Range day 243AI and 45-70

[SJB358]

Sorry Guy! I was actually just kidding with Brian. I still love my 35 Whelen CDL... It is a great shooting rifle and much the same confidence you have in your CDL. Brian has a big crop of good shooting Remingtons. I kinda miss my 25-06 right now, and can't wait to get another one to fill the void, a Winchester 25-06 that is.. Scotty

 

[Guy Miner]

I think I've got a Winchester or three around here somewhere... Maybe out in the scrap heap? :grin: Actually do have a 52, a Model 12 and a Model 70 - and they're all very good guns. My M1917 was built by Winchester too - I've got more of the doggone things than Remingtons! :shock:

I was actually really impressed with Woody's good shooting .243 AI - wicked little cartridge there... Fast, flat and accurate... Something's going to be in big trouble when that rifle makes it afield!

Woody - you know that 105 gr A-Max was used to set a 1,000 yard record out in Montana a few years back? What's your intent for this rifle? Wood chucks? Whitetail? Coyotes? Targets? It could serve well for any and all of those I'd think.

Guy

 

[SJB358]

Thats okay Guy, I have a couple of Remingtons I would not part with, and a few Rugers and the rest are Winchesters.

You are right about that 243AI. Talk about a cool looking cartridge. Might have to rechamber my boys M700 243AI after Jim is finished with the reamer. I think it would make a good rifle, great! Scotty

 

[Woodycreek]

Guy,

I got the rifle for yotes but as you can see it may make a great 1000 yard rifle. Couple guys i know have a 1000 yard range and one out to 1600 yards that i hope to try the 243AI and 300RUM. The 243AI was a Groundhog rifle but not too many around anymore because of all the Yotes. I have yet to use it on Deer but would like see what the 95s and 105s will do. It's been an easy rifle to load for with 70gr BTs,95gr BTs, and now 105gr AMAXs. I have used the 70gr BTs out to 600 yards with great results.

 

[SJB358]

I can't wait to hear about the results on the 1000 yard range! Scotty

 

[Woodycreek]

I think the results are gonna be more shooter than rifle :lol:

 

[DrMike]

The 243 AI looks like a shooter. I did some case forming for a 250 AI this past week. It was impressive to see the accuracy with a case-forming load. Forty shots in less than an inch! This with the cheapest bullets available and simply throwing the powder through a measure. I was very favourably impressed. There may be something to these Ackley Improved cartridges, especially in smaller calibres.

 

[SJB358]

I think the results are gonna be more shooter than rifle :lol:

Probably, but I imagine it should be pretty fun too.

Mike, I think you are on to something. The AI look pretty good and they are certainly a little "extra" FPS wise. Scotty

 

[Woodycreek]

Dr. Mike,

From what i have read about the AIs, most guys parent case will shoot just as good as the AI. Thats was what i noticed fireforming with 95 BTs. I think the rule of thumb was if you go above 7mm the gain in FPS was small? The smaller the Cal. the more you can gain in speed.

 

[DrMike]

I think the rule of thumb was if you go above 7mm the gain in FPS was small? The smaller the Cal. the more you can gain in speed.

This was my understanding as well. Consequently, I've never been excited by the concept of Ackleyized calibres beyond the 280 AI. I seem to recall that the 257 Roberts AI provided a near optimum increase in velocity. In any case, it is fun to play with the unknown, and the Ackley versions permit us that pleasure.

 

[SJB358]

I do think they look fast, and that has to count for something, right? A 257AI would be a slick rifle. I know a certain person here who has a few of them. Scotty

 

[Woodycreek]

I think the rule of thumb was if you go above 7mm the gain in FPS was small? The smaller the Cal. the more you can gain in speed.

In any case, it is fun to play with the unknown, and the Ackley versions permit us that pleasure.

I think it was more pain than pleasure when i first started load work for the AI. It was the unknown starting out that i didn't like. What was my Max since you will see very little pressure signs? That drove me crazy at first! I had to have the Chrono with me every time i took that rifle to the range for load work.

 

[DrMike]

I think it was more pain than pleasure when i first started load work for the AI. It was the unknown starting out that i didn't like.

That is why we have chocolate and vanilla. I do enjoy the challenge of reaching into the black box to see what I can grab. There is always the potential that something will bite me, but the scientist in me is excited to push the boundaries of the unknown. Consequently, I can't remember when I last went to the range without my Chrony. Even shooting factory ammunition, I use the chronograph. The numbers stimulate my mind, suggesting all sorts of weird and wonderful scenarios.

 

[Woodycreek]

I think it was more pain than pleasure when i first started load work for the AI. It was the unknown starting out that i didn't like.

That is why we have chocolate and vanilla. I do enjoy the challenge of reaching into the black box to see what I can grab. There is always the potential that something will bite me, but the scientist in me is excited to push the boundaries of the unknown. Consequently, I can't remember when I last went to the range without my Chrony. Even shooting factory ammunition, I use the chronograph. The numbers stimulate my mind, suggesting all sorts of weird and wonderful scenarios.

Lately it has been alot of fun as i have work with it more. AIing something else should be more fun if i do it again.

 

[SJB358]

Need to try a 25-06AI. I think that would be a neat one! Scotty

 

[Woodycreek]

Or 223AI
6mmX45mmAI
6mm-06AI
280AI.............

 

[JD338]

The 243 AI looks like a shooter. I did some case forming for a 250 AI this past week. It was impressive to see the accuracy with a case-forming load. Forty shots in less than an inch! This with the cheapest bullets available and simply throwing the powder through a measure. I was very favourably impressed. There may be something to these Ackley Improved cartridges, especially in smaller calibres.

Mike,

I was in the process of ff some 280 AI cases last year, close to 20 in one ragged hole that was about an inch when I let another club member shoot 3-4 rounds. He shot at my target and opened up my group to over 2".
I tossed the target. :evil:

JD338