243 AI hypothetical

[13red56]

I havnt been a member here long and im fairly new to reloading. I really would like to build an AI but just had a thought that maybe you guys can help me with. The main purpose I want to build is for the added speed with the AI. The gun wouldnt be shot a lot after load work up only intend for hunting Whitetail in MS. I know that a quality aftermarket barrel would be best to start with for a build but have any of you gentlemen ever taken a good shooting 243 win and punched it out to an AI. If so I would like any details you are willing to share.

Thanks in advance

 

[5spd]

Ive done Savage & Ruger m77 .243 AI builds, then sold the Rugers & went back to the standard .243 in my Savage as I dont shoot them like my .223s or 6x45. The extra 200 fps or so to me is not worth all the load development/case forming etc.

 

[germanlongbow]

Great choice. I have one 243 AI on Remington action and Krieger 28" 17 HV barrel. Shoots consistent 1/4moa and better. Built it for my 7 year old daughter. Low recoil and fun to shoot. Likes the 105 VLD's behind RL 25. Plan on building a second 243AI with same barrel and 12+ twist. Have several other AI's, but the 243 is my favorite. Good luck Scott

 

[bheadboy]

if you have a good shooting 243, say .500 at 100yd, and really want/need the extra velocity, then you can have a good smith set the bbl back one turn and chamber for th AI - the reason for the turn is get a fresh throat/clean chamber as the AI reamer may not clean up the factory chamber if you do not.

Bob

 

[Ackman]

I havnt been a member here long and im fairly new to reloading. I really would like to build an AI but just had a thought that maybe you guys can help me with. The main purpose I want to build is for the added speed with the AI. The gun wouldnt be shot a lot after load work up only intend for hunting Whitetail in MS. I know that a quality aftermarket barrel would be best to start with for a build but have any of you gentlemen ever taken a good shooting 243 win and punched it out to an AI. If so I would like any details you are willing to share.

Thanks in advance

If your .243 is a good shooter, as an AI it'll shoot just as well only faster. My first one was in about '90, an accurate 700 Varmint rechambered to AI. Don't remember if we ever chrono'd it, but the gun was nicely accurate and it was worth doing.

This stuff about the AI hassles of "load workup and case forming" doesn't make a lot of sense. Max from Speer with a 70TNT says 46.0gr/760. Great. So fireforming I started there with a 70TNT and the best accuracy was at 48.3/760 doing 3767, all holes touching. It was just like finding an accuracy load for any other cartridge. I shot about 1000rds of "fireform load" at rockchucks and prairie dogs, killed the snot out of them. Being a "fireform" load was no handicap, they were still much faster than a std. .243. With formed cases, the same load was fine.....no hassles there. Later playing with different brass/primer and .4 more powder, velocity is 3858 w. accuracy in the .3's. Somebody tells you AI cartridges are more work, don't listen.

Pacnor barrel 26" long, 13" twist, tight chamber .010" over brass length, .273"nk, no freebore.

 

[13red56]

Back to the top. I just thought I'd refresh to see if anyone else has experience with AI'ing a spotter weight barrel or factory plain barrel

 

[bheadboy]

factory bbl no, sproter weight, yes, 2 280A, one 260AI amd7-08AI all 26 or 24 inch sporter a couple fluted,

all shotin the .300 except the 260

Bob