Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats 6MM A.I.

OK, I've been bitten by the bug. I want to know if anyone here has experience with this cartridge, or can steer me to an article or some load data.

I had one on a SA M70 Classic with a 24" Shilen. It was an agreeable little cartridge and my first wildcat. If running a short action and you want to use the long bullets like the Amax and VLD's, I'd lean to the 243AI for the shorter case length. For the hunting and varmint bullets, the 6mmAI will do just fine at a 2.8" OAL.

I found my load data here:

http://www.angelfire.com/sd/6mmackley/

Some of the data was provided by VHA (Dogzapper). I ran his IMR7828 charges with 100gr Hornady Interlocks and killed a few whitetails.

Load data can also be found at accuratereloading.com.

I was pondering the same question about the 243AI vs the 6mmAI last night on the way home. I have a LA Vanguard screaming for a change.

Yeah, I just picked up a 700 that looks like it was stored on the floor of soneone's truck, but internally it is beautiful. I'm thinking that it needs to be refurbished into something awesome.

.243AI, twist fast, run 105s, and be done with it.

Read Richard Franklin story about what he likes . He is one of the best Gunsmiths in VA

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek042.html

In a LA Vanguard I would go with the 6MM AI....

Best regards,

Ol' John

.243 AI, I know - that is the 6mm Remington.




... and just how is it, that these questions always get pondered late

In a long action, why not a 6mm-06?

John

I'd not do a 6mmAI in a LA Vanguard. The friggin actin is Remington long not Ruger long

Yep.

If the 6-06, then do you think the AI would be necessary? The lack of trimming might make it worth it alone.

I don't have any first-hand knowledge with the really big 6mm's. The 6-06 is nearly the same as the .240wby, but running an Ackley version should see a good bump in performance if the barrel length is there. Look at what folks have seen in improving the 25-06 case. Chris at Pac-nor had a 6mm/06AI a few years back, as I remember reading about it in G&A. You might call them.

I'm checking out the 243 WSSM using a 7.5 twist.

My understanding is Short fats have a propensity for low ES and SD.

It should shoot 115 Dtacs made by Sierra at 3,100 to 3,200 mv.

That runs with the 6.5x284's.

Or go with a slower twist and clock 4,200 with light bullets.

10,
If you decide to barrel in 6MM AI you won't be disappointed. I would recommend a 24" barrel length in a 10 twist. Have the smith chamber and neck it SAAMI spec .2745 (I think that's right). Just don't tight neck it unless you are into neck turning.
You can use Norma 7 x 57 brass (best brass IMO) or W-W 6MM Rem brass (good brass and less money). Either will work fine. I shoot 75 grain V-Max Moly, 85 grain TSX (hunting load), and 100 grain Speer on occassion. They all shoot well especially the V-max and TSX's.
The nice side effect of shooting a 6MM AI is there is not much recoil and they are fast, accurate, and real hard on any deer size game. One of the other posts mentioned the anglefire web site which is Mike Johnston's 6MM AI site. It is very informative and Mike's email address is there as well and he is very knowledgeable and a good guy to correspond with regarding the same.
Gotta watch OAL unless you are using a long action. If you use a short action have your smith install a Wyatt box if availble (700 Remmy no problem) Long Bullets like the 95 and 105 VLD's will have to be fed one at a time.
If you decide to build one PM me and I will be glad to contribute anything that may help. I am getting ready to do another one for my 15 (just turned) year old son. He is ready to move up from his .223 and likes the 6MM AI real well.

Dave

I've seen pics of antelopes killed with the DTacs. Anybody using them for bigger stuff?

You will be happy with a 6mm rem or a 6mm rem ai, I can't wait to build another one for myself.

I've heard of some deer killed with them but no pics.

Seems that short squat body will be able to seat long bullets in a short action no problem.

I have a Ruger No. 1B in 6mm Rem that shoots really well and I get 3,250 fps MV with the Nosler 100 gr Partition from its 26" barrel. I never saw any need to go to an improved version.

I do use W-W .257 Roberts brass necked down because it has more capacity than the Rem version.

jim

I've got a Rem. 700 6mm A.I. built by SG&Y Rifles (Speedy Gonzales) - Shoots 95 Gr. Nosler BT less than .75". Killed several deer with it, none have gone more than 25 yds. or so.
Really like not having to trim brass and recoil is very light.