223 AI

[pupsdad]

I'm putting a 223 together with parts the barrel is a new take off. I have been reading a lot on the AI and I see a lot of just run the reamer in and it's good. Then a lot of set the barrel back one thread. I look at the dimensions and the AI has a slightly longer neck so I'm leaning on setting it back but I'm definitely shooting it before I decide. The barrel is 1 in 8 twist so I will be shooting heavy bullets. Now my biggest concern feed problems. If this is something common it's a no. This is going to be my new side kick so I need reliability. All experienced 223 AI shooter what say you.

Thanks

 

[ggshoots]

Any Ackley you set the barrel back to do it correctly.
I feel the feeding issue has more to do with the action and feed ramps etc. A steeper shoulder definitely can be more problematic than a gradual shoulder.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

223 ai is supposed to be setback. My tikka with factory mag feeds fine so far.

 

[Evlshnngns]

For good long lasting cases, setting it back is the right way.

 

[pjd]

Firm mag fit and tuning feed lips might be needed for perfect feeding. The flatter case walls need a little more room at the front half of the lips to get the required height on the tip of the round to get easily into the chamber consistently. In an aics config at least.

 

[William Vogel]

If the gun feeds 223 just fine, then it’ll feed 223AI. The issue is that the 223 cartridge diameter is small enough that the bullet point could contact the barrel tenon and some need a ski jump to loft the cartridge.
As far as setting back the barrel. The neck diameter of the chamber now will dictate how much needs to be set back. I set mine back .250 to make sure the neck was re cut. All other dimensions of the chamber are going to be larger and the reamer will cut new. The first barrel I did was a 223 match chamber and it had a 251 neck. I moved the barrel shoulder forward 0.050 and it was perfect. I rechambered an AR15 5.56 nato barrel and had to move it .640 because the nato neck diameter was larger than the 223AI neck, gas port hole had to be covered and re drilled and the shoulder relief for the threads.

 

[spaniel]

I have three AIs, a 6.5-06, 243, and 223. Generally, feeding is fine. The only one I have ANY issue with is the 223AI. With the Wyatt detachable mag system I can only use about 8 rounds in a 10 round mag. This is due to the reduction in body taper; the difference in thickness at the front of the rounds stacks and by the 9th round it's starting to point out of the mag. I don't consider it a problem, generally 8 in the mag is fine.