A new topotactic sintering method using αFe2O3 (obtained from αFeO · OH) and BaCO3 is developed for preparing cheaper grain oriented barium hexaferrite. αFe2O3 and BaCO3 (precipitate grade) are wet mixed in a ball mill in stoichiometric proportion. The mixed slurry is then dried at 110° C for about 12h. The dried powder mixture containing moisture as a binder is uniaxially compacted at 5×106−10×106 kg m−2 pressure. The green compacts are air sintered in the temperature range 1100–1300° C for 1 H. The best results of the sintered ferrite show maximum energy product (BH) max in the range 7−10 kTAm−1. The bulk of commercial requirements for toy magnets etc. may be met by this method of production which eliminates steps like calcination and cost intensive wet magnetic compaction.