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Phoenix Custom 243 AI #5545832 01/16/15 02:25 AM
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brock2013 Offline OP
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Just got my rifle from Keith Johns at Phoenix Custom Rifles today and wanted to show it off a little. The specs are
Rem 700 action
Bartlein m24 contour
1 in 7.5" twist @ 22"
PCR bolt shroud mod
PTG stealth bottom metal
Mcmillan a5
Egw hd 20 moa base
Barreled action is cerakoted FDE and stock is PCR camo.
Here are a couple pics.
The scope and rings are loaners from a different rifle until I get my new one.





If anyone is looking for a build, I highly recommend Phoenix Custom Rifles. They have some of the best customer service I have seen and build a very nice rifle. I will put a range report up this weekend when I get the chance to shoot it.

Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: brock2013] #5545848 01/16/15 02:33 AM
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Excellent combination. up

What bullet will you be using, and do you have to fireform all of your brass?


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Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: brock2013] #5545851 01/16/15 02:34 AM
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I plan on using Berger 105 VLDs. And yes Im gonna fireform first before I work up a load.

Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: brock2013] #5545852 01/16/15 02:35 AM
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Awesome rifle. up

Walter


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Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: brock2013] #5545855 01/16/15 02:36 AM
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Originally Posted By: brock2013
I plan on using Berger 105 VLDs. And yes Im gonna fireform first before I work up a load.


So I bid.......3150 fps

Gonna be awesome to shoot!


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Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: J.G.] #5545862 01/16/15 02:39 AM
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Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
Originally Posted By: brock2013
I plan on using Berger 105 VLDs. And yes Im gonna fireform first before I work up a load.


So I bid.......3150 fps

Gonna be awesome to shoot!


You think I could get that much out of it?
I was guessing closer to about 2950-3000 with the 22" barrel

Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: brock2013] #5545870 01/16/15 02:42 AM
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Nice rifle Brock up

Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: brock2013] #5545872 01/16/15 02:42 AM
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What powder do you plan on running?

Walter


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Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: brock2013] #5545873 01/16/15 02:42 AM
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But it's A.I.

Fill it rounded off full with H-4350, wipe off the top with the spine of a knife, and seat a bullet. I kid, I kid.

Walter is over the 3k mark with a standard 243.


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Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: brock2013] #5545876 01/16/15 02:43 AM
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I really thought hard of going with the ai. But alas I hate case prep so one more step killed it for me.

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Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: Wburke2010] #5545888 01/16/15 02:47 AM
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Originally Posted By: wburke2010
What powder do you plan on running?

Walter


Most likely varget if it will shoot it. I have a few pounds on hand so I'm gonna try that first.

Originally Posted By: wburke2010
I really thought hard of going with the ai. But alas I hate case prep so one more step killed it for me.

Walter

I hate it too but I wanted to squeeze a little more speed out of the shorter barrel.

Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: brock2013] #5545969 01/16/15 03:25 AM
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I would leave varget alone. It's way too fast for a 243, much less an A.I.

Look at h4831sc, h1000, and rl23.

Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: brock2013] #5545976 01/16/15 03:29 AM
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Originally Posted By: 6.5x47Lapua
I would leave varget alone. It's way too fast for a 243, much less an A.I.

Look at h4831sc, h1000, and rl23.


Everyone else I have talked to about it has said with the 22" barrel to use a fast burning powder like varget, 4350, or RL-15.

Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: brock2013] #5545985 01/16/15 03:33 AM
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Originally Posted By: brock2013
Originally Posted By: 6.5x47Lapua
I would leave varget alone. It's way too fast for a 243, much less an A.I.

Look at h4831sc, h1000, and rl23.


Everyone else I have talked to about it has said with the 22" barrel to use a fast burning powder like varget, 4350, or RL-15.


Interesting. I would assume you would hit pressure long before you got a 105 over 2800 fps. Seems like the case would only be 3/4 full too.

Let us know how varget works out.

Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: brock2013] #5546040 01/16/15 04:01 AM
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That's a great looking rifle!!! +1 on the Varget. Take the Hodgdon data on the regular 243 Win with a 105 bullet (see link below). It shows 2769 fps with only 33 grains of powder. If you use H1000 and bump it up to 46 grains, you yield about 2930 fps, a 161 fps gain. And this is with a standard 243 with a smaller volume of powder, not the AI case. The difference would be even greater with the AI running the faster burning Varget compared to H1000. Would Varget work in the AI round. Sure. But why would you go to the extent to fire form a hot rod AI round, and then run a powder that doesn't even come close to utilizing the AI case? That makes as much sense as a football bat. Push the AI round with H1000, R25, Retumbo for top performance. Even 4831 would be better than Varget. Just my $.02.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle


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Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: brock2013] #5546069 01/16/15 04:19 AM
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Nice rifle. Is that an Australian Shepherd in the background of the first pic?

Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: 6.5x47Lapua] #5546190 01/16/15 06:41 AM
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Originally Posted By: SapperTitan
Nice rifle. Is that an Australian Shepherd in the background of the first pic?

Yes it is an Australian Shepard

Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42
That's a great looking rifle!!! +1 on the Varget. Take the Hodgdon data on the regular 243 Win with a 105 bullet (see link below). It shows 2769 fps with only 33 grains of powder. If you use H1000 and bump it up to 46 grains, you yield about 2930 fps, a 161 fps gain. And this is with a standard 243 with a smaller volume of powder, not the AI case. The difference would be even greater with the AI running the faster burning Varget compared to H1000. Would Varget work in the AI round. Sure. But why would you go to the extent to fire form a hot rod AI round, and then run a powder that doesn't even come close to utilizing the AI case? That makes as much sense as a football bat. Push the AI round with H1000, R25, Retumbo for top performance. Even 4831 would be better than Varget. Just my $.02.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle




I'm not saying varget is better or worse than the others, I was just saying others have recommended varget. I am open to any suggestions that will help utilize the full potential of the cartridge. I will definitely try some loads with some of the powders both of you have recommended.

Originally Posted By: 6.5x47Lapua
Originally Posted By: brock2013
Originally Posted By: 6.5x47Lapua
I would leave varget alone. It's way too fast for a 243, much less an A.I.

Look at h4831sc, h1000, and rl23.


Everyone else I have talked to about it has said with the 22" barrel to use a fast burning powder like varget, 4350, or RL-15.


Interesting. I would assume you would hit pressure long before you got a 105 over 2800 fps. Seems like the case would only be 3/4 full too.

Let us know how varget works out.

Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: brock2013] #5546311 01/16/15 01:07 PM
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I tried Varget in a regular 243 with decent results but I have a 18.5" barrel. I switched to 4350 and it shot a bit better but I don't think I have ever chronograph it.


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Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: brock2013] #5546546 01/16/15 03:13 PM
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Very nice rig! Let us know how it performs!

Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: brock2013] #5546548 01/16/15 03:14 PM
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very nice setup!

Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: brock2013] #5546689 01/16/15 04:12 PM
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Congrats...Phoenix Customs has a reputation of assembling a good shooting rifle.


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Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: brock2013] #5547422 01/16/15 11:45 PM
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Originally Posted By: brock2013
Originally Posted By: SapperTitan
Nice rifle. Is that an Australian Shepherd in the background of the first pic?

Yes it is an Australian Shepard

Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42
That's a great looking rifle!!! +1 on the Varget. Take the Hodgdon data on the regular 243 Win with a 105 bullet (see link below). It shows 2769 fps with only 33 grains of powder. If you use H1000 and bump it up to 46 grains, you yield about 2930 fps, a 161 fps gain. And this is with a standard 243 with a smaller volume of powder, not the AI case. The difference would be even greater with the AI running the faster burning Varget compared to H1000. Would Varget work in the AI round. Sure. But why would you go to the extent to fire form a hot rod AI round, and then run a powder that doesn't even come close to utilizing the AI case? That makes as much sense as a football bat. Push the AI round with H1000, R25, Retumbo for top performance. Even 4831 would be better than Varget. Just my $.02.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle
I love Aussies and currently have a red tri. Once again great looking rifle and dog



I'm not saying varget is better or worse than the others, I was just saying others have recommended varget. I am open to any suggestions that will help utilize the full potential of the cartridge. I will definitely try some loads with some of the powders both of you have recommended.

Originally Posted By: 6.5x47Lapua
Originally Posted By: brock2013
Originally Posted By: 6.5x47Lapua
I would leave varget alone. It's way too fast for a 243, much less an A.I.

Look at h4831sc, h1000, and rl23.


Everyone else I have talked to about it has said with the 22" barrel to use a fast burning powder like varget, 4350, or RL-15.


Interesting. I would assume you would hit pressure long before you got a 105 over 2800 fps. Seems like the case would only be 3/4 full too.

Let us know how varget works out.

Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: brock2013] #5683672 04/04/15 03:27 AM
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Finally got dies and bullets today so worked up a couple loads. I talked to Kieth at Phoenix Custom and he recommended Reloader 17. I couldn't find any 105 vlds in stock so I got some 115 vlds. I settled at 41 grains. At just under 42 gr the bolt lift got hard due to pressure.

I don't have a chrony to check speed but I'm not too worried about when it shoots this good

Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: brock2013] #5683729 04/04/15 04:04 AM
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Sweet. Beautiful gun sir.


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Re: Phoenix Custom 243 AI [Re: brock2013] #5683990 04/04/15 02:31 PM
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Nice.


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