243 Ackley Improved Rifle Build, (18" Shorty)

[@anonymousf454]

A nice, light, compact, and easy on the shoulder rifle is quite a joy. Much more than a big caliber magnum for sure, and you can accomplish the same things.

[@Justwannabefree]

This is great to finally see my rifles long lost brother ! I have a howa 1500 sa in 243 ackley , it is in a mdt ess chassis and am running a 29 inch benchmark barrel. Awsome cartridge and so much fun to shoot . Awsome rifle you have and thanks for sharing

[@Bench_Talk]

That’s awesome to hear!! Definitely is a caliber and rifle platform I will have for a long time to come

[@eddiesayer5289]

what speeds are you getting in the 29in barrel.

[@justinpillar8618]

18”-20” guns are the best lengths I have found to shoot suppressed. Velocity isn’t great but it doesn’t lack terribly

[@Bench_Talk]

I definitely like the short barrel but the lack in velocity brakes my heart. I want to maximize a short barrel rifle and it’s hard to do that with a 6mm. There aren’t many lighter weight bullets that hold a high ballistic coefficient. I think for a future build I might look at building a 18-20” 6.5creedmoor or 260rem. Lots of guys talk about having great success with projectiles from the 107gr TMK to the 130gr eldm’s

[@Mattytube18]

@@Bench_Talkget a SA bat vesper from unknown munitions. You can load to 3.15” coal with their action and bottom metal. Next, use a 6mm-284 for combustion. That’ll give you the hp for shorty compensation.

[@Bench_Talk]

@@Mattytube18 or just run a 6PRC or the 6UM in any standard short magnum action

[@Gunrunner223]

​@@Bench_Talk 6mm 90gr eldx has pretty good BC. What it lacks in weight, it makes up for in speed. Outshoots alot of other calibers at distance. And can be shot in. 1-10 twist. Some folks can get the 95gr Berger vld to stabilize in 1-9, I haven't been able to. But if your thinking 107gr in a 6.5, the 90gr eldx 6mm will out do it.

[@Kostas53757]

Great Videos...like watching them

[@ryanp5413]

Awesome build. Recently got a 16inch 6arc proof research mtr. With the same concept of your build efficient/handy/accurate

[@Bench_Talk]

That’s awesome! What velocities are you getting from that 6mm ARC!?

[@YERAFirearms]

Very nicely built Congratulations on this rifle

[@Bench_Talk]

I appreciate it, I’m just trying to share information. I remember putting this build together a few years ago and searching for information everywhere regarding a short barrel 243ai and I couldn’t find any information. Hopefully this build overview will help someone in the future when researching this topic

[@NiteWorXTV]

For bipods check out the MDT triple pull ckyepod ,arca mounted

[@brettbateman8259]

Great video, I’m in the middle of trying to decide on barrel length for my 260AI build, this helps

[@Bench_Talk]

Any idea what barrel length you are looking at running after seeing my video?

[@brettbateman8259]

18 - 20”, my end goal is to push 130 Berger Hybrids 2850fps+. Curious if I could still get there with an 18. Alpha SRP should help, any insight?

[@Bench_Talk]

@@brettbateman8259 I would love to see what velocities you get. You can always go 20” to be safe or run a better projectile. By better projectiles I’m specifically referring to monolithic copper bullets for hunting. Ex: 125gr (G1 BC .600) Bulldozer 2 by badlands precision you could easily push 3000fps+ out of an 18”-20” barrel. That combo would be awesome for hunting suppressed. If you aren’t running a suppressor than a longer barrel would probably make more sense. If you want to cut weight you can always go carbon rapped barrel. 260AI is a great caliber. I’ll do one some day

[@davidhayes7596]

I've noticed that the 243 has a fair amount of popularity in the benchrest/ hunting culture of today. Some people have used the 243 since way back many years ago. At one point in time they weren't as forgiving in deer hunting as a bigger diameter round may have been . Bullet construction is key. I might get one.

