Originally Posted by Nomercy448

Personally, here's how I cut it:

Reloading the AI (like RR mentioned) is a bit easier and it's easier on brass, but I don't know that I'd have ever classified the .243win as "difficult" to reload in the first place? No substantial difference to me, except maybe a little longer brass life.

The AI will hold a little more powder, giving you a little more speed. Then again, the AI will BURN a little more powder, and have a little higher pressure and a little higher speed, meaning your powder bills are a little bit higher, and you'll see a little more wear and tear on your barrels/throats. Significant? No, probably not. No real difference in my book.

Finding an AI rifle, or reaming a rifle for the AI is an added expense, or at best an added hassle. Advantage to the .243win for me on this one.

Fireforming AI brass, while occasionally pleasureful, does indeed take time, and cost money (powder, primer, bullets), and puts wear on your barrels. Guys that use AI rounds for competition generally use a "fireforming barrel" that was chambered with the same reamer as their match barrel (or guys use their OLD match barrel with a burned out throat) to fireform brass, so they don't burn up the barrel they'll use against the clock. Advantage to the .243win in my book.

The .243 AI is indeed faster, dropping slightly less, and drifting slightly less in cross winds. Is it substantial? Personally, I don't see it. 50-100fps more doesn't mean much to me, and will only account for a few inches even at 1000yrds. I classify the .243WSSM in this boat as well. Sure, the AI and WSSM are faster, but what does it gain you? Nothing in my book. No substantial difference for either.

Cool factor: Let's face it, AI's are just plain cool, and having a "wildcat" does carry a certain allure. Is it worth it? Not really, based on the above points, but is driving a hummer to work cool enough to make it worth it? To some people, it sure is.

In your search, I'd throw the .243WSSM in the mix just as an added complication for you (only really makes sense if you're wanting a .243XXX in an AR platform, mind you).

Personally, I'd just get a plain jane .243win.