6 prc vs 243AI

[Ice-kub]

I'm almost done FF'ing 100 pcs of brass for my 243 AI, I look at like additional practice/trigger time. I'm not running hot loads at all and getting a pretty good pop on the shoulders. FF'ing has been fun and is allowing me to gather data that I will use when it comes time to finalize the load.

Barrel life with longer heavier bullets should get you somewhere close to 1000 rounds of barrel life I'd think? 100 FF cases isn't going to hurt me in the long run.

 

[Article 4]

Barrel life with longer heavier bullets should get you somewhere close to 1000 rounds of barrel life I'd think? 100 FF cases isn't going to hurt me in the long run.

My last 6 CM had 1650 rounds before opened up and I run it hard sometimes. Careful use might get more

 

[ddowning]

I have run 243AI barrels to 2500 rounds and still had 5 shot groups under 3/4 moa. I used h1000 and n165 with heavy bullets and scrubbed the throat to bare metal every 200 rounds to get that kind of life. Normally get top accuracy for around 800-1000 rounds then drop 40 fps. Seat bullet closer to lands and add powder. Good to around 1700-1800 rounds. Will still shoot 3/4" for 10 shots at 100. Move bullet out and add powder. Good until it dies. Around 2500 rounds is Normally when they open up to more than 3/4 moa for 5 shots. I tried to take one to 1 moa for 5 shots at 100 yards but it started shotgunning at 2700ish rounds.

I'm in the middle of my 7th and 8th barrels doing it like this and it is pretty consistent. Getting max performance out of shorter barrels might require some less throat friendly powders that I don't have experience with running for multiple barrels.

 

[Ice-kub]

I have run 243AI barrels to 2500 rounds and still had 5 shot groups under 3/4 moa. I used h1000 and n165 with heavy bullets and scrubbed the throat to bare metal every 200 rounds to get that kind of life. Normally get top accuracy for around 800-1000 rounds then drop 40 fps. Seat bullet closer to lands and add powder. Good to around 1700-1800 rounds. Will still shoot 3/4" for 10 shots at 100. Move bullet out and add powder. Good until it dies. Around 2500 rounds is Normally when they open up to more than 3/4 moa for 5 shots. I tried to take one to 1 moa for 5 shots at 100 yards but it started shotgunning at 2700ish rounds.

I'm in the middle of my 7th and 8th barrels doing it like this and it is pretty consistent. Getting max performance out of shorter barrels might require some less throat friendly powders that I don't have experience with running for multiple barrels.

That's more rounds than I'll probably ever shoot out of a single rifle. I'd say the ackley is most likely my choice if I can round up some good brass.

 

[Ice-kub]

Okay so I did some math based on the sammi specs of the parent cases, maybe in out to lunch but, using the numbers of the 243 win and 6.5 prc, the prc is actually a slightly shorter case. If the neck size is the only measurement that changes, Ie, 6.5-6mm, than you can load a 115 berger with the boat tail junction at the neck/shoulder junction and it's "2.910, mag length in the rifle currently is 2.960", feed ramp is notched. 6 prc may be a very viable cartridge in a short action 700. I don't think it's worth messing with fire forming 243 for the extra juice.

 

[dirtytough]

My 243 easily hit 3000 fps with a 108. There is no way I’m fire forming and messing with an AI to get more velocity.

6 creed, 243, or 6 PRC would be my choices.