30-06 AI
- Thread starter Lrdchaos
- Start date
You can read up on the Ackley “Improved” cartridges all over, there’s lots of history there. Basically P.O. Ackley’s idea was to alter the original chamber by blowing the body out for very little body taper, and the shoulder to 40 degrees. The neck/shoulder junction location stays in the same place though, which kept overall case length the same, and provided the datum for the parent case to headspace off of so it can be fired safely. Cases are formed by firing the standard cartridge in an ackley altered chamber. The resulting case has more capacity than the parent case. After foreforming, you must use an ackley sizing die.
Edit: Tha main attraction of all this was that an existing rifle could be brought to a gunsmith to have its chamber altered in a relatively easy fashion, for some additional performance. How much more performance depends, as the owners are typically trying to make the most of it by loading on the hot side.
Edit: Tha main attraction of all this was that an existing rifle could be brought to a gunsmith to have its chamber altered in a relatively easy fashion, for some additional performance. How much more performance depends, as the owners are typically trying to make the most of it by loading on the hot side.
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Besides the sharper shoulder angle (40 degrees on the AI as compared to 17-1/2 degrees on the standard cartridge), the fireformed case sides have less taper than the original cartridge.
The AI case has more capacity, and should not exhibit as much "stretching", (i.e., brass flow lengthening the case necks) as the standard cartridge, so cases will not require trimming as often.
The 30-06 AI tends to be an improvement for the shooter that reloads, since it offers increased case capacity and longer case life.
Ackley mentioned that the Improved version is particularly good with bullets of 180gr and heavier.
The AI case has more capacity, and should not exhibit as much "stretching", (i.e., brass flow lengthening the case necks) as the standard cartridge, so cases will not require trimming as often.
The 30-06 AI tends to be an improvement for the shooter that reloads, since it offers increased case capacity and longer case life.
Ackley mentioned that the Improved version is particularly good with bullets of 180gr and heavier.
More room for powder.
More energy.
I would take one. Nothing wrong with them.
Yes, you can shoot factory ammo. You will just end up with a fire formed AI case.
More energy.
I would take one. Nothing wrong with them.
Yes, you can shoot factory ammo. You will just end up with a fire formed AI case.
I have a 30.06AI,and love it! As stated however it is really only a benefit to the hand loader. I generally get about 50-60 fps increase in most bullet weights. It is very accurate with hand loads, and still shoots factory loads quite well. If you are not a reloader, and you are looking for a bit more velocity over standard 30.06 there are many alternatives. One that is overlooked in my view is the .300 H&H.
Semper Fi! Mike
Semper Fi! Mike
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