223AI

[skeetlee]

Can some one share there likes and dislikes about the 223AI case? Also will someone post a pic of a fireformed 223AI lying next to a standard 223 case please? I would like to see the difference between the two. thanks again. Lee

 

[ReedG]

Lee, there's a good photo in the cartridge guide on this site (http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/223rem/). I love the AI case (in any caliber) because the sharper shoulder angle and straighter sidewall really minimizes the case stretching. There is a small gain (about 5-6%) in capacity and, besides that, the AI cases look "right". I wish all cartridge designers would have done it to begin with.

 

[WillinDenver]

I'm with ReedG, I like the AI's. I've had and still do have several AI's.

22 KHornet, 223 AI, 22-250 AI, 22 Wamps Kitty (243 necked to 22 cal), 220 Swift AI, 22-308 and others long gone. The biggest thing with the AI's, CASE LIFE. Most all you have to do is put a parent case round in and shoot a prairie dog and you have the AI. I anneal the cases after fire forming to AI and have had cases last for over 30 firings. Brass just cost to much now days.

The biggest thing I don't do is load HOT LOADS. I stay a grain or two under the max. The biggest reason I use AI's is CASE LIFE.

Will

 

[tooter]

Ditto on the above commentary.

I have a 223 AI (40 degree) Krieger barrel, chambered/throated (Kiff reamer) to shoot 69 gr. SMKs for my BAT three lug, switch barrel HV rig. Also have a 6.5 x 47 AI Bartlein for the same setup.

Brass life is exceptional for both cartridges using Lapua and Norma cases. Initially I COW fireform, then anneal after first full pressure load, followed thereafter every five times fired. To some, the COW will sound redundant, but, I just think it's easier on "work hardening" the shoulders.

Like Will, I stay away from full-house loads. I have no dislikes to share -------

Tooter

 

[Ackman]

There've been countless threads about the 223AI on every forum, including this one. And pictures.

 

[40X Guy]

Lee, heres a pic with Lapua brass, standard and fireformed (twice fired). My rifle is an 8 twist Brux barrel on a 40X chassis and I am in the midst of load development using 75 A-Max. As already said, barrel life should be very good and they are tackdrivers. No recoil whatsoever and i can see my hits on the paper. I built mine for casual paper punching, varmint hunting and shortrange GH matches.

Frank

 

[alf]

Skip the Ackley and build a 22-204......

 

[areaone]

what is the advantage over a 223 AI.

 

[alf]

Neck it up to 22 and go shooting....no fireforming needed.

 

[joemax]

+1 what alf said. I have a 223ai and like it. I dislike fire forming the brass though. You get a little more capacity from the 22-204.

 

[WillinDenver]

Dealing with 204 brass you'll spend top money. I go to the gun shows a lot and used 204 brass is non-extent, new brass is top dollar. I bought 1,000 223 R-P cases for $70 to do my 6 x45. I paid $45 dollars for the military cases to do my 20 Practical. I'm a retired GI and don't have a lot of money, I need to keep the cost down where I can so I can go pd shooting 15 or 20 times this year.

If you have the money, why not I guess!!!

Will

 

[lpreddick]

i love mine. kreiger 14 tw and will cloverleaf and sometimes one hole shooting 52 fowlers jumped .015-.020 thous over 28 gr 8208, lapua match, ccibr primers. 3500+ fps and no pressure signs. i was concerned about 28 gr 8208 since it fills case to neck, but worked up slowly from 27 gr.( ?no or slight secondary pressure spike, if you believe such exist...i do) 26 gr of 8208 in my 223 les baer ar does the same. great powder for this case!! have over 700 rounds and my borescop reveals an almost virgin throat. don't shoot competition since i'm a varmint hunter and this cartridge has almost replaced my 22-250, which will eat a barrel in time.

 

[Bradley Walker]

i love mine. kreiger 14 tw and will cloverleaf and sometimes one hole shooting 52 fowlers jumped .015-.020 thous over 28 gr 8208, lapua match, ccibr primers. 3500+ fps and no pressure signs. i was concerned about 28 gr 8208 since it fills case to neck, but worked up slowly from 27 gr.( ?no or slight secondary pressure spike, if you believe such exist...i do) 26 gr of 8208 in my 223 les baer ar does the same. great powder for this case!! have over 700 rounds and my borescop reveals an almost virgin throat. don't shoot competition since i'm a varmint hunter and this cartridge has almost replaced my 22-250, which will eat a barrel in time.

I am also shooting the Fowlers jumped .020. I am shooting 28.5 grain of pull down R-15 at the moment and it is wonderful. I also have 8208. I will have to try this too.

 

[Bradley Walker]

The reason I shoot 223 Ackley is because it has amazing performance even if you never shoot fire formed loads ever and it's cheap to load so you can shoot more, talk less...

 

[STS]

Skip the Ackley and build a 22-204......

Winner