243 Ackley Imp help please

[sveltri]

I’m having a Tikka 243 rechambered to 243ai. I’m torn between the 105 hybrid and the 108-eldm, I have about 350 105’s and the 108’s are readily available. I know sending a loaded dummy round to the gunsmith is the right thing to do, but don’t have anyone around me with a FF case. Can I just load a virgin 243 case with the bullet seated where I want it? Next dilemma is do I have the throat cut for the 105 or the 108? How much freebore should I ask for? Sorry for the rookie ?’s, I’ve never done this before and want to get it right.

 

[benwyoming137]

I have a 243 AI and shooting the 105 VLD Hunter, I use cream of wheat method for fire forming my brass, you can use 243 brass but to save barrel life cream of wheat works good for me.

 

[wind gypsy]

Depends if you intend to chase lands or not. I assume the 108 will have a fair bit longer bearing surface?

If the smith is throating off a dummy round, it makes sense for me to seat a 108 ELD with bearing surface just in front of the neck/shoulder junction and ask them to do something like a 20 thou jump to the lands from there. Assuming the 108 eld has a fair bit more bearing surface than a 105 berger, that would make the berger a pretty decent jump if seated similarly in relation to the neck/shoulder junction. Id take this approach because I wouldn't care if the bergers have to jump a ways. If you want to be close to the lands you might want to do something different.

 

[Jimbee]

I’m having a Tikka 243 rechambered to 243ai. I’m torn between the 105 hybrid and the 108-eldm, I have about 350 105’s and the 108’s are readily available. I know sending a loaded dummy round to the gunsmith is the right thing to do, but don’t have anyone around me with a FF case. Can I just load a virgin 243 case with the bullet seated where I want it? Next dilemma is do I have the throat cut for the 105 or the 108? How much freebore should I ask for? Sorry for the rookie ?’s, I’ve never done this before and want to get it right.

What did you decide on?

 

[sveltri]

I had it chambered for the 108, mostly because they’re cheaper, readily available, and people say they kill effectively. I’m sure I could work up a good load with the 105 Bergers I have on hand too though. So far just fire forming with a moderate load I am very happy, but can’t wait to see what it will do when I speed it up. Pretty much what @wind gypsy said without the extra .020 freebore.