which action for 243ai

[bosstom]

Im going to put together a 243ai and will be shooting the 105 amax/105berger. Im going to buy a new Stevens for the action and want to know if I can use a short action and still seat the bullets out or will I need a long action? I really don't care which one, I just want it to feed good. I would also kinda like to use a DBM system in the future, what do you guys recomend for the metal? Thanks

[GaCop]

If you want the benefit of unlimited seating depth in the magazine and the ability to extract long seated loaded rounds, I'd go with the long action. No strength/accuracy difference between the short and long action.

[bobcat30]

I have a 243ai built on a 110 long action that is stagerfeed , the only feeding problem is sometimes the the cases get hung up on the shoulder of the case. Some have told me a centerfeed may be better. None the less stay with a long action for seating purposes. Good luck with the build i am very pleased with mine.

[helotaxi]

The center-feed magazine will accommodate at least a 2.9" COL.

[bobcat30]

Was refer to center feed cuz of the sharp shoulder on akeley cases the stagger doesnt always wanna feed properly

[kslefty]

I built a 6mm AI on a long action centerfeed. The gun was a 30-06 originally and I could never get the 6mm cases to feed from the 30-06 magazine at all. I would not recommend this unless you feel comfortable reshaping the feed lips on the magazine. Possibly a different magazine would work better but I went single shot.

[bootsmcguire]

I built my 243AI on a blued model 12 Centerfeed SA and have had no problems feeding or extracting loaded or unloaded. Works good, and with the SA you get alot more options for stocks for your build.

[bosstom]

Well my cousin reminded me that his oldest son had a Savage 243win out in his safe, so I checked with a 95gr nbt seated long and I think I will have room for the 105's with the short action. If it dosen't feed very good I will probably drop down to a 95vld. Thanks for all the help.

[helotaxi]

I did a chamber check on the Shilen .243 barrel with a 95gn Nosler seated @ 2.90". The bullet was jammed in the lands with nearly 0.1" left before the brass was fully chambered. A short action should serve you well.