243 AI - is it worth it?

"...is the extra velocity or brass life that significant?..." Not really. The ground hog, deer or whatever will be just as dead with a regular .243. You still have to consider the rifling twist and being very sure you don't leave your ammo on the kitchen table. Any AI cartridge is a reloader's cartridge only. You won't find ammo in Crappy Tire.
 
But an AI will work just fine with factory ammunition if properly set up.
The velocity gain isn't all that great. There is no reason to expect an increase in accuracy. .243 brass is neither expensive nor hard to find; even if case life were greater, what difference would it make?
 
Thanks for your GREAT responses guys!!!!!

The article in 6mmBR with your comments certainly point in the 243 direction.

It seems that other than slightly extended brass life and 100fps or so, the 243 gets the nod. The only other reason I can see going to 40-degree Improved is the 'cool factor' of the sharp neck angle and shooting something that's slightly off the beaten path.

I appreciate your feedback - thank you - SD

...the hunt for the 'right' 243 begins...............
 
There are a variety of cartridges that use the 6mm bore. The .243 Win certainly isn't the only one or probably even the best. If you want to maximize velocity, the easiest way is to use a longer barrel.
 
"...the hunt for the 'right' 243 begins..." You looking for a deer rifle or varmint rifle? Nearly all factory hunting rifle barrels are rifled for heavy bullets. Even the heavy 'varmint' barrels. If that helps at all. 1 in 9 or 9.5.
That's not a big deal really. There's no reason to not use heavy bullets for varmints. 85 grains and up being heavy bullets. A 105 grain SP nearly turns a ground hog inside out and a 90 grain FMJ makes a puncture wound. Commercial FMJ's are not like military ball. Thinner jackets.
 
If you want an ackley with a 6mm bore go with the 6mm AI. 11% increase in case capacity over the parent case (one of the best cases to AI), longer neck (less throat erosion than the .243 AI). Either way you go you will have to reload, so the 6mm AI got the nod with me.

I am shooting the 87 grain Vmax out of my 6mm AI @3600fps. Definately has some long range "smack" factor.

BTW- When I was fireforming brass it was very accurate- like .4's @ 100 yards.
 
Agree with you on that completely, PLUS the barrel will not have to be set back, and that will save you enough cash to buy 6mm brass to last several lifetimes. :)

Ted
 
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I have one. Its a 26" 1:8.5 twist heavy barrel.

Havent had much time to shoot it much, but it does shoot 107 SMK's at 3200-3300 pretty accurately. Should make for a good 600+ yd coyote slayer :D

This is my 2nd Ackley, i sure like them, pretty much zero case trimming :D Shoots factory 243 ammo under an inch.

Probably not the best barrel life, but oh well it will give me a chance to try something new when its worn out. Seems like alot of guys get 1500+ rds if they dont rapid fire ect.
 
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