223ai?
- Thread starter Joel
- Start date
I really like the .223ai and am of the opinion that if one was putting together a custom .223 (outside of an Fclass rig) there is little reason NOT to go with it. the .223 is a small, high pressure case; Getting the most out of it in powder capacity, velocity and brass stability is a win. That said, I wouldn't push someone to have a factory chamber reamed out. Run it as is and if you decide to get fancy down the road, give'r!
What RIG you talking about ? RJ
That is the reality of it. People getting 150FPS with a 223 AI over a .223 are just loading over pressure.
So essentially just loading a very slightly larger cartridge to 5.56mm pressure?
Without wrecking primer pockets in two firings like the hot 223 Rem/556 data does, one hopes! lol. Seating the bullet out longer than most 223 mags can take must boost capacity a bit too but then you can do that with 223 rem as well...
Without wrecking primer pockets in two firings like the hot 223 Rem/556 data does, one hopes! lol. Seating the bullet out longer than most 223 mags can take must boost capacity a bit too but then you can do that with 223 rem as well...
Joel I shoot a T3X 223 1-8 and it does pretty good ! fir the amount of powder it’s burning . If you Need more the - the AI isn’t enough of a boost to make it worth while . Open up the bolt face on that tikka and rechamber to 22-250 or better yet a 22 CREEDMOOR ! Then you will have a HOT ROD . JMO. RJ
The only AI cartridge that is a “ REAL “ improvement over its base is the 280 AI . My last AI is the 6.5x 55 Swede and its improvement is dismal !
Dies are expensive too . JMO RJ
I’m sure Bartell and Chuck and others will disagree but I don’t give a phuck ! Lol. RJ
The only AI cartridge that is a “ REAL “ improvement over its base is the 280 AI . My last AI is the 6.5x 55 Swede and its improvement is dismal !
Dies are expensive too . JMO RJ
I’m sure Bartell and Chuck and others will disagree but I don’t give a phuck ! Lol. RJ
This thread is typical of what one sees from AI proponents. We see that sharpening the shoulder of 223 brass actually makes case heads stronger so primer pockets don't expand. We see that brass suddenly lasts longer, the reason largely unexplained. We see make-believe increases in case capacity and performance.
I have done this test. I chambered a barrel to 223 and loaded it until case head expansion produced loose primer pockets. I did this testing with 40 grain bullets because, at the time, 40's approaching 4000 fps was the big talking point. As a 223, I could get 3940. After five loadings, the primer pocket was still tight. I then set back the barrel 1/2 turn (1/32 inch) and rechambered to 223 AI. Case capacity, to the base of the neck, increased by 1.2 grains of 748 ( I used 748 because it gives repeatable volume measurement. I did not use 748 for velocity testing). Loading the formed case to similar pressure levels got me 3955 fps. If I tried to go higher, the case head expanded and primer pockets loosened.
As far as case life and reduced trimming is concerned, there is no difference if everything else is equal. Poor case life with a standard case is the result of poor reloading practices or improper chamber and/or sizing die dimensions. It has little or nothing to do with case shape; this within reason, of course.
I have done this test. I chambered a barrel to 223 and loaded it until case head expansion produced loose primer pockets. I did this testing with 40 grain bullets because, at the time, 40's approaching 4000 fps was the big talking point. As a 223, I could get 3940. After five loadings, the primer pocket was still tight. I then set back the barrel 1/2 turn (1/32 inch) and rechambered to 223 AI. Case capacity, to the base of the neck, increased by 1.2 grains of 748 ( I used 748 because it gives repeatable volume measurement. I did not use 748 for velocity testing). Loading the formed case to similar pressure levels got me 3955 fps. If I tried to go higher, the case head expanded and primer pockets loosened.
As far as case life and reduced trimming is concerned, there is no difference if everything else is equal. Poor case life with a standard case is the result of poor reloading practices or improper chamber and/or sizing die dimensions. It has little or nothing to do with case shape; this within reason, of course.
Thanks Jim!
I'll shoot it for a while as is. Best way to go
Looking forward to getting a bit stronger optic on it and getting out there!The CFE 223 and 73gr ELD-Ms and 70gr Barnes TSX are sitting here staring at me wondering when I'll finally get to them. Should pick up some lighter stuff too just to see.
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Have to disagree Jim. i think the most "improved" Ai chambering I have ever used would be the 250 Savage AI. Increases case capacity more than any other I have ever played with. - dan
I have a T3 Varmint in 223 and have a Waters Rifleman magazine from Australia. I’m running a 75 Amax loaded to 2.480” COAL. I won’t share exact load data but I’m running Varget and getting nearly 3000fps. The 223 is quite efficient but if you want to push the envelope from IMO it makes more sense to step up the 22-250. I’d go custom 22-250 and skip the creedmoor.
I have a few of them, not sure there is much (if any) benefit over a vanilla 223 if one isn’t interested in tinkering.
That said, I don’t see any downside either. I fireform brass with 75 Amax’s that shoot itty bitty groups, and load fullhouse 223AI rounds with 75’s or 88’s, that shoot itty bitty groups and smack stuff pretty hard waaaaaay out there.
The only interesting thing that I have noticed (and this is limited to a sample of 5 rifles so could be complete ####house coincidence) is that any published maximum load when dropped a half grain or so and fired in an AI chamber to form cases shot exceedingly well right out of the gate.
That said, I don’t see any downside either. I fireform brass with 75 Amax’s that shoot itty bitty groups, and load fullhouse 223AI rounds with 75’s or 88’s, that shoot itty bitty groups and smack stuff pretty hard waaaaaay out there.
The only interesting thing that I have noticed (and this is limited to a sample of 5 rifles so could be complete ####house coincidence) is that any published maximum load when dropped a half grain or so and fired in an AI chamber to form cases shot exceedingly well right out of the gate.
