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.243 vs .243AI vs 6mm etc?

Tried a search sorry if this has been beat to death.

What are the differences in the various .243/6mm rounds?

Obviously accuracy improvements etc. but what do you gain from going from one to the other?

If you are shooting a .243 Win what do you gain by going to an AI or other?

Everything is a trade off, what do you lose?

Just trying to get an overall picture. Any suggestions or links appreciated, Matt.
 
The .243AI and 6mm have similar capacities and performance. The .stock .243 is a little slower. I have three 6mm Remingtons. The improved .243 probably has good case life and is somewhat hard on barrels like the 6mm. In practical terms, any of the three would be a good choice. There are more than a few forum members that like the 6mmAI. I prefer a long action for 6mm with heavy bullets but a short action works fine for varmint weights.
 
Thanks for the good information. So at what point does it pay off to go to one of the other rounds from a .243? Where do you already need to be accuracy wise to see an improvement?
 
All are accurate cartridges and probably do not have any practical advantage over another. The .243 and .243AI do have the advantage of Lapua brass. I use Winchester brass for 6mm.
 
I like the 243 AI for the simple reason that the brass doesn't seem to stretch as much as the standard .243. That being said, I perfer the 6BR to all of them. Less powder, longer barrel life. Never had a prairie dog say, "Sure glad you didn't shoot me with a .243AI."
 
As to "Everything is a trade off, what do you lose?" I don't think there is one you want to build a 243 that what your getting as to which one is best. That argument has been going on since I started reloading 45 yrs ago between the 243/6mm.

If your building one or the other accuracy shouldn't be an issue difference might be in barrels/gunsmiths. My Kreiger barrel 243 has never had laupa brass fired in it's chamber I did try some in my Hart barrel 243AI didn't shoot any better than the Win brass. I have two 6RemAI one is my antelope rifle other use on varmits along with the 243AI. I shot a 6Rem for alot of years good caliber I did take that action for the 243AI.

I solved that problem many years ago as to which one is best shoot them all and enjoy them
 

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