New 243 AI help

[taxman]

Hi Folks,

I have been reading quite a bit here lately. A great site! I am having new rifle built with a Krieger 1-8" twist barrel. I have ordered a .267" spec on the reamer for nick size. I am curious on what bullet weights I should expect the "best" accuracy from. I will be using Lapua brass, not sure what powder to look at first either.

I have a model 70 with a 20" Shilen .243 Win that shoots the 55 gr Blitzking in the .3 easily when I do my part. I shoot 51.0 grn of H414, Federal GM primers and Rem brass. I have actually shot this combo into a 2" group at 500 yards. I never thought the little 55 would do such a good job. I have since upgraded to a Weaver 36 scope.

Thanks for any info!

One thing I have learned about the shooting sports; The more you learn, the more you realize how little you know!!

Tony

 

[Varminthunter]

Taxman, you picked a awesome cartridge to shoot. I would look at the 105grn A-Max. It will be a good bullet for long range varminting. They will expand much better than the other VLD Bullets. The other bullets will punch holes through the varmint and the little bastard will get back to his hole and bleed to death. I have decided I will only use Ballistic Tip and V-Max bullets for varminting from 100 to 1000 yards.

The only negative thing about the 105grn A-Max, you can't shoot it over 3200fps. The 6MM AI, with a 28" barrel, will shoot the 105grn bullets between 3400fps. If you use this bullet, you will need to watch your speeds or the bullet will blow up.

Another bullet that works well, is the 105grn Lapua Scenar. If your Krieger barrel has a .236 lands, it will shoot the 105grn scenar very accurately. However, as I mentioned above, it does not expand well on varmints.

Another bullet you should look at, the 87grn V-Max. It will work very well out of your 1-8 twist barrel. It is a great long range varmint bullet. It has excellent BC,.400) and killing power combined together. I good load with this bullet is as followed;

1. Bullet-87grn V-Max
2. Powder-52grns of H4350-Work up to this load!
3. Primer-Federal 210 Match
4. Brass-Winchester
5. Velocity out of a 30" barrel was 3650 and the velocity out of a 28" barrel would be around 3600 to 3625fps.

Let us know how your new rifle shoots. What are the specs, action, trigger, stock, ect on your new rig. I am having a new rifle built right now too, and I can't wait to shoot the varmints with it in 2008.

VH

 

[taxman]

Thanks for the info!!

Please do not scald me on my choices of equipment.

Model 700 Stainless w/HS aluminum pillar bed,factory)
This will be trued up as standard
8.5 X 25 X 50 Leupold
Jewell Trigger with safety & bolt release
Badger Ordinance steel 20 moa scope base
Leupold rings
Krieger 1-8" Stainless barrel.
Lapua brass.
Again the neck on the reamer is .267" so I will be neck turning.

After all the reading, I realized I should have gone with a custom action, but I have what I have and will make the best of it.

Thanks again for the info!
Tony

 

[Bobs243Ackley]

Hello Tony,

For some additional information for the .243AI, you can go out to the home page and click onto the 243 Win Info Page and you will find additional information that should help you with the article that is available for you. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to ask any of us on the forum for help & welcome to the forum!

Cordially,
Bob Blaine

 

[taxman]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the info. I have read and re-read many articles here on neck turning, case prep and so forth. Lots of excellent information and thoughts. I did not want to recreate a wheel that has already been built. Site is great!

Thanks,
Tony

 

[Varminthunter]

Taxman, your Model 700 Action trued up will be pretty close to a custom. Your set up will be very accurate, I assure you.

You are going to love the 6MM AI, it's deadly on varmints even at the longer ranges. Let us know how your knew rig shoots. I am having Richard Franklin build me one of his 300 WSM Varminters, I am looking forward to the 2008 varmint season with this new rig.

VH

 

[taxman]

Varminthunter,

Thanks for the shared enthusiasm. I am just waiting for the reamer to arrive. We will commence work in few weeks hopefully. My smith owns & runs a small shop. I will be allowed to help and be involved with the build up. Can't wait myself.

I keep reading more & more on case prep and technique. I have reloaded for 15 years pistol, rifle and shotgun. But not to the held tolerances that I am now. I need a few more tools, but getting there.

I appreciate the help & all the knowledge shared on the site!!!

Thanks,
Tony

 

[taxman]

Hi folks,

My reamer has arrived. I was incorrect on the neck in the previous post, it has a .268" neck. The barrel is a Krieger .236".

I have a few questions that I would appreciate some info.

I am new to neck turning on a specified neck dimension. I have a Forster trimmer and neck turning tool. I can turn necks within .0005". Is this neck turner good enough to rely on for turning? Should I purchase another turning tool. I take my time and make multiple passes to ensure a reasonably smooth finish.

I have a ball mic, regular mic and vernier for measurements.

When turning for a smaller neck, how small should I go? Currently my brass measure .267 +/- .0005". Should I be .001 under or more? Just curious if there is a standard I should be aware of.

I will be using Redding FL sizing die/w bushings and a Forster micrometer seater re-reamed with the chamber reamer for bullet seating.

Any help will be much appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[taxman]

Howdy folks,

It is getting close to being finished. Barrel was finished today. Action is curing in the stock as type. Should be ready to shoot in a few days. I can't wait. I am working on my brass now.

