243or 243ai
06-06-2012, 01:47 PM
#11
I'll toss in my 2 cents as well to stay with the .243 Win. Great cartridge! I have several and have always loved the cal...and it's also what I chose for my daughters first cal.
That being said...AI's are cool and having a wildcat in the cabinet it always cool. If you are looking for a reason to buy an AI...then do it. Just be aware the limited benefits will come at a hefty price, one I say isn't worth it just for a 'yote gun. But again..I secretly want an AI in my safe as well (257 Bob AI maybe...or maybe even a 243 AI??) just because.
I would also recommend what someone else did as well...consider the 243 WSSM. Pretty dang close stats with the 243 AI and at a reduced cost over the AI. I have a 25 WSSM and am thoroughly impressed...and the supper short action is very nice when cycling the bolt on the field (especially over a long action).
That being said...AI's are cool and having a wildcat in the cabinet it always cool. If you are looking for a reason to buy an AI...then do it. Just be aware the limited benefits will come at a hefty price, one I say isn't worth it just for a 'yote gun. But again..I secretly want an AI in my safe as well (257 Bob AI maybe...or maybe even a 243 AI??) just because.
I would also recommend what someone else did as well...consider the 243 WSSM. Pretty dang close stats with the 243 AI and at a reduced cost over the AI. I have a 25 WSSM and am thoroughly impressed...and the supper short action is very nice when cycling the bolt on the field (especially over a long action).
06-06-2012, 02:34 PM
#12
Fork Horn
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Slippery Rock, Pa.
Posts: 393
A WSSM, great idea if it was still being chambered.
Put a 105gr bullet in a 243AI and watch it beat a .243 by 250fps. And with a 80gr bullet it can get 400fps over it. That's more than a little difference. And with less throat damage then it's parent.
http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/243win/
Is a .243 a great round, easy to load with no fireforming...yup, but does a 243AI beat it, yup and in some by ways alot. You won't go wrong either way.
Put a 105gr bullet in a 243AI and watch it beat a .243 by 250fps. And with a 80gr bullet it can get 400fps over it. That's more than a little difference. And with less throat damage then it's parent.
http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/243win/
Is a .243 a great round, easy to load with no fireforming...yup, but does a 243AI beat it, yup and in some by ways alot. You won't go wrong either way.
06-07-2012, 08:54 AM
#13
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Idaho
Posts: 1,081
I have had several wildcats in the past and currently own a couple, I do not see peoples fasination with them, other than being able to brag that they have something there buddy doesnt. Most of them offer no real usable advantage over the standard version compared to the trouble of fireforming brass. The 243 AI is better on paper but really offers no usable advantage over the 243. If you are looking for a little more velocity out of the 243, I would strongly recomend a 6mm Rem., it is a standard round that brass and factory loads are obtainable, also you dont have to order custom dies. Also if you ever go to get rid of a wildcat gun, you will find they have no re-sale unless you happen to find someone that is looking for that exact gun. You will take a beating on it.
Last edited by fritz1; 06-07-2012 at 09:23 AM.
06-07-2012, 07:19 PM
#14
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Huntin' In Colorado
Posts: 2,910
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.
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.
06-07-2012, 07:24 PM
#15
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Huntin' In Colorado
Posts: 2,910
06-08-2012, 11:11 AM
#16
A WSSM, great idea if it was still being chambered.
Put a 105gr bullet in a 243AI and watch it beat a .243 by 250fps. And with a 80gr bullet it can get 400fps over it. That's more than a little difference. And with less throat damage then it's parent.
http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/243win/
Is a .243 a great round, easy to load with no fireforming...yup, but does a 243AI beat it, yup and in some by ways alot. You won't go wrong either way.
Put a 105gr bullet in a 243AI and watch it beat a .243 by 250fps. And with a 80gr bullet it can get 400fps over it. That's more than a little difference. And with less throat damage then it's parent.
http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/243win/
Is a .243 a great round, easy to load with no fireforming...yup, but does a 243AI beat it, yup and in some by ways alot. You won't go wrong either way.
06-08-2012, 12:02 PM
#17
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Idaho
Posts: 1,081
Th 243 wssm beats the 6mm Rem by a whole 10fps with a 100gr. bullet. Its not worth the extra expense, and the problems of finding brass and ammo. Like RR stated, AI it and then you will have a hot 243 caliber round, if that is what you are after. Personally, I beleive the plain 6mm is fine just the way it is but everyone is different and has different ideas and opinions.
Last edited by fritz1; 06-08-2012 at 12:05 PM.
06-08-2012, 01:49 PM
#18
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: orygun
Posts: 379
i compared the 2,looks like your spot on with the 6mm.thanks for the insight,ya got me thinking 6mmai real hard
06-09-2012, 11:08 AM
#19
I will say this though...I have not had any problems with my WSSM brass needing to be annealed (buy mine is a 25..not the 243) and I have not had any difficulty in locating brass...and the 25 WSSM is far less popular than the 243 or 223 WSSM's.
06-10-2012, 09:00 PM
#20
Spike
Join Date: May 2012
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 3
I own a Howa M1500 in .243 win and I love the 243 Winchester cartridge loaded with Hornady 95 gr. SST, btw that is the rifle in my profile pic of my 8-point with a drop down tine behind the ear and it and dropped instantly at 150 yards (I used a rangefinder). Currently I use a .270 win just for more knockdown power using Federal premium trophy bonded tip 130 gr. or Hornady 130 gr. SST. IMO get a .243 win, overall I love relaxing at the range and busting clays at 100 yards no problem with no recoil. If possible get a mag conversion kit to a 10 round detachable mag for varmint hunting