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Particularly interested in Mule Deer's opinion, as I know he is a quarterbore fan. I have a Rem 700 CDL Stainless Fluted with a 24 inch barrel that I was thinking of rechambering for the Ackley version. Thoughts??

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My first custom was a 257AI and I love it. I get 25-06ish numbers (3330 fps w/ 100s) and long, long case life w/ no stretching in 7 firings.

That having been said, when I had the chance to build another custom on which I intended to correct the issues I had with that 1st I went with the Standard Bob. Same with a first deer rifle for my son; standard Bob.

If you just like something a little different with less trimming AI is cool, but in the long run it really is hard to beat the original Bob. I wouldn't punch it knowing what I know.

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In my experience, no, but others will no doubt feel differently. I could see some difference on the chronograph but not in the field.

You don't have to trim the brass with the .257 AI, but since I generally load big game rounds 50 at a time, and a 50-round box will last a few seasons, I don't find trimming them every 3-4 shots a big deal.


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I've used the .257 Ackley and it's a decent round. In later years, I found that if I wanted a little stronger medicine than the .257 Roberts, I simply defaulted to the .25-'06.

During the last ten years that I was able to hunt, I used the standard .25-'06 with 100-grain bullets quite a lot and I never found it lacking ... even for bull elk. And for antelope & mules/whitetail, the .25-'06 is absolutely superb.

In retrospect, I was way too slow to appreciate the .25-'06.

Blessings,

Steve





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Probably not worth it. 257AI is fun to play with if you want something different. But for all practical purposes, including effectiveness on game, it's probably not worth it.

Now the 250AI.................oh......never mind.

Here's a pic of several 1/4 bores that I shoot. 2nd from right is 257AI between std Rbts and 257 Bee. Not sure why I didn't include 25-06. Just forgot.

[Linked Image]



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I built a 257AI for my late Wife and we both liked it alot. That being said if I had a Bob already I would not think it worth the effort/expense to make the change. Building from scratch now that is different. smile


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Originally Posted by 257heaven


Now the 250AI.................oh......never mind.


NOW you're talking grin ,
That's my next.......


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I would agree, I just had the reamer. I still love it as I am a big fan of P O Ackley. I spent my youth reading his 2 volume manuals and just thinking how much better his cartridges kill better. Just like a lot of things in life, after you get what you want it's not everything you thought it would be!


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Karen's .250 Ackley is nothing short of superb. If I took it away from her and sold it, that would be the end of a 49-year marriage.

In recent years, the quality of .250 Savage ammo and .250 Savage brass has become really awful. Because of this, I neck-up Winchester brand .22-250 cases in a Redding .250 Savage die with a loooooong Redding tapered expander. It helps to use a VLD inside neck chamfering tool and just a touch of lube inside the necks.

Then, of course, the cases are fireformed, as normal

The .22-250 cases converted to .250 Ackley are nothing short of superb.

Blessings,

Steve



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Noted.
Thanks for the good info.


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Ditto. I was getting expanded primer pockets within two or three firings with .250 Savage brass, this with very moderate loads.

I fireformed Winchester .22-250 brass to .250 AI and it's still going strong after five firings.


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John,

I had my son's 257 Roberts re-chambered to AI the first year Ruger offered the round in the 77. His wouldn't shoot any standard load recipe I tried, and there were a great many.

I sent it to Bob Dunlap, and he said "why not try an AI re-chamber?". He did it as a favor to me. Groups shrunk to about 1/3 the size for whatever reason. confused confused

We also got about 100-140 fps increased velocity, given the same relatively pressure signs.

Back then there was no +P ammo for it, also, and the Bob was loaded pretty mild in factory ammo.


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Most likely an off chamber? I remember hearing similar stories when the rechambered to STW from RM were en vogue... Had to figure some factory chambers were a little off?

I love the AI and if I had a Bob giving me trouble I'd do that before retubin'!

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Steve,

It also took me too damn long to "discover" the .25-06. It happened on a cull deer hunt in Ireland, of all places, using a Heym straight-pull bolt action with a 3-12x Schmidt & Bender scope! Now I have two .25-06's of my own, both very accurate.





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Actually, there's no such thing as the wrong .25. No .25/35 or .257 Wby (yet), but plenty of others in between.



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I have 13 rifle chambered in 257 and the 700 CDL-SF parts gun is my favorite. Rather than spending $$ to have your chamber recut and buy a set of 257AI dies, I think that you would get more value by using that $$ to have your barreled action bedded in a McM stock in your favorite style. My 700 CDL-SF is bedded in the McM McM Hunter style and changing the stock has made a "night & day" difference in how well it handles.

In addition to the 13 257s, I have a few 257AIs and 25-284s. While both the 257AI and 25-284 are faster, I don't think that either is enough faster to make a meaningful difference, because of the slightly flatter trajectory, in the field.

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Originally Posted by Mule Deer
Steve,

It also took me too damn long to "discover" the .25-06. It happened on a cull deer hunt in Ireland, of all places, using a Heym straight-pull bolt action with a 3-12x Schmidt & Bender scope! Now I have two .25-06's of my own, both very accurate.





I read the article on this hunt. Great read.


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Thoughts....AI a Roberts.... confused

Don't be silly. smile




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Originally Posted by dogzapper
...
During the last ten years that I was able to hunt, I used the standard .25-'06 with 100-grain bullets quite a lot and I never found it lacking ... even for bull elk. And for antelope & mules/whitetail, the .25-'06 is absolutely superb.

In retrospect, I was way too slow to appreciate the .25-'06.

Blessings,

Steve


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After having several 250s and 257s on short actions, I think I'd be more likely to do the 250AI instead of the 257AI. I doubt I will ever build another 257 on a 2.8in action. Maybe in a 3inch action, but still doubt I'd go the AI. A 25-06 would just be too easy to get and do the same thing.


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