.243 or .243 AI?

[rcordell]

I'm wanting to build a rifle that will reach out and touch some of those coyotes that hang up 500 yards out and was considering rebarreling a .243 I bought recently. My question to everybody is, Should I go ahead and rechamber to the .243 Ackley, or just put a match grade barrel on and leave it .243? I'll be shooting 87 gr. V-Max or 87 gr. Berger VLD's for the most part, probably nothing heavier than 87 gr. It will be mostly a walking gun so I want it to be as light and quick handling as possible. I've heard that the Ackley might have some feeding problems, but don't know how comon that is. I'd prefer a 24" barrel, but would consider longer if it would help accuracy. Any suggestions, opinions or otherwise are appreciated.

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

I love the 243 AI and much prefer it over the 243. It is faster and has extreme accuracy winning many 1000 yard competitions and setting several world record groups. One of my 243 AI's is the most accurate rifle I own shooting 5/8" groups at 300 yards. You will have no problem with 500 yard coyotes.

 

[1tonpower]

87g vmax loaded to 3300fps will have just under 900ft pounds at 500 yards... How dead do you want those dogs to be...if you want more put an 8 twist on your .243 and shoot 105g burgers at them.

 

[rcordell]

could I get 3300 fps out of a standard .243?

 

[ZSteinle]

my 24" 243 will will shoot 105's at 3010 with lapua brass. It is a decently hot load so i would think 3300 would be doable. Quickload tells me that with a 85gr. smk a 243 win will do 3211fps in a 24" barrel at 60000 PSI. 243 ackly will do 85smk's at 3345fps at 60000PSI both with H4350 powder.

 

[D.ID]

I do not know how much but there will be a barrel life penalty for the AI round. I am going to do one for the same application but have decided on a fast twist vanilla 243.

 

[TOM H]

could I get 3300 fps out of a standard .243?

Since your going to build you could maybe do 3300fps with 85gr to Berger 88gr bullet but you be at a max load and I think also lot depend on who's barrel your using. If you build the Ackley you won't have to worry about that.

I know a fellow that shoot a 243 with 24 1/2" long 1/10 twist Kreiger barrel and this other fellow shoot a 243AI it has 1/10 twist Hart barrel at 27" long. I've seen both shoot both give some of the smallest groups I've ever seen so they had good gunsmith build them. Best I can figure difference has to be velocity and I've seen the printout on the velocity from the 243AI very impressive but both like their rifles.

Myself I like 243 and 243AI otherwise I won't of had those rifles I mention above build.

 

[B23]

I'm usually a big fan of just about anything "improved" but for what you are looking to do I don't think a 243ai would be worth the extra trouble. If you are wanting more speed than a standard 243 will provide I would go with a 6-284. It's faster than the 243ai and there is no fireforming involved. Running a piece of 6.5-284 Lapua brass thru a 6-284 FL die is about as easy of a wildcat as you will ever get.

But, based on your criteria and sticking with only a 243 vs 243ai as the choices, I think the 243 is the easy winner.

 

[IdahoCTD]

I have a 30" Bartlein barreled .243 AI and it shoots 105's over 3300fps into 1/4" when I do my part. So the lighter stuff at 3300fps would be a breeze for the AI version. The nice thing about the AI version is the lack of case stretch common with the standard .243 and the extra velocity doesn't hurt.

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

The 243 AI is one of my all time favorite cartridges and one everybody should have in that class. It is not hard on barrels. I also have the 240 wby, 6mm-06 AI and 240 gibbs which are quite a bit faster than the 243 AI but can get into a barrel wear issue if you don't let them cool down between shots. But that 240 Gibbs is mighty fun to shoot when you can drive 107 smk's over 3600 fps.

 

[rcordell]

I'm about 75% sure that I'm gonna go with the AI, but am wondering about feeding issues, are there any? Also if I don't plan on shooting anything heavier than 87 gr. out of a 24" barrel do I need a faster than 1:10 twist?

 

[B23]

A 1-10tw will be fine for your application.

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

I have no feeding issues with mine.

 

[rcordell]

any recommendations as far as barrel goes? It will probably be a 24" sporter or light varmint contour, 1:10 twist.