quote:

Originally posted by TC1:
Most people that "AI" a .223 do it because it almost eliminates brass stretching and the need to trim.

With rounds that I fire a lot, like the 223 AI, this is no small convenience. Add in also that I can easily get 223 +p speeds at lower pressures than the parent case which is safer and allows brass to live forever, and I am a big fan of the 223AI. There are three 223AIs in my stable now, and all of them are freaky accurate.

Other AI rounds don't do much for me any more, as I don't chase velocity for velocity's sake.

The 223 AI is so damn easy to get along with that I can't think of much good reason not to do it.

fgulla--One of the rules of brainstorming is list all ideas that are presented--even the ridiculous off the wall ones. The 25ACP thread would fall in that catagory. But you know what? I have in fact learned from it. For one thing, I was aware that some states had a minimum of 6mm law. So I thought right away how ridiculous, that would outlaw .22 centerfires, but leave the .25ACP as legal. From the thread I learned some states do have barrel length laws and other things--not just the 6mm minimum (Texas it's just centerfire). Also learned some states rimfires are legal. You know, there might be someone out there that has learned something from me.

Where do you do your gun shopping in Angelo? I lived there for 10 years.

I'm on my second 223AI, this one is an 8-twist sporter. It's a fantastic round. 50 grainers at an easy 3600+ and the 75 A-Max hits 3000. In truth I can get a wee bit more.

Some action do have feeding issues. My latest on a short 700 is fine.

I wouldn't hesitate to have another one built. In fact my plan is to eventually burn the barrel out on this guy and have it rebarreled with the same type barrel.

Sambubba--For many years I have bought few new guns. There was a period of time when I bought a lot of guns. Past few years I have mostly given guns away to my kids and grandkids. I am way back in the back of my mind thinking about a Ruger .204 in a CZ rifle and if it werent for the backwards safety I'd do it for sure. If I do buy one I'll order it fro Wal Mart. Which gunsmith did you use if any< Ken Heinze is the one in San Angelo.

quote:

Originally posted by RickF:
I'm on my second 223AI, this one is an 8-twist sporter. It's a fantastic round. 50 grainers at an easy 3600+ and the 75 A-Max hits 3000. In truth I can get a wee bit more.

Some action do have feeding issues. My latest on a short 700 is fine.

I wouldn't hesitate to have another one built. In fact my plan is to eventually burn the barrel out on this guy and have it rebarreled with the same type barrel.

Beautiful Picture!

quote:

Originally posted by rcamuglia:
I can't imagine going to the trouble and expense of "building" a .223 AI for 100 fps more than the already anemic velocity of the .223 Rem for a .224" bullet.

Why not go Swift, WSSM, Cheetah, and even 22-250 AI if velocity is the goal?

I guess if you want to avoid trimming, you "AI" your .223 when your brass gets too long?

It's gotta be because they want to be different.

While I haven't yet gone to an Ackley Improved cartridge, I can list 3 reasons that I feel are valid to consider doing so:

1. Barrel life - the .223 A.I. barrel will last a lot longer than any of the higher performance cartridges you list

2. Reduced case trimming since the .223 AI with 40 degree shoulder neck sized will not stretch as much. Also with the increased case capacity, you can achieve equal or slightly greater velocity than a standard .223 with less pressure, also reducing case stretch and increasing case life

3. Some of us like the ability to see where our shots hit, but would like a little more performance without losing our sight picture due to recoil. The .223 A.I. accomplishes this as well.

When I shoot the barrel out of my 700 SPS varmint, I hope to see about having it rechambered to .223 AI to see if I could get a few thousand more rounds out of it. If I go for a custom rebarrel, it will be for the .223 AI. I really like the .223 as a varmint cartridge, and think the .223 AI would be even better.
And yes, I also would agree that it is fun to have something a little different. I still think a .270 Redding would be fun, although it makes little sense when the .260 Remington is readily available as a factory round, as well as the 7mm-08 Remington.
Chuck

Carpetman, when I lived there it was George Curry and Fred Cianciolo.

How is AI-ing gonna give you more mileage out of a shot out barrel? Are you just gonna set the barrel back and rechamber?

quote:

I can't imagine going to the trouble and expense of "building" a .223 AI for 100 fps more than the already anemic velocity of the .223 Rem for a .224" bullet.

What trouble? What expense? It didn't cost me a penny more to have my smith shove in the AI reamer when he built my Rem 700 SA. Regular 223Rem ammo shoots just fine so no added expense of another step to fireform.

Some of you folks are deluded in thinking everyone who AI's his rifle build is doing so to gain fps. I did it for one reason, getting straighter case walls = less case stretch = less trimming = cases lasting longer. Period.

I'll ask again. What trouble? What expense?