.243ai

[Cold_Bore_88]

Talk me into going .243 AI. I am going to build a 6mm and think I want to stick with 243 as ammo off the shelf is easier to find. I heard that regular .243 can be shot through .243 AI chamber fairly accurately.

There are some other options (6mm Creedmoor, 6XC, 6x47L) but I don't want to be forced to reload.


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[poison123]

Why get a .243ai if you don't want to reload.......and want to shoot normal 243 through it. Just get a standard 243.

 

[spife7980]

Why get a .243ai if you don't want to reload.......and want to shoot normal 243 through it. Just get a standard 243.

I agree with that. All the ai chamber will net you with factory 243 is lower pressures (read less velocity) because the brass has to expand that much more rather than using that energy to push the bullet out.

 

[bachelorjack]

If you aren't going to reload to take advantage of the best projectiles and propellant combinations, don't bother. Go shoot your factory crappy ammo in a regular chamber...

 

[jakelly]

Look at the 6 comp match, too.

 

[z71rat]

Straight .243Win... I didn't want to have to keep up with my brass, so I just went with the non-AI. She is accurate and consistent. The AI to me, is a waste of time and powder.

DK

 

[Just Macca]

Straight .243Win... I didn't want to have to keep up with my brass... The AI to me, is a waste of time and powder.

DK

"Didn't want to keep up with my brass" This is proven to be incorrect in the case of the .243 win. The sharper shoulder slows the torching of the throat so common with the 243.

And the sharper shoulder also slows brass stretch, another big issue with the parent case.

I'm having a 243 with 30 degree shoulder done up right now for my DT SRS to combat that exact issue.

One firing and you have a superior chambering.

 

[Just Macca]

http://www.6mmbr.com/243win.html

A good read regarding the merits of the 243 ai specifically. From a respected source to boot.

And the quote for those that cant be bothered reading the whole article.

"He (P.O. Ackley) had always felt that the .243 Winchester was already an improved configuration, but he did say that the best thing to be gained by improving the .243 Winchester was to substantially reduce the case-stretching problems. The .243 Winchester parent case has always stretched brass, almost as bad as the Swift. Even though you get more velocity with the improved .243, I've also found that the improved version gives a bit more throat life than the parent case does." - Bob Blaine, Sinclair International.

 

[spife7980]

But none of that matters as he doesnt want to reload. Great brass for a second firing is worth nothing if its never fired a second time.

 

[steve123]

Or 6mm Creedmoor, now that there is factory ammo for it. Plus you get to shoot high BC 108's.

 

[supercorndogs]

But none of that matters as he doesnt want to reload. Great brass for a second firing is worth nothing if its never fired a second time.

Unless he has a market for fire formed 243 AI brass. Also the throat lasting longer would be an advantage.

Cramming 243 into a 243 AI for the life of the barrel would suck. You will find brass from kind of tight, to really tight in your chamber if it is properly cut. It would increase the likelihood of galling a bolt lug. Forcing it closed on each case. The 243 AI is for someone who wants to fire-form and reload.

 

[Just Macca]

To clarify. I just wanted to amend the thought process that AI = a lot of work.

As for OP's question. Its completely illogical as has already been stated.

I still cant believe people don't reload. So rarely in hobbies do you have a way of making what your doing massively more effective, and save yourself money in the process.

If you're in this just to shoot some deer twice a year and reloading is too much work. Just buy a cheapo walmart special in 223.

 

[spaniel]

Admitted 243AI fanboy. I've owned both the 243 and AI version, and the AI is superior in every way. Longer barrel life, no case trimming. Fireforming? Boo-hoo. I bought 300 rounds of Lapua brass, loaded them with max 243 loads, and killed 290 prairie dogs with .4 MOA or better accuracy. That batch of brass will certainly torch the barrel before they are done.

The velocity advantage is not insignificant. My 105gr AMAX load out of a 24" barrel is 3250 fps. What is safe out of a straight 243 again?

If you don't reload, this is completely pointless. Yes, you can shoot factory 243 out of it. But you lose every advantage of the chambering. Being able to shoot factory ammo is a fallback convenience, but meaningless if you aren't going to reload, just get a 243. In fact my 243AI is a tight neck and won't shoot factory ammo.