Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles To Ackley or not, that is the question

So, because I too wish to play with the cool kids, I think I would like to have a fast(er) twisted .22 for fun and games.

Now , I have dies and brass for the 223.....and naturally , I also have brass ( potentially ) brass for the Ackley. I now have a set of dies for the ackley, so that's not really a consideration.

My question is, those who have the Ackley 223 would you do it again?

I also think the 22 Creed is a cooler option, just not what is in the cards at this time.

BTW : I have the action and the 8 twist barrel.....

I don’t currently have any AI cartridges, but I’ll start this,

I’ll say no one regrets going Ackley, even if only for the benefit of less brass trimming,

I have (14) 223 AI's. 8" is a dead end. Hint.

I have (7) Speedmires. I shoot the 223's with greater frequency. Hint.

So START at THE Fhuqking Start. What receiver? Barrel? How do you feed it(ADL/BDL/DBM/Singleshot)? Hint.

Be concise,because particulars MATTER. Hint...............

700

ADL

A few years back there was a lot of discussion about the 223AI on this site. IIRC, it worked better to minimizing case stretch then to maximize velocity potential.

I had my AI phase 35 to 40 years ago after I drank POA's Kool-Aid. There are a few nice rifles that I wished that I hadn't AI'd, but hindsight is 20/20 and if you've got an itch, you've got to scratch it.

I gather that to some, the 8 twist is less than ideal....but I have it..

So there's that....

Sporter contour

With a 700,you reap COAL shift advantages and that don't suck. ADL's massage nicely there. Hint.

Typically on a 700,you'll need to bush the 'pin hole,before even approaching "performance". They are simply fhuqking sloppy and all things literally melt around them. Hint.

8" is a bitch and only grants 75 ELD M's,which are a very nice projectile,but WELL shy of an 88 ELD M's relative abilities. 88's change the Game. Pun be intended. Hint.

Would I punch an existing 8" 223 to 223AI? Nope. Hint................

Who is recommended to bush the firing pin on the 700??

Anyone got a spare ( cheap ) .224 7 twist sporter contour tube laying around??

Seems I missed one recently in the Classifieds

Lol

Greg has slid out of THE 'Pin Role(which he did EXCEPTIONALLY) and now it's likely Chad at LRI. Hint.

As for scoring blanks,Greg is my guy and I simply contour to suit and fixate RPM,source Southern Precision. Hint.............

In English, bugholes.com

Unhint.

223 AI is a great all around rifle, plenty for coyotes. Not really in the same league as the 22Creed though. Unless you're planning on night calling and want something really flat shooting or plan to shoot past 500 I'd go with the 223AI. Lot's cheaper to shoot and you already have the dies;)

My brother has a 223AI on a Ruger#1 action. He likes it. Fast twist isn't needed.

I've never had an issue using a non AI cartridge, so I never saw a need to do an AI conversion... I don't think I've miss anything..

and I've never been Guilty of following " the cool kids".... Take powder Brand X was the cat's meow, and three years later, something else is all the rage... and then 3 years later something else will be.

I tend to use what has been working for decades...why reinvent the wheel.

I certainly do appreciate the enhanced performance available in the 22 Creed.

But with the areas I shoot, and with my personal skill set, I cant shoot 500 yards.

Kudos to those who can and do.

I do appreciate the cool new series of high BC bullets that are available..that typically enhance
performance at closer distances.

But to each, their own.....

So....Ackley it shall be.

I have a set of Redding Dies .....just curious as to what brand of dies others are using.
Lee & Redding be the only choices I have seen in stock recently...

What sort of fun and games?

Pokin holes in paper, groundhogs, coyotes, maybe a hog or deer

No elk or pacheyderms

Question #1...No.

It does minimize case stretch but does nothing for accuracy. Good or bad.

The 8 twist will treat you just fine in a .223, whether or not you AI it

Gentlemen, thank you for the insight

I will keep y'all posted as to how this shakes out

Theres not an cartridge that ive AI that I have regretted, matter of fact I do any 17, 20 or 22 cals again they all will be Ackley especially if they get shot much.