My New Build 25-243 Ackley Improved

[WSMNUT]

I don’t normally do this but I just finished a pretty cool build for myself and wanted share some results and ideas in case you ever thought of building one.
Here’s my build specs
Tikka T3 Action
Action threads were cut .010 over and trued. Using the piloted tap and indicating it from a 4 jaw chuck I trued the action and cut the factory taper out of the action at the same time
McMillan Game Scout Stock that was custom cerakoted by @NJ338
Talley Rings and exposes metal was also cerakoted by NJ338
Proof Research 1-10” twist Barrel
Factory trigger set at 1.5 lbs
Custom bolt handle that I got off of a member (sorry I can’t remember who right now)
Leupold VX5 3-15x44 Wind-Plex
Chambered in 25-243 Ackley. I got the reamer from PTG. The freebore was a little short for what I was wanting to do so I added throat based off of my dummy round.
My OAL touching the lands using Nosler 115 BT’s is 2.900 (easily fits inside the Tikka Box
Muzzle is threaded 5/8-24 for my suppressor and I put an 11 degree target crown to make it easier to clean the carbon off when using the can.
Using 50 GR of RL26 and a .283 Neck bushing in a 260AI Redding FL Die and an OAL of 2.870 (.030 jump) CCI BR-2 Primer and 243 Lapua brass it pushed those 115’s to 3092 FPS. I haven’t pushed it any hotter but didn’t think I needed too as it was cutting a tiny little hole at 100.
Here’s some pics

 

[nmkid]

Nice build Zac. I keep forgetting to call you on the next build we started talking about. Been busy around the house, painting. Call me at home.

 

[Bc'z]

Beautiful rifle
What color cerakote?
Skaggs is overhauling my 06, and I'm wanting to do ceracoat on all my metal work.
I was thinking about using burnt bronze, as it will be resting in a tan McMillan edge fill stock.

 

[WSMNUT]

Rifle weighs 8.1 lbs scoped. Not including the Atlas bipod.

Thanks for the kind words guys.

Cerakote Color is Patriot Brown

 

[Kurz]

I don’t normally do this but I just finished a pretty cool build for myself and wanted share some results and ideas in case you ever thought of building one.

See? It IS a ton of fun creating wildcats!

As an aside, I've been working with the .25 Creedmoor using the 131 Blackjack bullets with great success. Similar cartridge and results.

Good job on the cartridge!

 

[WSMNUT]

Thanks. I built a 25-284 for @nmkid and he’s shooting the 131’s out of his into a very small hole and I will have a 25 Creedmoor built by the weekend for a friend of mine just over the state line. He too plans on using 131’s. I wish I still had a few pictures of the groups that @nmkid shot. It was a several very impressive 5 shot groups.

 

[mulehunter1]

I don’t normally do this but I just finished a pretty cool build for myself and wanted share some results and ideas in case you ever thought of building one.
Here’s my build specs
Tikka T3 Action
Action threads were cut .010 over and trued. Using the piloted tap and indicating it from a 4 jaw chuck I trued the action and cut the factory taper out of the action at the same time
McMillan Game Scout Stock that was custom cerakoted by @NJ338
Talley Rings and exposes metal was also cerakoted by NJ338
Proof Research 1-10” twist Barrel
Factory trigger set at 1.5 lbs
Custom bolt handle that I got off of a member (sorry I can’t remember who right now)
Leupold VX5 3-15x44 Wind-Plex
Chambered in 25-243 Ackley. I got the reamer from PTG. The freebore was a little short for what I was wanting to do so I added throat based off of my dummy round.
My OAL touching the lands using Nosler 115 BT’s is 2.900 (easily fits inside the Tikka Box
Muzzle is threaded 5/8-24 for my suppressor and I put an 11 degree target crown to make it easier to clean the carbon off when using the can.
Using 50 GR of RL26 and a .283 Neck bushing in a 260AI Redding FL Die and an OAL of 2.870 (.030 jump) CCI BR-2 Primer and 243 Lapua brass it pushed those 115’s to 3092 FPS. I haven’t pushed it any hotter but didn’t think I needed too as it was cutting a tiny little hole at 100.
Here’s some pics

What dies are you using thanks

 

[mulehunter1]

I don’t normally do this but I just finished a pretty cool build for myself and wanted share some results and ideas in case you ever thought of building one.
Here’s my build specs
Tikka T3 Action
Action threads were cut .010 over and trued. Using the piloted tap and indicating it from a 4 jaw chuck I trued the action and cut the factory taper out of the action at the same time
McMillan Game Scout Stock that was custom cerakoted by @NJ338
Talley Rings and exposes metal was also cerakoted by NJ338
Proof Research 1-10” twist Barrel
Factory trigger set at 1.5 lbs
Custom bolt handle that I got off of a member (sorry I can’t remember who right now)
Leupold VX5 3-15x44 Wind-Plex
Chambered in 25-243 Ackley. I got the reamer from PTG. The freebore was a little short for what I was wanting to do so I added throat based off of my dummy round.
My OAL touching the lands using Nosler 115 BT’s is 2.900 (easily fits inside the Tikka Box
Muzzle is threaded 5/8-24 for my suppressor and I put an 11 degree target crown to make it easier to clean the carbon off when using the can.
Using 50 GR of RL26 and a .283 Neck bushing in a 260AI Redding FL Die and an OAL of 2.870 (.030 jump) CCI BR-2 Primer and 243 Lapua brass it pushed those 115’s to 3092 FPS. I haven’t pushed it any hotter but didn’t think I needed too as it was cutting a tiny little hole at 100.
Here’s some pics

What dies are you using?

