This was my first thought as well.
While well short of anything I'd characterize as "nightmare" my 257 AI took some tweaking even though the standard Bob case fed smoothly.
If it were me and I had a well functioning Mauser in 243 Win but wanted to play w/ the AI I'd get a Ruger American & have Dave @ IT&D punch it.
I am with you though. Never for the life of me could figure out why fire forming for a hunting rifle could be anything but a pure pleasure. I just received a 280 AI (my 2nd AI ever and certainly not my last) and am looking forward to crafting an accurate fire forming load, setting up the steel in a local hayfield, and keepin it swinging several Saturdays in a row this summer in preparation for the main event in Wyoming this fall!
I hadn't even thought about the complication of CRF feeding and AI, but I can clearly see it where it woudl be an issue. The rifle is a gem and feeds perfectly now. I don't want to chance screwing it up. I will hold off on the .243AI for now, but I might think about doing one later.
I DO however have another AI project the pipeline. I have a Ruger tang safety that will getting barreled and chambered to .280AI later this summer. It should be a neat one when its finished I think.
My .223AI is just as accurate with fireforming loads as it is with formed AI loads. I've hunted, shot gongs, busted rocks, etc. with firefroming loads. Any trigger time is worthwhile to me, and I certainly wouldn't call it a chore.
