Help decide between 22-243 Middlestead and 22-243 AI ?!

[Rugerjim]

So I have a 22-243 Vanilla and the thing is just awesome. Shoots tiny groups, holy beejeesus I should show you what a 64gr Rexem F-Bomb does to a varmint at that speed... just mental.
HOWEVER- I have found it quite difficult to "Tune." Specially compared to my 22 Creed, that thing was a piece of cake to tune to tiny groups.

So I wanted to go a middlestead or AI, I'm convinced from recent experience that sharper shoulders = easier tuning with bullets and powders. I would have to buy a reamer and dies, and stick with it. My heart says Middlestead, but my brain says AI. Running a stiff load of 2209 and a 73gr F-bomb would literally kill anything in Aus I reckon.

Thoughts?
Thanks. RJ

 

[Savage 12BVSS]

Either would be a fun gun but the AI will spice things up a bit I would opt for the 22-243AI myself.......

 

[Varmint Hunter]

Velocity for this group was 3,670 ft/sec. The A-Max bullet was moly coated.

 

[Rugerjim]

Velocity for this group was 3,670 ft/sec. The A-Max bullet was moly coated.

View attachment 234418

Mate what powder/load did you use? Also did you have to neck ream? I'm currently having to ream my 22-243 Van necks.

 

[436]

So I have a 22-243 Vanilla and the thing is just awesome. Shoots tiny groups, holy beejeesus I should show you what a 64gr Rexem F-Bomb does to a varmint at that speed... just mental.
HOWEVER- I have found it quite difficult to "Tune." Specially compared to my 22 Creed, that thing was a piece of cake to tune to tiny groups.

So I wanted to go a middlestead or AI, I'm convinced from recent experience that sharper shoulders = easier tuning with bullets and powders. I would have to buy a reamer and dies, and stick with it. My heart says Middlestead, but my brain says AI. Running a stiff load of 2209 and a 73gr F-bomb would literally kill anything in Aus I reckon.

Thoughts?
Thanks. RJ

I'm sure it would fun, I had a .22-250 AI in a 27" 1-7 twist barrel using 77gr and 80gr bullets, that was a meat ax and it had some long legs... I can't see where your's would be much different.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

Mate what powder/load did you use? Also did you have to neck ream? I'm currently having to ream my 22-243 Van necks.

Look closer - the reload info is below the target. I used 243 Lapua brass and simply ran it through a Redding FL 22-243 die. That group was shot 16 yrs ago, long before some of the more modern powders available today.
I'm using RE 23 now in a 22-243 (plain).

It was not necessary to ream the necks for the 22-243AI.