Calling all 243 Ackley improved Shooters...

[Smesh]

Who all shoots the 243 AI here? Please chime in.

[jtv3062]

I know we have a few

[CamW]

I have a 6mm Rem Ackley Improved, a real barrel burner.

[MongooseV8]

I have built many 243AI and love the lazer effect.

[Fjold]

The 243 lacks the body taper to make a big difference when improved. The AI may get you 8-10% more case capacity which is worth about a 1-2% velocity increase although it does help with the bass life by slowing down the case stretching.

I shoot the 22.250 AI because the old 22.250 case has lots of room for improvement.

[LynnJr]

You need load data?
A 107 Sierra and H1000 will get you some impressive results.

[MongooseV8]

2% of 4000fps is still 80 fps. I love the brass life and the speed. All Ackley chambers are great fun!

[sigstroker]

Vaughn Precision did a Savage project build on yootoob. This is one of the later videos in the series, fireforming brass, but before load development. Even so, 30 shots into .589 is impressive.

[Smesh]

You need load data?
A 107 Sierra and H1000 will get you some impressive results.

I was getting to the .2s with H1000 and moly-coated 107 Sierras. Now the rifle is a .243 Winchester. Long story, but two of my rifles were accidentally rechambered to 6mm Creedmoor (a 6br and a 243 AI). I was going to have them put back, but finally decided to just do chamber both in 243 Win. At least now I can buy good factory ammo almost anywhere and it's almost cheaper than reloading. If I can't find accurate factory ammo, I'll try to find a handload that works well in both rifles.

I already bought new Redding 243 Win dies, now I just have to order some new Lapua 243 Win brass. I discovered I cannot form the Lapua AI brass back to 243 Win. I can always have the chambers reamed back out to AI, so I'm just debating now if I will keep the Redding 243 AI Match die set and fireformed brass, or get rid of it.

[Fjold]

Smesh,

If you do rechamber to AI, can you post your load differences (velocity difference) with similar bullets?

[LynnJr]

Load data.

[Smesh]

Load data.

I can't really read that even with my reading glasses. It looks to me though that I was using quite a bit more H1000 than in the load on that chart. I hunted in pretty cold weather up in Canada, so I could push things a bit more.

These are the two rifles in question that are now 243 Win. The little one was the Model 7 in 6BR. It's now FDE so it blends in a bit better with the sage. Of course now I might be headed north again.

[LynnJr]

That H1000 load is for the low node on a straight 243 not the Ackley Improved version.

[Smesh]

Oh got it. Thanks. I was going to try John Whidden's load of n160. I tried N160 in my Ackley and I couldn't find a good load. Maybe in the 243 it will be better. Just need to find a supplier in California. The shipping fee surcharges to bring it in are higher than the cost of a pound of powder. Anyone know who carries Vit powder in LA?