.243 AI questions

[josh1371]

I've been turning over the idea of having my .243 reamed to a .243 AI for a few years now. i'm running a 25" barrel and have heard that with the AI you need a longer barrel to see any real improvements. i would like to know if any of you have experience with the AI in a 25" gun. i'm running speer 100 gr bullets, i don't really want to change bullets since it is used mostly for hunting, but would like to be able to hit paper and steel at or maybe past 1K.

BTW, the BC of what i'm running is .430, so i think that should be capable to hitting 1K if i do my part, correct me if i'm wrong please...

 

[former naval person]

Re: .243 AI questions

Ackley Improving will get you close to 6% speed improvement. Six percent of 3000 fps gets you maybe 180 fps, or a bit less, and maybe a shorter barrel life.

 

[ken12]

Re: .243 AI questions

Also keeps the brass from stretching. I changed mine on a XP100 like the man above said I got 150fps. Im only shooting a 15" barrel though.

 

[5RWill]

Re: .243 AI questions

I have a friend with a 24" .243AI and i'm not sure what the specs are for the 75-85gr class bullets but he's pushing them around 3700+

 

[Jerry R]

Re: .243 AI questions

I'm running two different 243 Imp. rifles both with 26" tubes. I would highly recommend trying the 105 AMAX which has a .500 BC for increased down range energy and better resistance to wind deflection. My formed loads are 3253 fps while fire forming loads are 3012 fps. Quite a justifiable velocity gain for me, personally.
Run the numbers on a 105 gr, . 500 BC at 3253 fps. Terminal as well as exterior ballistics are quite impressive to 1K +.

Keep in mind too that you may have issues with the 105 depending on twist rate of your barrel.