Ackley Improved

[Scuffy]

I love my .243 Ackey. Have shot more deer with it that all my other calibers combined.
Its just returned from a re barrel. I fire formed 100 cases in the shot our barrel in the hope they would chamber in the new..... They don't!, The new chamber is so tight it won't even take virgin Lapua brass. Thankfully it will take Norma.
I just cannot be arsed to go thru the fire forming process again at the moment. I'm sure at some point I will get the urge, but until then, its sat in the safe.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

I love my .243 Ackey. Have shot more deer with it that all my other calibers combined.
Its just returned from a re barrel. I fire formed 100 cases in the shot our barrel in the hope they would chamber in the new..... They don't!, The new chamber is so tight it won't even take virgin Lapua brass. Thankfully it will take Norma.
I just cannot be arsed to go thru the fire forming process again at the moment. I'm sure at some point I will get the urge, but until then, its sat in the safe.

Work up a fireforming load for the Norma brass and just use it.

Someone will have a die that will resize your Lapua brass.

Regards

JCS

 

[enfieldspares]

There are "improved" cartridges that actually have become mainstream. I suggest the most obvious is the American classic .30/06 which is an improved .30/03. Are Weatherby cartridges "improved" versions of say .300 Holland and Holland or the .240 Holland and Holland NE? Is the now near obsolete Versailles Treaty birthed 8x60S and "improved" 8x57?

Other "improved" cartridges don't bear that exact improved prefix or suffix but are nevertheless "improved", arguably, so the .222 Remington gave us the .222 Remington Magnum and then the 5.56mm NATO/.223 Remington. For surely lengthening a cartridge (or raising its power) is also like .38 Special to .38 Special +P and .357 Magnum "improving" it? It isn't just shoulder taper surely?

So have they had their day? I have never seen the need to use other than factory cartridges and I read elsewhere on an Ellwood Epps thread that the wide availability of inexpensive chronographs and modern more "oopmh for the grain" powders have rendered supposed velocity advantanges either never present on now, with these new powders, easily near matched.

And is, say, .303 Mk VII and "improved" .303 Mk VI? And ditto with the German 7.92mm or the .30/06 M1 vs M2? Or does changing bullet weight and/or shape plus increasing velocity not count as being "improved"?

 

[MTheaded but happy]

Just get it out of your system:
View attachment 457916
K

Is the box green ?

 

[Klenchblaize]

Is the box green ?

Probably:

K

 

[Iamtheferryman]

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

Fantastic calibre that hits with some serious authority!

Brass is obtainable but it is scarce. Hornady is in available but I find it terrible quality. Nosler is expensive. I have fire formed from 3006, 280 rem and 270.

The issue with 280Ai is there are 2 sizes floating about. Sammi spec and not Sammi. So with some brass you really are stretching the case and prone to cracking.

If you are having a rifle built I suggest getting the brass you want to use, I am now using Peterson's that a friend bought over from America for me, and make sure your builder chambers to suit.

You will end up with something that will hit harder than a 3006, less perceived recoil, flatter shooting and leaves you with a smile.

Another consideration is the platform you also wish to build off..........make sure you have enough length in the mag for the long 7mm bullets.

 

[Muir]

Ackley himself saw the limited benefits of the Improved cartridges back in the early 80s due to the availability of the variety of modern powders on the market then.-Muir

 

[Klenchblaize]

Worth adding to your library:


K

 

[Muir]

Notice the powders are 4841,4350,4895.etc? All are war time bulk powders. Great books but not reloading manuals, IMHO.-Muir

 

[Selous]

Just get it out of your system:
View attachment 457916
K

Nowhere near green enough