AI is short for "Ackley Improved." These days it's a general term for any standard case that's been blown out (fireformed) to minimal body taper and a steep, usually 40 degree, shoulder angle, whether or not P.O. Ackley ever actually improved that particular cartridge himself.

Left is a 243 Win Ackley Improved standing next to a standard 243 Winchester on the right:


Any non-wildcat cartridge is easy to handload for, you just need dies, brass and components. Wildcats are a bit harder because they need extra brass forming steps. AI's are easy if you shoot factory ammo to form the AI cases. After that, it's just like loading a standard case. Forming AI cases from raw brass is a little more involved, but not too hard.

What I think you might mean is "what cartridges are the least finicky to find a good load for?" This is not a real easy question to answer, but certain cases (or really case families) seem to have a reputation as being more forgiving than others (like the 308 Win family, for example). I've heard that some folks find that some of the really big magnum cases can be finicky, but others have no problems, so it's hardly conclusive. Basically, if the rifle is of good quality and there isn't anything wrong with it that precludes good accuracy (like a damaged muzzle crown), then you should be able to find a good load for it. Sometimes you luck out and nail one one the first try, and sometimes it can be a long and frustrating process. Just the way it is, but the results are usually worth the effort.

Mike

Thanks I think i understand

I always had trouble with straight-walled cases like the 45-70. After you resize, you have to run it through a second die to flare out the case mouth before you can seat the bullet. Too much, the bullet won't seat firmly. Not enough, and you will crush the case in the press when you seat the bullet.

I found any bottle neck rifle cartridge is the same to reload. Although little ones like the 222 Rem are a little more of a PIA. To me at least.

I reload for a 7mm Mag, 300 Win Mag and a 300 Wby Mag and have no more difficulty resizing than I do with my 308, 30-06 or 25-06.

Exactly. That didn't take long to figure out. Especially after your last post. Cats out of the bag.

The easiest one that I have found to reload accurately is probably the .308 Winchester. I had a hard time getting .243 figured out, but that was mostly due to die settings. Boat Tail bullets will help you out when you first start too, since they aren't so picky about getting started. I enjoy reloading 30-30 winchester too since there are a lot of variations from lead bullets to all the different powders to try in it.

You know I was thinking about the answer. And I think you hit it on the head. I have worked up loads for I bet 50 guns, probably more. And every 308 and 7mm08 was the easiest most consistent fastest to get an accurate load.

BC, I'm surprised to hear you don't think something like a 7mmRM is a bit tougher to run through a FL sizer than something like a little 243

Nope, all the same. Actually smaller can be a bit tougher. Like my 204. when dealing with small bullets, can be easy to get runout issues. But pretty well all the same.

Maybe I'm just weird I've ran mag brass from a few different rifles into different brands of dies, always turned out harder than smaller ones. Maybe I need different case lube. I've been using one-shot for convenience

I would suggest you go out and buy a new reloading manual from Spreer, Hornady, or Sierra and start studying up on how to reload before doing anything. Learn the terms, the steps and tools. Then start studying the loading tables for the different cartridges, look at bullet weights, calibers, velocities, trajectory tables. All that will help you to understand the process of re-loading and also become familiar with the performance differences between the many different cartridges helping you to better choose what caliber gun to start with. Then I would go to some web sites that sell reloading components, look at the cost of the different components you will need. That will also help your choice of what caliber to buy. It's a lot more fun to load for a caliber that you can both find components easily and also afford to reload. The easier and cheaper it is the more you will be able to shoot. In general standard non magnum caliber cost less to load for. Everything you need to know will be in one of those reloading books.