Who has a 243AI

MaxKW

MaxKW

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I have had and sold a 243AI so I still have all the dies etc that I need but really on the fence about converting my current 243, it will be used for deer and wolves, nothing that the regular 243 can't do but the AI isn't as boring doing it. I haven't decided on a bullet yet, I'm thinking either 85gr Barnes or 90gr Accubond. Any opinions on this conversion, favorite loads for either one? Can it be rechambered without setting the barrel back?
 
For a proper 243AI chamber you will need to set the barrel back to get a slight crush fit on regular 243 brass.

As for picking one over the other I would run a normal 243 if it was a factory rifle. If I was building I would make it a 243 AI, I've owned and shot both chamberings.
 
Rechamber to 6-284 and skip the fireforming.

I rechambered a factory 700 243 to 243AI last spring, fired about 40 rounds out of it fireforming and took it off. Fireforming is a huge waste of time and components.

I went back to the SAAMI 243 Win.
 
Rembo said:
Rechamber to 6-284 and skip the fireforming.

I rechambered a factory 700 243 to 243AI last spring, fired about 40 rounds out of it fireforming and took it off. Fireforming is a huge waste of time and components.

I went back to the SAAMI 243 Win.
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X2 Everything he said - pretty much my feelings toward all the ackley stuff.
 
I am a fan of the 284 based cartridges and I do have a 6.5-284 and lots of brass that I could use for this, my issue is that this rifle in question is a Forbes and I don't think there is much room for that larger case.
 
MaxKW said:
I am a fan of the 284 based cartridges and I do have a 6.5-284 and lots of brass that I could use for this, my issue is that this rifle in question is a Forbes and I don't think there is much room for that larger case.
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If I'm not mistaken, and I very well could be,...the Forbes is basically a mass produced version of the New Ultra Light Arms, and Melvin made his action with a 3" mag box specifically to accommodate the 284 case which was a favorite of his.
 
That could be good, I can confirm the mag box length when I have the rifle in my hands after the holidays, what do you think about the 6-284 with the 21" barrel? My 6.5-284 has a 22" Shilen barrel and the accuracy is great but the speeds are not crazy. I'm only about 150fps faster than the fastest Barnes published load for that same bullet in the 260 Rem.
 
The 243 AI is a great cartridge, I have a few rifles chambered in this caliber. It's easy to load for using H4350 and will push a 105gr bullet at 3100 or better (you need an 8 twist barrel for the berger 105gr). It's a great LR cartridge, but for hunting the standard 243W will do everything you need.
 
I agree that the standard cartridge would do everything I need but I do get bored of plain cartridges and I have all the dies etc

What smith do you guys recommend for either conversion?
 
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