[bluehaze]

Could anyone here turn me on to some 223 Ackley Improved loads? Also what is your opinion in comparison to a standard 223?
Thanks

Chuck

 

[Greyfox]

Depends on your purpose. I shot about 500 50NBT w/ 28.7 gr of WC844 in 5 days last summer in SD. This was along with several other rifles & calibers. I was thrilled with the performance, way beyond a standard 223. On the second day I resighted (due to another issue) 2" high @ 100 yards. I found it nearly impossible to miss a dog under 400 yards and many beyond. I'm about to start loading the same recipe for this year.

Oh-BTW- this is also a molyed load.

YMMV,
Rick

 

[StevenD]

Try reloadersnest.com

Could anyone here turn me on to some 223 Ackley Improved loads? Also what is your opinion in comparison to a standard 223?
Thanks

Chuck

http://reloadersnest.com/query_bw.asp?CaliberID=98&BulletWeight=50


This page is for 50 gn bullets. There are a lot of choices.

 

[EricT]

They shoot as good or better than standard

And they are a lot faster. I use AA2230 and 50gr Blitzkings. The shoot great and kill well.
EricT

 

[keithcandler]

It is amazing that such an itty bitty cartridge.....

generate such velocity. I have two hart barrels chambered with a minimum spec no turn neck reamer with zero freebore. I am shooting about .5g below a Max load with N-133 with the 50's and the same with N-135 with the 55's.

With the 50g Ballistic tips, I am getting extreme accuracy at 3750 fps and 3650 with the 55's. I shoot at a 400 range and shooting at the 2 3/4" clay targets, it is hard to miss the unbroken targets, then shoot at the pieces if there is any left!

The hard part is that the case is full of powder with either 133 or 135, in fact I use a MTM powder funnel that has a drop tube to get the powder in with the very slightest compression.

Your rifle will tell you if it likes the 7 1/2 or the CCI-450 (CCI-BR-4) better and it will have a preference.

I do believe that the 40's at 4200 fps is real world shooting very tiny groups.

 

[Oleman]

I do believe that the 40's at 4200 fps is real world shooting very tiny groups.

That really is where the .223AI shines.

 

[FVA]

.....and the 223AI myth continues. If you keep just under primer popping pressures it is good for about 150fps more than the standard version all else being equal.

 

[Oleman]

.223 Ai

I was first impressed by the .223 AI when my hunting buddy got his a Cooper. His 40 Gr. bullet loads not max with no primer signs of pressure were near 4100 fps that's 22-250 velocity much more than 150fps over a .223 and short of the guns capability with documented safe loads. With a lot less erosion and better barrel life than the 22-250 it will defenantly be my next 22 center fire.

I'm not a real big AI fan and have stated so on this forum before but the .223 is one of them that does make sense.

 

[Dog Buster]

223 AI.....Rocks !!!!!

In my 12 twist Pac Nor......these loads are safe and very accurate & fast !
Moly 52 A max.....27.5/Benchmark.....3600 fps
Moly 55 Nosler BT......27.5/Benchmark.....3500 fps....
Dead p/dogs out to 700 yds........
Work up to these in your rifle !!

 

[FVA]

I wonder what speed you could work up to in the standard 223 using the same criteria for safe and same barrels. It is nice that there isn't published data for the 223AI so you can pretend your pressures are whatever you want.
Don't get me wrong, bang per the grain of powder and everlasting cases the 223AI is a gem. But compare the capacity of the 223 to the AI version and there isn't that much of a difference and there is no case shape magic that turns it into a 22-250.
I've run 75's in my 25-284 to almost 4000 fps with no pressure signs or benefit of AIing but knowing what a 25 06 runs pressure wise to get 3700 I have no allusions as the the pressures not being way up there. Got a 223AI as well.

 

[Markbo]

What would be the ideal twist rates for the .223AI for 40gr and 55gr bullets?
14 and 12?

 

[gonedawgn]

My 1:14 shoots both well, generally I shoot 40gn VMax, using N-133 20" barrel 3600'/sec at the accuracy node.

 

[John in CA.]

I wonder what speed you could work up to in the standard 223 using the same criteria for safe and same barrels. It is nice that there isn't published data for the 223AI so you can pretend your pressures are whatever you want.

I too would want to run that comparison. I am sure that the min-spec chamber, no freebore, and a nice new custom SS barrel on a blueprinted action would net you a nifty increase in velocity.

After re-barreling a 222 I had shot 8000 + rounds (had a long list of loads over that span) I soon found that my old start loads were now near max loads in the new min-spec no-turn chamber! 36 grain bullets went 3890 fps, vs. 3650 with .5 grain LESS Reloder7, than in the old gun. And the pressure signs were evident.

