Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 223, 223A.I. or 6X45

What do you call volume shooting ? I shoot about 1000 rnds a month of .243 and .243 A.I. Rio7

Rio,

What I have in mind is spending a day shooting several hundred rounds. And doing that over and over. I could use my 243 but would have to take breaks and let the barrel cool. Also burning 40+ grains of powder is a good way to develop a flinch after many rounds. Not to mention cost and barrel expense.

My 220 swift ,22-250, 240 Wby, 243, 6mm etc are what I consider low volume guns.

Currently I have a 308 heavy barrel rifle i consider my high volume gun, but the recoil and component cost aren't worth it, also it is tough to spot my shots.

Did all three and all that's left is a 1:8 223 Tikka with 10X SWFA on top shooting 75 Amax. Doesn't get any easier. I'd rather it was the varmint contour, but Super Lite is a dandy.

Total package was under $1,000.....

What's your experience with the 77tmk on deer? I remember a pic of one you'd shot with that bullet. Any comparison yo the 75 amax? Like to have an alternative that stays in mag confines of my Montana without the mag box/receiver scallop mods

,223 AI no trimming!!!

I get around the hot barrel by using 4 rifles, about 4-5 rnds then switch, and i am not in a hurry to miss, my ar-15s in .223 get hot fast also, so I bring 3 rotate when shooting p. dogs, do what ever works for you, that's the what I do Rio7

Looking at the OP's caliber choice, I don't think he has the bolt face currently for a creed or 243... nothing a little dremel couldn't fix though...

So far the 223 A.I. is winning by a significant margin

Because it is perfect for what you're after, given your particular circumstances and needs, imo. Since they're all the same price, it's an easy call.

Yep, .223AI is hard to beat for volume shooting, barrel life, case life, components, ability to use cheap .223 ammo, easy on powder, easy on the shoulder, LESS TRIMMING, etc... Really nothing wrong with the plain Jane .223 but the AI is just a little improved.... I've got the rifle you spec'd and it's a favorite, heavy enough to be steady but svelte enough to use.

All of mine are 1/8, but if I was doing a fresh one I might research 1/7 on the twist. I'd also recommend going detachable mag with the 7.5-8 lb weight.

Enjoy it!

JCMCUBIC,

Sounds like you have experience with exactly what I am talking about. You have my attention with the 1/ 7twist. I wonder if it would be a handicap with the 40gr ballisic tip/vmax I have in mind for prairie dogs and gophers? I know from experience the 1/8 twist works fine with the light bullets.

They are excellent on deer. Have killed quite a few deer with them including a Mule deer last year at 303 yards, and a whitetail at a bit over 100. Nearly identical shots, but reversed and the bullets behaved similarly. They do cause some tissue/meat damage if you hit bone, but they are monsters at killing. The 77gr TMK is similar, if not a bit more "splashy" than the 75gr A-MAX. They will generally exit broadside shots and make it to the offside hide on steep angling shots when going through a shoulder.













I would go with a 1-7" twist as well. Have not had any issues with any weight bullets in a 1-7" twist, except a couple 30 grainers out of 22-250's.


Bullets are only getting longer and a 7" twist will shoot anything from 40-80gr.

The only time a 6x45 trumps the 223/AI is if you feel the need to hunt big game with a 223 based cartridge in a state that requires 6mm as a minimum.

Much better bullets all the way around for the 223/AI.

LRI should have a .223ai Montana done for me next week...It's an 8twist. And like the 4th-5th one I've had put together.

.223AI

40 Zmax @ 4,030fps for Sage rats

50 Zmax @ 3,725fps for Richardson or California ground squirrels.

75 ELD's @ 3,150fps for steel, deer etc.


To me, the 6x45 would be a really fun play toy on steel for a guy that already has a .223AI. I almost built one but ITD shut down and I grabbed a McGowan .223AI bbl cheap in the classifieds. I've somehow ended up with four of the things.

Thanks all for the reply's.

It looks like the 223 A.I. by a unanimous vote. My initial thought for this rifle was the 223 AI, then I started looking at the 6x45 and must admit i am surprised nobody voted for it?

I do believe the 223AI is the best choice. Thanks again for steering me back the proper direction.

Let us know how shooting a 223 AI works at 1,ooo yards with a 3x9 scope.

A little bit on the light side,but it'll work with proper bullet placement.

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Just built this in a 6x45 ....Does do NOT like it at all!!!!

6mm tcu