Why shoot ai calibers?
- Thread starter JORTZ
- Start date
Not only do you get more speed but the most of the time you get better case life from the sharp shoulder. Larry
Im asking in general but for my use is for a target gun and probably shoot 1k rounds a years
I have shot almost everything there is to shoot. AND I am a BIG fan of making an A.I. out of cases. "Generally", at least my experience, they are a tad more accurate. The necks do not stretch nearly as much>>>thus trimming is kept to a minimum. AND, depending on the case itself, you can get a substantial increase>>> a .250-3000 gets about a 12+ pct increase, a .257 Roberts and 6mm Rem (same case) gets about an 8 percent increase, most others are about 3-4 percent>>>not a lot>>>but taken in conjunction with the other "improvements", is like icing on the cake!
germanlongbow
Scott M Bainbridge
I shoot: 223 AI, 22-6mmAI, 243AI, 260AI, 280AI, 338-06AI, and a 338 LM AI. Main reason is case prolonged csse life (as mentioned above zero to minimal trimming) and some increases in velocity. The only case I haven't noticed any real increase in velocity was the 223, only about 50 fps gain at cost of poor accuracy. I just shoot the same pre AI load, still very accurate. The 22-6 is crazy fast. The 260 AI slight increase in velocity but able to push hotter with less pressure. The 338 LM AI is mostly case preservation due to cost of brass. The 243 AI has 10 loadings as still hasn't been trimmed. In fact I haven't had to trim any AI brass since I started shooting. And I shoot a lot. The AI's look cool to boot. Good luck.
What about barrel life?
swd
Silver $$ Contributor
Barrel life is dependandt on how hot you load, choice of powders and rate of fire. Your in control of that. What's harder on a barrel, a 260 loaded to its absolute max or an Ackley moderately loaded to that same speed? Probably the one loaded to the max.
As far as why we like Ackley's, a lot of guys are always looking for something better. Wheather it's speed, accuracy, case life or just something more exotic and fun or any combination of any of those. Also they're simpler to form than many other wildcats. Load a factory case, fire it and out comes a whole new cartridge. There's lots to like about most Ackley's.
As far as why we like Ackley's, a lot of guys are always looking for something better. Wheather it's speed, accuracy, case life or just something more exotic and fun or any combination of any of those. Also they're simpler to form than many other wildcats. Load a factory case, fire it and out comes a whole new cartridge. There's lots to like about most Ackley's.
A little more case capacity for a little more speed for those heavier higher BC bullets can and IMHO does make a significant difference along with all the other plus factors. The 6mm dasher which is a 6mmbrAI, has been and will continue to be the dominant round to beat in competition at 600 and 1000 yard matches in benchrest.
Liven The Dream
Gold $$ Contributor
I have been down the AI and Gibbs road .. Today I believe it is a waste of time ?
Why there're newer case that will do the job with out fire forming and costly Dies.
I will add I had a .260AI that was out of site............
Good Luck
Why there're newer case that will do the job with out fire forming and costly Dies.
I will add I had a .260AI that was out of site............
Good Luck
There are benefit potentials to ackley improvements across the board.
A big one, less talked about, is in matching capacity for bullet.
The 260 -vs- 260AI is a perfect demonstration of this. That +100-150fps is a next higher accuracy node with ~140gr bullets, -which are best in cal. This is important, at distance, if wind kicks your butt like pretty much everyone else.
There are folks who act to increase capacity merely to burn more powder for more velocity. Nothing in that is free, but it's just what they want to do, and they'll still get better brass life. This would be a 243AI, or a 22-243AI under many names.
There are folks who increase capacity to get better barrel life. An example is the 6CM (comp match) over the 6XC, or an overbore 6.5saum, to use cooler burning H1000 powder. These are not usually Ackley improvements,, could be. But since nothing is free, I'm sure there is a hit to accuracy(beware ballistic elixirs).
Ackley improvement is also an easy standard. People who know nothing of advanced reloading can improve a cartridge successfully with an Ackley standard. Prep 50 good cases, fire form them, that's 50 cases that will likely outlast the barrel.
For those insisting this is wasteful, keep in mind that you will always fireform cases, improved or not.
If I'm shooting 260 or 260AI, I still have to fire form cases to my chamber before any serious load development or use.
So there is no real waste.
Back to the standard in this: If you've never created a 'wildcat' cartridge, then you'll probably endure a bit of stress in creating a 6Dasher from 6br(similar to Ackley improvement). Yet no stress at all in creating 223AI from 223Rem.
A big one, less talked about, is in matching capacity for bullet.
The 260 -vs- 260AI is a perfect demonstration of this. That +100-150fps is a next higher accuracy node with ~140gr bullets, -which are best in cal. This is important, at distance, if wind kicks your butt like pretty much everyone else.
There are folks who act to increase capacity merely to burn more powder for more velocity. Nothing in that is free, but it's just what they want to do, and they'll still get better brass life. This would be a 243AI, or a 22-243AI under many names.
There are folks who increase capacity to get better barrel life. An example is the 6CM (comp match) over the 6XC, or an overbore 6.5saum, to use cooler burning H1000 powder. These are not usually Ackley improvements,, could be. But since nothing is free, I'm sure there is a hit to accuracy(beware ballistic elixirs).
Ackley improvement is also an easy standard. People who know nothing of advanced reloading can improve a cartridge successfully with an Ackley standard. Prep 50 good cases, fire form them, that's 50 cases that will likely outlast the barrel.
For those insisting this is wasteful, keep in mind that you will always fireform cases, improved or not.
If I'm shooting 260 or 260AI, I still have to fire form cases to my chamber before any serious load development or use.
So there is no real waste.
Back to the standard in this: If you've never created a 'wildcat' cartridge, then you'll probably endure a bit of stress in creating a 6Dasher from 6br(similar to Ackley improvement). Yet no stress at all in creating 223AI from 223Rem.
STOMP442
Gold $$ Contributor
I love Ackley cases. I have a few and looking to build a 7x57AI next. The fire forming argument always gets me. Barrels need to be broke in regardless and I always foul my barrels at least two or three rounds after cleaning. Depending on your break in method there is at least 25-50 rounds down the tube right there, might as well fire form while you do it. Once you have your initial cases formed you fire form a few more after each cleaning as foulers. They add up fairly quickly and doesn't hurt your barrel life to bad.
Like stated above my .260AI gets me right to the 2950 accuracy node of the 6.5-284 while using less powder, producing less recoil and having longer barrel life with the added benefit of longer case life and way less trimming. Lots of positives with the only real draw back of fire forming which like I said isn't much of a draw back when you think about it.
Like stated above my .260AI gets me right to the 2950 accuracy node of the 6.5-284 while using less powder, producing less recoil and having longer barrel life with the added benefit of longer case life and way less trimming. Lots of positives with the only real draw back of fire forming which like I said isn't much of a draw back when you think about it.
I am a huge fan of an Ackley cartridge. The only and I mean only thing I hate is fireforming.
Thanks for the info
Case life 95%, extra speed with high BC bullets 2%, looks cool 3%. That's my personal opinion. 60-80 fps typically from the 260>260AI. Not really a great deal of extra performance except when you combine it with case life. Now it's a combo. Worth the effort(little effort). Plus it does look much cooler than the 260 win shoulder.
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