Hi guys

I'm looking at a Sako Vixen in 223 AI, and I am wondering what the difference is over a regular 223? with dies it is $900.00, guns cost more in Canada
Thanks Greg

you are probably going to gain about 100 to 150 fps MV depending upon load...

The good side is that it is supposed to also be easier on the brass and eliminate stretching of the brass, eliminating the need to trim it...

Those little Vixens are beautiful rifles and never go down in value.... If the deal includes the dies, I'd think you would be looking pretty good...

I don't know what the exchange rate is running nowadays.. but I think $900.00 on that rig would be a good deal down here in the States... eh?

I think you'd be making a wise purchase there Greg...

Too bad I didn't know you or was on this site when I use to go up to Edmonton on Business all the time.. been cool to sit down over a few beers eh?

Was involved with a couple of High Buck Assisted Living Facilities being build in town back then...

I've always loved Ednonton, and Alberta in General...some of the best people in all of Canada... however I have a soft spot for Blue Noses from Nova Scotia, and those wild wacky Newfies...

Minus the liberals, Canada is such a wonderful country with wonderful people...

In Edmonton I always enjoyed the atmosphere of that "Montana's" Restaurant... on the south side of town

I think that Seafire's estimate of velocity gain may be a little optimistic. There's nothing wrong with the .223 AI, but I would put velocity gains closer to 50-75 fps at the same chamber pressure. Far too often, the increase in velocities that a shooter attributes to his new AI chamber is a result of his loading heavier and heavier charges until he achieves his expectations. This is almost always at the cost of higher chamber pressure.

Nonetheless, $900, either CA or US, is not a bad price if the gun is in nice shape. I wouldn't shy away from the AI chamber. You can shoot standard .223 in it with very little loss of velocity and typically no loss of accuracy. And the little Vixen action is by far the finest action available for the .222 case head.

Varmit Hunter Magazine did an article back in July 1995 on the 223AI with a 1/14 twist hart barrel. 40 gr bullets 3925fps,52gr @ 3518fps. If the barrel was set back and new chamber cut don't think you get the above velocity. I've got two of them and the gain in velocity for me amounts to appr 100yds more range. Well good luck

I have tried 2 different 223 AIs. I liked the one with a 14" twist and 40 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips at 3950-4000 fps out of a 24" bbl.

The 12" twist barrel did not shoot well with the 40 gr., so I went to 52 gr. A-Max to get it to group. The velocity gain with the 52 gr. was not as impressive -even with a 26" bbl.

I used standard 223 Lee collet dies and never had to trim cases.

my 223 AI velocity

55 Nosler moly BT 3500 fps..27.5/BM
52 Horny moly A max 3600 fps...27.5/BM
Rem 7.5 & LC or Win case

12 twist/3 groove 26" Pac Nor