To AI or not to AI? .223 Micro-Medallion

[BLCB]

I was passed on a Browning Micro-Medallion in .223 Remington. It has a 22" barrel with a 1-12" twist. That's the best I can tell from research and some groups I shot anyway. I really don't have much use for this rig but I am feeling obligated to keep it. On top of the sentiment it's a nice enough rifle. I love the short bolt throw and angle, the trigger is fantastic and despite my large stature it fits very well.

To my actual point! Would something like this be a good candidate to rechamber in .223 AI? Having something different would make it more interesting. Using lighter bullets should maximize the modest gains typically seen with AI conversions, correct?

 

[Hissatsu]

Sell it and get something you want. When you use the new gun you will remember the original gift.

 

[tacoman]

I would go with the AI , almost a 22-250 and you can still shoot 223 ammo out of it and it would be something different which makes for a good story at the club .

 

[DGY]

What about rebarrel it in something you want? Like a round using the same bolt face and same length action?
That’s what I would do! 6x45!!

 

[BLCB]

6x45 would be my next choice! I am going lowest effort first, which to me would be to rechamber over rebarrel but that is an option. I do have sentimental attachment so simply selling the gun isn't at the top of my list. It would be my course if it weren't one of my grandad's more loved rifles.

 

[tacoman]

Or for something really different, a 257 Kimber , they even chambered it in their rifles for a bit.

 

[DGY]

6x45 would be my next choice! I am going lowest effort first, which to me would be to rechamber over rebarrel but that is an option. I do have sentimental attachment so simply selling the gun isn't at the top of my list. It would be my course if it weren't one of my grandad's more loved rifles.

You could get it re bored and rechamberd by Ron smith or his son, I think it’s the name, so that way the rifle stays exactly the same.

 

[Sask_Hunter]

I wouldn’t waste time or money on an AI chamber. Not worth it in the end after owning my share. Keep it as is or send it down the road.

 

[BLCB]

I wouldn’t waste time or money on an AI chamber. Not worth it in the end after owning my share. Keep it as is or send it down the road.

Could you elaborate? Not enough speed to justify the change? What positives and negatives did you find with a .223 AI? 6x45 is looking more likely.

 

[BLCB]

Does anyone have working contact information for RKS/Ron Smith? I can only find an old, defunct phone number. Surprisingly little info out there aside from lots and lots of satisfied customers.

 

[titch--]

Id rather have a fast twist 223 barrel then a 12 twist AI barrel for sure

 

[boxhitch]

I had a similar quandary, with an oe .243, rechamber/rebarrel/replace?
easy fix was to just buy a CZ 6 Creedmoor, ymmv

 

[KodiakHntr]

Could you elaborate? Not enough speed to justify the change? What positives and negatives did you find with a .223 AI? 6x45 is looking more likely.

I have several. You aren’t really going to gain anything by rechambering your existing barrel, other than some weight savings in your wallet.

Rebarrel to a 1:7” tube, and you make giant leaps forward on performance, but the 100fps you gain on your slow twist barrel isn’t worth the cost. Other than the case will look cooler.

 

[BLCB]

Noted. I do have enough slow twist 5.56/.223s already. This is gonna end up in a different cartridge one way or another. It's just a matter of which at this point.

 

[hoytcanon]

Not worth it...

 

[todbartell]

for the 4% increase in case size (30 fps gain at equal PSI) going to 223AI , I probably wouldn't bother rechambering it from a ballistic standpoint

 

[BLCB]

I have heard some low numbers tossed around but not anything near 30fps. That is certainly not worth my time if accurate.

 

[Sask_Hunter]

Could you elaborate? Not enough speed to justify the change? What positives and negatives did you find with a .223 AI? 6x45 is looking more likely.

It’s not worth it for 100-200 fps. Add in gunsmith cost to rechamber (is it even done proper?) dies cost more brass cost more(fire forming, bullets power primer time). Wear and tear on your barrel.

The only plus sides to an AI chamber is maybe less trimming, the cases look cool and you can tell your buddies it’s an Ackley Improved.

 

[Max Owner]

Only thing I have to add is I was told that Browning barrels can gaul the action when removing. I had a Browning years ago that I wanted to rebarrel. Members here warned me it could happen.

 

[Peecos]

I’m currently working on a Tikka 223AI 1-8”. Fire forming is done so load development will hopefully happen shortly. If you’re patient I can post some velocity results to help compare. I purchased already in this configuration because, you know, I always wanted to try one