243win to 243AI

[cahunter805]

Hey guys. Was considering the switch to a 243AI. This would be for a hunting rifle only. I do have a lead on a factory take off 24" 243win barrel. Would it be worth it to get the barrel and have it reamed? What do you think the average gunsmithing costs would be to ream and install the barrel/ set headspace? Kind of new to the AI and custom work so any tips/ help appreciated. THANKS

Also posted in gunsmith section.

 

[DCRYDER]

I would say go for it.

If the smith had the 243 AI reamer in stock I would think he would only charge $75-$100.

 

[gmanley1]

Having done the very thing you are contemplating, I will say only this. Don't expect accuracy to improve over what you are getting from your current barrel. It is a great cartridge if coupled with a good barrel mated to a twist for your favorite bullet. I have 1-8 twist on mine with a HV McGowan barrel. I shoot 107 sierras and it shines out past 600 yards.

 

[RJinTexas]

I'd never pay to to do this on a factory barrel even if you already owned the barrel and knew it shot exceptional well. Your much better off purchasing a custom barrels even for a hunting rifle.

Regards
RJ

 

[people]

All of these guys bring up good points. It may shoot worse than before or better. I would think better because you know the chamber will be inline with the bore. The crown will be redone. The twist is what I was also thinking about.


With that being said I am on my second factory tube that was changed from 7mm Rem Mag to 7mm STW. Both have shot better than the factory cutting.

 

[Ackman]

Accuracy won't change as an Ackley, it'll be the same only faster. If the barrel is new or like new and looks really good, do it. I've had a few factory 700 barrels - a couple new, a couple used - rechambered to Ackley improved and it was definitely worth doing. Just make sure it's shortened enough to cut a new throat/neck and remove all the std. 243 body taper.

 

[Chuckw]

as has been said, dont expect ANYTHING other than velocity from a rechamber. i do love ackleys in all flavors but i HATE to rechamber factory barrels. you are at the mercy of the original chamber since the reamer will follow it. if it has runout in relation to the bore, so will the new chamber. there is no way around it. that being said, i just rechambered two savage 6BR barrels to .243 for a guy who i just couldnt talk out of it. he said they are shooting very well. i wouldnt have done it myself.

chuck

 

[DCRYDER]

I have to disagree with chuck. A competant smith should be able to remove 90-100% of the factory chambers runout.

 

[markr]

The AI reamer will want to follow the chamber that is already in there. Cut off, set back, most of it will come out, maybe.

 

[RJinTexas]

Folks did you notice this gentleman stated that he doesn't already own the barrel, he didn't mention whether or not he has personal knowledge of the barrels accuracy. Buy the time he's pays for the barrel and pays a smith to rechamber it he's already got close to half the cost of a new custom barrel invested, and still has a factory barrel!!! Just not the best way to go IMHO.

Regards
RJ

 

[Gman]

Folks did you notice this gentleman stated that he doesn't already own the barrel, he didn't mention whether or not he has personal knowledge of the barrels accuracy. Buy the time he's pays for the barrel and pays a smith to rechamber it he's already got close to half the cost of a new custom barrel invested, and still has a factory barrel!!! Just not the best way to go IMHO.

Regards
RJ

I agree completely.

 

[cahunter805]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I am going to buy a barrel that us already chambered in 243ai and have it installed.

 

[cliffy]

I am so enamoured with and married to my standard .243 Winchester Remington 700 CDL, that AI mods don't seem all that extra fruitfulwise. Thirty-one feet per second with 100 grain Speer Grand Slam bullets seem as potent as a .243 Winchester was designed to be. Trying to coax a couple hundred extra feet per second at the muzzle? Upgrade to a .30/06 Springfield! "Mods" done automatically. A .243 Winchester, stock as a rock, is all it needs to be. Changing the shoulder profile from a svelt 30 degrees to a sharp 40 degree of bluntness cannot create a monsterous difference in performance. Fruitful or fruitless, converting to a non-standard caliber seems, to me, to be a quest for something the .243 Winchester wasn't meant to be. Be happy with the perfection a .243 Winchester has become famous for worldwide. Just my thoughts, Cliffy p.s. try buying .243 AI loaded cartridges in Australia or New Guinea, if you run out of ammo.

 

[cliffy]

Make that 3100 feet per second, instead of 31 feet per second. I can throw a rock at over 31 feet per second, and I'll estimate you can too. Cliffy

 

[Ackman]

Changing the shoulder profile from a svelt 30 degrees to a sharp 40 degree of bluntness cannot create a monsterous difference in performance.
******The .243 has a 20 degree shoulder.

Just my thoughts, Cliffy p.s. try buying .243 AI loaded cartridges in Australia or New Guinea, if you run out of ammo.
****** One of the points about Improved chamberings is that factory ammo can be used in them.

You should actually know what you're talking about before posting.

 

[skeetlee]

You should actually know what you're talking about before posting.

Good call. I see way to much of it around here. Fellas here something at the range so it must be true!! Most have only been shooting a couple months and they are giving advise. Im not saying its everyone here as there is some good solid info and some really fine riflemen that hang here, but if a guy didnt know better, i have seen info given that would get people really hurt or even worse. Bottom line is, If you dont know, dont suggest!!!! Lee

 

[LWolken]

John,

That pretty much sums it up. That post has so many errors its hard to believe. Moderator can we get a stickey on that one?

Lance