Hi all I'm a new poster here but been lurking awhile. I'm in the process of getting the stuff together for handloading 243 ai rounds. My rifle is being accurized with the factory barrel intact except for rechambering in 243 AI. My question is....
Has anyone had better luck forming AI rounds from lapua brass verses other brass available. The price difference is substantial and I'm not a bench rest type of shooter so is the expense worth the better results(if any ) vs the chance of split cases. I may want to persue the accuracy potential of the lapua brass at a later date but am looking for fireforming sucess at this time. I will probably use the cream of wheat method for the forming process and currently have about 60 rounds of 243 rounds loaded with 1x or 2x fired brass. I'm thinking about giving these to a friend and starting with new brass due to work/fire hardening of my present brass. Any input is welcome and will be considered. Thanks

I hope when you say factory barrel intact it was set bact to rechamber. If not the headspace might be to long for factory ammo. You have gone to the expense of having the rifle rechamber. Why cut corners in the last step. There is no way I would start with used brass. Except maybe to try a couple to get the right powder load for cream of wheat forming. Buy 100 Lapua cases and at normal pressure they should be all you need unless you are doing some serious shooting.

My choices would always be Lapua if possible. Norma second.

Yes the barrel is being set back. I wanted it to be accurized and didn't want to spend the extra $$$$ for a new barrel since the factory tube only has about 200 rounds down it. I realize the barrel may be part of the problem but wanted to try it anyways.
So lapua brass is worth the cost then? I was wanting to get some but wanted confirmation. thanks.

It's no big deal with Lapua 243 brass. I am using it now in a new 243 and I can't tell if it's better than WW or not.

It does make me feel and aim a little better perhaps.

Start with new brass. You can change your mind and get some Lapua later.

A way to look at it is that fifty cases could wear out a 243 barrel!

i wouuld use new brass to fire form.
i fire fore 243 win loded wit 44grs of imr 4350 60 gr moly bullets they formed perfect and had no throw aways. some put the 243 Ai in the barrel burner catagory. the above load shot .5" to.6"
1.5"groups at 300 yds.

This shoudl help.

http://www.angelfire.com/nd/243ackleyimproved

There are a bunch of reference loads for fireforming and other loads.

Good Hunting
Jeff in ND

Another option is to just anneal your brass, if you do a quick search on the net you cand find a few articles from reputable writers that explain the process. I have done it with my .338RUM brass and it seems to work great...

IV

Have had perfect results fireforming both Win. and Lapua brass in my .243AI .
Have seen the odd batch of Win. brass that was not properly annealed and split necks on the second firing .
I'd pay the extra and get all Lapua brass if doing it again . Much more consistent in weight , case head size is correct (Win. undersize) and flash holes are drilled .

Thanks for the replys. I am going to use new lapua brass and based on recomendations from several poeple including my smith use a loaded round to do the forming. I already have my dies and brass for the new round and will get to loading up 50 rounds for forming when the gun gets close to being done.

radioactivecowboy,
Fireforming doesn't have to be a separate operation, just load a good stiff load, known to be safe in the parent cartridge and go hunting. I've killed Antelope and Deer while fireforming. I've always started with new brass and have never lost a case to fireforming to date, going back to the early 70's. I use mostly Remington or Winchester brass, it's good enough for me and it's realistically priced.
Stepchild

ditto stepchild,..I fireform brass while hunting also. Just work the load ladder while you are forming and don't waste any time (hint hint)

Use a heavy bullet(105 Speer comes to mind) Slow burnrate powder with a moderate to heavy charge(IMR 7828 using 43-43.5 grains ought to do it) seat the bullet 15/000's off the lands and fireform away!! Probaly won't split any necks either! (at least no more than a normal .243 will split) GHD

OK guys and gals my gun is close to being done. Actually had to have a new barrel threaded on because the original was off center(wonder why it wouldn't group). I have new lapua brass and will use a medium load and 85 gr speer pushed by H4350. I'll keep you posted on the results when I get em. Thanks for the help and replies.

RAC, I tried the cream of wheat and corn meal with wax plugs, soap plugs and tissue. and PersonallyI do not recommend this for forming good cases!Just one of those things you have to try.
I fired 25 rounds and about half were poorly formed plus it junked up my rifle.
I loaded 100 cases with 45grs of h-380 60gr bullets and formed all 100 with out a hitch.
DAVE