Need some voices of experience, 30-06 vs. 30-06 AI

[amlevin]

I have a 30-06 that I'm considering re-barreling. At the same time I'm considering a new cartridge for it.

I am considering having the new barrel chambered in 30-06 AI and now would like to hear from any out here that have done it before.

Was it worth the effort?

Was there any significant gains?

How long a barrel (I'm wanting to use a 155gr, perhaps a Scenar or Berger)

What were your experiences?

 

[ShootDots]

Get hold of "Smoking-Brass" on here.. He has a fair amount of experience in the 30-06A.I., he will help you..

 

[bheadboy]

what is you intended use? that can make a lot of difference as to the response you get.

Bob

 

[wboggs]

I used one for years as a primary deer hunting rifle. Got about 50fps more out of a 24" barrel. Easy to load and accurate. Fireforming was easy using standard .30.06 loads. Did not experiment with a long target barrel or long OAL loads. Personally, I would go to one of the .300 Mags if I wanted more power. I believe powder capacity was increased around 4-5%.
Bill

 

[amlevin]

what is you intended use? that can make a lot of difference as to the response you get.

Bob

Long range target but without having to go to a "magnum". Weight is no issue. Same with barrel length as I won't be "humping it around the countryside".

 

[expiper]

Hi ambelin ,,,,I have a 30-07 variant that I have great results with,,,it is one of the largest cap. cases that is available without going to a mag. bolt face and that can be shot in a short action as single shot,,,,the FB on this drawing is not what I settled on,,,,,the finished reamer has .140" FB...which works perfect with bullets up to 210 ....this is a .280 AI body but has 30 cal neck,,,much larger capacity than 30-06 AI....Roger

 

[wboggs]

I also have a standard 30-06 with a 30" target barrel. Chambered with a Pacific Serengeti reamer which allows 3.45" OAL seating. Get 2650fps with 215 Berger Hybrids.
Would be interesting to hear what the improved version does with a target set up.

 

[holl]

if you are changing barrels, how about a 6.5-06?

 

[bheadboy]

The 6.5-06 does not give the advantage of heavier bullets or the velocity of the 130s
the 280ai will blow the 6,5 away. and gain is in the 6-7% range based on the reamer.

i have had great results with the 280ai 140- at 3140 and 160's at 2975 out of 24 inche bbl

Bob

 

[M14AMU]

I have a 30-06 that I'm considering re-barreling. At the same time I'm considering a new cartridge for it.

I am considering having the new barrel chambered in 30-06 AI and now would like to hear from any out here that have done it before.

Was it worth the effort?

Was there any significant gains?

How long a barrel (I'm wanting to use a 155gr, perhaps a Scenar or Berger)

What were your experiences?

No

No

30"

Experiences? Less weight to my wallet!

 

[wboggs]

Anyone have the increased powder capacity of the necked up .280 Ackley over the standard .30-06?
I am convinced the standard 06 Ackley gives only a small gain when loaded to equal pressures.
Bill

 

[expiper]

HI Bill...here is a chart showing case capacitys with Culver st points,,,((I use a Culver mesure to do my loading )),,,,it shows the new version is aprox 10% larger than the parent 06 case,,,,
6mm BR--------62
6x47 L-----------75
.243 Win.-------85/88
6.5 x 284-------100
30/06------------109
.280--------------115
300 RSAUM--115
.280-AI--------- 120
7mm Mag------126
300-WSM------130
300-Win--------140
300-WBY------160
300 Ultra-------175

it is slightly larger than RSAUM and slightly smaller than 7mm Rem mag. !!!! The beauty of this ctg in either cal is you use 30-06 brass,,,(WW--Lapua--etc) which is readily available ....
I have both a 7mm and 30 cal. version of this case ((I use .280 AI dies for the 7mm and open up the neck area of a .280 AI die for the 30 cal version ))and they both are very accurate and ez to form from the parent case ,,,especially the 7mm,,,just neck a 06 case down to 7mm using a 280 die raised up from shell holder the appropriat ammount to leave a false shoulder in the neck ((like we do to get a 6mm Dasher from a 6mm BR case))and Fireform using Universal Clays and a tufft of toilet paper,,,,,wheen making the 30 cal version I neck it up with a .316 expander ball and then make a flase shoulder with a 30 cal die,,,,and FF as with the 7mm version,,,,,the 7mm shines with H-4831 and the 30 cal like H-4350,,,very simple and worth the effort to gain a ctg with near 7mm mag capacity and can be used with .06 bolt face and even single fed in a short action,,,I use this ctg in a typical (short )Panda action ,,,Roger

 

[boltman223]

I don't like the time involved to fire form an AI and then start your load development. And its just that much more barrel wear. Just my personal taste.

 

[expiper]

Boltman,,,,I have a 6mm fireform bbl that I have ff'd aprox 1200 ctgs in and it shows NO measurable wear ,,,I have taken several measurements over the many rounds of use with the same bullet and cant see any thing going on,,,,ooo yes it is time consumeing and requires powder and primer,,,but like most things worth having it does take a little time and effort,,,and I think it is worth it,,,Roger

 

[wboggs]

expiper Thanks for the data. Should increase velocity about 2 1/2% over the standard 06.

Bill

 

[cliffe]

Back in 2006 in Shooting Times, they took a factory 22" barreled 30-06 Winchester model 70 fired it as a 30-06. then they rechambered it to the Ackley and then to a Gibbs. case capacity was 70.1 for the 06, 73.0 for the Ackley and 76.3 for the Gibbs. shooting 150, 165, 180 and 200 grain bullets on average the gain was 66fps with the Ackley and 104fps with the Gibbs...... seems like more work for not a lot of gain. BUT wildcat cartridges are kind of nice to have just for something different. I have a 7mm Gibbs and enjoy telling them guys shooting a 280 Ackley that they should have built a better, faster rifle like the 7mm Gibbs. ;D cliffe

 

[wboggs]

This is the same type work P.O. Ackley did in the 50s. Every generation has to discover things for itself. Some improved cases deliver but not the .30-06 Ackley. I would go to an improved .280 necked up to .30 before I would even consider a Gibbs.
Bill

 

[amlevin]

This is the same type work P.O. Ackley did in the 50s. Every generation has to discover things for itself. Some improved cases deliver but not the .30-06 Ackley. I would go to an improved .280 necked up to .30 before I would even consider a Gibbs.
Bill

How many of these "Improved Rounds" allow for the shooter to use factory ammo?

To me that's an appeal of the 30-06 AI. Lots of factory ammo available, everywhere. Can the same be said for all the others people have been recommending? This will be my first excursion into the word of "improved".

 

[bheadboy]

in my experience any of the AI versions will fire factory,

Bob

 

[wboggs]

If you want to fireform factory, a standard Ackley version is your best choice. Just be honest with yourself in realizing the gains you will achieve.
Bill