I have since reduced all loads that load to a new accuracy node at just under3700, and have had no problems.

 

[TinMan]

FVA and John in CA. Maybe this will help some for a 223 reference point. I have a M70HV in 223, 1:9 twist, 26 inch bbl. 40 VMAX with a non-max load of 24.5gr AA2200 gives me 3665fps. This load is still good in 100°F heat. My longest kill with it is 481yds to date. 25.0gr AA2200 gives me 3735fps, and is starting to give slight primer flattening in 80-85°F temperatures, probably at the ragged edge for 100°F heat. Both group 3/8 to 1/2 inch at 100yds. I have found that AA2200 and RL-7 are very similar burn rates in 223 and 221FB. I'm thinking the AI is good for at least 300 - 350 fps more.

 

[Jim in Idaho]

That's my experience, too. It really likes those 40 grainers. I get sub-1" groups at 200 yards with mine, though I don't get faster than 4,100, and my working load is about 3,900.
Jim

 

[Jim in Idaho]

Mark, I'm using a 12 twist PacNor 3 groove in mine.
Jim

 

[Jim in Idaho]

Rick, I'd bet you could easily jump that up to the next fastest Node.
Jim

 

[rflshtr]

I currently have three different versions of the .223AI. In my experience, with these three and a former one, you will get between 100 and 150 fps more with the .223AI compared to the standard .223 when run at same pressures with the same bullets. All of mine were .223's that were rechambered to .223AI and I did not push the velocity in the .223 and believe I am safe at the current loads in my .223 AI's. Benchmark is my favorite powder for bullets under 60 grains and Varget for bullets from 65 to 80+ grains. My 1 in 9 twist barrel shoots bullets from 40 to 70 grains into 3 and 5 shot groups under 0.50 inches at 100 yards. No apparent group size difference between light and heavy within that weight range. That barrel will not group 75 grain A-Max bullets less than 5", however. The 1 in 12 twist gun shoots both 40 and 50 grain bulllets equally accurately but I have not shot heavier bullets in that gun. The 1 in 7 twist gun shoots 65 to 80 grain bullets with Varget quite accurately although I have had some difficulty with my scope mounts when shooting out to 600 to 800 yards so don't really know what that gun is capable of yet. If limited to one gun, I would get a 1 in 8 twist barrel to shoot the greatest range of bullet weights. Really like the AI version for decreased trimming and get about 3650 fps with 50 grain bullets for my standard load with Benchmark in the 1 in 12 gun. That is not a hot rod load but is very accurate in that gun so I leave it there. On my 6th or 7th loading of those brass with no problems.

 

[Ackman]

With AI cartridges, same stuff usually comes up.

I wonder what speed you could work up to in the standard 223 using the same criteria for safe and same barrels. It is nice that there isn't published data for the 223AI so you can pretend your pressures are whatever you want.
Don't get me wrong, bang per the grain of powder and everlasting cases the 223AI is a gem. But compare the capacity of the 223 to the AI version and there isn't that much of a difference and there is no case shape magic that turns it into a 22-250.
I've run 75's in my 25-284 to almost 4000 fps with no pressure signs or benefit of AIing but knowing what a 25 06 runs pressure wise to get 3700 I have no allusions as the the pressures not being way up there. Got a 223AI as well.

OK......
My standard .223's, 14" twist......one is a rechambered (very minimal chamber, 0 freebore) Rem. 700 sporter barrel, 20" long....the load it always shoots is VV133/40VMax at 3895. Another is a 26" Shilen, most accurate loads are AA2015/50gr bullet at 3630.....a 40BT with 1gr. more powder = 4010.IMI brass. These are the most accurate loads.....NO signs of overpressure even in over 100 degree weather.

The .223AI's....all are 14" twist, minimal chamber, .250"nk, 0 freebore. The good one is a 25" Schneider barrel.....most accurate loads...... AA2015/50gr bullet = 3825.....AA2015/40BT = 4200. NO signs of overpressure. Other lesser quality barrels (2) chambered by the same person with the same reamer are 150fps slower with the same 40gr load.

Brass is IMI exclusively, primers Rem 7-1/2BR, bullets have thin film of Lee Lube and are seated .005"-.010" off lands. Some people just don't seem to get it.....there's no attempt to push velocity, loads are chosen because they're most accurate and velocity is whatever it is. And again, these loads show NO signs of overpressure, primer pockets stay nice and tight. All of them have been used for years and in some very hot weather.

The .284 case is pretty much an "improved" case as is, the 06 is a very old design. They're very different.

 

[John in CA.]

After scratching my head..........

I noticed this thread was from 3 years ago! But the data doesnt change.