short range 100-200-300 yards, a slower twist and lighter bullets are best, but a faster 8 twist shooting 80 -105 grainers will work too. Sometimes it works just as good as a slow twist with the lighter heads.

I don't know of any Factory Match ammo, but I'm sure you will find something that will shoot bugholes.
Even cheap factory ammo can be extremely accurate at 100 & 200 yards in the 243win.

You can also get a clamp on muzzle brake from kanhtrol solutions. I have one and it's the best at reducing recoil compared to others I use.

If all you have to do is carry the rifle from car to bench, a barrel with a 1" muzzle diameter is better than a varmint profile.
 
Gentlemen,

Thank you for your input!

As an aside, my decision on building a .243 began with an interest in 6BR. At the time I was thinking because it uses the same bolt face I could just get a 6BR barrel down the road when I have more time to focus on reloading. Since then I've been acquiring reloading equipment and researching it quite a bit. I still think I will stick with the .243 for starters...probably.

I had no idea clamp-on muzzle brakes exist. Sounds like a great option. If anyone has any interest, there is a lot of good info here on muzzle brakes: http://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/06/24/muzzle-brakes-field-test/


Joe
 
The 243 is a good choice. I like the 8tw so that I can run the 105s and even bigger. You should look at the 243ai version. I have a pac-nor barrel that is a 3 groove 8tw barrel that is very accurate. After finally getting a ai version I really cant see me ever building a straight 243 again. I have ran several bullets in the 80-105s range and they all have done great.
 
hunter243sgk said:
The 243 is a good choice. I like the 8tw so that I can run the 105s and even bigger. You should look at the 243ai version. I have a pac-nor barrel that is a 3 groove 8tw barrel that is very accurate. After finally getting a ai version I really cant see me ever building a straight 243 again. I have ran several bullets in the 80-105s range and they all have done great.
Click to expand...
Yikes, another good option! I'm getting closer to figuring out the details- I spoke with Stiller and what they have available for my needs is the PredatorV. I like the looks and the Stiller reputation so that will be the action. I also checked the Northland Shooters site and the Criterion Rem/Age barrels also come in the AI! I'll check back in with what I ended up going with, assuming Uncle Sam cooperates with the tax return.
 
hunter243sgk said:
The 243 is a good choice. I like the 8tw so that I can run the 105s and even bigger. You should look at the 243ai version. I have a pac-nor barrel that is a 3 groove 8tw barrel that is very accurate. After finally getting a ai version I really cant see me ever building a straight 243 again. I have ran several bullets in the 80-105s range and they all have done great.
Click to expand...
I SECOND THIS STATEMENT I HAVE 2 243 ACKLEY AND THERE GREAT SHOOTERS I SHOOT 87GR VLD'S IN ONE AND 105VLD'S IN THE OTHER 1 IS A 12TW OTHER IS A 1/8 TW
 
hoagiejoe said:
I will be shooting from a bench at 100, 200 and 300 yards (and the occasional gong out to 600, but focusing on 200-300).
Click to expand...

I think that there is a significant amount of reasoning to consider the 6mm Norma BR as the cartridge of choice for this particular use.

-Match Grade ammunition is available through two suppliers. None for the .243 Win.
-More efficient than the .243 ever could be (or the AI for that matter, sorry fanboys).
-Better cartridge from the bench. Mild yet extremely accurate.
-Record holding cartridge for short range and intermediate F-class competition (600 yards).
-Northland has barrels for the cartridge.
-You will never see a .243 Win. rifle in a Benchrest match. Too much powder, too much recoil, less accuracy.

Good luck with the debate.

Regards.
 
Double tap makes match ammo as well as one or two others. As for re-coil if my 243ai has it I sure have never noticed. As for br no it is not on those lines. But don't forget John Whidden as well as a lot of others have won with that caliber.
 
I never received notification of the last few replies - Thank You.

So, yesterday I ended up ordering a 6mm BR Norma Criterion Rem/Age barrel from Northland. The only twist they had on the shelf is 1:8, so I ordered it (26" Varmint). Once I get some experience with it, maybe I'll order a slower barrel since I don't need to shoot heavy bullets at these short distances. I think I was told it is a 12 (or maybe 16 week?) wait. I guess I could have waited since I don;t think the stock I was going to use will work out so I need to figure out what to do about that. I've been looking at a lot of options...
 
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