Fooled Around & Found Out: 243AI

[DoneNOut]

I found Reloder 17 to be rather unstable at higher temps and the velocity king was Reloder 26(like ~3,400fps with 105's in the straight WIN) but spiked above ~86F. I found I didn't need the AI version after that.
Love me some .243 WIN !

Nobody told me this...

 

[Prairie Sasquatch]

I have three .243 rifles and love the cartridge. Lots of factory loads, easy to find brass and bullets. It's very versatile for varmints to deer.

If I was stuck with only two high powered rifles one would be a .243 for sure.

My next barrel will be a .243 AI in a fast twist.

 

[DoneNOut]

I have three .243 rifles and love the cartridge. Lots of factory loads, easy to find brass and bullets. It's very versatile for varmints to deer.

If I was stuck with only two high powered rifles one would be a .243 for sure.

My next barrel will be a .243 AI in a fast twist.

My CBI 1-7.5 is a champ. Northland Shooters Supply

 

[DoneNOut]

I'm probably spoiled but I can't even imagine getting by with "Just two rifles". 223 and 300Win ???

I was/might still go the 308 WIN, 300WM identical as possible route too. I picked up two new factory Savage barrels in these cartridges. The 308 barrel is on this ARC Xylo rig. 20" The 300WM same barrel but 24".

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I was/might still go the 308 WIN, 300WM identical as possible route too. I picked up two new factory Savage barrels in these cartridges. The 308 barrel is on this ARC Xylo rig. 20" The 300WM same barrel but 24".
View attachment 443562

Joe Biden won't like that rifle.

 

[338 dude]

Joe Biden won't like that rifle.

FJB!!!!!!!!!

 

[bdlesh]

Yeah, I skipped over .223. The 243 can handle those chores and then some. 300WM is a strong contender for the other end of the spectrum. I am also thinking a 7mm something

I believe your do need a 7mm to fill in the " between" work till the| 300 takes over.

 

[DoneNOut]

I believe your do need a 7mm to fill in the " between" work till the| 300 takes over.

Well, I'm a gluten for punishment, so the 7-08 AI is int he works...

 

[DoneNOut]

Tried some more. Rapid Bipod drill. Breathe out fire, run bolt, acquire sight picture and fire. Barrel was warm but not hot after each group. I had 1 OP round with a 50gr N570 load. Tired of this. Dropping those to 49gr.

 

[Prairie Sasquatch]

That was a hot one!

 

[DoneNOut]

That was a hot one!

25yrs of hand loading and my first ever OP rounds have been with this AI. This is number 3 like this. My bolt face is cratered in the shape you see the deformation in the brass.

 

[Seabeeken]

Reloder 16 and 26 shot best in my 243ai. Got crazy pressure spikes with H414 But good accuracy

 

[QuietTexan]

Interesting. RL26 was fast but erratic for me, I did better with N565.

I hit pressure at:
45.5gn H4831 @ 3200 FPS
48.5gn N565 @ 3250 FPS
47.5gn RL26 @ 3300 FPS

All shot with Berger 108s, 7 twist 30" barrel, 0.020" off.

I pushed RL26 up to 48.5gn, 3375 FPS But no accuracy there, groups blew up 3x at 100 yards.

Fireforming load was 48.,5gn of Magnum, 3000 FPS and shot pretty well.

 

[DoneNOut]

Interesting. RL26 was fast but erratic for me, I did better with N565.

I hit pressure at:
45.5gn H4831 @ 3200 FPS
48.5gn N565 @ 3250 FPS
47.5gn RL26 @ 3300 FPS

All shot with Berger 108s, 7 twist 30" barrel, 0.020" off.

I pushed RL26 up to 48.5gn, 3375 FPS But no accuracy there, groups blew up 3x at 100 yards.

Fireforming load was 48.,5gn of Magnum, 3000 FPS and shot pretty well.

I got some RL25 that is slower than RL26. I could try 50gr in that and see what it do. Though I do want to use up the 20yr old XMR4350. It worked for 300 WSM back in 03, but hasn't been a performer in anything since this 243 AI. Be good to use it up due to it's age.