Is anyone using the 25-06 Ackley Improved and what loads are you using and what sort of performance are you getting?

Murray

To start with the 25-06 is overbore, to improve it to AI would make it that much more so. The ideal AI in .257 cal is the .257 Roberts AI. If you are planning using 117-120gn bullets the 25-06 may be the way to go. The lighter bullets will work but then the overbore snafu kicks in. Check each cal out and you will see the law of diminishing returns kicking in.

I used to own a SAKO Finnbear in 25-06 and considered re-chambering it to the Ackley improved version. I decided not to do this because I felt that the 24 inch barrel would not offer enough additional velocity to justify all the extra work involved in fireforming, ect. I was also concerned that the improved case with it's 40 degree sharp shoulder would not feed smoothly from magazine to chamber.

Care must also be taken when seating bullets with such sharp shoulders, especially if using the roll crimp. The shoulder can be deformed just enough to make it impossible to chamber the cartridge. I've run into this problem with the 300 Winchester and to a lesser extent with the 284..

That being said, the Ruger #1, with it's 26 inch barrel, might be an excellent rifle to consider re-chambering to the Ackley version, as it would have the barrel length to develop the full potential of the cartridge and does not have a magazine or need a crimp.

I have heard a lot of good things about the round. Overbore is an argumentative term in my opinion. 30-378 would be as overbore as anything can be and it is one heck of a round.

Kiwi, have you visited this site?:

http://www.reloadersnest.com/

They have several different loads worth looking into. Hope this helps you a bit.

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War Eagle!

I have a 25-06 AI (40 degree) and have extensive chronographed load data. Indeed, 25-06 AI is overbore, but it will perform quite well with very slow burning powders. My pet load (after trying "eveything") is 63 grains of Reloader 25 with a 115 gr. Nosler BT - 3425 fps in a 26 inch barrel with sub MOA accuracy. Pressure is at ~65,000 psi, and primer pockets loosen up fairly quickly. I also get good results with H870 - but I hate that dirty stuff. I've also tried IMR7828, RamShot Mag, and Norma MRP-2 - none improved on R25 performance (i.e., max velocity with minimal pressure). I want to try Retumbo and some V24N41, HH50BMG, or V20N29. These slow burners work well in these overbore calibers. Good luck.

Thanks for the replies guys, it is certainly an interesting cartridge and has the performance to be one of the ultimate long distance varmint and hunting rounds.

Murray

For a better all around balance the 6.5-06 AI would be worth looking at.