Ackley Improved
What does a gunsmith have to make a rifle "Ackley Improved"?
About what does it cost generally?
Thanks, Bryan
About what does it cost generally?
Thanks, Bryan
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Can you buy ammo? Is it quality? Where? I am thinking about fixing my Ruger No.1 to be able to shoot it 0 -
Ackley Improved WHAT?????
280 AI is produced by Nosler and on the shelf at Midway. The others??????????????????0 -
please note that you will have to set the barrel back to get a proper chamber (you can't just run a reamer in and call it 'good')
"True if you're only speaking of rimless/beltless cartridges, rimmed and belted's can simply be reamed out"...............true, didn't think of that [:D]0 -
Any* "Improved" cartridge is a wildcat, and as such the cases & ammo are made by the owner.
*the Nosler 280AI is one of only a few SAMMI adopted improved/wildcat cartridges (Weatherby designs being the majority)
MW
True if you're only speaking of rimless/beltless cartridges, rimmed and belted's can simply be reamed out0 -
25-06 Ackley? Any ammo on the shelf? 0 -
pwillie,
No, there isn't any 25-06 AI ammunition on the shelf. Only .280 Ackley Improved from Nosler.
You will have to have your barrel set back and the chamber re-cut for the Ackley Improved version.
One of the draws to the Ackley Improved cartridges is that they can be fireformed from factory ammunition in a chamber properly cut for that improved cartridge. The performance of the factory ammunition in an Ackley chamber is usually very good. You lose a little velocity but the accuracy will often match that of the rifle before the chamber was re-cut.
Best.0 -
Don't do it.
According to Ackley himself, the .25-06 is already "overbore", bigger than necessary for the available powders.
And, as said, it is strictly a handloading proposition with more gunsmithing required than you might think.0 -
H-C is absolutely correct. I took my #1 25-06 to my 'smith for an AI chamber and his advice was exactly the same. To burn the powder would require using a significantly longer barrel. Just not worth the effort or expense. 0 -
Thanks folks,I got it! Will have it reamed for 257 Weatherby...has 26 inch barrel..[;)] 0 -
Pee Willie, you'll have a hard time selling when you tire of any wildcat. Not only because the market is smaller and it's a handloading proposition but it speaks of someone pushing max loads
and throat erosion.0 -
pwillie,
The last few comments apparently come from folks still lost in the mid-1950's by the statements they make and the suggestion from Ackley himself.
Here's the point:
In the modern age of shooting, we are tremendously blessed with new powder formulations and better, more consistent brass. Had the posters and their gunsmiths actually done some reloading and shooting instead of mouthing the same old information from 60 years ago, they would immediately realize that the .25-06 AI is one of the best all around cartridges of the late 20th century and beginning of the 21st century. They would also be aware that Ackley's comments were colored by the lack of proper, suitable powders for this cartridge and many others as well. Besides, Ackley had his own prejudices when it came to cartridges he modified such as the .250 Savage (best improved in his opinion) and the .257 Roberts Improved.
The .25-06 AI can utilize lightweight bullets for varminting as well as the heavyweights for deer, elk and even moose. This is accomplished by careful selection and testing of powders and bullets for efficiency and performance. How do I know? I've been testing and using several variations of rifles chambered for this cartridge since the mid-1980's. All will perform with 75 grain VMAX bullets for varmints and then switch to the 115's for big game hunting. Some have 24" barrels although most are 26" in length. All have 1:10" twist barrels except one which has a 1:8" for some very custom bullets I make for my own use.
There will be gunsmithing costs for any barrel/action work so the Ruger will be no different there. The barrel tenon has an extractor/ejector cut but so do the Winchester Pre-64's and the new version of it. Re-selling? Who cares? Put it on the market for the appraised value and let the fans of this cartridge knock themselves out trying to outbid each other.
I chamber 3-4 barrels a month for the .25-06 AI cartridge. Sure there are more popular cartridges but never any more devoted followers and shooters.
But the .257 Weatherby is a better suggestions? Ten more grains of powder and no calls for OVERBORE? Come on folks...
Best.0
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