Thread: Anyone running a 22-284 or 22-243 AI for rabbits?

I'm bored and have been looking at the really fast 22 wildcats.

I noticed in a hunting magazine someone was talking about them, cant remember which publication.

I have had the 22-243 Win which I rate but wondering if anyone has experience with something a bit hotter.

Kiwigreg has had a couple of 22-243ai

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How fast are you wanting, apparently with my .22-250 I am able to drag 4400fps out of Sierra 40g Blitzkings, hope to find out soon...

Had a 22/250 Rem in new south many years ago.
Used to bowl/control Roos 0, foxes and rabbits/hares on a mates country property, shooting Rem 55 SP.
Did everything I ever wanted.
If I ever went back to C/F 22's, this would be my first pick, ammo freely available, heaps of reloading equipment and information around.
For windy stuff - fast twist, heavier bullets and a longer barrel, to take advantage of the over bore cartridge (legs are older now).
Otherwise - 22/6mm Rem.
Rem lover eh

What are you trying to do with it?
Just long range bunnies?
22-243 is pretty good and I have enjoyed mine using 80gn pills and fast twist barrel.
Like 199P said Kiwi Greg has AI"ed 1.

The 90 Bergers at 31-3400 fps are incredible, the high BC combined with the velocity are extremely hard to beat.

The 30 Bergers are just plain silly

@Kiwi Greg do you have a cartridge comparison photo?
@Shootm I usually just blast the bunnies, and goats. Barrel life is not a concern. I like to put barrel makers and Gunsmith's kids through University.

Self confessed velocity addict...

My last 22-243 was nicknamed the "Glaser" by a mate, "Goat laser" shortened as it was a head shooting machine with TTSX and Nosler BT.

Very tempted, this or 22 Terminator (22-204 Ruger improved).

75 grain A-max at 3500+

Sweet as.
Keep us posted with what you go for.

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

The 90 Bergers at 31-3400 fps are incredible, the high BC combined with the velocity are extremely hard to beat.

The 30 Bergers are just plain silly

FAAAA how much copper do they leave behind in the barrel?!

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

The 90 Bergers at 31-3400 fps are incredible, the high BC combined with the velocity are extremely hard to beat.

The 30 Bergers are just plain silly

Do you get a vapour trail much???

Originally Posted by marky123

Do you get a vapour trail much???

No lead tip, no vapour trail

Having sum thoughts, about another hot rod 22 cal centerfire myself, I have had a couple 22-250s, and a swift, but both 1-14 twist,
Have a few hundred 6mm rem brass, so am looking at a 22-6mm rem at the moment, perhaps AI, looks like dies are not to hard to source, looking into twist rate for the 75gr or 80gr A-max,
What sort of barrel life, did you get with your 22-243.
Have an old .270 MT rifle for a doner action.

Originally Posted by southernman

Having sum thoughts, about another hot rod 22 cal centerfire myself, I have had a couple 22-250s, and a swift, but both 1-14 twist,
Have a few hundred 6mm rem brass, so am looking at a 22-6mm rem at the moment, perhaps AI, looks like dies are not to hard to source, looking into twist rate for the 75gr or 80gr A-max,
What sort of barrel life, did you get with your 22-243.
Have an old .270 MT rifle for a doner action.

I haven't worn it out yet so not much help sorry, should get at least 1000 I would think, but really depends on powder used, heat applied & barrel used

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

I haven't worn it out yet so not much help sorry, should get at least 1000 I would think, but really depends on powder used, heat applied & barrel used

@southernman if you do a quick google search there are guys running 22-243 AI and getting 1200-1500 out of a barrel. I believe this is coyote shooting though so low shot strings = low heat.

Shooting rabbits in Central Otago I have had up to 20 shots from one position in a row, that kind of heat would reduce a 22-243 to about 800-1000 if your lucky.

Someone who is smarter / more experienced than me could probably advise the benefits of coated projectiles and barrel life?

In the end I think heat (large shot strings) is what kills the throat of your rifle.

My last 22-243 had a #2 contour 20" barrel and I was still getting 3700+ from a 55gr pill and MOA accuracy after 400 rounds.