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.257 Ackersly Improved factory ammo?

Travis Hallam
Is there a place where a person can get loads for a .257 Roberts AI ammo? I do not hand load and have heard good things about the caliber but do not know where to get the ammo. Thanks for any help.

Mad Dog
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • Travis Hallam
    Sorry, I meant Ackley Improved not Ackersly.

    Mad Dog
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  • buckdeer
    none of the major ammo makers produce 257 ai. your best bet is to fireform a bunch of cases then have someone else reload them for you. there are several custom reloaders around that can do the job although you will have to do a search to find them or someone else here might deal with them and be able to provide more info
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  • groundhog devastation
    Travis, There are no commecially available factory loadings for the Ackleys. However, most of them shoot the parent factory loadings pretty good, ie. the 257 Robets factory loads shoot good and the case is then "fireformed" to your chamber! If you are serious about the Ackleys then you ought to start reloading. I think the Mr. Ackley had a lot of respect for the 257 AI. GHD
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  • nononsense
    Travis,

    There are several places that will load for you commercially. I included a link for one below. It is expensive, at least in my opinion. I can't afford those prices and don't want to be limited to their components. Besides, I like to experiment so I have to reload.

    If you have a friend nearby that reloads, why don't you buy the dies, powder and brass and get him or her to load for you. They can't reload for resale since that would require a commercial reloading license. But small amounts traded between friends is usually not a problem.

    The 257 AI is a terrific cartridge with near 25-06 performance in a smaller package. Besides the 250 Savage AI, it was one of Ackley's favorites. You can make the brass for it simply by shooting the .257 Roberts cartridges in a properly cut Ackley chamber. Re-chambering an existing .257 Roberts barrel requires that the barrel be set back one thread.

    Good luck with this project!

    Best.

    http://www.owlnet.com/quality/
    http://www.owlnet.com/quality/257 Roberts Improved.htm
    http://www.shootguns.info/ammo.htm
    http://www.arizonaammunition.com/general_information.htm
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  • mrmike08075
    if you are willing to have a minimum of 120 handloads made, we can do the job. if you cannot locate them anywere else, email me at waltsgun@aol.com for details. best regards, mike.

    What other dungeon is so dark as ones own heart, what jailer so inexorable as ones own mind.
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  • JustC
    incidently,..the 257AI and the 280AI were 2 of P.O. Ackleys favorites.

    The 257rbts AI is the MOST efficient ackley caliber. This is the one which boasts the most gain in performance from the conversion. Just in case you were interested.

    why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
    Got Balistics?
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  • Travis Hallam
    I appreciate all the help guys. My next question is what type of performance can I expect from this load (say a 100gr or 120 gr bullet). I was told the load was better than the 25-06 and was debating getting one. It will have to be a major improvement before I decide to purchase it over a 25-06. Thanks, again.

    Mad Dog
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  • nononsense
    Travis,

    The .257 AI is the equivalent of the 25-06 but in a short or intermediate action, while the 25-06 requires a long action. It is not a 'major improvement' unless you consider getting the same performance from a short action to be important. When loaded to maximum chamber lengths, with the same bullet, there isn't a nickle's worth of difference between them. The .257 AI is just a bit more efficient. It has about 63.0 grains of capacity while the 25-06 has about 66.0 grains. The .257 AI is worth it to reloaders but I'm afraid that I would opt for the 25-06 if I didn't reload as it would be much more simple.

    Best.

    JustC,

    Actually, according the Ackley books, it is the 250-3000 AI that is the most efficient and shows the most improvement over the parent case.

    Best.
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  • Travis Hallam
    Thanks again for the info. I think I will get a 25-06 then. Alot less work.

    Mad Dog
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  • JustC
    I stand corrected,...I could have sworn it was the the 257AI.[:)] Maybe I should have said ONE of the most efficient[:D]

    I do know that the 280AI took very little time to become one of my favorite little dittys. This thing shoots like nobody's business,..but then again I think the PacNor on it must be a "hummer". It shoots every load I have ever tried.

    why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
    Got Balistics?
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