243 Ackley.

[TannerGun]

Got a barrel coming for a short action 700. Tell me about yours! Loads, hunts, tips.

What are you all using for dies? I know dies aren't the place to skimp, but I am on a budget. Could I get away with merely neck sizing with 243 win dies, and using a standard 243 seating die?

[BradArnett]

Originally Posted by TannerGun

Got a barrel coming for a short action 700. Tell me about yours! Loads, hunts, tips.

What are you all using for dies? I know dies aren't the place to skimp, but I am on a budget. Could I get away with merely neck sizing with 243 win dies, and using a standard 243 seating die?

I'm running moly'd 105VLDs at 3200 and moly'd 105AMax's at 3250 in my 1-9"tw 24"er with Lapua brass and R-17. I use the Redding 3 die set for all my AI's (223AI/243AI/25-06AI). You can use the Lee Collet die for sizing on AI's though, and they are not expensive. I don't know about using standard seating dies on AI'd cartridges. I use my AI dies to load all my FF ammo in standard cases.

[Dano1]

Tanner,

I have a .243 Ackley IMP. Mine isn't what you would find here on Longrangehunting.com Mine is actually a Semi Custom Ruger M77 MKII that has been rechambered and fully accurized. It is a lightweight deer and Coyote rifle meant for my boys for hunting and the occasional Coyote by me. It is very accurate for a light weight rifle.

I shoot 100g Sierra Gamekings and out of a 22" bbl and I'm getting the same velocity out of it that I get out of my .26" bbl rem 700 VLS using 100g Bullets.

I use H414 powder and magnum rifle primers Velocity is just around 3000FPS.

I am using Redding Dies.

As an answer to your question about using .243 Win dies for loading the Ackley. The Answer is no. Chamber dimentions are larger for the Ackley especially in the Shoulder and they won't fit into the dies. The shoulder is quite a bit more forward and would be pushed back making the brass pointless to use.

You need to use the proper dies to load this cartridge.

Dan



I have attached this photo as a reference for you. From Right to left the cartridges are: .243 Win, .243 Ackley Imp, 6.5-06 Ackley Imp, .30-06 Ackley Imp, and 7mm STW.

Note the shoulder diffrences between the two .243s

[TannerGun]

Thanks for the responses fellas! I'm looking forward to my barrel coming in, hopefully the headspace works right off the bat. Looks like I'll be picking up some 243 AI dies, and get to burning the barrel right out

[dragman]

I have a savage LRPV in 6BR that I had re-chambered in 243AI 26" barrel 8 twist and I am shooting the 105 bergers with 4831SC and getting around 3200. It is a great gun and does really well at the 1000 yard shoots. I use reading competition dies though.

[Sully2]

Whats the basic casing for that 6.5-06 Ackley Imp.? A standard 30-06 or ??

[Dano1]

Sully,

The basic case is a .30-06 case, necked down and fireformed to fit the chamber. some people neck up .25-06 cases and fire form to eliminate the need of neck turning.

I like to use necked down .270 Win cases, trim to length, turn necks then fireform. I end up with better cases. This way i can control neck tension and doughnuts.

hope this is helpful,

Dan