6mm AI or 243 AI?
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Re: 6mm AI or 243 AI?
If two rounds give very simular velocities then you are getting a hot throat either way. If one cartridge is smaller but giving you a fast mover then you have a very hot throat.
Having played with an AI round myself I am over them. Fun for awhile they get tedious fast if you like to shoot more than 20 a range session.
They say, and we all know how they like to say, an AI round focusses the gas cone infront of the throat to help prolong throat life. I guess that can be, but its still a very hot cone of still burning powder hitting the throat.
I figure there really isnt a Peter willing to be robbed for some Paul's benefit.
Good Luck
If two rounds give very simular velocities then you are getting a hot throat either way. If one cartridge is smaller but giving you a fast mover then you have a very hot throat.
Having played with an AI round myself I am over them. Fun for awhile they get tedious fast if you like to shoot more than 20 a range session.
They say, and we all know how they like to say, an AI round focusses the gas cone infront of the throat to help prolong throat life. I guess that can be, but its still a very hot cone of still burning powder hitting the throat.
I figure there really isnt a Peter willing to be robbed for some Paul's benefit.
Good Luck
Re: 6mm AI or 243 AI?
Barrel life is a near wash, the 6mm has more case capacity in the brass so if you load to standards it will have a slightly shorter life. The hang up for the 6mm is to load your rounds out long you really would do better with a long action.
Either caliber is fine. I'd give the edge to the 6mm but you can use Lapua brass on the 243ai.
Barrel life is a near wash, the 6mm has more case capacity in the brass so if you load to standards it will have a slightly shorter life. The hang up for the 6mm is to load your rounds out long you really would do better with a long action.
Either caliber is fine. I'd give the edge to the 6mm but you can use Lapua brass on the 243ai.
Re: 6mm AI or 243 AI?
I have a 243AI built on a BP'd REM700 SA single shot & I use nothing but Lapua Brass. I did the old pro/con scenario between the 243/6MM AI & the 243 came out as the winner for the brass from Lapua alone. Super similar.
I have a 243AI built on a BP'd REM700 SA single shot & I use nothing but Lapua Brass. I did the old pro/con scenario between the 243/6MM AI & the 243 came out as the winner for the brass from Lapua alone. Super similar.
Re: 6mm AI or 243 AI?
I've had both (still have the 6mm), it's a real toss up for me, if I had to do another I am leaning toward the 6mmAI. If only Lapua would make 6mm brass!!!
I've had both (still have the 6mm), it's a real toss up for me, if I had to do another I am leaning toward the 6mmAI. If only Lapua would make 6mm brass!!!
Re: 6mm AI or 243 AI?
I am using a 243 with a 30' shoulder. It is called the 6mm Competition Match.
I can easily push the 115s to 3,000 fps using H1000 with no pressure.
I am closing in on 2900 rounds, accuracy is still there and the throat looks good.
I am using a 243 with a 30' shoulder. It is called the 6mm Competition Match.
I can easily push the 115s to 3,000 fps using H1000 with no pressure.
I am closing in on 2900 rounds, accuracy is still there and the throat looks good.
Re: 6mm AI or 243 AI?
I had a 6mm Ackley on a rem short action a while back, the velocity was pretty amazing, and the damage on rock chucks and prairie dogs was unreal. However, I couldn't get bullets even close to the lands and still function out of the magazine. Plus by the time I fire formed enough brass to have a sufficient supply and finished load develop I had about 700 rounds on the barrel. I figured 1000 to 1200 rounds would be the max barrel life and I had already used up more than half.
I think the 6mm Ackley is faster than a .243 Ackley, but you need at least a 26 in barrel to get all the velocity potential, maybe longer.
If I had to do it over I would just go with a straight .243, better brass, works better in a short action, still good velocity, and better barrel life than an Ackley. Plus you don't have the hassle of forming brass.
I had a 6mm Ackley on a rem short action a while back, the velocity was pretty amazing, and the damage on rock chucks and prairie dogs was unreal. However, I couldn't get bullets even close to the lands and still function out of the magazine. Plus by the time I fire formed enough brass to have a sufficient supply and finished load develop I had about 700 rounds on the barrel. I figured 1000 to 1200 rounds would be the max barrel life and I had already used up more than half.
I think the 6mm Ackley is faster than a .243 Ackley, but you need at least a 26 in barrel to get all the velocity potential, maybe longer.
If I had to do it over I would just go with a straight .243, better brass, works better in a short action, still good velocity, and better barrel life than an Ackley. Plus you don't have the hassle of forming brass.
Re: 6mm AI or 243 AI?
Only reason I ask about barrel life is that I remember hearing that the 6mm was a lil easier on throats cause the the neck is longer, but I've never seen any sciece put behind it.
Brass isn't too big of a concern since it can easily be made from Norma 7x57.
Only reason I ask about barrel life is that I remember hearing that the 6mm was a lil easier on throats cause the the neck is longer, but I've never seen any sciece put behind it.
Brass isn't too big of a concern since it can easily be made from Norma 7x57.
Re: 6mm AI or 243 AI?
You might want to look for the 6mm crusader thread about their version of the 6mmAI. They seem to think 2.5-3K barrel life is doable.
Jeffvn
You might want to look for the 6mm crusader thread about their version of the 6mmAI. They seem to think 2.5-3K barrel life is doable.
Jeffvn
Re: 6mm AI or 243 AI?
Speed cost money and both rounds go fast. I've worn out barrels in both calibers. No difference in barrel life. I shoot a 243AI now because of good Lapua brass. If you have a repeater check the mag length. The 6MM maybe to long for your rifles.
Speed cost money and both rounds go fast. I've worn out barrels in both calibers. No difference in barrel life. I shoot a 243AI now because of good Lapua brass. If you have a repeater check the mag length. The 6MM maybe to long for your rifles.
Re: 6mm AI or 243 AI?
For me the big benefit was brass flow, or lack of it. I was trimming my standard 243 brass after every other firing. I find the 243AI significantly reduces brass flow. I check brass now after forming and then again after the fifth firing and even then I rarely have much variation.
Also you should prep and fire at least 100 cases and keep track of how many firings you have per case. Annealing regularly will also extend brass life and unnecessary forming.
For me the big benefit was brass flow, or lack of it. I was trimming my standard 243 brass after every other firing. I find the 243AI significantly reduces brass flow. I check brass now after forming and then again after the fifth firing and even then I rarely have much variation.
Also you should prep and fire at least 100 cases and keep track of how many firings you have per case. Annealing regularly will also extend brass life and unnecessary forming.
Re: 6mm AI or 243 AI?
Ive got a .243Ai also. my first barrel had 800 rounds through it and showed about an one and a half inches of the rifling washing away.
My current barrel is a Broughton 5C has over 1k rounds and the throut still looks nice. I think something about the shape of the 5C lands retards some of the wear.
I dont know for sure, but the broughton is still going strong.
Ive got a .243Ai also. my first barrel had 800 rounds through it and showed about an one and a half inches of the rifling washing away.
My current barrel is a Broughton 5C has over 1k rounds and the throut still looks nice. I think something about the shape of the 5C lands retards some of the wear.
I dont know for sure, but the broughton is still going strong.
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