243 AI and lapua brass???

[djtjr]

I recently bought a gun in unfired condition built by kelblys from a gentleman that needed to off load it. Its a 243 AI single shot built on a kodiak action with a 25 inch kreiger 1-12 twist heavy fluted bbl. I am told its a std neck but perhaps not. My brother has a similar 243 ai that he doesn't use and gave me some of his lapua brass that is neck turned to about 13 thousandths wall thickness and only once fired. I resized it in a 243 ai body die and tried to chamber a round without a bullet seated and couldn't get the bolt to close on any of 10 rounds. I marked the neck with a marker and there didn't seem to be any contact so I was wondering if you guys had issues with the web in lapua brass being too thick for your chambers or something like that? what are your thoughts so I can start to eliminate all the possibilities and get a load built up safely. my go no go gagues indicate the chamber is perfect. i would like to use lapua brass but what would be the next best option if you think it is the brass???

thanks

 

[LarryDScott]

The simplest thing would be to contact Kelbys, and have them look up the record on this rifle. They will be able to tell you if your rifle is capable of using Lapua Brass. Larry in western Ky.

 

[308sako]

There are two versions of the 243 AI, I had to get my Redding dies done over as the case body just behind the shoulder junction was being sized .010" killing my Lapua brass. I think you have the reverse situation where you die is larger than the chamber and the brass isn't being sized enough in your case.

Polish a piece of the sized bras which doesn't fit and see where it scratches when you try and chamber it.

 

[Ackman]

There's a .243Improved and a .243AI. The shoulder diameter is different. Lapua brass is .0035 - .004" larger than Winchester at the web, it doesn't fit in my chamber.

 

[superlight93]

That would be a crime to get used brass from another rifle and use it in a Kelbly rifle!

 

[LWolken]

The question is does it chamber a standard 243 case? There are so many different possibilities, neck dimensions, loose reamer holder, reamer, headspace etc. Best thing would be fireform a case then compare measurements to see if your dies can be tweeked to work with both. The only way to get this to work for sure is use the same reamer by the same smith who knows you want to use brass in both guns!

Lance