To AI or not

[C.Smith]

I currently have a Tikka T3 light in 30-06 that have been thinking about having Ackley improved. Is it worth the extra cost? And what are the chances of it coming back not shooting as well as it shoots now (this is my biggest fear)?

Corey

 

[jmad_81]

I don't know about it shooting any better or worse, but I have a friend with one and he says that he can almost get 300 WM speeds out of it. He tends to load things on the ragged edge so take it with some caution. I would expect something between a 300 WM and a 30-06.

 

[FOTIS]

I got almost 2900 fps with a 180 grain. Good accuracy too. This was from a M 70 Winchester barrel. If the smith reams it well it should shoot the same if not better, Whether that is worth it to you or not is your call.

 

[C.Smith]

That certanly helps some. Problem is there is not a competant smith around where I live but I heard there is one about an hour away. Thanks for the imput guys.

Corey

 

[30-338]

If you compare the data in Nosler # 6 max load highest velocity with 180gr bullet for the 30-06 61gr/R-22 @ 2872fps, 30-06AI 62gr/R-22 @ 2985fps that's out of a Lilja 1/10 twist 24" long barrel.

You need to chronograph your rifle and see what your getting and figure maybe 100fps more and alot depends on how many rds already fired. I think your rifle has a 23" barrel you will lose appr 1/2" on setting the barrel back. Not sure but with the single stack magazine on the T-3 you may have to rework it.

I'm shooting 9 AI chamber rifles right now and one of my few not so good wildcat took the nolser 280AI case and necked it up to 30cal got alittle more case capacity over the 30-06AI. Accuracy wasn't a problem velocity was there. Jmad81 had it right I've been loading now almost 45yrs now there is a safe way to do things so I sold the barrel order a new one might have another 280AI.

 

[Big Squeeze]

I currently have a Tikka T3 light in 30-06 that have been thinking about having Ackley improved. Is it worth the extra cost? And what are the chances of it coming back not shooting as well as it shoots now (this is my biggest fear)?

Corey

.....................I`m not so sure that the cost to benefit ratio is worth it. I do think that before you do anything, a chrony should be first on your list to see what your velocities actually are.

If you`re now able to achieve say 2800 fps using a 180 grain bullet and by converting you then get 2900 fps, then imo, it is not worth it.

In order to be worth it imo, I think a good barometer for a conversion, would be a 175 to 200+ fps gain. Anything below that in all reality won`t make hardly any difference in the field on game with anything you`ll be hunting with the `06.

 

[jmad_81]

If I was going to do an AI project (I fully intend to someday) I would do it a a custom build. I don't think it would be worth it on a factory barrel. Other than dies and fire forming it would not cost any more that any other round, and would have a little edge in performance, and have that custom feeling. Some pople like to be different, and shoot something that not everybody shoots or likes.

The other advantage of an AI round is you can get away with a shorter lighter barrel by two to four inches and still have not lost any punch over the origenal round. I.E. a 7mm-08 AI with a 22" tube would be close to a 280 and in a smaller package.

I wouldn't shy away from it, sure they are going to be more hassel getting brass formed, but the brass should last longer, and the cool factor alone is worth it for me. set a 30-06 and a 30-06 AI side by side, which one looks cooler... the AI one!

+1 on the chrony as well.

 

[FOTIS]

Mine was a 21.5" 30-06 barrel with the BOSS.

 

[old #7]

I recently AI'd my Rem 700 ltd in 30-06. It shot very well before the conversion and shoots just as well after. I had to re work all of my loads but ended up shooting about 120 fps faster with a 165gr Ab and Bt. I haven't played with the 180 gr bullets yet.
You can't rely on posted velocities in your loading manual too much. Actual velocity varies from barrel to barrel. Nosler uses faster barrels than factory rifles.
You should see around 100 to 150 fps gain in velocity.
My gunsmith did a stellar job and it cost $90. I don't think $90 is too much to spend.
I kept my rifle, increased my velocity and flattened the trajectory without having to push my load to the limit. It shoots 165 gr AB's @ 2981 with RL-22 into .625 groups without any pressure signs. I could push it faster but the groups start to open up.
90 bucks for 120 fps..... thats 75 cents per fps.

 

[bullet]

I had a Sako TRG 06 re-barreled to 30-06 Ackley Improved and in fact killed my last bear with it. Shot great, got good speed but fire forming, working up loads, much less having the work done hoping the barrel is a good shooter - it is not worth the money or the effort. Stay with your 30-06 six unless you just got to have it and don't mind all the work. If you want more speed then get a 300Win mag.

 

[JD338]

It will only shoot as good as the barrel. To ensure top accuracy, you might want to get a premium barrel.

JD338

 

[C.Smith]

Well I thought I had run some rounds over the chronograph but I guess I have not. I will have to wait until it gets cooler to test some rounds though. Thanks for all the great advise, and keep it coming too.

Corey

 

[Luns4d]

i'm shooting an '06AI and I'm not sure the velocity gain is the big difference for me. I like the fact that I don't have to trim my brass at all. The AI's don't strech as much as the std. cartridges do. You can load almost anything hot and the AI will give you a bit more case capacity, but in my opinion, the velocity gain is not a big deal for hunting ranges.

You'll like the way it head spaces and the brass will last longer, and you'll have a cool looking round.

 

[jtoews80]

I'd look into a PacNor barrel prefitted and shoot the life outta that factory tube first. More cost effective that way, unless you wear it halfway out and get a 300 wm. barrel life should be 4000+ rounds mind you, so depends if you want it or not.

JT.

 

[DrMike]

I think bullet is on the right track. It is hard to justify the extra effort to gain a very small percentage of velocity. The AI conversion seems to have limited benefit, especially for calibres larger than .308. Those cartridges that are smaller appear to have sufficient velocity gains to justify the expenditure in time and powder. Certainly, the smaller the calibre the better the efficiency for the AI conversion.

 

[JD338]

One of the most efficient AI calibers is the 280 AI. You can expect to see velocities of 3200 with a 140 gr bullet and 3000 fps with a 160 gr bullet.
These velocities are obtainable for me in a 24" barrel.

JD338

 

[old #7]

One of the most efficient AI calibers is the 280 AI. You can expect to see velocities of 3200 with a 140 gr bullet and 3000 fps with a 160 gr bullet.
These velocities are obtainable for me in a 24" barrel.

JD338

+1

 

[JD338]

One of the most efficient AI calibers is the 280 AI. You can expect to see velocities of 3200 with a 140 gr bullet and 3000 fps with a 160 gr bullet.
These velocities are obtainable for me in a 24" barrel.

JD338

+1

++1 if you shoot a Nosler Custom rifle. :grin:

old #7,

I love that rifle of yours.

JD338

 

[Divernhunter]

There is one other factor to consider. If you later want to seel the rifle it will be less desirable to many people. Also if you want almost 300win mag performance and you reload then just get a win mag and download it if needed. Plus you have the option to load it up if you feel a need.
Sorry but I am not real big on the modifying of cartridges to just get what there is already out there in a different cartridge. The only one I have considered is the 257Roberts for making into an AI load. But decided it was not worth the trouble since I have a 25-06 and now a 257Weatherby.

Just my 2 cents but I am not into the AI thing like others on the forum.

 

[30-338]

In Speer wildcat manual # 4 published 1959 the 30-06AI was compared to the 300H&H. There is a good article in Wildcat Cartridges vol 11 about getting mid 2900fps 180gr bullet from a Rem 700 22" barrel rechambered to a 30-06AI.