I've done many ".243 Ackley Improved" searches and many on other AI cartridges. The only reason the "Fred the Reloader" had any trouble is because HE chambered his barrel too deep with the wrong reamer. So the casings didn't really shorten, they were just too short for HIS chamber, they could have been just fine for a standard .243 AI chamber.

I never understood the 'why' for an AI .243. The .243 is plenty fast. They shoot up to 100gr bullets over 3000fps for excellent killing power. I think that the powder manufacturers and the barrel makers are the only ones that see any REAL benefit from a .243 AI.

The same reason people buy Ultra Mags and Short Mags, the standard cartridges have done the job just fine, but some people just want something a little different.

It's good if one handloads. A little bit better performance is possible, coupled with the potential for improved accuracy and long case life. The handloader that rechambers a .243 to a .243 AI is wiser than the guy who insists that the .300 RUM is necessary for hunting white-tailed deer in the woods and hills of Pennsylvania. Just my opinion.

Mike

Thanks for the input, guys....it's really appreciated. I'll let you know what I decide, and if I do go to the AI, I'll let y'all know how how it shakes out for me.
I've had some excellent shooting 243's in the past....just may want to try a little different wrinkle ...

LOL Forgive me for posting this and I dont know if anyone suggested it but why not just re-chamber for a 6mm? You would get as much or maybe a little more of a boost and then if ya wanted an ai still u could just do the 6mm ai and be way ahead...


I think most of the 6mm's were built on a short action werent they?

I think most of them were but they should be built on a longer action. Much like the 7x57 and 257 Roberts.

Are you deer hunting over that way yet? We are about a month away yet.

It starts Saturday for archery here James. I have been seeing a couple of bucks in the driveway here. Not much for them to eat this year but there are a lot of deer.

i just bought a die set for the 243AI just waiting for the right gun to ream. hoping to find a rem 788 in 243 to do the job.

Check out this one:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...amp;t=11082005