AR-10 in .243...

[strakill]

Where to start?

I want to do a custom build but I'm not sure on the direction I want to go yet.

I usually start with buying a barrel and going from there but White Oak doesn't seem to make any .243. I don't know where to look next.

This is going to be a coyote gun.

Budget on this is $2k +/-

I seem to be having "writers block" if you will on my creativity so I need your help. If you were going to build instead of buy, what would you do?

[Spyder]

I grabbed a DPMS .243 takeoff that appeared unfired, with gas tube and block, for 50 bucks here on CG a while back. 243 is a great semi auto platform. Barnes 85g TTSX for a pig/coyote combo gun was my goal, and it works great for followup or multiple hogs.

Lots of makers of .243 barrels out there. I'd figure out what length you want, then go buy one.

[strakill]

I grabbed a DPMS .243 takeoff that appeared unfired, with gas tube and block, for 50 bucks here on CG a while back. 243 is a great semi auto platform. Barnes 85g TTSX for a pig/coyote combo gun was my goal, and it works great for followup or multiple hogs.

Lots of makers of .243 barrels out there. I'd figure out what length you want, then go buy one.

I was thinking 18" - 20" would suffice for 'yotes out to 500 - 600 yards but still manageable enough to get through the woods and brush without getting hung up on the closer range shots.

[naz]

I haven’t seen too many .243 barrels for ar10. Off the top of my head, LMT, Wilson combat and Rock River are 3 that come to mind

Are you trying to match a cartridge you use for bolt guns or something?

[divingin]

Shouldn't be a problem. A standard AR-10 type lower, upper, and mags, just a different barrel. No idea if the gas would need to be changed, but a custom gun/caliber would a good candidate for an adjustable system anyway.

A quick google search for "ar 10 243 barrels" yields quite a few results; some off-the shelf (though I didn't check availability.)

[smoothy8500]

Isn't the 243 round kind of a throat burner for a semiautomatic?

[DrewTheBrave]

I considered the KAK .243 barrel here, but it's out of stock. They use Green Mountain blanks, so they're pretty great deals when available.

https://www.kakindustry.com/kak-243-19-inch-rifle-melonite-barrel

You could always buy a Green Mountain blank and have a gunsmith finish it for you.

https://www.gmriflebarrel.com/search.php?search_query=243&x=52&y=9

[FeuerFrei]

Isn't the 243 round kind of a throat burner for a semiautomatic?

That's what I've seen. It's hard on bolt rifles too. In an AR type it dresses out the same as a 308, so...

Better options out there for dirty dogs.

[CartridgeCalls]

Best caliber out there for small deer, meat hogs and dogs. I have the PredatAR in .243 and it does a great job. Never had to swap a barrel on it. Also have a BAR in .243 that is really old and is all original and a few bolt actions in .243 that are tack drivers. Way better than any .223/5.56 for hunting.

[Jarhead]

Isn't the 243 round kind of a throat burner for a semiautomatic?

Not for a Hunter once dialed in, goal is one shot per dog.......
You rarely have the chance for a follow up.

[sigstroker]

Armalite sells the rifles.

[FeuerFrei]

To be fair the average hunter doesn't spill a lot of rounds out of their dedicated hunting rifles.

Sight it in/confirm zero and go hunting. Takes a hell of a long time to get to the 3k round mark.

243 is a great round and very capable. For free range dirt dogs it works.

*Most AR owners don't hunt with them, they hit the range and spill more rounds than hunters do. Barrel wear becomes a thang over the time/use.

[Jarhead]

“I didn’t know I was a slave until I found out I couldn’t do the things I wanted.”
– Frederick Douglass --

How fitting for today and the dark days ahead

[smoothy8500]

*Most AR owners don't hunt with them, they hit the range and spill more rounds than hunters do. Barrel wear becomes a thang over the time/use.

That was the point I tried to make about throat burner.

[sigstroker]

AR shooters don't care as much when 1" groups turn into 2" groups. At least not enough to buy and install a new barrel.