[@Bench_Talk]

I love the 243 Ackley Improved. If you don’t want to reload I’d recommend a 6mm creedmoor over a factory 243Win

[@ktmkaratechips]

Siiick. I just put together a 18” 6 creed. Hoping it speeds up a little but getting about 2800 from factory H 105 bthp during breakin

[@Bench_Talk]

That’s awesome! I’m sure you will get that from factory Hornady 105’s, they load there stuff hot!! I can get 105’s at 2850 as a light load with this rifle, and 2900fps if I push it a little

[@heinrichstoltz1356]

You’ve motivated me with your series to go the .243AI route. 🫡

[@ashtonhunsaker1812]

Lapping the lugs is part of accurizing and does not hurt accuracy but only helps and has to be done on a stripped bolt for it to work.

[@Bench_Talk]

I agree but lapping the lugs is not trueing the action or blueprinting. It is definitely a component of accurizing an action.

[@DuckersAI]

Watched your 284 win short action video… then saw this video! I just built A 7mm-08 ackley,I was going to do 284 win but mag length wasnt appealing for it… im getting 2800 with 162. Would love to see a video on that if you are bored ;) ;)

[@Bench_Talk]

I’ve debated building a 7mm-08 AI so many times!! What barrel length are you running and twist rate? If you want other opinions on the 284Win I recommend doing a quick search on Rokslides forums. I’ve found a lot of guys on there running a short action 284Win with pretty great success shooting the 162’s from 2900 to 3050fps. I constantly playing with loads in mine just trying to gain more knowledge. I think I’ll be using this rifle in an NRL Hunter series match and ill most likely shoot the 162’s at 2800 or the 180’s at 2700 (best accuracy at both those velocities). What exactly would you like to see a video addressing?

[@swarmar3085]

Good looking toy

[@Bench_Talk]

It definitely is fun. With my target load I can run a ten shot string and the barrel is barely warm

[@kylecarpenter40]

Have you heard of anyone doing a 16”? I have a .243 I’d like to drop a new barrel in for my 30 cal can. Want it to be short and handy predator hunting simile to your setup. Sweet build!

[@Bench_Talk]

A lot of guys like Texas Predator Hunting are running super short 14.5” 6mm arcs with good success from 0-500 yards but you will not get high velocity’s. I’ll probably never do a 18” 6mm again. I found it to be way to short to get high velocities like I want. A short barrel 22 creedmoor is what I would choose. 16.5” 22 Creedmoor with 75gr ELD-M would hammer and they suppress really nice.

[@deanconn8253]

I mat have missed it, but what bipod are you running there?

[@Cachecarlson]

Awesome rifle build buddy! I’d love to see 70gr NBT numbers in that short barrel.

[@Bench_Talk]

After our conversation the other day I was trying to find some and they are sold out everywhere I looked. I’m guessing I could get them 3300fps at least

[@Cachecarlson]

@@Bench_Talk they are very hard to find at the moment. I’ll keep my eyes open and let you know of I find any for sale.

[@Bench_Talk]

@@Cachecarlson if you find any Sierra 95gr TMK let me know! Those are hands down my favorite coyote bullet to run in any of my Ackley’s

[@traycedinkel5969]

What suppressor cover are you running?

[@Bench_Talk]

I’m running the suppressor cover by Silencer Central

[@norbertodisummo5022]

Nice set up !!! What stock you using on this built ? Like the short foreend.

[@Bench_Talk]

KRG Bravo

[@theegupper]

Dig the short barrel. Do you have a personal preference between the 18 and 20" for hunting? Thinking of trimming a 24" 7mm08 down and trying to decide between the two. Thanks again for the video, that 243AI is a ringer!

[@Bench_Talk]

In my opinion choosing barrel length for a rifle comes down to picking a bullet you want to shoot and what velocity you want. Shorter barrel means less velocity, and significantly less velocity with heavier bullets. Short barrel rifles are nice but I like a lot of velocity, so I will opt for a longer barrel. Depending on the caliber 20” to 24” is great but that’s for my personal preference. The whole thing is give and take. Just don’t expect to cut a barrel down and not lose a significant amount of velocity. For my 243AI, between a 18” rifle and a 22” rifle I lost 41fps per inch so 250fps for six inches

[@theegupper]

@Bench Talk thank you. I have been running the 162 ELDx for elk but moved to the east cost and the ranges/ game are a bit shorter/smaller. I need to stop tinkering and just spend more time in the field haha! Thanks again and have a good one.

