Does any company make .250 Savage Ackley Improved dies? Have acquired a barrel but haven't had it installed yet. Still working on acquiring brass and dies.

Redding makes about anything, last I knew. Check their website.

https://www.eabco.net/Redding-250-Savage-Improved-40-Deluxe-3-Die-Set--Series-D_p_15189.html

If you’re not exactly sure which Ackley it is, it’s best to send 3 fired cases to Whidden and let them make you a set of dies. Redding wasn’t making custom dies last I tried, but that was about 6 months ago.

CH4D will make you any die you can dream up @ www.ch4d.com. Specializing in wildcat and obsolete calibers. If they don't have or can't get drawings for it then it's up to you to supply them with it.

Redding makes great dies for the 250 Savage Ackley Improved. Precision Reloading in Mitchell S.D. has them in stock (800-223-0900).....both the standard 2 die set (#80416) and the 3 die Deluxe set which includes neck sizing die (#84416).

https://www.precisionreloading.com/index.php

For brass, you can use both Winchester or Remington 250 Savage brass or simply neck up 22-250 cases, which is what I now use for mine.

A true '250 Savage Ackley Improved' (aka: 250 Savage Ackley or 250 Ackley) will be a 40 degree shoulder. If the barrel is so marked, that's what you should have. There were some versions that were termed simply '250 Savage Improved' which are a 28-30 degree shoulder.

The bottom one is my personal 250 Ackley Improved. I love it. -Al

The custom dies I have are mainly CH4D. I also have one set from Redding. I'd check both places - check on availability and cost. If there will be a delay, how long?

If you prefer .250 headstamped cases to necking up .22-250s, Hornady makes excellent .250 brass, better in my experience than recent Remington and Winchester.

That is, if you can find any....

I strongly agree.

Don't know what CH4D's current lead time is, but the last time I checked it was not short.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101244296?pid=171702

Dang, really close to the 25 Creedmoor. Dies & cases might be available this week if'n ya look.

Is the barrel already chambered to 250-3000 AI?

Yes barrel is a shilen .250 Ackley Improved stamped barrel. Originally installed by shilen and shot for 200 rounds then sold to me. I'm gonna put it on a short action 700 I have. No brass or ammo yet so just getting started. First true wildcat I've ever had.

I'd highly suggest either doing a Cerrosafe cast of the chamber or using a pin gauge to determine what diameter the chamber neck is. For whatever reason, even supposed 'no-turn' 250 Ackley reamers seem to run the gamut for neck dimension...from .284 to .288. Much of this goes back to the parent brass that was around when the reamers were spec'd. Make sure what you have. Since the barrel is off, it's simple to do. You may want to have the 'smith doing the fitting do this before it gets fitted.

Once you know what the chamber neck is, seat a bullet in the brass you're going to use and check the neck O.D. with a micrometer (not a dial caliper) to determine you've got adequate clearance.

Make sure the 'smith that does the install is experienced with how to headspace an improved cartridge. Traditionally, an 'improved' chamber will result in a new, un-formed case being .002-.004 'tight' when the bolt is closed. This assures positive headspace when the case blows out during f-forming. There are other ways to accomplish this as well...but this is the 'standard practice' method.

An improved case like this is one of the best and easiest to work with. Rather than a true 'wildcat', it's what I like to call a 'domesticat'.

For whatever reason, mine likes powders on the faster side of the spectrum. My standard dual-purpose load is the Sierra 87 gr. flat base over H322. That bullet works perfectly on everything from coyotes to white tails to antelope. For mule deer, the Nosler 100 gr. BTip always works. Winchester 760 and Re15 are good powders with the heavier bullets.

Hope this helps...be happy to walk you through anything else you may on this project.

Good shootin' -Al

Regarding Ch4D, They told me it was a 12 month wait last time I spoke with them. Seems like the assembly line and chain supply has finally hit them…

Sent you a pm regarding dies. Might have some brass too.

I got my set from RCBS.

Ended up ordering a set of dies from midway. Hope they match up with my barrel. Been working and haven't picked back up on this project.

A chamber cast seems like a good idea for starters. Then get barrel installed and headspaced. Brass gathered. Have powder and bullets. Just a fun project and still figuring out the steps to completion.

Mike

In my experience both RCBS and Redding AI dies work well, but there's often some variation in AI chambers!