22-250 to .243 rebarrel

[mick_762]

Ok guys, just thinking of re-barrelling a Ruger 22-250 to .243

Any problem that you can think of with this thought?
Case rim diameter is the same,
I "think" the action length is the same . . . ?
Would the bolt stop/ejector need adjustment for different case length?
Magazine block ?
etc etc

Thoughts?

Cheers
Mick

[Con]

New barrel, your done.
Cheers...
Con

[Camel]

Yep, but why be so ordinary. Con Im a little disappointed in you not recommending some sort of exotic wildcat, I reckon a 25-08 (super) would make a nice easy convert.

[mick_762]

ok, so an "exotic wildcat" whilst it wold be fun, i want to stay with the .243 as it is the same cal that i bought for the missus.
Just being lazy really, dont want to have to reload for too many calibers hahaha

so far its, 22 hornet, .222, .243, 30-30, .303, .308, 30'06.
Yet to add a "big banger" thinking traditionalist .375 H&H, but could be swayed to .338 Win Mag or 9.3 erm something, x62, x74, Breneke etc etc

[Camel]

Ok Mick, that sounds like a pretty excuse to me, but Im still disappointed with Con for not trying to con you into something just a little bit fancy. Just figured out why he got that user name.

[trevort]

but if you use the same brand of brass and same pills you wont be able to neck size in case you use the wrong ones in the wrong rifle. FL sizing each time yrrrch.

So if you want to stay 6mm you could try a 6x47 lap

Convinced?

[Con]

Camel,
Give it time, we'll have him thinking 243AI soon enough.

By the way, did you know the square bottom Ruger actions take to the 284 cases really well? So a 6/284 would be dead simple and Lee makes cheap dies too.

Imagine having a like gun as the missus? Sheesh ...
Cheers...
Con

[jeffk]

Give it time, we'll have him thinking 243AI soon enough.

243AI is ideal as he can steal her brass, but she can't steal it back once he's fired it.

[daisy]

I went 22-259 to 7-08 no problems. It's my silhouette gun.

[mick_762]

Haha already thinking 243 AI, but the whole idea is to have ease of ammo supply for when we are on the road. . . . . but I really do like the thought of the 243 AI with that 26" tube, especially with a 1:8 Broughton slipped in.
Bugger her, she can keep her brass seperate hahahaha

[Con]

Haha already thinking 243 AI, but the whole idea is to have ease of ammo supply for when we are on the road. . . . . but I really do like the thought of the 243 AI with that 26" tube, especially with a 1:8 Broughton slipped in.
Bugger her, she can keep her brass seperate hahahaha

Our job is done here fellas.
Cheers...
Con

[mick_762]

Ok in all seriousness, this "may" be my first Ackley.

Apart from approx 100 - 150fps (in a 24" barrel) increase,
What am I realisticly looking to gain?
What about throat erosion in the .243 AI is it more of a problem?
Is it really going to alter the amount of case stretching THAT much?
Will the reliable feeding of the standard .243 be compromised?

Talk me either into it, or out of it, give me your thoughts / knowledge.

Cheers

Mick

[Con]

Here's my thoughts ...
Pros:
1. You get a bit more speed, but its only comparable to the increased case capacity ... not 'Ackley magic'.
2. Case stretch is reduced significantly.
3. If your fast twisting the barrel and using a long barrel your almost guaranteed to be launching the long 107gr pills at above 3000fps ... that job can be tough for some 243Win chambers.
4. Brass can be made from factory loads ... load and shoot and out pops a formed case.
5. It has a 'Wow' factor, the AI cases really do look cool.
6. Lee sells dies ... or you use a Lee Collet die and a seater only and potentially never have to FL resize. Or later you buy a body bump die. Either way, dies are available from the economy through to the rich scale.
7. Throat erosion in theory should be reduced as the flame is no longer focused ahead of the case mouth as per the 243Win and its shallow 20deg shoulder, but rather inside the case neck by the sharp 40deg shoulder ... but seriously ... would you notice?

Cons
1. You can get much more speed as measured by a Chrony ... because I feel the straight case grips the chamber walls better, thus 'hiding' traditional signs of pressure ... but its a false speed in that its at the expense of wear and tear.
2. Fire-forming can be a PITA, to get x100 pieces of brass, its x100 shots so its wear and tear on the equipment. If your loosing cases chasing pigs ... it becomes a bigger PITA.
3. Feeding becomes 'clunkier' ... the Ruger should be okay ... but its always a guessing game as to how well it'll feed.
4. Headspace control via your dies becomes more 'exact'. Not enough FL resizing, they wont chamber. When just right there's a bit more resistance to bolt close than normal, screw the die down too far ... excessive headspace results and case life is reduced. A normal case you can get away with a bit more if your a sloppy reloader.
5. Gunsmith must be cluey and know that the 243Win Go guage becomes the 243AI 'No-Go' guage ... ie the factory load must be a crush fit.

When all is said and done ... the standard 243Win case is pretty handy as an all-rounder and its a plus being able to buy brass and not have to fireform. But the AI cases really do look wicked!
Cheers...
Con

[mick_762]

Cheers Con,
Sounds like you have a fair bit of knowledge there.
Ok so whom among the gunsmiths around do people recommend?

Thought about Redback Precission?
Mick

[Con]

I've got a 223AI, and my 22/204 is an easier mousetrap.
Cheers...
Con