.243 Ackley

[Greg Duerr]

Im considering having my first custom gun built and Im looking at the .243 Ackley....................

For bullets from 70gr to 90gr ......what would be the best twist rate

I have a .19 badger that has a Pac Nor Super Match barrel and it shoots 32gr at .291. What are your opinions of the Pac Nor barrels.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Stock is going to be a McMillan Remington Sporter with a 700 SA

Ive talked with John Lewis at Carolina Precisioin Rifles................


I would appreciate your advice.

Greg

[TAC]

Greg, the 243 AI is a great round. What is going to be the purpose of the build? Is the rifle for varminting, hunting, general purpose - a bit of everything?

The reason I ask is that you may want to modify your build to better suit your purpose. If it is a general hunting rifle you may want to go with a straight 243. If it's a long range hunter you're going to want a 28" barrel and a faster twist for higher BC bullets than you listed.

I should also mention that you should do lots of internet searches on this site and others. The 243AI is a popular round and there is lots of information out there.

You'll get better responses if you give a little more information.

TAC

[leanporker]

Originally Posted by Greg Duerr

Im considering having my first custom gun built and Im looking at the .243 Ackley....................

For bullets from 70gr to 90gr ......what would be the best twist rate

I have a .19 badger that has a Pac Nor Super Match barrel and it shoots 32gr at .291. What are your opinions of the Pac Nor barrels.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Stock is going to be a McMillan Remington Sporter with a 700 SA

Ive talked with John Lewis at Carolina Precisioin Rifles................


I would appreciate your advice.

Greg

Why not shoot 105 amax with maybe 1-8 twist? That would be my choice. If not, probably a 1-9 with 87 vmax. I do not own a 243 ackley, just guessing. Others that actually have used a 243 ackley would know better.

[Greg Duerr]

Im going to use the .243 Ackley for long range Varminting, like Marmonts and Jackrabbits. I usually get a Antelope or a Deer tag about every four to five years ...so when that happens I want to shoot the 90gr Scirocco.

At first I wanted a 6mm but my smith told me that in a 700 SA the .243 Ackley would work better.....................

Will a Short action work with the 6mm Remington.??

My rifle will be a walking Varmint Rifle...................In Nevada is about hiking and glassing.

Im new to all the finer points of having a custom rifle built and I need lots of feed back..........

Greg

[LewisH]

FWIW, the standard .243 twist (1-10) works well in my .243 AI with 70 gr Noslers and H414. This is an outstanding all around varmint combo.

[MTBULLET]

JMHO, but if you want to shoot over 80-90 gr. bullets, go to a 25-06, but the .243AI is a great varmint/antelope/deer cal. with the 70-80 gr. bullets.
I would use a long action on a custom build, I like the longer length to play with seating, and easier to load mag in the field. my first build was on short action, and never again. to easy to just put mag spacer in long action.
AND, before you all jump on me for the "25-06" stmt., I didn't mean the .243AI
CAN'T shoot the bigger blts., just mean it REALLY likes the lighter ones and with the 75 gr. is a great "purple haze" round .

[mkg]

Originally Posted by Greg Duerr

Im going to use the .243 Ackley for long range Varminting, like Marmonts and Jackrabbits. I usually get a Antelope or a Deer tag about every four to five years ...so when that happens I want to shoot the 90gr Scirocco.
Greg

One thing you will want to concider is barrel life . If for instance you shoot 500 rounds / year hunting varmints/target shooting ( don't forget fireforming brass). By the time you draw that deer/antelope tag in four or five years your barrel will have 2000 to 2500 rounds down the tube and most likely be toast .
If it were me I'd build a straight 260 remington and shoot something like a 120 A-Max for everything . Much better barrel life and when your tag arrives you should know that rifle and load insideout and six ways to Sunday.

Both are great rounds , There is a great selection of brass and bullets for both .

Mike