243ai

[Caleb85]

I'm building a 40X clone in 243AI and I need help with choseing a barrel! Going to be using it for dog towns and the occasional white tail..and of course paper! .. Length...twist ...how many groves...like to shoot the 80 bergers or something in that area...thanks

 

[peashooter]

I built a .243 Win based on using the 75 gr. VMax. The combo is devastating on groundhogs and PD's, but the wind really kicks it's butt. I would consider a 90-100 grain bullet in hindsight.

 

[87predator]

1-8 twist. Length would be your choosing, obviously longer for a little more speed. I shot the 87 trainers well with mine. Am now shooting 105s.

 

[Caleb85]

Brand? And I have a problem ..I want to shoot a nice Berger for paper BUT I want to shoot a bullet that would be devastating on PD at longer range ..but I am afraid I can't have both words

 

[Jud96]

Check out the 87gr V-MAXs. That's all I shoot out of my standard .243 Winchester Remington 700 Varmint. They have a BC of .400 which is pretty high for a varmint slug. I have shot them out to 700yds and they are really accurate and do fairly well in the wind. I'm launching them at 3250fps but with your .243 AI you will be around 3350-3400fps. That will be a very explosive and accurate combo!

 

[gebhardt02]

I've been shooting a .243AI this year in comps with the Berger 105 hunting VLD's with good success. Barrel brand is your choice, but 1:8 twist and 24" long will get you sufficient speed. I'm pushing right at 3200 with a 24" Krieger. The .243 AI is a great little round with high BC bullets.

Geb

 

[Caleb85]

I've been shooting a .243AI this year in comps with the Berger 105 hunting VLD's with good success. Barrel brand is your choice, but 1:8 twist and 24" long will get you sufficient speed. I'm pushing right at 3200 with a 24" Krieger. The .243 AI is a great little round with high BC bullets.

Geb

I was thinking 24" but I didn't know how much it was going to hurt the round..like with a 26"

 

[Caleb85]

Should I get a .236 or .237 bore? And 4 grove 5R or6 grove?

 

[Caleb85]

TTT??

 

[BMF]

Brand? And I have a problem ..I want to shoot a nice Berger for paper BUT I want to shoot a bullet that would be devastating on PD at longer range ..but I am afraid I can't have both words

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Any bullet will work on prairie dogs. I mean come on, they're only as big as a shoe. Find the best bullet for deer/paper, then just use them for dogs. You don't really need a varmint bullet for prairie dogs. Unless you want the bullet to "fragmetize"on impact to prevent any down range or collateral damage, done by the bullet tumbling.

 

[gebhardt02]

Should I get a .236 or .237 bore? And 4 grove 5R or6 grove?

I don't think either one will matter as long as a good chamber is cut and the barrel properly fitted by a competent smith. I have Krieger 4 groove barrels and several Bartlein 5R barrels, and all are very very good. Bore diameter isn't that much of a concern to me either, just pick a good quality barrel maker.

Geb

 

[Caleb85]

I don't think either one will matter as long as a good chamber is cut and the barrel properly fitted by a competent smith. I have Krieger 4 groove barrels and several Bartlein 5R barrels, and all are very very good. Bore diameter isn't that much of a concern to me either, just pick a good quality barrel maker.

Geb

Thank you! I looked a krieger #9 heavy varmint they have a 8 month turnaround time so might as well get it ordered..

 

[gebhardt02]

Go here: Southern Precision Rifles This is where I get barrels when I'm in a hurry and the smith doesn't have what I'm looking for available. Prices are decent.

Geb

 

[4bycamper]

_____

Any bullet will work on prairie dogs. I mean come on, they're only as big as a shoe. Find the best bullet for deer/paper, then just use them for dogs. You don't really need a varmint bullet for prairie dogs. Unless you want the bullet to "fragmetize"on impact to prevent any down range or collateral damage, done by the bullet tumbling.

Tumbling? Really? I live in Eastern Colorado, it's flat like Kansas. And I have seen big game bullets skipping across the prairie several hundred yards beyond their intended target.

Don't forget you own every shot fired from your rifle. Do you really want to take that chance just to save a few pennies in bullets? How about using varmint bullets on pd's ?
Be safe.

End of rant