Fire forming Ackley cases.....
- Thread starter msinc
- Start date
I don't remember the free bore length. Perhaps Dr. Ardoin can answer that question.
I found the email from JGS and they could not locate the reamer print of the reamer I bought from 'JRS'. I don't have a print of the reamer I have. My gunsmith just finished chambering two barrels for a current build and I will contact him for the freebore length but I think it we discussed a FB in the 0.19x's as I will be shooting 140 class projectiles.
This might be of help:
When I decided on the reamer dimensions, Alan Warner (Warner Tool Company) ordered the reamer. He chose the free bore length based on the 140 grain class bullets. It's possible he has the print/the actual dimensions on file.
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MAGNETISCH
I appreciate the help. I am ordering Redding dies for the 6.5x55 40 improved (Ackley didn't do it!). I have already spoken to Jason at JGS. He advised emailing Redding to ascertain if their dies would work with print 2130. They said they would. I am sending JGS both Lapua & RWS 6.5x55 brass to measure. Every time I send in a dummy round the result is 50-100k over what most use so I am curious as to what free bore to avoid that.
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Don't rely too heavily on the information you received from Redding. Take a look at the shoulder diameter on that drawing. The 6.5x55 40 improved has a shoulder diameter of .455 - the BJ versions will be either .465 or .471
Edit: I ordered my sizing die from Alan Warner.
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MAGNETISCH
So order the reamer through JGS and get custom dies?
That's what I did. I ordered a WTC sizing die, and had Alan Warner modify a Redding Micrometer Comp Seater to accommodate the BJ shoulder.
I would also second a custom die...I don't think you will get a BJAI die, regardless of what Redding says, without going custom. If you have the budget, the Warner dies cannot be beat. I ordered inserts for other calibers in addition to the 6.5 x55 BJAI dies and I cannot be more satisfied on the performance. As far as seater dies, since I use Wilson arbor dies I am having my gunsmith ream a Wilson body to accommodate the 6.5 x55 BJAI.
MAGNETISCH
And a big press!
Yes, it will require large threads but a Rockchucker or Redding Big Boss (with 7/8" insert removed) work fine.
Any press with the 7/8-14 adapter
Or my favorite. The Lee Classic Cast
I picked up a 257 Roberts AI a couple weeks back. Forming brass has not been something I've had very little experience with. After tinkering with COW and other options, I've settled out on running a 6mm Rem case into a 257 Lyman M-die, then seating a cast bullet long over a middle-of-the-road charge of 2400. They come out sharp, but I'm still seeing some issues with headspace (backed out primers) on some.
Here is a copy of the original that Manson drew for Bob Jourdan.
Redding makes dies that are based on this reamer, and I presume several others.
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Beruisis
Silver $$ Contributor
This is a little off track but I found when fire forming factory ammo in an Ackley chamber I always got terrific accuracy. It was usually better accuracy than what the improved round gave me. This was in a 250 AI & a 257 Roberts AI. I eventually disposed of those rifles. I don't know if anybody else ever experienced this but I thought I'd rant a little.
PO Ackley stated he didn't improve the 308 due to it being a nearly perfect design.
That's one of the reasons I purchase JGS reamersJRS...OT but I just picked up the 6.5 x55 BJAI from my riflesmith (he said that JGS reamer cut evenly on all flutes just like butter). Going to be working up loads this weekend and forming that RWS brass at 600yd matches. I am chomping at the bit!
You'll enjoy that cartridge. Good luck this weekend
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