Now I will have something to work on all winter!

Tony

 

[taxman]

Hi folks,

I have shot my new rig! Not bad for the 1st 20 rnds. All less than 1 moa at 100 yards.

I have 20 cases all pretty, fire formed and shot with load one time.

I have a few questions, looking for answers;

Model 700 Remington, can I safely shoot the rifle with the ejector rod & spring removed? I don't like the way it beats up the brass on removal. Can I shorten/lighten/change the spring?

85 gr Sierra HPBT, Lapua brass, GM210M, 45 grains of IMR4831, very narrow vertical, one inch wide horizontal dispersion on target. What type of fix do I look for? Heavier charge? Less Charge? Seating depth?


Thanks,
Tony

 

[BJ44BJ]

I can assure you that it is okay and safe to remove the ejector and ejector spring on a remington 700.I questioned my local gunsmith about this and he assured me that it was okay as well. I have two remington 700's and a Lawton 7500 this way and I have shot many rounds without a problem.

 

[taxman]

Hi folks,

Been ringing out the Ackley good the last few days and have a few questions;

I have fired the same 5 cases 10 times, trimmed twice, bumped shoulder once.

Shooting
85 hpbt Hornady
H-4831sc
Lapua Brass
WLRM primers

At 100 yards the combo will shoot 1/2" consistently and occasionally a .2 with a shaky bench.

Should I feel great about the results?
Any questions on the load?

I shot Fed210m and did not get the consistency, tried the WLRM and they worked.

Bullets are about .005" off the lands.

Neck turned brass to .267, size with Redding neck sizing die and .266 bushing, fired round measures .268. So at least the brass is not being over worked.

Also have FL Redding die and should bump die.

Any suggestions?

Or load, shoot and have fun!

 

[Chuckhunter]

Taxman, the 45Gr load of H-4831sc and the 85Gr pill is a very mild load. Lapua brass will last a long, long time even under full throtle loads. Load them up and enjoy shooting it. With the 8 Twist barrel, I opt for a heavier bullet like a 95 Sierra or a 107 SMK. I'd certainly shoot match bullets with that Krieger. If you have access to a 2 or 300Yd. range, I would test your loads there as you will get a better read on your loads than at 100yds. My favorite load is listed in the .243 section the load is very consistant and has very low Es and SD. My barrel is a 9 twist so if you decide to try it, back off a few grains and work back up. I just got back last week from South Dakota and the AI really performed at long range. The more I shoot this case the more I like it. Good Luck with the new piece.

 

[taxman]

Chuckhunter,

Thanks for the info! I have a chrono on order and will get some better bullets. I have a box of 107's I'll give them a test.

Thanks again!

Tony

 

[Macs]

When you get to shooting the larger VLD bullets they work better for me about .010 into the lands. I like the 105 Bergers alot although I don't shoot them through a 6mm AI, I shoot them through my 6x47 and my 243 and love them.
Best of luck and God bless,
Chuck

 

[taxman]

I just ordered some match bullets. I will give up until my new chrony shows up. I think I am just chasing my tail, not knowing what is going on.

Thanks for the thoughts!
Tony

 

[aussie]

taxman,
The 52gn H4350 load for the 87gn V Max quoted above is for a 6mmAI I would assume . I have had 2 x .243AI's chambered with different reamers and maximum has been around 46gns H 4350 in both with that projectile . Have tried slower burning powders and found that 3400 FPS was about it in a 26" barrel regardless .
Havent found the 87gn V Max to be consistently accurate in either rifle . Both had 9 inch twist .

 

[taxman]

I believe another member posted the 52.0 grns of H4350 and it was for 6mm AI. I have shot upwards of 48 grains and it way way too hot in my 243 AI and so far the 87 V-max aren't happy in my rifle. I just received some 108 Bergers and have more 107 SMK with some different powders coming in.

Waiting on my new Chrono to show up before I get too serious again!

Thanks,
Tony

 

[taxman]

Been working over a chrono for a few days. CED M2

The chrono answers a few questions and then starts many more.

I am currently shooting 108 Bergers and 45+ grains of R-25, Fed 210m and Lapua brass, bullet just kissing the lands. The barrel is a 4 grove Krieger, stainless at about 28"

At 45.0 grains of R-25, soot on case necks and barrel real dirty. Also very slight ejector marks on brass, very very slight. As I have gone up in powder charge, .02 tenths at a time, ejector marks disappear and cases are cleaner.

I have not blanked a primer and accuracy at 100 yds is in the 2's.

I feel that my reloading technique is good as extreme spread is at 20 or below and SD is below 10.

The velocity is just getting to 2900-2920 fps.

I am looking for answers to a few questions.

Does the velocity sound ok for the combo?

Am I pushing the capabilities of a Rem 700?

Thoughts on the R-25 would be helpful by those that have experience.

Seems like it is a bit too slow for the 243 AI.

Currently I am just over 46.0 grains.

Thanks,
Tony

 

[taxman]

Over 1600 people have looked in and only 18 posts?

Come on folks, I would like to discuss this a bit?

26.5 grains R-25, 108 gr Berger, Fed 210m and Lapua brass.

Shooting about 1.5" at 300 yards.

Chrono says 2960 +/- fps

What say you?