 

[Bc'z]

What dies are you using?

Redding 260AI bushing die with appropriate. 25caliber bushings for sizing, couldn't say what seating die was but I'm sure a 260 seater with proper stem would get the job done

 

[mulehunter1]

Redding 260AI bushing die with appropriate. 25caliber bushings for sizing, couldn't say what seating die was but I'm sure a 260 seater with proper stem would get the job done

Thank you sir .

 

[Bc'z]

I don’t normally do this but I just finished a pretty cool build for myself and wanted share some results and ideas in case you ever thought of building one.
Here’s my build specs
Tikka T3 Action
Action threads were cut .010 over and trued. Using the piloted tap and indicating it from a 4 jaw chuck I trued the action and cut the factory taper out of the action at the same time
McMillan Game Scout Stock that was custom cerakoted by @NJ338
Talley Rings and exposes metal was also cerakoted by NJ338
Proof Research 1-10” twist Barrel
Factory trigger set at 1.5 lbs
Custom bolt handle that I got off of a member (sorry I can’t remember who right now)
Leupold VX5 3-15x44 Wind-Plex
Chambered in 25-243 Ackley. I got the reamer from PTG. The freebore was a little short for what I was wanting to do so I added throat based off of my dummy round.
My OAL touching the lands using Nosler 115 BT’s is 2.900 (easily fits inside the Tikka Box
Muzzle is threaded 5/8-24 for my suppressor and I put an 11 degree target crown to make it easier to clean the carbon off when using the can.
Using 50 GR of RL26 and a .283 Neck bushing in a 260AI Redding FL Die and an OAL of 2.870 (.030 jump) CCI BR-2 Primer and 243 Lapua brass it pushed those 115’s to 3092 FPS. I haven’t pushed it any hotter but didn’t think I needed too as it was cutting a tiny little hole at 100.
Here’s some pics

Looks like you've done a lil decorating since you started this thread. Lol

 

[jxb]

@WSMNUT would this 25-243AI be similar to a 25 SAW, or what are the differences ?

 

[WSMNUT]

@WSMNUT would this 25-243AI be similar to a 25 SAW, or what are the differences ?

Great question
They’re very similar. Shoulder angle and freebore length are the differences .

 

[JRanum]

Very interesting! And quite similar to my late local gunsmith Duane Spooner’s 257 DGR

 

[jxb]

Great question
They’re very similar. Shoulder angle and freebore length are the differences .

I'm guessing the AI is 40deg and the 25 SAW is 35, but what are the freebore differences?

 

[Tesoro]

Why not KISS and just use 115gr Sierra .588 G7 in a 6xc with Lapua srp brass for 3000fps with only 40gr of Powder?

 

[WSMNUT]

Why not KISS and just use 115gr Sierra .588 G7 in a 6xc with Lapua srp brass for 3000fps with only 40gr of Powder?

Because I have a lathe and I wanted to try something different. It’s a 25 cal not a 6mm.
It was fun, I shot a few pigs and a few deer with it and sold it. I’ve since replaced it with a 25 SAUM IMP running 110 Accubonds at 3600 with a 24” barrel.

 

[Tesoro]

Because I have a lathe and I wanted to try something different. It’s a 25 cal not a 6mm.
It was fun, I shot a few pigs and a few deer with it and sold it. I’ve since replaced it with a 25 SAUM IMP running 110 Accubonds at 3600 with a 24” barrel.

I know but 115 gr is 115gr. But I would do the same if i knew how to drive a lathe. My best bud is a quarterbore maniac and they are tempting, esp with the berger 135 hyrbid.

 

[msalm]

One of my favorite lighter hunting rifles is a straight 25-284. Used a 6-284 reamer for the body and a 25-06 reamer for the neck and throat. Shoots 1/2 MOA and is great medium game rifle.

 

[Tesoro]

My bud just spent a pile having a 25/7prc made up for him. He wanted to shoot the 130gr range bullets at hi speed for goats. But he is shitecanning the whole project becuase the prc casings dont have enough taper and get stuck in the chamber. Literally had to hammer to the bolt on some to open. Not pressure but case design. He did alot of research after the fact to find this out. I think Alex Wheeler designed a reamer to counter this problem for the 7's his crowd now shoots F class with.