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Author
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Topic: 243 AI
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Lonny
PANTS ON THE GROUND
Member # 19
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posted March 01, 2010 06:03 PM
I've never had an AI of any sort, but recently started thinking I wanted one. I came across a deal on a well-worn 243 in 700 ADL and was thiking about having it rebarreled and chambered to 243 AI. The rifle would mostly be a kid/loaner rifle for coyotes and deer, so barrel length and weight would be kept to around 22" and hopefully in the 7.5 lb range.
Leonard, Andy, Tom, I think I remember you guys mentioning having a 243 AI?
Anybody else got any input on the whole AI route or this particular cartridge?
Thanks
Posts: 1209 | From: Lewiston, Idaho USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Andy L
HI, I'M THE NEW MODERATOR OF THE CENTRAL MISSOURI FORUM, PULL MY FINGER!
Member # 642
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posted March 01, 2010 06:20 PM
I have a 223AI and a 25-06AI. I have shot a 22-243AI.
As far as Ackley Improving for performance, Im not sure how much it really helps? I know it helps some. I know they are easy to reload. I get away with just neck sizing most of the time, after a few loadings I have to full length, and dont have to trim often. They dont seem to flow as much at all. And, when fire forming, I load up and hunt or target shoot with standard ammo. They both shoot just as well with standard as they do loaded AI rounds.
My 223AI is fantastic with 52gr AMax. AMax has just enough more jacket than VMax to keep the splashes down and still a good fur bullet.
My 25-06 is great for deer with a good bullet. I had trouble with Nosler Partitions coming apart on impact. Triple Shocks or Sierra GK work great. I do load some 75gr VMax but wont point it at a coyote anymore. It literally blows the living shit out of stuff. Makes a big mess. It would be fine for contest hunting I guess.
Thats my .02.
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Andy
Posts: 2645 | From: Central Missouri | Registered: Apr 2005
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Lonny
PANTS ON THE GROUND
Member # 19
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posted March 01, 2010 06:47 PM
Thanks Andy.
The lack of trimming is one reason I like the idea of going AI. The last time I messed with a standard 243 much, it seemed like trimming was all to common.
What do you use for dies with your AI's Andy?
Posts: 1209 | From: Lewiston, Idaho USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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TOM64
Knows what it's all about
Member # 561
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posted March 01, 2010 08:21 PM
Lonny, it's a giant killer. I love mine and it'll replace my 7-08 for deer as well.
I'm running a 22" barrel and averaged 3571fps with the 75gr V-Max. I've gone higher but this is good enough.
I'm using Redding 243 Win Imp 40* dies. Way better than any Lee or RCBS die I've ever used.
I haven't had much time to get out this year and have only killed 7 coyotes with it but it's been fur friendly on all but one. I hope I get to wear the barrel out next year.
I'd do it again without a doubt.
Posts: 2283 | From: okieland | Registered: Feb 2005
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Southern Minneesota Know it all
Member # 794
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posted March 01, 2010 09:28 PM
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
[ March 28, 2010, 09:53 PM: Message edited by: TA17Rem ]
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
Posts: 5614 | From: S.D. | Registered: Jan 2006
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Lonny
PANTS ON THE GROUND
Member # 19
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posted March 01, 2010 09:39 PM
Tom, did you punch out a factory barrel or did you rebarrel?
Thanks for the info.
Posts: 1209 | From: Lewiston, Idaho USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Andy L
HI, I'M THE NEW MODERATOR OF THE CENTRAL MISSOURI FORUM, PULL MY FINGER!
Member # 642
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posted March 01, 2010 09:52 PM
Lonny, I use Redding dies as well. I havent tried any others on them so I cant comment.
I use RCBS for most everything else. Except seating dies for 17 and 204. I use Hornady for that because that nifty sliding sleeve they have to take that tiny bullet out of my big ass fingers. LOL
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Andy
Posts: 2645 | From: Central Missouri | Registered: Apr 2005
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Dave Allen
Hi, I'm SUPER DAVE, IN CHARGE OF Q STUFF (and Goat Leader) "I'm really not trying to be a dick".
Member # 3102
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posted March 01, 2010 10:00 PM
Andy I'm with ya,I also use the Hornady dies for my 17 Rem and Fireball. The seating sleeve is great for those little bullets.
Sorry Lonny I'm off topic
Posts: 1986 | From: Jordan Valley Oregon | Registered: Aug 2008
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TOM64
Knows what it's all about
Member # 561
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posted March 01, 2010 10:57 PM
I punched the factory tube.
Tim, you wouldn't understand.
Posts: 2283 | From: okieland | Registered: Feb 2005
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Southern Minneesota Know it all
Member # 794
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posted March 02, 2010 01:50 AM
[ March 28, 2010, 09:53 PM: Message edited by: TA17Rem ]
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
Posts: 5614 | From: S.D. | Registered: Jan 2006
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DAA
Utah/Promoted WESTERN REGIONAL Hunt Director
Member # 11
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posted March 02, 2010 04:18 AM
Mine is a big, heavy rig for splattering 'chucks off of a table. With a 29" barrel, 3900 fps using 70 gr. bullets isn't hard to do. Groups at 300 yards with that load run about an inch.
The Lapua .243 brass is some really, REALLY nice stuff. Enough of a reason to have interest in the .243AI, by itself, to me.
I use Redding dies too.
- DAA
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"Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." -- George Hanson, Easy Rider, 1969.
Rocky Mountain Varmint Hunter
Posts: 2676 | From: Salt Lake City, UT | Registered: Jan 2003
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TOM64
Knows what it's all about
Member # 561
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posted March 02, 2010 05:30 AM
Tim, a half a grain more powder yielded me 3643fps (3 shot average) out of the puny 22" barrel. I now believe it could handle more but why? And I'm running cheap WW brass.
I have never had a standard 243 get close to the velocities I'm getting, even with a 24" barrel. But to stay light and compact for a "kid/loaner" gun 22" will work just fine. Remember mine is a Mountain rifle weighing just over 7 pounds scope, sling, shells and all. Balance is perfect. My goal was to hit 3600 fps in a handy, accurate package. I got close enough.
Would a longer barrel get beter velocity? Of course but at a price.
Posts: 2283 | From: okieland | Registered: Feb 2005
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted March 02, 2010 09:06 AM
First of all, Lonny. I think you picked a good one, very versatile in a small efficient package.
Now, generally speaking, I do not favor punching a factory barrel, as did Tom, however, rules are made to be broken, and that's just what I did, just for the hell of it with my 223AI. As you might expect, not much of an advantage, when all is said and done.
quote:
If you are not going to use the 243 ackleys full potential by useing a 24" barrel or more you just as well stay with a 243 win...
I partly agree with what Tim said, above. As Dave did, wringing out ultimate performance is best achieved in as long a barrel as possible, and 29 inches is about max, in most cases. Well, not completely true but the law of diminishing returns comes into play.
In any case, it has been long established that 26 inches is no handicap (handling wise) and offers substantial advantage, for many cartridges, 223 not generally regarded as one of them.
Whatever; it is all the fulfilment of a dream, similiar to children with visions of lollypops dancing in their head. I'm sorry, but we grown men never do grow up.
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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