Ackley Improved

[MTheaded but happy]

With so many modern chamberings being made available and supported by the industry , that will equal and better their performance , I've got to ask the questions .

Has the Ackley family of cartridges had its day ?
Are they worth the extra effort ?


I'm a great believer in going with the heart and this isn't an attempt to dis' others choices .

Just for the sake of it , I'll be the devil's advocate and say they've had their day . Why would you waste time and consumables fireforming .

Thoughts and experiences .

 

[Sakoodin1]

I’ve had a couple of ackleys, personally I would never bother with them again!! for the extra 150 fps or so it doesn’t change much!! And I’ve still not seen an animal that can mover faster than a bullet so is the extra 150 FPS or so needed? And it’s a pain fireforming brass or working up 2 loads for unformed snd fire formed! I’m not a fan of re inventing the wheel either mind with these some of these new calibres. I would much prefer to make the old ones better with fast twist barrels or what ever rather than needing all new die sets ect. Just my thoughts though and many will disagree I am not saying all that for an argument though before someone pipes up in a tantrum.

 

[MTheaded but happy]

The thread's intended to start a discussion not an argument .

 

[Klenchblaize]

I think it was very much a badge of honour, back in the day, that kind of singled one out as true rifle aficionado. Now all you need do is purchase a Creedmoor!

K

 

[Iamtheferryman]

I do love my 280 ack but it is a bloody faff compared to my other standard calibre rifles

 

[Iamtheferryman]

Thinking about it maybe it's the faff I enjoy with it.......

 

[Hambone]

Maybe comeback into fashion as higher velocity copper becomes law. (UK obvs).

 

[takbok]

I think that Ackley cartridges are as valid as they ever were. That's not to say that they ever made a huge amount of practical sense, other than a bit of extra velocity and bragging rights.

I like the look of them though, and have an Ackley reamer to improve one of my rifles. I'll then fire form enough brass for a lifetime before rebareling the rifle. My workshop and gunsmithing tools have been a few years in planning due to circumstances but this might be the year I actually do it.

 

[20-250]

I don't have an AI chambered rifle any longer, but my fireforming loads were accurate and effective. I just killed stuff with them so found fireforming no trouble at all. Saved time as the formed brass never needed trimming.

 

[NP435]

I have one, would I have another? Possibly if I chose to do things I don't do now.

 

[Ronin]

I’ve built many

I have used three myself

It’s just another cartridge variation

They work, there is less perceived recoil with and improved case, less throat wash and once the case is fire formed , less case stretch in the chamber (though that’s entirely dependant how much you re size I guess)


I’ve used improved in competition in both single shot and repeaters - they work

I like them

I like working outside square boxes

 

[3595wilk]

I do love my 280 ack but it is a bloody faff compared to my other standard calibre rifles

Thinking about rebarreling to this calibre. Interested in your experience with it?

 

[bramble basher]

Loved my 22-250AI but would I get another probably not
Bb

 

[bluesako]

i shot and killed just as many foxes with my standard 22.250, as i did with my 22.250 ai, it didnt improve my shooting or offer an advantage over the standard chambering, so i just went back to standard 22.250 round. bs

 

[njc110381]

Depending on the cartridge and use, it doesn't have to be hard work. Just load standard ammo and use it. You then have formed brass going forward which in some cases reduces the amount of case prep between firings so actually saves effort.

 

[Javalin80]

I like my 280ai and you can buy 280ai brass if you look around so saving having to fire form. I got it as it looks like we will be forced down the copper route.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Depending on the cartridge and use, it doesn't have to be hard work. Just load standard ammo and use it. You then have formed brass going forward which in some cases reduces the amount of case prep between firings so actually saves effort.

This is how I got going with my 243 Ackley. Myths abounded about what dies would and wouldn't work. It was all a good experience, but I've no need to repeat it. I shot a nice sika stag when I was stalking with a fireforming load.

Thread '243 Ackley Improved - update'

May 15, 2012

A number of folk have been helping me out with my 243 Ackley Improved, so I thought I would post a quick photo of the brass in its various stages.

There's also some info in the following link about the 243 Ackley Improved.

http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/243win/

The photo shows how the brass evolves, on the left is a brand new 243 Win case, then next to it is a loaded 243 Win round, then after firing the case comes out of the chamber as an Ackley case shown in the third position. Finally the Ackley case can be reloaded as in position 4.

Thanks for all the help...

• jcampbellsmith
• Replies: 16
• Forum: Ammunition, Reloading & Ballistics

Regards

JCS

 

[Heym SR20]

The Ackly Improved Cartridge along with many other wildcats cartridges as well as many other factory cartridges are there to give improvements that may or may not be important.

An Alfa Romeo is different to an Audi, BMW or Mercedes. And for some being different is OK.

 

[MTheaded but happy]

Personally, I'd long fancied a 22-250AI but was swayed by something newer , basically I'm getting lazy with age .
To be truthful , what surprises me is how many have had them but wouldn't again.
I'm sure there's more than a few that are a nod to the AI and some that are still relevant , 6BRA ?
There's a guy on YouTube who's Ackley'd a 6.5 Creedmoor , proving his influence lives on .

 

[Klenchblaize]

Just get it out of your system:

K