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looking to rechamber
I am new here but have been on Predator Masters alot. I have a T3 Lite in 243 that is my main yote gun. It is topped with a VX3 4.5-14 scope. I am looking at rechambering it in 6mmAI. does anyone believe i shouldnt do this? Or have any advise?
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10 Replies
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.243AI is aweful popular…if you're looking for a little more zip.
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Yotehunter,
I am partial to the 6mm Rem, have really given a lot of thought to the AI. I've read a lot of good things about it. I have 3 6mm Rems and 2 243's.
I don't think the 243AI will get you where the 6mmAI can take you. Basically gets you up to a straight 6mm rem.
The biggest “downside” of the 6mm (I have read… But but not experienced) is that it is too long for a short action. With the Tikka, this would not be a problem… Change mag and change/modify the bolt stop.
6mm brass is very available. No issues there. I think on 6mmbr.com or one of those sites there are some real good articles an the 6mmAI.
By the way, I finally got that itch out of my system a couple of months ago… Now its back… Thanks…
Keep us posted on your decision.
Mike
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MSGTmike, thanks for the insight man. I knew i couldnt do the 6mmai in a short action so thats why i decided to use my Tikka. I am wanting to stay with a medium weight bullet 75-90gr. bullet for pure speed to 500-600 yards. So i will have to buy a new Mag. and have the action worked on a little?
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Yotehunter,
The 6mm Rem (and the AI) are one of those cartridges much like the 7×57,6.5×55 and 284 Win. They all will fit into a short action, but depending on the throat and type of bullets that you decide on may be better off in a long action. I have one 6mm Rem in a Rem 700 short action with a Hart Barrel. It shoots very well at mag length, but some of the heavier (90-95 grain Ballistic Tips) have to be seated deep to fit in the mag.
Depends on how concerned you are about getting close to the lands (this will be determined by the reamer that your smith uses) AND if you are concerned about the bullet being seated deep into the boiler-room.
What really makes my 284 come into its own (I had it built on a Win Mod 70 LA) is the fact that I can seat the bullets with the rear of the bullet is at he neck shoulder junction… I can run them hotter (more powder-less pressure) than if it were in a short action and limited by action/mag length.
You may want to talk to your smith and let him know what bullets you want to use (so he can throat it properly), then see where that leaves you as far as the mag and bolt stop. Neither of these will be high dollar/hard fixes.
Just make sure that you take into account the twist rate of your current barrel to make sure it will stabilize the heavies (longer bullets). Although, the original downfall of the 6mm rem was that it came out with a 1 in 12 twist which “supposedly” wouldn't stabilize 100 grain pills. I can tell you from experience that my 1 in 12 will shoot 100 grain pills into nice little cloverleafs… Your 243 is probably a 1 in 10 or 1 in 9 twist… so you shouldn't have any problem stabilizing just about any 6mm bullets… plus you will be pushing them faster as well which helps.
One other thing, I don't know what kind of brass you are using, but prior to loading it up to fire-form to the AI, you may want to look into annealing… will help save split necks.
I have been trying the RL-17 powder. It is supposed to give you pretty good velocity gains over the other powders. I have found a load for my 300WSM that is coming around (need to spend some more time on it) but I didn't have any luck in the 7WSM. In case you needed some more things to think about. FWIW, I (and others) have found that the RL-17 doesn't get into the accuracy until I was at, just below or just above max charges. I haven't had the chrony out yet to see if the published data is true… but if it is look out.
Now I have to go and put an e-mail into my gunsmith and see how long it will take him to get in a 6mmAI reamer… damn it…
Hopefully I'm not muddying the waters for ya,
Mike
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no i appreciate all the info. I do need to contact my smith and do a little more discussing on my bullet selection and such.
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YoteHunter,
Did some chatting with my gunsmith late last week and the 6mmAI reamer should be in his shop by the end of this week. I also ordered a Redding Body Die for the AI… figured I could use my Redding Neck Sizing die that I already have.
Currently I have (3) 6mm Rems. I am thinking of having him AI the Rem 700SA which has a 1in12 twist barrel. If this chambering does what I think it will, the Tikka T3 Stainless in 243 may be in the batter's box. That would make one hell of a rifle.
I was taking a look in the Sierra manual… they have load data for the 6mmAI. That is one smoking round.
Saw your other post on considering the 6-284. Another smoking round. That solution will save you the fireforming… just check on the round working in a Tikka magazine. I probably mentioned that I have a 284 Win. I had trouble finding winchester brass (they make it seasonally)… and went with Lapua 6.5-284 and necked it up. You pay more for it… but damn is that nice stuff… very consistant. So instead of like me going up .5mm— you will be going down the .5mm.
Before the end of the week I will try to get to my bench and see if the 284 brass will fit into the mag for my 243… or better yet, I will see if it will fit and work in the mag for my 6.5×55. That way if you decide to go that route, you just buy a replacement mag designed for the standard long action cals.
Let me know how the decision making process is going on your end. I will keep you posted from my end as things progress.
Mike
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well Mike i appreciate all the info and feed back. I jumped ship and sold my tikka :-[ :-[ :-[ and got a remington 700 long action to build my 6-284 on. Just way to many stocks for the 700 build. I am going to get a .30 cal tikka thought so i still have the tikka fever
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YoteHunter,
I have a condition (mental) that makes it nearly impossible to sell off a rifle. I did manage to sell one to my best friend who fell in love with it.
To make things worse, I am always coming across things (or people) who spark my interest in something else.
Perfect example, I was talking to my smith about the AI project and he mentioned that he is getting excellent deals right now on Rem 700 short actions with Mag bolt faces. The wheels in my head start spinning about a 7WSM lightweight hunter that I want him to build for me. So in addition to the AI project, an action is on its way and I am researching barrel contours and fiberglass stocks. (I need another 7WSM like I need a hole in my head)
Don't know what 30 cal Tikka that you are thinking about, I have a T3 stainless lite in 300WSM and it is a THUMPER. Even with the DeAccellerator pad and break. But it is exactly what I wanted, lightweight rifle for walking, puts plenty of energy exactly where the crosshairs are every time.
Did you consider the 6.5-284? Those 6.5 bullets have some killer BC's and the 284 case pushes them along very smartly.
Keep me posted on your progress.
Mike
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i have considered the 6.5 and really i am still looking at it. The 6mm 105gr VLD has a BC of .532 and the 6.5 140gr VLD has a BC of 6.13. So i am really considering both. I originally was going to build this for a lighter smoking fast bullet but the more i think about it why not push a 105gr in the upper speeds of 3400+ fps and be able to reach 1K. Benchmark barrels is building the rifle for me on a 700 Long action, It will be sitting on a Grey Bull stock and topped with a VX3. I am going to have them finish the barrel out at 27'' and turn it to a light Palma contour and flute the crap out of it. They have a smoking deal on Grey Bull stocks and they feel great. What kind of price are you getting on them short actions? Id love to build a 7WSM for my moose hunt incase i cant do it with a bow.
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YoteHunter,
PM Sent
Mike
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