223 AI vs 223

[alf]

Perfect, a round you have to burn up barrel life to fireform,

Say what? You can't really believe that.

In the big picture, yes. I've FF'd a boat load of AI's, Imp's, and 22/6 Dashers, so it's not a foreign subject to me, I've done thousands, same as you.

My comment is in regards to a 22-204, no FF'ing, no extra expense in barrel life or components, neck up and go. People drink the 223 Ackley koolaid, and ignore the better mousetrap.....

 

[BoilerUP]

It very well might be a better mousetrap, but the 223 Ackley is practically a 308 Winchester compared to the 22-204 when considering ease of availability of reamers, dies, prefit barrels, brass, etc...

 

[alf]

It very well might be a better mousetrap, but the 223 Ackley is practically a 308 Winchester compared to the 22-204 when considering ease of availability of reamers, dies, prefit barrels, brass, etc...

It is a better mousetrap......

I'm just giving the drinkers another choice they may or may not know of.

What they do with their new found knowledge is up to them.......

 

[Ackman]

Perfect, a round you have to burn up barrel life to fireform,

Say what? You can't really believe that.

In the big picture, yes. I've FF'd a boat load of AI's, Imp's, and 22/6 Dashers, so it's not a foreign subject to me, I've done thousands, same as you.

My comment is in regards to a 22-204, no FF'ing, no extra expense in barrel life or components, neck up and go. People drink the 223 Ackley koolaid, and ignore the better mousetrap.....

Extra expense in barrel life? Fireforming? You should know better than that. There is no "fireforming", you load and go shoot. Barrel life? After 1500 rds, 1000 with new brass, the 223AI throat has grown .008". That barrel will last a long time. I have a 22-204 and am committed enough to have bought a reamer, but haven't messed with that gun much nor had it on the chrono.....it may / may not turn out to be better. But it's hard to beat something on the .223 case using IMI or Lapua brass. What you're saying with the "koolaid" crap just isn't true.

 

[searcher]

I'd look strongly also at the .20 cal versions like the 20/223 if the heavy bullets are not super important.

 

[varmintshooter]

For the cost of 1,000 pieces of 204 brass (hornady is all I could find 50.00/100) compared to 223 brass you would save enough to cover the cost of your barrel. When shooting inside of 300 yds just shoot standard 223 then load it up as 223 ack imp. I am using some Lee dies (30.00) and have no complaints. I'm not saying that the 223 AI is the best way to go but it may be the least expensive. JMHO

 

[queen_stick]

What about a 22-204AI? 8)

 

[ohnomrbillk]

I run 223 AI in both bolt action and AR15

I can't describe to you how much I hate trimming brass.

All the Ackley Improved cases have the advantage of very stable case lengths.

I'm going to do my best to wear out the barrel on each feeding it all new brass.

When done, I'll rebarrel both, and have enough fire formed brass for all my grandchildren.

 

[Billch]

...Extra expense in barrel life? Fireforming? You should know better than that. There is no "fireforming", you load and go shoot...

This is my experience right here. ^^^

Despite my initial concerns with the whole fireforming thing I've realized that it's just a consequence of shooting.
Not perfect, but not to shabby for 300yds. Fireforming 223AI.

B

 

[Spook]

I'd look strongly also at the .20 cal versions like the 20/223 if the heavy bullets are not super important.

I just spun up a 20-223AI , my 223AI is going into the classifieds soon.

 

[MrMajestic]

Spook, got'um both, keep'um both! ;D

 

[ken158]

22-250 and dont look back

Going from 223 to 22-250 will require new bolt face which will greatly increase costs...

 

[Sniper338]

Going from 223 to 22-250 will require new bolt face which will greatly increase costs...

I didnt catch that... i was thinking 224 cal barrel. My answer changes to rebarrel to 223AI

 

[littlebuddybr]

22-250 and dont look back

This

 

[STOMP442]

I have a couple standard .223s a .223 Ackley and a .22-250. There is a place for all of them. I love an Ackley case for the main benefit of of not having to trim. I reload a lot and one less step is always nice. The benefit of extra velocity and energy from a cartridge that not everyone has is just icing on the cake.

 

[TAJ45]

This

IF . . .
IF you plan on shooting 1/4 the rounds before needing to rebarrel.
It is truly hard to beat the 223.

 

[Longtrain]

My AI has a 30” 1:8 twist barrel, I can get 80.5 Bergers to 3050, a pretty big jump over 223 velocities. These are in Lapua FF’ed brass. Accuracy is very good, sub 1/2 MOA. My sizer was made by Whidden, sent him a few cases and I had custom sizer made. I FF these cases with Bullseye and a tuff of polyester pillow fill to hold the powder against the primer. Works fine, quick and easy, no bullet or barrel usage.

Would I do it again? Anything over 300 yards in competition I turn to my Dasher. The Dasher with a 108 Berger eats so much more wind. So, for 300 and in, no, a standard 223 is fine IMO. I’ve got a lot of barrel left in the AI, so I’ll run it at 223 velocities for 100 meter prone matches, using my odds and ends bullets, trigger time is trigger time. The next barrel will be a standard 223.

 

[rockrat]

I ran my 223AI reamer in a little deeper in order to utilize 204 brass. Regular Savage 1-9" twist factory barrel. Running the 53vmax a shade under 3800fps. Now that I know its nipping at the heels of my 22br(75fps faster), I might do a 1-12" twist Remington varmint weight barrel on my xr100 (so much better trigger on it!!). 204 ruger brass is so much cheaper than 6mm br brass!! Will see what case life works out to be though!!

 

[flatlander]

I don't really concern myself with the practicality of going with the 223AI - I've got the reamer, got the dies, and since I've had several 223AIs over the years, I've got plenty of 223AI brass. I didn't expect a lot of extra velocity compared to a regular 223 - not very logical to do so, given the minimal case expansion involved. But the look of disbelief on other shooters' faces when you get a hit on steel at 1400yds with a JLK 90VLD out of a 223AI - priceless! No, we didn't hear the hit, even wearing electronic muffs and with the wind in our faces - and no one saw it either - not until we drove the Ranger down to check targets and found the dinky bullet splash on the painted target. Whatever - the real reason I like the 223AI? - it's just such a cute little cartridge!