Rebarreling 308 to 243AI

[CAPTBEACH]

Traded into a 243AI barrel for my rifle...plan is to have a switch barrel that will function with my CDI DBM bottom metal and mags...barrel is a nearly new (less than 40 rounds) stainless fluted 26" threaded 5/8 x 24 off of a Savage 12 LRPV that was re-threaded to small shank and rechamber'd to .243AI. Its a 1:8 twist and I plan on shooting 115 Moly DTAC and Bergers into the 3100+ fps range. I have a few questions that I've gotten mixed answers to in my searching...

1. Headspacing, I've got 308 go and no go gauges. Good enough?

2. Fire forming brass...I know the best way to accuracy is new .243 brass that's been fire formed in my chamber on a properly head spaced gun...but buying 5 same lot boxes of premium .243 will get some trigger time in and should be fairly accurate AND yield fire formed "to my chamber" cases. Some say Lapua cases are worth the $$$ are they? I'll be reloading this rifle only other than donating standard cases to brass.

3. Experiences of others out there who have been there...done that...

4. Bullets and brass...any preferences here

This is the donor rifle...

[bootsmcguire]

1. Get a 243AI gauge set and remove any doubt.

2. Buy the factory stuff if you like and shoot away, when it comes out its formed to the 243AI chamber and ready for the reload process, or handload up some new or annealed brass and go to it. I have used 1x fired 243 brass before, but I ussually get a split case 1 out of 100 or so, so new or annealed is better.

3. I personally love the 243AI, it is probably my favorite caliber right now. Load up some 58gr V-Max's over Varget and you have got a very flat and fast pdog/varmint load.

4. Brass: I have had good luck with Winchester Brass, I have some Lapua and Norma I am trying out, but don't have any long term experience so I can't say difinitively one way or the other.

those Bergers and DTACs you mentioned should get you out there quite a ways. Should be fun shooting.

[Apache]

Ackley Improved chambers don't use standard gauges......see this thread and look at post #7.......Billpa does an excellent job showing it.

http://www.savageshooters.com/showth...-buy-rent-loan

[Westcliffe01]

Just call up Mansonreamers.com and buy your ackley chamber gauges. $30 per gauge. For me they are close and I got mine within 2 days. I would rather have the right tools than risk my neck...

[CAPTBEACH]

yeah I'm just gonna pony up and buy a set of gauges...not like they'll only get used once in a while...I plan on running it switch barrel style...

[Kelly Jackson]

I have four 243AI's. For coyote hunting been running Remington brass with no issues.
On my long range steel bangers I went with the Lapua. It seems to be worth it. At 9 reloads so far with no issues.
Run the 115 Dtacs in two rifles and 105 Amax in another.

Be aware that the 115's do not shoot well in all 8 twist barrels. My 7.5 twist is fine and my 8 twist is also.
Have a buddy that could not run them in his 8 twist barrel.

Coyote rifle is a 12 twist and will shoot 55gr NBT over 4100. Likes the 87gr vamax also.

Your gonna like your new setup.
Kelly

[CAPTBEACH]

What brand Head Space Gauges do you use?

I have four 243AI's. For coyote hunting been running Remington brass with no issues.
On my long range steel bangers I went with the Lapua. It seems to be worth it. At 9 reloads so far with no issues.
Run the 115 Dtacs in two rifles and 105 Amax in another.

Be aware that the 115's do not shoot well in all 8 twist barrels. My 7.5 twist is fine and my 8 twist is also.
Have a buddy that could not run them in his 8 twist barrel.

Coyote rifle is a 12 twist and will shoot 55gr NBT over 4100. Likes the 87gr vamax also.

Your gonna like your new setup.
Kelly

[Westcliffe01]

Read post #4

What brand Head Space Gauges do you use?