ackley improved

[MountainStalker2]

In a cartridge like the .257 Roberts AI, to get the significant increase in velocity that you can (100 gns at 3300 fps and a 120 at 3000 fps) and approach / equal .25/06 performance the pressure of the load is way above factory .257 Roberts loads. With the roberts loaded as soft as it is from the factory, you can get significantly increased performance by just loading the std case to full potential in +P brass.

Brenneke, i have had a few mates go the .243 win AI route, none were satisfied with what they got in return, little velocity increase and pressure signs , using 22" tru-flite barrels.

 

[MountainStalker2]

Brit Hunter, are you getting close to 3000 fps with a 150gn projectile in a 303 eps?

 

[Muir]

Muir.
I am curious as to why you say that. Could you expand on it a little please? Surely an Ackley case with its increased capacity can propel the same projectile to the same velocity as the parent case but with less pressure?
I realise not all Ackleys are the same but in general terms.
Do you think Ackley users get most of the velocity gains by handloading over and above parent case pressures?
I have 2 Ackleys, a 25-06AI and a 30-06AI.

Yorkie.

Yorkie: Why would you say that??

Brenneke has it right with regards to velocity increase: it's about 1/4 the increase in case capacity, percentage wise. This holds true to about all cartridges provided no variables change other than the case capacity.~Muir

 

[Brithunter]

Brit Hunter, are you getting close to 3000 fps with a 150gn projectile in a 303 eps?

I rally do not know as after my move to this county the licensing manager decided I was not allowed to shoot many of my rifles only a few of them so all development had to halt.

However the loading data I have for the Epps gives 2914 fps in a No4 action and the P-14 can be increased upon this plus my rifle has slightly larger case capacity see here:-

Std 303 on left and 303 Imp on the right.

Although I asked the Gunsmith for the Epps cartridge instead I got this which has a shorter neck and larger body. I was not too chuffed at the time as he also charged much more than he originally quoted for. The excuse was that they had trouble removing the barrel .

With careful loading one can get around 2800fps with a 150 grain bullet in the normal 303 case for use in the Lee Enfield rifles.. The P-14 being much stronger one could improve upon that by loading slightly hotter but one is in uncharted territory then.

Edit;- Just checked the old ICI Nobel Glasgow powders loading booklet and they claim a velocity of 2790 fps using 42.0 grains of Rifle #3 powder with the 150 grain metal covered bullet.

 

[Yorkie]

Yorkie: Why would you say that??

Brenneke has it right with regards to velocity increase: it's about 1/4 the increase in case capacity, percentage wise. This holds true to about all cartridges provided no variables change other than the case capacity.~Muir

Muir.
I have not stated anything as fact hence my question mark.

Yorkie.

 

[Whitebeard]

I'm not sure that's true.~Muir

Muir, Ackleys own words my friend but he did add with reduced velocity, for example hypothetically, very hot load in a 22-250 on a hot day "BOOM" 4000fps and a blown primer. same charge in the improved case, no pressure signs and 3900fps.

Ian.

 

[MountainStalker2]

BH, your certainly in the sweet spot for a .308 win with that sort of performance from the .303 imp. It seems that you have increased the case volume significantly. I shot a lee speed for a while and would not have liked to have shot loads doing 2800 fps. In anthing other than a mauser stlye action i think this would be living on the edge, particularly on a nice warm Australian summers day. not that we're seeingto many this year.

 

[Brithunter]

BH, your certainly in the sweet spot for a .308 win with that sort of performance from the .303 imp. It seems that you have increased the case volume significantly. I shot a lee speed for a while and would not have liked to have shot loads doing 2800 fps. In anthing other than a mauser stlye action i think this would be living on the edge, particularly on a nice warm Australian summers day. not that we're seeingto many this year.

I have always had a soft soft for the .303 cartridge in fact I once had Eight 303's at the same time still own a few now:-

BSA Built on what seems to be a Metford carbine action.

BSA Model E

BSA Model C with new BSA barrel Ball Burnished by Parkers.

Muscat Martini in .303 Bore of Belgian manufacture.

Parker-Hale Supreme No4 sporting rifle built on No4 Mk1/2 receiver.

This is the .303 Imp. It's a Century Arms sportersied P-14. The chamber was sooooo tight it was a nightmare which is why I had it reamed to Improved. The rear bridge needs to be machined to match the Profile of the BSA Model C & E and that hole plugged so normal scope mounts can be used as so far I have been unable to find out what scope mounts fit the action the way Century Arms profiled it when removing the "Ears". I have a nice Sporting receiver sight waiting to go on this one as well ..

Kynoch claimed 2700 fps for their factory loaded 150 grain Metal Covered - Copper Pointed sporting ammunition in my P-H #62A catalogue. Norma's load with the 150 grain soft point claimed 2723 fps and 2437 fps at 100 yards.

I sold my last Military .303 in 2010 that being a Martini Enfield AC11 that was converted to .303 by The Henry Rifle Barrel Company in 1898.

Oh the BSA Model E has been used in the field before moving to this county and used on Fox and Fallow Deer:-

No photo of the Fallow.........sorry. My other Ackley is this:-

.280 AI Rem

 

[trapdoortrapper]

Those are some very nice rifles Brithunter. I've always wanted a Martini in .303.

 

[Brithunter]

Those are some very nice rifles Brithunter. I've always wanted a Martini in .303.

Thank you........................... as you might guess I am rather drawn to the classics.