To shorten or not to shorten... 243 barrel
- Thread starter bicykillgaz
- Start date
Try the ppu 80 or 90 gr my old .243 liked them
Rotten barrels can shoot just fine
trust me, I have several!
Chopping isnt going to save it if the pitting i well down the barrel
Stop cleaning it as you will spend more time trying to foul up a rough barrel and getting it back to shooting when you have "deep cleaned" it!
have you considered a used 243 barrel fitted to your existing action?
we have lots
Cheap option for working guns
trust me, I have several!
Chopping isnt going to save it if the pitting i well down the barrel
Stop cleaning it as you will spend more time trying to foul up a rough barrel and getting it back to shooting when you have "deep cleaned" it!
have you considered a used 243 barrel fitted to your existing action?
we have lots
Cheap option for working guns
bicykillgaz
Well-Known Member
Just stripped it down and the pitting is at both ends, so that's put an ends that idea. Better get saving.
bicykillgaz
Well-Known Member
I didn't realise you could fit pre used barrels. What sort of cost would that be compared to new?
I have saved a few rifles taking a bit off the end , its also worth it if the rifle has a poor or wrong or out dated size thread .
Sorry just seen this. That crown looks OK from the photo but I think I can see some rough spots near the top and bottom. Can you feel anything unusual when running a fingernail around it? You could try DIY lapping with a ball bearing and some lapping paste. Personally Id do this, then deep clean, then re-foul the barrel with your current ammo, then try a few other types of ammo. All this costs is the price of ammo and all practice is helpful.
bicykillgaz
Well-Known Member
I think I'm gonna have a clear out and get a pre-owned barrel put on it for now.
I stripped it down last night and had a proper look down it and it's got very light pitting at both ends of the barrel and the od spot in the middle so I'm only prolonging the inevitable.
I stripped it down last night and had a proper look down it and it's got very light pitting at both ends of the barrel and the od spot in the middle so I'm only prolonging the inevitable.
bicykillgaz
Well-Known Member
Very tempting but I hate using my credit card as it's easy to get carried away with them.
HonestJohn
Well-Known Member
Hell, if you saw the state of my 6.5x55 barrel from 1986 you’d wonder if it could group to a size of a4 paper with the pitting! Like a drainpipe
It shoots 1/2moa with Sako powerhead blade
If it’s just light pitting, you don’t get 2” groups. Something else going on. Maybe have it checked out by someone who isn't automatically going to suggest a brand new barrel?
Are you shooting it off sandbags or a bipod?
Light pitting should be fine, cracks or scars are bad news. Id polish that crown, try different ammo and try and find out the issue first.
- check all the scope screws and stock screws.
- take the barrel off the stock and check for pressure points or debris
- try without the moderator
- shoot off a sandbag rather than a bipod.
- different scope.
- get someone else to shoot it. Put your ego aside, can you shoot better with another rifle?
TheEngineer
Well-Known Member
Definitely try a few different types of ammo first, a mix of sofpoints, premium tipped ammo, and high quality copper ammo. My old Tikka M65 .270 has a rotten barrel and can shoot Sako Powerhead blades into a 1 inch group at 120 meters (although I can't seem to find any more of them for love nor money)
bicykillgaz
Well-Known Member
- Scope, it shoots the same with my Wraith and Docter 3-12x56 sat in TierOne rings, both have been on other cf and rimfires without issues.
- tried without moderator other than a big shift in poi, nothing obvious. No sign of clipping on the moderator either.
- I always zero on a bag on my bonnet then double check it with the bipod on after.
- No obvious issues with stock fitment when everything is tightened up there's no movement.
- I've let another person shoot it who is a far better shot than I would consider myself, same results.
- I've replaced the factory action bolts with aftermarket allen bolt ones.
- all grub screws are tight on the Brittania rail which a gunsmith put on it when I bought the rail off him.
I've not got round to glass bedding it yet as I can't find a pillar kit specifically for a 75, and after changing jobs I no longer have the facilities to make my own.
I might go try more variations of ammo but so far I'm using the best I've found. I don't really want to go down the reloading route. Some people love doing it, I find it tedious and would only do it again if I get another .22hornet.
I think I'll get a different barrel put on it then I can at least rule that out.
- tried without moderator other than a big shift in poi, nothing obvious. No sign of clipping on the moderator either.
- I always zero on a bag on my bonnet then double check it with the bipod on after.
- No obvious issues with stock fitment when everything is tightened up there's no movement.
- I've let another person shoot it who is a far better shot than I would consider myself, same results.
- I've replaced the factory action bolts with aftermarket allen bolt ones.
- all grub screws are tight on the Brittania rail which a gunsmith put on it when I bought the rail off him.
I've not got round to glass bedding it yet as I can't find a pillar kit specifically for a 75, and after changing jobs I no longer have the facilities to make my own.
I might go try more variations of ammo but so far I'm using the best I've found. I don't really want to go down the reloading route. Some people love doing it, I find it tedious and would only do it again if I get another .22hornet.
I think I'll get a different barrel put on it then I can at least rule that out.
I shortened my 243 sako 75 many moons ago wouldn’t recommend it I’ve since had it rebarreled with a 1in 7 twist at 23 inch.
A bit of pitting is fine, however a shortened .243 is a handy tool. I took mine down to 18” and I can just get 80gr copper to the legal minimum in England and Scotland. It’s a better balanced rifle and is very accurate.
Scratch the itch - Dave Wylde did mine and charges around £100 (Valkyrie) and within an easy drive from Lincolnshire.
Scratch the itch - Dave Wylde did mine and charges around £100 (Valkyrie) and within an easy drive from Lincolnshire.
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