Question? .223 or .223AI and why?

[Brocolt]

Question .223 Rem or .223 Rem Ackley Improved is it worth changing a new varment gun into Ackley Improved?

If it is worth doing the change over I could still shoot cheap .223 Rem in the gun for fun as well as getting the brass fire formed and ready for reloading latter.

Does the Ackley Improved burn out barrel chambers faster as it could be loaded hotter? what if I don't load the .223 Rem Ackley Improved any hotter then a normal .223 Rem load would it still be worth changing over to AI?

Your thoughts? the change was mentioned to me today over coffee from a fellow varmint shooter, Hence these questions.

 

[struff55]

Sounds like a good idea you need that extra 1.5-2.5 grs of powder

 

[Brocolt]

I'm not a person that pushes the limits of power & powder, I herd that brass last longer and less case sizing issues which are more to my liking. what about performance is there a difference?

 

[kombayotch]

.223 AI is so simple to form, I see no reason not to go with it. Just load a .223 and shoot.

Know a few guys who have them. Their brass lasts forever if its annealed regularly and they seem to inherently accurate.

The added fps. don't make a huge difference, in practice. It helps, but it isn't going to be like going to a 22-250 or anything.

 

[Brocolt]

Ok next big questions, Who is the best smith in Canada for getting my barrel rechambered from .223Rem to .223AI ? and who make a good set of dies in this caliber

 

[kombayotch]

I would get a set of Redding Match Type-S FL sizing set (Product #: 307041) and a Lee Collet Die. The regular .223 collet die works with the AI.

 

[two-dogs]

Ok next big questions, Who is the best smith in Canada for getting my barrel rechambered from .223Rem to .223AI ? and who make a good set of dies in this caliber

you could check with Rembo and Gun Tech, they are both here on CGN

 

[leelad]

This is something I'm also interested in. How is the expected barrel life with the AI?

 

[Obtunded]

Barrel life is not much of an issue. It is still good for several thousand rounds - accurately.

I personally like te 223AI and If I was going to use heavy 90's, it is the ONLY 223 I would personally consider.

The other easier option is the 222 Remington magnum for the same results. One only needs to expand 204 ruger brass from 204 to 224 and you have a 222 Remington magnum. This case is 47mm long versus 45 and has a case capacity is very similar as I recall.

If the 222mag case is expanded to 6mm, the cartridge is called a 6X47 (not the 6X47 lapua, or 6X47 swiss) and is one of the most accurate cartridges ever made.