Well the reason I chose the .243 AI over the 6mm-284 was because I already have a bunch of .243 brass to load. And the AI will give me WSSM performance. I thought about a different barrel, well see. I can use any brand barrel and have them turn it down and carbon wrap it. Price wise, I haven't ran the figures firm yet, but ball park it should be right at $2000 or so. It will be for varmint/deer hunting, thats why I want the carbon barrel.