243 Apache What is it?

rigelb79

Bought a bunch of random barrels most of which you will find on here for sale. One of them that is not is a Winchester model 54 that started life as a 22 Hornet. It has had the original caliber markings crossed out and has been re-marked 243 Apache. I am guessing that in order to do this you would need to re drill and re rifle the bore (.243 vs .22) also I cannont find any info on the cartridge either online or in Cartridges of the World [:(]. What is it? Anyone have any info? Load data? will it feed through a standard action?

nononsense

rigelb79,

I am aware of the .30 Apache which is the .223 Rem. necked up to take .30 cal. bullets. I am not remembering the .243 Apache though. I'll do some searching later, until then you need to do a chamber cast and then do some accurate measuring of that cast in order to determine what this cartridge is.

Best.

CapnMidnight

I just looked in my copy of The Handloader's Manual of Cartridge Conversions by John J. Donnelly, there is no mention of a 243 Apache.
W.D.

Mobuck

That was where I was going to look first. If it's not there, it's very obscure.

rigelb79

Ok so it is a 1 off. I did use a 6mm bore spud on it & it is 6mm. Will cast chamber shortly.

rigelb79

Well I used some candle wax to get a cast of the chamber. Here is what I have 1.5" long case, .473 base, .430 shoulder, .264 neck and it almost looks like a Gibbs cartridge at the shoulder angle. Rare bird indeed!