243 Ackley.

TannerGun

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2011
Messages
271
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?
 
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.
 
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

Dans guns II 009.jpg

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
 
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:)
 
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.
 
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
 
The .243 Ackley is a great round. I certainly have enjoyed mine. It does however take a back seat to my other rifles and only because of it's limitations of effective use and that it's a puropse built rifle. I have taken a few Muley bucks with it. Neither required a second shot and both went down quickly.

What is the intended use for your rifle? What twist is the barrel???

Mine has the standard 9 1/4" twist bbl so I'm limited to 100g Bullets. I may choose to rebarrel my Rem 700 VLS .243 with a 1-8" twist barrel with the intent of using 115g Bergers, as well as chambering it to the .243 AI as well.

My .243 AI was also my first Ackley cartridge. I learned alot about fireforming and load work up as a result. It's one of the easier Ackleys to start with. Some things I learned and had trouble with (this is unique to my rifle, I bought it used and it was chambered already.) were:

1. necks splitting with Fireforming. I used Virgin Brass to fireform to the Ackly Chamber and lost 10% of my first round of cases. I decided that I would form my cases out of Military .308 Cases and use Lake City Match. I Bought a neck turner and necked the cases down in stages using .260 Rem dies and then to .243 Win, Then I turned the necks to fit the throat. Loaded and Fireformed.

2. since I was using military cases, I was able to reduce the powder charge and achieve the same result. The brass is much stronger and I haven't lost one yet.

3. Medium burn rate powders work best like 4895, H414, or 4350 or even RL 19. I'vehad best accuracy with H414. H4895 Worked best with 95g Nosler Balistic tips.

4. Shots on big game were kept to 350 yds or less. I wouldn't hesitate to use it on Elk with in 100yds, If it was the ony rifle I owned. fortunately I own others. Coyotes are aq diffrent story. This thing is deadly out to 500yds so far.

5. Ackley become addicting and I've enjoyed all three.

I can only speak highly of the .243 AI. If you have any questions or if I can help, let me know.

Dan
 
It's a standard Remington SPS takeoff, so I dont think its twisted especially well. Probably will just shoot the 95 gr BT and some SMKs. My brother as a youngster took 2 elk with a standard 243; one at 195 yds and one at 250. As far as I'm concerned I'll use this rifle to shoot steel and coyotes with, and my sister may hunt with it. But I have no concerns about its lethality on game, especially when fed TSX.
 
Tanner,

It'll have a 9 1/4" twist as well. It's going to be a good deer round for sure. You'll be able to get 3100-3200fps with the Barnes TSX, but the heaviest bullet they make is 85g. I still think that it is light for elk, but for deer it would be great.

I saw a 5 point bull elk take 4 hits all of them good solid vital hits from a .300 RUM using 180g TTSX before it went down. I have like wise seen elk go down with .243s. I just try to give the elk the benfit of the doubt and use a bigger rifle if I can. Remember this is my opinion, you can do what you want...

It seems your rig will be similar to mine. Targets and coyotes beware. have fun with it and good shooting.

Sully,

No problem

Dan
 
Warning! This thread is more than 13 years ago old.
It's likely that no further discussion is required, in which case we recommend starting a new thread. If however you feel your response is required you can still do so.
Top