The AI will definatly give you a little more velocity (100 fps with 300gr bullets). It is simply a matter of whether or not you want to fireform brass. And the process of getting dies that will perfectly match the degree of shoulder angle on your AI, or if shelf dies are more appealing to you. Also a slight reduction in barrel life will come with the velocity but that is probably a minute amount.
I went with the standard 338 LM and shoot to past a mile with 300 gr bullets. close to 1900 yards before I go sub-sonic at my altitude. I am very pleased with my choice and when I rebarrel I doubt I would change for 100 fps. Espcially now that I have dies and all.
Jeff
Sub-sonic? What does this mean? I might need to meet up with you some time to talk about the ol lapua!
The bullet is super sonic when it is above the speed of sound (768 MPH) or 1125 feet per sec. As the bullet falls through the transition to below the speed of sound (sub-Sonic) it is in most cases affected by a wobble or interruption of some sort. Some bullets are affected more than others. Also altitude and air density come into play. I have found the Berger 300 OTM Hybrids to be less affected a 4100 ft. than the 300 SMK when going into sub-sonic velocities. In some cases I have seen 1 moa groups still possible even at 2000 plus yards.
Jeff
Gotcha. Do you have a pretty good area to shoot these distances in townsand?
Thanks, Eric
The club range in townsend only has targets to 1000 yards.
But Helena National forest has places as far as you can see. My personal range I can get over a mile.
jeff
Id sure like to find a place to shoot over a mile around helena.
Maybe we can shoot one day. Places are pretty easy to shoot a mile around this neck of the woods.
Jeff