To AI or not AI. That is the question

[ollie]

Have a 264 barrel that need chambered. I have 260 brass and bullets. My question is should i have a 260ackley or stay with the standard 260? Barrel life? Accuarcy? No differance?

Any info would be helpfull. Thank you, ollie

 

[jonbearman]

The real improvement is the abscence of brass growth.Case trimming initially to square and keep them all the same length is all that is necessary.Trimming is only maybe once in a cases life with a tight chamber. You can get more speed as well but that shortens case life over time.You can try plain old .260 and then if you want to try ackley just have the smith ream it out.

 

[tillroot1]

something else to consider is wheather it is a repeater or not, the Ackley may not feed the way it should, I have both versions and they both fill their purpose.

 

[kemen4]

When offered the choice I found the Terry Cross article helpful ..
http://www.accurateshooter.com/guns-of-week/gunweek046/
In the end I did not go the AI route.

 

[Larryh128]

Probably the biggest question is whether it's a total accuarcy build or a hunting build. Hunting, without any hesitation AI. Not so sure on benchrest.

 

[Stanley]

I have a 260AI. Here are some of the velocities
Sierra 142 gr Varget 42gr = 2980
Lapua 123 gr Varget 42 gr = 3111
Current whitetail load = Nos 120 gr BT H4350 46.4 gr = 3050.
Those velocities are not the top - just the most accurate in my rifle.

These bullets were/are danzac coated. Obviously, velocities may differ for each barrel.
I'm not sure how much faster this is than a regular 260. In terms of accuracy - there are so many variables that go into accuracy that it would be very difficult/expensive to find out for sure which one is more accurate - and, probably most importantly, if this is used for hunting - I really don't think a deer will know the difference between a 260 and a 260AI.

I like Ackleys simply because they are fun - and really aren't that much more work. If I had to do it over again - I would still do the Ackley

Stanley

 

[HolyMeekrob]

I once had a similar conversation with a knowledgable fella about whether or not to turn my .243 into a .243 AI. It went something like this:

"So do you think I should have it rechambered in .243 AI?"
"Do you need the extra velocity?"
"...No."
"Then...?"
"Ah."

It's still a .243. So you get more velocity, but I hear AIs are pretty universally barrel burners. Depends on what's important to you.

 

[HillbillySniper]

Stay AI wildcats are always fun and you can't go wrong with it. Sounds like the winter time blues and your just looking for something to work on or change. ;D best of luck to you buddy.


Hillbilly

 

[louielouie]

I haven't heard anybody say anything about the 6.5 Super - basically, a 260 with a blown-out 30 deg shoulder & a longer neck. I do like my 260 but my daughters 243 Savage 'needs' a new barrel... ;D