243 AI?

[Scalloper]

Can I AI my 243 myself with the proper tools? Can it be done without removing the barrel?
Thanks

 

[Sniperhandle]

Can I AI my 243 myself with the proper tools? Can it be done without removing the barrel?
Thanks

The barrel needs to be set back at least a couple of threads. So the barrel needs to come off. The original chambers datum line is longer than the ackley by 0.004, That's why you can use the original 243 win go gauge as a no-go gauge.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Having owned a 243AI...I do wonder why you need the "improvement" ? It is likely that your existing barrel is a 10 twist? So you need the extra powder room for?
Don't get me wrong - mine was a varmint rifle and worked very well with light bullets and N165 or H4350 - but was it that much better than a 243? Not really. The brass lasted well, but 243 brass is cheap anyway, Does it save the throat from erosion? No - likely the opposite. Any more accurate? - probably not.

Is it an 8 twist that will send 107's like a 240 Weatherby - Hell Yeah!

 

[ggshoots]

As mentioned above the 243 Win is a shooter to start with but if the 243AI is an itch you need to scratch go for it I like Ackleys as I hate trimming brass. A little extra speed but nothing excessive.
I just posted this on your older thread but figured I would paste it on here as well.
I would make sure you get the dies first. Many of the dies you see are 243 Win Impr 40deg. Some of the measurements are actually different. If you notice when you see the ads they will say this on the die box but they will say Ackley in the Ad. If it isn't on the Box it probably isn't a true Ackley set of dies. The 243AI dies are some of the harder Ackley ones to find. The Win Dies will oversize the brass an extra .005 at the shoulder and I believe maybe another place.
I'm sure some people are running them and will argue it but I have been through this. When you size with the dies it will make your brass grow longer. Your other option would be to get the reamer to match the Win dies.

 

[Scalloper]

Having owned a 243AI...I do wonder why you need the "improvement" ? It is likely that your existing barrel is a 10 twist? So you need the extra powder room for?
Don't get me wrong - mine was a varmint rifle and worked very well with light bullets and N165 or H4350 - but was it that much better than a 243? Not really. The brass lasted well, but 243 brass is cheap anyway, Does it save the throat from erosion? No - likely the opposite. Any more accurate? - probably not.

Is it an 8 twist that will send 107's like a 240 Weatherby - Hell Yeah!

The new Rem 700 243 is an 1:8 twist

 

[Sniperhandle]

I love Ackley and other Improved cartridges. I just like all the fiddling with forming/ fireforming etc. Not to mention you really can wring out all the case is capable of.

 

[Bill Norris]

I don't think it could be done correctly without removing the barrel. I use off-the-shelf Redding F/L bushing 243AI dies and they work flawlessly for me.

 

[ggshoots]

I agree that its really not worth doing if you cant pull the barrel and set it back.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

As mentioned above the 243 Win is a shooter to start with but if the 243AI is an itch you need to scratch go for it I like Ackleys as I hate trimming brass. A little extra speed but nothing excessive.
I just posted this on your older thread but figured I would paste it on here as well.
I would make sure you get the dies first. Many of the dies you see are 243 Win Impr 40deg. Some of the measurements are actually different. If you notice when you see the ads they will say this on the die box but they will say Ackley in the Ad. If it isn't on the Box it probably isn't a true Ackley set of dies. The 243AI dies are some of the harder Ackley ones to find. The Win Dies will oversize the brass an extra .005 at the shoulder and I believe maybe another place.
I'm sure some people are running them and will argue it but I have been through this. When you size with the dies it will make your brass grow longer. Your other option would be to get the reamer to match the Win dies.

I used to load mine using a Lee Collet 243 die for the neck and a Redding body die. Its an extra step, but as dies to fit the chamber were not available here at the time (1980's), it worked fine. I also have a 257 AI, which I have not fired yet. Came from deceased estate. Built on a BSA Hunter action, likely with a Heym/european barrel. Got the dies for that one with the rifle.