223AI barrel on order...some questions

[Deleted old_dood]

barrel is for a Savage so I'll be installing it myself. I've read that with a 223 AI I use my 223 NO-GO gauge as the GO guage. Is that correct?

I have Lapua 223 brass that has about 5 uses on it. can I use these for fireforming or is it advisable to use new brass?

thanks

 

[premo 2]

I do a 22-250AI my gunsmith said NEW brass unless you are shooting old barn sides ;D 8)

 

[Phil]

You could anneal a couple of cases and see how that works........maybe good maybe not....

I use new, so it`s just a guess on my part, sorry.


Phil.

 

[CenCalShooter]

Your asking the the AI has the same shoulder as the non AI.

 

[Tommie]

Headspacing a pre-chambered AI barrel with a NO GO gauge isn't the path I'd take. A NO GO gauge puts the chamber out to maximum allowable headspace and that's kinda scary when you're going to be fireforming to an Ackley chamber.

Put a GO gauge in the chamber and tighten the barrel against it. Then remove the gauge and see if the bolt will close (using some pressure) on a standard 223 brass. If so, you're done. If the bolt cannot be closed then back the barrel out little bit and try crush-fitting brass again. As soon as the bolt can be closed on a piece of standard brass, you're done. And again, you're looking for a crush fit. If the bolt closes easily over the brass then the headspace is too sloppy.

 

[m500]

The 223 go becomes the AI no go. You want a slight crush fit as Tommie has described. If you tighten the barrel down on a 223 go the headspace will be to loose. You need to be about 4-5 thou shorter than that.

 

[acloco]

223 AI's provide a little more velocity gain than 100 to 140 fps.

From Hodgdon's reloading data center:

Hodgdon H4895 .224" 2.235"

24.0 2,870 41,100 CUP
26.0C 3,069 49,700 CUP

WORK UP ANY LOAD IN YOUR OWN BARREL!!!

From a 26" barrel factory rifle rechambered to 223 AI:
1 3115.2 25 h4895
2 3014.2 25.2 h4895
3 3011.7 25.4 h4895
4 3039 25.6 h4895
5 3076.2 25.8 h4895
6 3117 26 h4895
7 3126.7 26.2 h4895
8 3152.5 26.4 h4895
9 3169.7 26.6 h4895
10 3194.4 26.8 h4895
11 3247.9 27 h4895
12 3254.6 27.2 h4895
13 3279.7 27.4 h4895
14 3295.3 27.6 h4895
15 3346.1 27.8 h4895

 

[Ken-1022]

www.reamerrentals.com 7.00 to rent go & no go please do it wright it only takes a little longer

 

[shortgrass]

barrel is for a Savage so I'll be installing it myself. I've read that with a 223 AI I use my 223 NO-GO gauge as the GO guage. Is that correct?

I have Lapua 223 brass that has about 5 uses on it. can I use these for fireforming or is it advisable to use new brass?

thanks

Mis-information can ruin your day. You have read wrong! When headspacing an Ackley, the GO gauge (for the std cartridge) becomes the NO-GO. The bolt should NOT close on the GO gauge.This information is in print; "Handbook For Shooters & Reloaders", by P.O. Ackley. Also available on Manson Precision web site, I believe. Use NEW brass for any new custom chambering.

 

[Longtrain]

I'm waiting on a new 223 AI myself, based on my older 223 Tikka 595, it's going to shoot various 80's at mid-range prone. Got a reamer from PT&G along with a 223 AI Go Gauge. I've got a fair amount of powders available, not sure which will give me accuracy and speed. BTW 30" Hart 1:8 barrel.

 

[Greyfox]

It goes against my better judgment to get into this, but since I have swapped barrels and headspaced many, many Savage barrels over the years, (most of them in a prairie dog town) I think I can add a little something to the discussion. I will add that I have never used or even owned a headspace gauge for one of these barrels and I have never had a problem, ruined brass, blew a case etc. Most of the time we tend to overthink this stuff. I would suggest that you not use the 5 times fired case, but rather use new brass. You really can't get any better than Lapua, so if that's what you have on hand, use it. Place the new case in the bolt head, close the bolt and screw the barrel onto the action/case. You want a snug, slightly crush fit. It's a good idea to keep the lugs well greased. I almost always need to adjust the fit several times to get the barrel nut to just the right feel. There's no need to rush it, just keep working at it until you get a smooth bolt close with just a bit of firm pressure. Then you might try another new case to assure that the feel is the same. An Ackley chamber should accept a new factory round and that's just what you've made.

Rick

 

[Deleted old_dood]

really great information. thanks to all.

 

[AckleymanII]

It goes against my better judgment to get into this, but since I have swapped barrels and headspaced many, many Savage barrels over the years, (most of them in a prairie dog town) I think I can add a little something to the discussion. I will add that I have never used or even owned a headspace gauge for one of these barrels and I have never had a problem, ruined brass, blew a case etc. Most of the time we tend to overthink this stuff. I would suggest that you not use the 5 times fired case, but rather use new brass. You really can't get any better than Lapua, so if that's what you have on hand, use it. Place the new case in the bolt head, close the bolt and screw the barrel onto the action/case. You want a snug, slightly crush fit. It's a good idea to keep the lugs well greased. I almost always need to adjust the fit several times to get the barrel nut to just the right feel. There's no need to rush it, just keep working at it until you get a smooth bolt close with just a bit of firm pressure. Then you might try another new case to assure that the feel is the same. An Ackley chamber should accept a new factory round and that's just what you've made.

Rick

+1

Those with ears, let them hear!