200/3000 A.I.

[chino1969]

I've had a hankering for a .257 Roberts A.I. barrel for my Savage single shot for quite awhile. Looking over the latest Sierra manual, I stumbled across the ballistics for the 250/3000 A.I. and was pleasantly surprised. The 250/3000 A.I. uses less powder and develops more velocities with lighter,75 to 85 grn.) bullets and matches the Roberts A.I. in the 115 grn. velocities.

I e-mailed Chris Dichter of Pac-Nor for a copy of their reamer print for the 250/3000 A.I. and will be placing an order for a new barrel today. For those who have a Savage and want to upgrade to a great barrel, check out Pac Nor. This will make my third Pac Nor barrel and I can't say enough about their quality or customer satisfaction. I highly recommend their services.

Lou Baccino
Chino69

 

[Marksman]

Do you mean a "250 Savage AI"?

 

[chino1969]

Do you mean a "250 Savage AI"?

My mistake; yes I meant a 250/3000 A.I.

Thanx,
Chino69

 

[Ackman]

The 250AI is supposed to be an excellent cartridge. But don't get your information from the Sierra manual and be kidding yourself, it's not the equal of a .257AI.

 

[chino1969]

The 250AI is supposed to be an excellent cartridge. But don't get your information from the Sierra manual and be kidding yourself, it's not the equal of a .257AI.

Tell me a little more about your statement because the ballistics that I saw helped make my decision. Here's what I saw: less powder with more velocity in the 75 to 90 grn. bullet weights, the 117 grn. velocities close enough to be a draw. I'm still going with the 250 AI but would like to know if you have personal experience with either one. I would appreciate anything you could share.

Lou Baccino
Chino69

 

[Ackman]

Both are identical in shape except the .257AI shoulder is .225" further forward and holds more powder. I've used a couple different headstamps and a couple different bullets in that gun. The .257AI fireform load was 760 powder and an 87TNT at about 3650 through a 28" barrel. With formed brass at 3760 they'd come apart. The 85BT does 3665 to an easy 3775, I haven't taken it any further. The .250AI is I'm sure a better prairie dog round, but it won't get those kind of velocities with 85/87 grain bullets.

 

[chino1969]

Both are identical in shape except the .257AI shoulder is .225" further forward and holds more powder. I've used a couple different headstamps and a couple different bullets in that gun. The .257AI fireform load was 760 powder and an 87TNT at about 3650 through a 28" barrel. With formed brass at 3760 they'd come apart. The 85BT does 3665 to an easy 3775, I haven't taken it any further. The .250AI is I'm sure a better prairie dog round, but it won't get those kind of velocities with 85/87 grain bullets.

Thank you for the reply. I love Ackley and all my varmint rigs are chambered in one Ackley or another. Those are impressive velocities you've obtained with the .257 AI. One of the comparisons that led me to the .250 AI over the .257 AI was the amount of powder required to get to a comparable velocity. Yes, the .257 AI will get more velocity but at the expense of 2 or 3 more grains of powder. I'm into an experimental phase and will post how I do with this cartridge. I probably won't have the barrel for awhile but will be getting all the accessories in the interim. Again, thanx for the input.

Lou Baccino
Chino69

 

[WayneRichards]

Chino69,
I have had both cartridges,differences in velocity is not that big,but throat erosion is another story. 257 AI erodes much faster.Now have a compromise cartridge,257 AI reamer run
in short to use a 243 win. case. Ends up about same capacity as 250AI but with a neck length of a 257AI! It is a fun,on going
progect.
Wayne

 

[LHSmith]

Chino----I too have a "thing" for the 250 AI....for my needs- it's near perfect. Only problem is -I want to start thinning the herd,my toys)-not add to them. I believe this round gained,via Ackley)the 2nd most improvement in performance,just behind the 25/20 AI.)
And soon you'll be able to shoot those cute blue-tipped Nosler BT's.
Now ya got me thinkin' again...and it hurts,my pocketbook) when I think.