Ackley improved or Ackley changed

[north of 53]

I am looking at getting the barrel on my 22-250 set back and have been wondering about getting changed to an Ackley improved while I am at it. Is there that much of an improvement to make it worth while. I have dies now for my 22-250 and see that it will cost a bit to get new A.I. dies if I change. There is also the trouble of having to fire form the brass. Is it worth it to get a 22-250 A.I. or is more of just a change than an improvement. I have been told that some cases are helped more than others when you go A.I.
I normally don't get real technical when I shoot as I have always thought the best gun for the job was the one you had with you at the time. I also feel we can split hairs as to what is the best gun and bullet but there is no substitute for just getting out in the field and shooting,,, a lot.
So if getting my gun changed to an A.I. is only going to give me marginal improvements I would tend to put the money into more lead and powder and just get better myself.
Please what are your thoughts on this,,,, oh and don't over think it.

 

[CatShooter]

You will pick up about 100 to 150 fps with the .22-250 Ackley.

If you were starting from scratch, I would say go with the Ackley, but since you already have the dies and stuff, I would say stay with the standard version.

.

 

[sambo3006]

+1 on that.
If you were shooting lots of rounds and were concerned about case life, the AI should last longer due to less case stretching versus the original case with its generous body taper. That taper is also the reason that impressive performance gains can be had when going to the AI since case capacity is enlarged nicely.

I also have a 22-250 that I would love to rechamber to AI but like catshooter said I also have everything set up for the regular version like you do. Plus it shoots tiny groups and I hate to mess with a good thing.

If you rechamber to AI, you will just have to buy new dies and brass, not dirt cheap but not terribly expensive. Case forming should be easy and there are a couple of different ways. I form 30-06AI with the COW method and it is a snap.

 

[Flybuster]

Im reading here in the Sierra manual that the 22-250 Ackley has the same case capacity as the 220 Swift. The improved version gives a 10% increase in capacity over the parent case 22-250.
I like the Ackley simply because there is less case trimming, I think they look great too. So its definetly a feasable option performance wise, when rechambering that old worn throat. I was considering it myself with my Tikka, my other thought was to chamber it in Lapuas new 6.5x47 necked down to .224, havent heard alot of field reports on that one.

 

[blackco]

I have a 22-250 that I wanted blueprinted. While its apart I might as well have it AI'ed. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Haven't had a chance to really wring it out yet but I did fireform some brass. I loaded up some virgin brass and used regular 22-250 loads and it worked great so I tried some loads I had left over with several/many firings (this was recomended against due to possible failure) NO PROBLEMS!!! You are supposed to get 220 swift performance with a little less powder but like I said haven't had a chance to crono it yet. I did get a chance to shoot at two gophers though; what pieces were found was impressive. My 12 yo daughter just laughed and laughed.

I think it was worth it, the only cost after doing it is new dies...$67 for redding, i think (green box not RCBS)

Good luck, you'll enjoy whatevr your choice.

 

[MT4XFore]

53, Like most of the others have said, it's a kinda what do you really want sorta thing. I had my 22-250 blueprinted and turned into an Ackely with a new stock, trigger work, and a new heavier barrel. I am tickled to death with mine. It's really fun to shoot a rifle that doesn't miss,....unless I do something wrong!! As far a fire forming goes, I did all of mine in prairie dog towns. A good Ackely will shoot regular 22-250 rounds almost as well as the AI version. So fireforming is not an issue in my mind. As far as dies go, all you really need is a full length sizing die. You can use the regular 22-250 bullet seating die with no problem. In fact, I have a set of RCBS Competition dies in .223 and I use the seating die in that set (Vickerman style) to seat both my 22-250 AI and my .223AI. So I guess what it comes down to is what do you really want. Personally, like one of the fellas said, I really like the look of my cases, and I like the performance of the round. I know this probably doesn't help, but I just thought I would throw in my 2 cents worth.
God Bless,
Jim

 

[wildcat]

NO53, go with a 220 Swift. You will be very happy with the performance of the Swift, and you don't have to do any fireforming, case prep, ect. Norma makes really good 220 Swift Brass. The 22-250 AI, gets you close to the 220 Swifts performance. So the bottom line, go with the 220 Swift. The 220 Swift is the KING of all the .22 caliber varmint rounds.

Let us know what .22 cal you go with. My favorite load was the following;

1. Norma Brass
2. 43 grns of H414
3. Federal 210M primer
4. Nosler 40grn Ballistic tip
5. Velocity was around 4300fps and very accurate.

I used this load and bullet for shots on ground squirrels out to 400 and 500 yards with excellent accuracy and results.

Wildcat

 

[rotorhead]

I concur with Wildcat the swift is the ticket why not just ackley improve it while your at it. I built one and love it. I went with the 1:8 twist so I could fire the larger bullets 69 and 80 grains very very accurate I am getting 3580 out of mine with 4350 and the 69's and I have just begun working loads for it. I used to have the standard 220 swift an it was a shooter as well I only gained about 100 with the AI but I mainly did it because I wanted to make the brass last longer without trimming so much. I use Norma as well.

Rh

 

[Sam In Va]

Here's a thought... you could use the old barrel as a "bang" barrel if you had thoughts of getting an additional custom barrel... get both chambered at the same time, use the old one to fire form brass for the new one... otherwise I'd just leave it as is and get another barrel. My buddy has shot a swift for over 30 years and it's great on groundhogs. I shoot a 22-250 standard and a fast twist... also use a 243ackley improved for the long chucks... man does that rig hit hard! Good luck. Sam

 

[eddybo]

Flybuster,
I have a reamer if you want to give the 22x47 Lapua a try. I love mine. It basically mirrors the 220 swift in performance but with great brass and a small primer pocket. I went with an 8 twist and cannot get the 90s to stabilize but the 80 SMKs shoot great. I have a deer load using TSXs my wife will be using this year.

Im reading here in the Sierra manual that the 22-250 Ackley has the same case capacity as the 220 Swift. The improved version gives a 10% increase in capacity over the parent case 22-250.
I like the Ackley simply because there is less case trimming, I think they look great too. So its definetly a feasable option performance wise, when rechambering that old worn throat. I was considering it myself with my Tikka, my other thought was to chamber it in Lapuas new 6.5x47 necked down to .224, havent heard alot of field reports on that one.

 

[Sam In Va]

Eddybo, do you have more info on th 22x47? I would be interested in info.. could set one up for the 40-55 grain pills... been thru the 22-250's regular and fast (8 twist) and looking to play with an interesting chambering in 22 for groundhogs.. not interested in a 22BR. Please advise.. thanks, Sam