Bullet source for .228 Ackley?

[jsn]

Hornady's 7th Edition shows the .227 70gr rated for medium game at between 2,500 and 3,500 fps. I could not find a definition of medium game, but it fell between varmint and large game (large game coming before dangerous game). It has a cannalure, so it should be an Interlock, and doesn't have an SX, so it's not super explosive--which probably means not for varmint.

If you plan on using it I would call Hornady for a complete answer as to its intended use. They made reference to the 22 Savage HiPower being best for varmints and small game, and their loads maxed out at 3-3,100 fps in a good bolt action.

 

[wboggs]

I think I will contact Hornady and inquire about the design, etc. 3500fps sounds optomistic to me since Nosler does not recommend the BT above 3100. I have also e-mailed North Fork to see in they are interested in a special run. It is a variation of the old Barnes, having added bonding and grooves. Actually, I think a 70 gr. .224 would sell pretty well since it could be used in the .223 and would be much shorter than the Barnes TSX. There are a lot of people using them for deer and hogs and they are pretty effective with well place shots. I'm interested in one for my 22-250.

Will post the Hornady and North Fork responses when they contact me.
Bill

 

[ChuckMiller]

I've got a 228 Ackley mag built with a P.O. Ackley barrel, action is a Mauser 98, stock is a older Fajen design. I shoot the Sisk 70gr'ers out of it but I do use the Hornady's to firerform brass. Not sure of the speeds I'm getting, accuracy is around 1". The sisks show up pretty often on the auctions and once I snagged 4-500 I stopped looking for them.

 

[LorenC]

I sent a link to this thread to my brother so he can see the conversation and info.

Also just home from dinner with Dad. My error, he didn't work for or with Ackley. Guess that was my optimistic wishing happening there.
He built the .228 when at Trinidad for school, built on a Ackley barrel. Dad did all the work including chambering and stock work. One link I did send a
email to but haven't heard anything back yet does custom bullets. That seems like a good source to me. They are pricey but probably wouldn't have
a availability issue at least. We'll see. You guys have been a lot of help with this, and I thank you.

 

[wboggs]

CMJR
Sisk and Barnes were the P.O. Ackley choices for .228 bullets. How do the Sisk stand up to the Ackley velocities? Ever use them on Deer? What twist are you using?
Very interesting rifle and caliber. What has been your experience with it?
Bill

 

[bozo699]

A little off subject but I have a 22 hi-power and every once in a while Hornaday makes a special run of factory ammo for them, I bought 10 boxes a few years back for a friend in Florida that also had a 22-high power. I as well would like to see a picture if the .228 of yours beside a 22-250 or something, a pic of your fathers school project would be pretty cool also, thanks.
Wayne.

 

[ChuckMiller]

wboggs, I bought my rifle as a project that someone started and didn't finish. You know how it goes, lots of brass that's not formed correctly, 2-3 sets of dies(form, trim and loading), couple hundred bullets and the rifle. I started with some new 25-06 brass and actually used cream of wheat to form them as info was basically nonexistent and I needed some idea of what the neck size was. I have the Ackley load books so I dumbed down a few loads and worked up until I started to see pressure signs, then went to fireforming loads. The Hornady's worked fine, as in no "disappearing bullets" or sideways holes in the target. Once I had a load I liked with the Sisks I tried it out on a hog, range approx 120yds. Nothing overly impressive, it worked, didn't exit, pig was around 125lbs. I'm not overly impressed with the quality of Ackleys barrels, I currently own 2 rifles with them and they tend to foul quick. Accuracy tends to be around 1" and if I need something that has to be accurate with good terminal ballistics I have plently of other options.

 

[wboggs]

Interesting about your rifle. I used to have a couple of Ackley rifles but mine had other barrels. He chambered them and did the action work.
Most of the Sisk bullets I see for sale are 45-55 gr. Have not seen any 70gr.
I'm thinking of building a fast twist 22-250 for my young grandson but it is going to be difficult to find heavily constructed 70-80 gr. bullets. They use the .228 in some European calibers and certainly know how to properly construct a bullet for deer sized game, but I can't find reloadable ones. I will go with the standard .224, unless I can find a Savage. The 99 is asweet shooting rifle and I used to shoot my grandfather's 250-3000.
Thanks for your post.
Bill

 

[wboggs]

Have talked with Hornady. They say the .228 has been swaged down to .224 and successfully used for deer at excess of 3000fps. It is an interlock bullet construction. Many sales are to Europe where the .228 is still used in some calibers.
Northfork has not responded to my inquiry.
The only Sisk bullets I have found for sale are lightweight .224.
The .228 is going to be a challenge. If it were mine, I would buy several different bullets and test them myself.
I going with a .224 and that is what I will do, but, of course the selection is much greater. I suspect the great Barnes TSX will be the star of the show, but you never know. That is why you play the game.
Bill