.223 rem or AI whats better for the long run?

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Bigdonkey

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So as my wife so elegantly put it “you’re a fool”. What she’s referring to is I haven’t even finished my last build and im looking at getting into the next one. I told her that the two calibers that I want complement each other perfectly. Kind of like her shoes and handbags do. She didn’t find that funny somehow.
So the 64K question is .223 Rem or Ackley Improved. Which is the better choice for longevity and accuracy if there is a difference and everything else to compare?
 
What about the barrel life, are there any definitive results that suggest one over the other. I’ve read that AI is way easier to load and that it’s a whole lot easier on the cases thus leading to a longer life span.
 
From what I've read the AI has good barrel life. Havn't come close to wearing mine out yet.
One thing to consider is that if you want to shoot FTR then the AI option is out, as that would put you in open class.
 
Your gonna need another project eventually. I would go 223 rem with a long enough barrel. Then when the throat wears, set it back and re chamber as an AI.

Then you will know which you liked best.
 
Ohh yaaa, I do love a good trim session. I think I should Improve them all!

There was some dude who went by Graymist (or something) who had a web page with .223 AI info. It was supposedly a great resource but it's lost to time as far as I can tell. Does anyone know if his load data, etc. still exists?
 
223

The improved shoulder will help with case trimming but how many cases will you actually have?

With a long throat, there is very little difference between the AI and 223 in performance.

The 223 will be less money overall to set up and feed.

Neither is particularly hard on barrels.
Jerry
 
AI cartriges to me, mostly is a waste of time & money fire forming brass etc,for what you gain,
If your trying to get the 80 + 90gr 224 bullet in the 3000FPS ++++ just build a 22/250 with a fast twist barrel. buy some lapua brass and get loading & get out shooting.
like other member mentioned you put yourself in open class in F class shooting with
223 AI.
Your resale value on a AI would be less than a regular 223
In saying this I have been looking into building a 280AI for a longrange hunting rifle only because Nosler makes brass for it, and also make loaded ammo
manitou
 
if you want the ultimate in accurate .224 cartidges, I would vote for the 22BR myself.

as to accuracy, there is far more than the cartridge that makes a diffference, but all things being equal, the less time a bullet spends in the air, the less it is affected by wind, the ai has a slight velocity edge. slight theoretical advantage to the 223 rem over ai for barrel life


6mmbr.com/223Rem.html
 
Well i guess that was a loaded question hahahanaha. Now I'm more coconfused than ever.
Ok so one of the reasons i was asking was i have opportunity to buy a new AI barrel for a really good price but then thought that it might not be that good of a deal if all that goes along with it might be a bit more or limit my options for future competition. As for that i do plan on getting into competing with this platform much like my .308 that i built specifically to compete in both hunter and silhouette class, i would like to build something that can go as close to double duty as possible. That being said i suppose I've just answered my own question and should probably stick with this.223 red as that sounds like the better choice for someone who is new to bench rest competition. Not to mention probably cheaper as I've seen some of the open class rigs and there is now way i have that kind of budget right now.
As for loading i have everything i need for the Rem right now as it's one of the calibers I've owned in the past.
 
223AI hands down. its got alittle more horse power, less trimming and looks cool. its easy to load and doesnt cost any more than a 223 to reload. the only down side is fireforming but 200-300 will last along time.

the 22-204 is about the same as the 223AI but with out the fireforming needed.
 
Sask_Hunter said:
223AI hands down. its got alittle more horse power, less trimming and looks cool. its easy to load and doesnt cost any more than a 223 to reload. the only down side is fireforming but 200-300 will last along time.

the 22-204 is about the same as the 223AI but with out the fireforming needed.
Click to expand...

Are there not full length sizing dies to speed that process up?
 
Sask_Hunter said:
223AI hands down. its got alittle more horse power, less trimming and looks cool. its easy to load and doesnt cost any more than a 223 to reload. the only down side is fireforming but 200-300 will last along time.

the 22-204 is about the same as the 223AI but with out the fireforming needed.
Click to expand...


22_204 is called the 222 remingnton magnum. Its the parent for the 204 ruger.




Posted from Canadiangunnutz.com App for Android
 
paperslayer said:
22_204 is called the 222 remingnton magnum. Its the parent for the 204 ruger.




Posted from Canadiangunnutz.com App for Android
Click to expand...

The 222rem mag has a 23 degree shoulder versus the 30 on the shoulder and the shoulder is pushed forward a bit more on the 204 case.

All apple to apples but the 223AI is a pretty good good little package.
 
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