22/243 AI 40 degree verses 22/243 Middlestead 30 degress

[panhandle]

Which cartridge would be the best of the two? Is the shoulder angle the only difference between these cartridges? Could any of you pull up the drawings for these 2 cartridges so they can be compared? I wouldn't know where to start to look. Haven't had much luck finding anything on the net.

 

[BHarvey]

As far as I know the shoulder angle is the only difference.

A friend of mine has the 22-243AI and it is amazing.

5 moa to 500 yards with a 75Amax at 3650 fps.

Has gone 3800+ with the 75 but it was hard on brass.

After about 1k rounds, the throat is still smooth and looks good.

 

[85grBTat3500fps]

Which cartridge would be the best of the two? Is the shoulder angle the only difference between these cartridges? Could any of you pull up the drawings for these 2 cartridges so they can be compared? I wouldn't know where to start to look. Haven't had much luck finding anything on the net.

panhandle,

The Varmint Hunter association mag has a right up on the middlestead by Steve Timm. If my memory is correct it is more than just the shoulder angle that is different. I believe that the neck is longer than the standard 243. This was a common thing with wildcatters when this cartridge was developed. I will try and find the exact mag article and verify what I have posted for you. Steve Timm even commented that forming the cases for this cartidge was a real PITA and he saw no benefit from the 35 degree shoulder. He even stated why not use a 22/243 ackley instead.

Andrew

 

[85grBTat3500fps]

Which cartridge would be the best of the two? Is the shoulder angle the only difference between these cartridges? Could any of you pull up the drawings for these 2 cartridges so they can be compared? I wouldn't know where to start to look. Haven't had much luck finding anything on the net.

panhandle,

I will try and find the exact mag article and verify what I have posted for you.

Andrew

panhandle,

In The Varmint Hunter Magazine issue #29 on page 25 starts the review of VHA Custom Gun Project #12 22/243 Middlestead. Here is a para-phrase from the article. Paul Middlestead wanted a cartridge bigger than the swift but smaller than the 22/243 ackley.He left the body/shoulder junction alone and die formed the neck well back into the shoulder. Once the die forming and fire forming was complete the shoulder is now 30 degrees. this cartridge proved easy to load for after all of the die forming and fire forming is completed. "This case is a real pain in the but to make, however,and I remain unconvinced that the middlestead version is superior in any way to the straight 22/243,22/243 ackley, or the 220Swift Ackley." It was also stated in the article that one of the Steve Timms contacts stated that the 22/243 middlestead looks like a 22br lengthened 1/2 inch from the rear. I personally would go with the 22/243 Ackley to gain more velocity and to help reduce bolt thrust and reduce the trimming requirements. hope this clears some thing up for you.

Andrew

 

[people]

That is pushing them pretty fast. How slow of a twist can you go to on a 80gr SMK?