.243 ai project

[ghost_rider]

This is my first post but have been reading for a little bit. I would like to build a chuck killer. But would like to build a rifle that will reach out to 700+ if i want to. But in reality im looking for a 500 yd dead everytime gun.

I settled on the .243 ai because i like the ballistics of a .243 winchester but hate the case stretch. I would like to shoot 105 gr amaxs and 87 gr vmaxs. I was thinking on building it on a savage action and using a er shaw barrel. I might be off base with what i have planned. Idk. Right now i can shoot .375 center to center groups with my .223 and it is factory tikka. So i can shoot somewhat decent. Do you guys have any help on if i am on the right track or not? I would also like to do most of the machine work myself. I am a machinist by trade and have done some minor work such as crowns and tapping actions. I will probably get some help from a local gunsmith on the chamber reaming.

Thanks

 

[284driver]

Welcome to the forum. Lots of info here.
I know some guys that have had good luck with Shaw barrels.
I had pacnor prethread a barrel for a savage recently and I got it reamed for 6br. Shoots unbelievable. I also had McGowan prethread a barrel for my savage striker and reamed it for 22-250 ackley. It shoots almost as good as my 6br. Plenty of options for the savage. Everybody's got their opinions on the "Best" barrel maker but most of them will prefit one for a savage. Good luck

 

[fredhorace77]

+1 for 22-250 Ackley i use a 1:8 with 75amax and 77gr. smk. also ud be suprised what the 6mmBR would do at that range..a very very good cart. for 600yrds and under.
Also have a friend that shoots the 22-243 with 80gr. SMK he likes it cause no fireforming to get brass. he just necks standard 243 down to 22

 

[BuffaloBill]

I recently put one together with the same sort of goal in mind, for the same reasons, and to shoot those same two bullets! I went with a 1-8 Krieger HV, finished at 28.5" and added a brake. I used a PTG 243AI reamer with a 0.272 neck, 0.08" freebore (what Dave recommended for that bullet range). I used a Savage short action and fitted the barrel conventionally (not using the barrel nut. Sorry to say I've only had it to the range once so far...but it shoots like no other rifle I own. I posted pic of the rifle and targets on this forum a while back. Using Lapua brass, 4831HC I was getting around 3100fps with the 105gr AMAX. I've not shot any 87gr VMAX yet.

links thread with to pics:
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3782587.msg36045752#msg36045752

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3783841.msg36052561#msg36052561

 

[jerrschmitt]

I have two .243 Ackley Improved rifles. One is a 13 twist that I bought used and the second is an 8 twist that I had made. The 8 twist was made for shooting prairie dogs at long range but it really doesn't do much better than my 8 twist 6br. The 105 AMAX moves out about 200 fps faster with my loads but at the expense of barrel life and powder consumption. The .243 AI is a great round but only marginaly better than my 6MM BR.

 

[fivering]

Take a 22-250, neck it up to 6mm, get a 6mmx22-250 Ackley Improved reamer, and you will have a cartridge that will shoot 105-108's over 3100 fps with 6-7 grains less powder than the 243, and is a tack driver out to 1000 yds.
The only draw back is that you will need to fire form cases, but the un-formed cases with a slightly reduced loading shoot fine for 600 yds or killing prairie dogs while fire forming.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Here's a link to my 243 AI.
http://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/gallery/member-galleries/p4428-russell-gall-243-ackley-improved.html
I bought it second hand and am just starting to make some progress on loads Shot some 70gr SMKs tonight and was very pleased with the results. The spec for the rifle is:
Russell Gall 243 AI - Lawton 7000 short action teflon coated black Krieger 24 inch barrel fluted 1 in 10 twist. M14 screwcut teflon coated black. Jewell trigger and HS box magazine. Macmillan stock green/black. Swarovski Z6 scope fitted on Third Eye Tactical 0 MOA picatinny rail. .30 cal ase utra Jet-Z compact moderator. Harris bipod. The whole outfits weighs 12lb 4 oz without ammunition.
I would have liked to get a faster twist, but couldn't let this one go past me.
Good luck. JCS

 

[ghost_rider]

Thanks for the ideas. The 6br is something that peaks my interest. How hard is it to buy brass?

 

[AckleymanII]

bullet choice for chucks

lots of bullets just zip right through a chuck, then they just crawl off. I look for air time!

75g V max at 3800 will get you way out there, 30" 243 AI with Win 760 and CCI250 primers in Rem cases with the 243 AI.

You will go faster than 3800 with the 244 AI with a 30" barrel with the 75 V max in a 244 AI, up to 4000 fps with Win 760. I got 4150 with the 70g Nosler Ballistic tips in the 244 AI with a 1-14 twist 26" Shilen barrel. Slower twists build pressure slower and will allow you more velocity, so match the bullet with the twist rate that you want to shoot.

It is NO FUN shooting chucks with bullets that do not expand violently.

 

[jerrschmitt]

Thanks for the ideas. The 6br is something that peaks my interest. How hard is it to buy brass?

I haven't bought any in awhile but Midway was my source.