I had my .257 AI built in1977. I bought a Mauser Mark X .25-06 barreled action and had my gunsmith cut and re-chamber it to .257 Ackley. It fills the gap nicely between my .22-250 for varmints and my 7 mm RM or .300 Wby for elk. For over 40 years its been my go to rifle for deer and antelope, and I've enjoyed shooting prairie dog with it and it dropped one of my best 6x6 bull elk in his tracks. I also felt that it was the perfect rifle for my sheep hunts.
