.223 AI and 6mm-223

14 September 2003, 10:17

Urodoji

.223 AI and 6mm-223

I'm considering having a rifle chambered for .223 reamed for .223 AI, or simply having the rifle bored for 6mm-223. Is there a 6mm-223 AI wildcat, or is that just reinventing the 6mm TCU? Should I stick with the .223 AI, or try to bump it up a notch to the 6mm range?

15 September 2003, 15:09

leo-too

I believe the 6mm TCU is pretty much a 6mm-223AI. I know my 7mm TCU cartridges have a sharp shoulder like a blown out case. I have them custom ordered. I believe you can get the TCU cases from Quality Cartridge and loaded ammo too. phone 301-373-3719

15 September 2003, 16:27

Urodoji

Are you shooting this through a rifle or pistol? A customer of mine showed me his load data for 6mm, 6.5, and 7mm TCU, and the velocities he was getting from a 14" contender barrel were very impressive. In a 26" barrel, I'd expect them to be even more so. Anyone have load data for a TCU cartridge in a rifle?

15 September 2003, 16:37

<Big Stick>

I have six 223AI's and think highly of the chambering....................

15 September 2003, 17:29

Urodoji

What kind of velocities are you getting out of the .223 AI, and how much of an increase in velocity does the .223 AI give over the .223?

15 September 2003, 17:39

<Big Stick>

I use the cartridge for fun mostly and have settled on the 50gr projectile as the best vehicle for my interests.

My barrels are now 20,21,22,23 and (2)at 24 inches in length and I favor the 20 and 21 versions.

I've mainly shot but a single load in all them and it will push a 50gr moly V-Max out of a commercial hull,at better than 3725fps in all of those lengths.

The general nature of the chambering,coupled with it's performance increase,has me plotting yet another one.

Great cartridge IMHO...................

15 September 2003, 19:05

Urodoji

Any significant change in velocity between the 20's and the 24's? The rifle I'm looking at converting is a 26". I'm planning on picking up another Ruger M77 VLE in .223, to go with my VLE in .308, and wanted to squeeze just a bit more out of the gun..

22 September 2003, 14:08

tom holland

quote:
Originally posted by Big Stick:
I use the cartridge for fun mostly and have settled on the 50gr projectile as the best vehicle for my interests.

My barrels are now 20,21,22,23 and (2)at 24 inches in length and I favor the 20 and 21 versions.

I've mainly shot but a single load in all them and it will push a 50gr moly V-Max out of a commercial hull,at better than 3725fps in all of those lengths.

The general nature of the chambering,coupled with it's performance increase,has me plotting yet another one.

Great cartridge IMHO...................

What powder are you using. I've got two of them and 24" barrels and both average 3558fps with a 50 gr bullet. Thanks Tom

22 September 2003, 14:35

tom holland

quote:
Originally posted by Urodoji:
I'm considering having a rifle chambered for .223 reamed for .223 AI, or simply having the rifle bored for 6mm-223. Is there a 6mm-223 AI wildcat, or is that just reinventing the 6mm TCU? Should I stick with the .223 AI, or try to bump it up a notch to the 6mm range?

I've got acouple of the 223AI and really like them and shot a TCU 6x45 afew years ago. I'm shooting a 6x47 40x right now and it's alright. As soon as the reamer comes in I'm having a 6/22-250 done with a 1/14 twist barrel and then one done on a 1/10 twist barrel. One thing with the 223AI I picked up a good 100 yds on a PD shoot. Both my barrel are 1/14 twist. I think the cases (6x45 and 6x47) are alittle small to get the velocity you would need with say a 68 or 70 gr bullet. I take my 6ppc,6br,6brtalldog,222AI or 223AI over the 6x47,6x45 on a windy day. I'm not a big fan of the 223 but the 23AI is good one. Just my .02. Tom

02 October 2003, 09:25

RickF

Tom, not Big Stick here but I get 3650 in my 223AI with a 50 grain V-Max. WW cases, F205M primer and 28.5 grains of H335. My rifle has a 14 twist 24" barrel. With that recipe the velocities are extremely consistent, and accuracy and case life are very fine.

Re Big Stick, I believe he uses RP cases, CCI BR4 primers and also H335. He shoots moly bullets and uses a bit more powder than my recipe. He also gets another 75 fps.

02 October 2003, 13:32

tom holland

quote:
Originally posted by RickF:
Tom, not Big Stick here but I get 3650 in my 223AI with a 50 grain V-Max. WW cases, F205M primer and 28.5 grains of H335. My rifle has a 14 twist 24" barrel. With that recipe the velocities are extremely consistent, and accuracy and case life are very fine.

Re Big Stick, I believe he uses RP cases, CCI BR4 primers and also H335. He shoots moly bullets and uses a bit more powder than my recipe. He also gets another 75 fps.

I get 3558fps with a 50 gr bullet using 26/133 and that is pretty good for my rifles. It's funny but in my 22 BR I get 3556fps also with a 50 gr bullet. Hicks had a speical run of Rem made with a heavy fluted barrel and I picked up one in a 7mag, 220 swift. Those rifle came to be the start of the Sendro line for Rem, well I'm just starting to shoot the 220 and I'm at 3827fps. The PD shooting out east of here has been somewhat on the slow side. We kind of cut back our shooting on some ranches and hope next year will be alittle better. Well good luck. Tom