[@Bench_Talk]

@@theegupper you hit the nail on the head. I think a lot of us want the ultimate hunting rifle that’s perfect but in reality any rifle you have will do. Investing more time hunting, scouting, and shooting is def more beneficial

[@jeffreywilson690]

I want to build a 6 mm PRC as a hunting rifle

[@evaspiteri8015]

Good 👍😊 you in to the 243AI n spending time n money but the 270 win is fast with factory loads n fast n flat. In saying that I've never been able to understand the 243. I mean I've never shot anything plus never been able to get it on target. I've used a new Long reach make n a rugar mkll Lol. It seems to be my one calibre I'm unable to perfect... Please tell me how to make an ordinary 243 be shoot able. 😅😅😅😅😅😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@Gunrunner223]

Depends on your barrel twist. A Ruger mkII is probably 1in9 if I had to guess. The 90gr eldx or nosler 90 accubond, or 80gr Barnes ttsx. All shoot and work good on deer in a off the shelf 243. For coyotes , I like 70 gr nosler bt, or 80gr bt. Some like the real light 58gr vmax . For just accurate paper punching, 87gr vmax, or 90gr eldx are amazing. Unless you have a custom barrel in 1-8 or 1-7, stay away from the heavier bullets like 105-115gr. They won't stabilize in a 1-9 or 1-10. Twist. Good luck. I just bought a savage 110 timberline, factory blueprinted action #5 contour fluted barrel. It shoots 90gr eldx handloads 1/4" inch 4 shoot groups. Also shoots 87gr vmax almost as good. Both of those bullets will work out to 1000yds . Dont let no one fool you.

[@Gunrunner223]

If you can't get it to group at all, check scope mounts, and scope. Ruger mkII likes the action screws tight, like 50 in lbs. Make sure barrel is floated, if not, sand out barrel channel on stock. My old markII 270, is a 1.25 moa at best. I've glass bed, floated barrel, and tried several different handloads. They just didn't make rifles to shoot tight back then. Wasn't until Ruger American , and savage axis came along, gun makers had to make all rifles more accurate. Happy shooting

[@YERAFirearms]

Short neck does not hurt.

[@Bench_Talk]

Granted I don’t know this for a fact but I thought short necks could contribute to the formation of a larger carbon ring. That’s why I swapped. Now that I’ve shot both loads I can say the neck does not affect accuracy

[@YERAFirearms]

@@Bench_Talk Correct, with short neck, carbon ring can develop in the gap where the case is shorter. However, it can be cleaned easily. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp-sqqqwac6nqdU

[@Bench_Talk]

@@YERAFirearms I do focus on trying to target the carbon ring every cleaning. Great video by the way! Extremely informative👍🏻 love seeing video’s passing on knowledge’s like that

[@Pew_pewchronicles]

That’s odd I run the same bullet 3100 f/ps from a 24” 6mm Creedmoor and never experienced bullet failure as a matter of fact they work great on 12x12” plate at 1300 yards is boringly accurate

[@Bench_Talk]

What twist are you running?

[@Pew_pewchronicles]

@@Bench_Talk 1/8 it also works great with the Nosler RDF 115 I don’t think it matters, but the rifle is a Christensen Arms MVR carbon barrel

[@Bench_Talk]

@@Pew_pewchronicles so I am running a 1-7. I think I was over stabilizing the 112gr MB. The new barrel I have coming in is a 1-8, I’m hoping that solves the issues that I had

[@3006USMC]

@@Bench_Talkdid it solve the issue?

[@Bench_Talk]

@@3006USMC I’m having a good accuracy with my 22” 1-8 but I also have a new 26” 243AI which also shots the 112’s great. Maybe it was just that barrel that didn’t like the 112’s or I had a bad lot of the 112’s. I’m not completely sure