243AI

[Jim n Iowa]

I am considering a new barrel for my 243. The old groupes are expanding, and while this gun is still capable of hunting deer and antelope, and some song dogs, its not what I want from it. How or where do you go about a AI installed trued all the needable stuff to make this a shooter again.
Jim

[gunnut69]

The Ackley line of wildcats was developed to externd brass life, add a few fps while maintaining the ability to use factory ammo. Just altering to the 243 AI would not help with what I am assuming to be a worn throat. Before doing anything too drastic I would have the crown redone and the bore electro chenically cleaned. Either of these may return your accuracy. The crowns on rifles can become damaged by firing and a recrown can sometimes restore the lost accuracy edge. You didn't give us the rifle maker but it may be possible to rechamber to other wildcats such as the 6mm/06 or 240 Apex. Some of these will generate a bunch more velocity but will certainly cost quite a bit. If all you are after is to restore the accuracy a simple rebarrel is the best way to go. A new Shilen, Douglas, or perhaps Walther barrel chambered to the 243 Win will bring the rifle back with a vengance. You may also consider Pac-Nor Barrel co. The barrel companies can do the work or a local smith that you trust. If you haven't anyone local, I can recommend my local smith and several out west.

[RonF]

I definitely agree with the suggestions about cleaning and crowning.  If that doesn't work, though, maybe something as simple as rechambering to 6mm (or .244) Rem would work.  You get a bit longer cartridge to help clean up the throat a bit without going to a wildcat.  Seating bullets out could help even more, assuming your magazine will take the longer cartridges.  Just my half-nickel.

RonF

[gunnut69]

A rechamber to the 6mm Remington won't clean up the chamber of a 243 Winchester. One could rechamber to a 5mm Rem-AI, that is an Acklet Improved version of the 6mm Rem. The more parallel sides of the 6mm Rem-AI should clean up the 243 chamber...  The cost of rechambering to a fairly rare caliber and retooling the reloading bench for it as well as new brass and the relative rareity of even 6mmRem brass are all minuses. I believe the costs outweigh any small savings. If an electro cleaning and
re-cutting the crown doesn't restore accuracy and loading the bullets out farther doesn't help, a new barrel is probably the most cost effective fix... One could try firelapping but if the bore(throat) is already worn, firelapping will most likely agrevate the problem rather than alleviate it.