22-284 Winchester: Life At 40X

[del2les]

How does the 22-243AI stack up against the 22-284? Building one on a defiance today. With a 7 twist bartlein 29" to shoot the 90 grain berger.

It does very well, and in some ways, even better. The 22-284 is too overbore, and often, it requires more powder to obtain the same speeds as even a 22-250 AI. Let alone the 22-243 and Cheetahs, and the throat erosion issues tend to be greater with the 22-284.

Many 22-243's with a 26 inch tube can obtain 3,500 - 3,600 fps with 80 gr bullets, and many reach 3,300 fps or a touch higher with 90 gr Bergers. YMMV as these are fairly max. So, I would suspect your 29" should be able to get into that area, but even a 3,100 to 3,200 fps load will make a very good 1,000 yard and beyond load.

Given the ubiquitous 243 brass, it is much easier and cheaper to obtain then the current state of 284 brass, so that is another plus for the 22-243. In my humble opinion, the 22-243 versions are about the top end for the 22 bore, and even with that, I have mostly reverted back to 22-250AI's for most long range 22 bore work.

 

[Farmerbrown32]

It does very well, and in some ways, even better. The 22-284 is too overbore, and often, it requires more powder to obtain the same speeds as even a 22-250 AI. Let alone the 22-243 and Cheetahs, and the throat erosion issues tend to be greater with the 22-284.

Many 22-243's with a 26 inch tube can obtain 3,500 - 3,600 fps with 80 gr bullets, and many reach 3,300 fps or a touch higher with 90 gr Bergers. YMMV as these are fairly max. So, I would suspect your 29" should be able to get into that area, but even a 3,100 to 3,200 fps load will make a very good 1,000 yard and beyond load.

Given the ubiquitous 243 brass, it is much easier and cheaper to obtain then the current state of 284 brass, so that is another plus for the 22-243. In my humble opinion, the 22-243 versions are about the top end for the 22 bore, and even with that, I have mostly reverted back to 22-250AI's for most long range 22 bore work.

That is great to hear! Thats exactly my thoughts also but always is good to hear someone else say it to. I absolutley love the 22-250ai and have two of them right now but just wanted to try out the 90 grain berger with lots of horsepower. Going to build it right now! My buddy has a 22-243ai and has shot the 90 berger at 3550 with a 30" tube. We will see what happens. Thanks again for the encouragement!

 

[del2les]

That is great to hear! Thats exactly my thoughts also but always is good to hear someone else say it to. I absolutley love the 22-250ai and have two of them right now but just wanted to try out the 90 grain berger with lots of horsepower. Going to build it right now! My buddy has a 22-243ai and has shot the 90 berger at 3550 with a 30" tube. We will see what happens. Thanks again for the encouragement!

That's the spirit! 90 gr VLD's @ 3,500 fps.... gives me warm fuzzy feelings

 

[TheFishBox]

can you still get the 90 grain vlds.

 

[del2les]

can you still get the 90 grain vlds.

Yes. MidwayUSA has them for $39.99 per 100, and Berger still list them. Though Berger is currently out.

 

[Wes Brown]

The fast 22 calibers are a ton of fun. I have two 22x250 AI rifles and a 22X243 my 5th barrel on that one. amazing performance on coyotes at any range. I'm getting 3600 with a 75 grain AMAX 24" barrel with the 22X243 around 150Fps slower with the AI but considerably better barrel life.

 

[Farmerbrown32]

Mind sharing the load for the 22-243 with the 75 amax? I havent had very good luck with my new 22-243ai. The 90 grain bergers dont hold together at all. No matter what speed seating depth or powder more than half explode in flight. They shoot spectacular when they hold together but very rarely do they make it to the target. It shoots the 75 amax really well and havent had any explode at all. Getting around 3550 with retumbo powder. My gunsmith says the bartlein barrel it wears has a tight bore so we are thinking maybe it is engraving the jackets too deep causing the failure.

 

[Farmerbrown32]

Really sucks because i built it specifically for the 90 berger.

 

[Wes Brown]

Mind sharing the load for the 22-243 with the 75 amax? I havent had very good luck with my new 22-243ai. The 90 grain bergers dont hold together at all. No matter what speed seating depth or powder more than half explode in flight. They shoot spectacular when they hold together but very rarely do they make it to the target. It shoots the 75 amax really well and havent had any explode at all. Getting around 3550 with retumbo powder. My gunsmith says the bartlein barrel it wears has a tight bore so we are thinking maybe it is engraving the jackets too deep causing the failure.

I'm thinking it was 49 Grains of MRP with a Fed 215 GM primer. I will look for sure when I get home.
I have found the mag primers are the only way to get full powder burn. I also have always had to clean the barrels very often, lots of copper fouling at those speeds.

On the bright side your barrel wont stay tight for long on a 22x243AI

 

[Wes Brown]

I think you'll be happy with the performance of the AMAX. With the 75 Grainers and a 100 yard zero I'm at 17.5 MOA at 1,000 YDS Been running the same dope card for the last 4 barrels. Coyotes hate it!

 

[Farmerbrown32]

Yessir i really like the 75 amax just really wanted to shoot the big bad 90 berger but ill just be happy with the 75 amax for now. I have a lilja 7 twist blank to use later anyway. Shoulda just went with lija the first time to i guess. But this bartlein does shoot the 75 amax very well. Shot a 3 shot group thats a little bit smaller than 2" at 486 yards.

 

[Farmerbrown32]

What kind of barrel life compared to the 22-250ai? Ive had the 22-250ai for years just thought id try a little more horsepower.

 

[Farmerbrown32]

Definitely gonna try some magnum primers also.

 

[Wes Brown]

47 grains MRP. I was close.
I usually get 7-900 rds out of a 22x243 barrel I've been using benchmark and shilin barrels.
I'm not sure how long barrel life is on the 22x250 AI I've got about 1,000 down the first one still going strong. Shooting the 80 gr SMK @3200 It would shoot them faster but the matches I was shooting required 3200 or less.