25-06 Ackley Improved

Murray McGehan

Murray McGehan

New member
Hi Guys, My passion is varmint rifles and already have a 223AI ans 22-250AI but are now planning the next project rifle. I want a real long range varmint rifle this time and are thinking about a 25-06 Ackley I mproved. Anyone here have any experience with this caliber, how was the accuracy.I know that Ackley thought this cartridge was not worth the effort in pursuing but with the arrival of some of the more modern powders I thought it might be worth considering, using the Load From A Disk program has shown that velocities of around 3900 ft per second should be easily achievable with 85 grain bullets.
Murray
 
I've owned one, and I tend to agree with Mr. Ackley. The only way I got 3900 out of an 85 grain Ballistic Tip was to push them so hot I could deprime the fired brass by blowing into the case neck!! I only got maybe 100-150 FPS over my 25-06 and that was because the barrel was 2" longer. If I were building a "long range varminter" I'd take a close look at the 6-284. I personaly shoot a 6mm Rem. and it's all the "long range" gun I'll ever need on varmints. Just this last weekend I made a 669 yard shot on a crow, good enough for me! ~6mm
 
I feel the value of the 25 over your other rounds is not necessarily in the maximum speed but more in the doubling of the bullet weight and the kinetic energy. At the same speed a 115gr 25 versus a 55gr 22 has more than double the ft-lbs, and at longer distances this should produce more kills. On the other hand varmints don't usually require a lot of power at the end to knock them down.

Most replys that I've seen here seem to agree that the little bit of extra speed you get from an AI or Weatherby don't appear to amount to much. I think most people that shoot the 25 like the effect of the extra bullet weight that you get over the 22s and even the 243/6mm. So, I'll stay with my 25-06 and feel that I'm not losing much to any other round.

However, Good Luck with your project, the results should be fun.
 
I will agree that the major advantage of the 25 is the weight and BC over the smaller 22's. Your 250AI will beat it in the speed catagory but the 25 will just flat out smash whatever it hits.

To go to an AI over the regular is not really necessary. Like stated earlier, you will only achieve 100-200 fps over the regular. This doesn't equal out to much in the field. In my opinion, it is just a pain to have to fire form and get the expensive dies for the gain you will see. A 25-06 will flat out stomp any 22 CF at longer ranges to begin with.

Your figure of 3900fps with an 85 grain bullet seems high also. If you push it that hard, I would imagine the writing on the case head would be flattened off and the primer pocket would double size. Pushing a regular 25-06 hard, you can get 3850fps with a 75 grain bullet. This is pretty much maxed out. I only push them to 3600fps and they seem to vaporize whistlepigs at any range you can hit them.

If you are really into the wild cats then go for it. If it doesn't have to be an AI, then get a regular 25-06. You won't be missing out on much without an AI.
 
Murray, My next AI project should be the 25-06AI more than likely a Lilja 1/13 twist barrel and have it throated for the 85gr bullets. I don't see much of a problem with 3800/3900fps looking at around 26"/28" barrel. I'd sure talk to whoever barrel you use see what they think of a 1/14 twist barrel and they can kind of give you a heads up as to velocity.
I've got two each in 223AI,22-250AI and 6mmremAI and haven't been disappointed in the velocity gain yet. Well good luck.
 
Have you considered a 22/6mm with a fast twist barrel and heavy bullets? It's a hummer and a long range shooter. A 75-80 grain bullet is pretty impressive out past 500.
 
I have a 22-250 with a 1 in 17 twist barrel, I can get 40gr Barnes VLC's out at 4360 fps, so I think as slow a twist as you can get away with is the way to go. I can cover a five shot group at 200 yards with a quarter. Local laws may affect your choice of caliber, here you can hunt Coyotes year around if you use a 22 cal or smaller, if you use anything larger you must have a hunting lisence and tag for whatever large game animal is in season during the time you are hunting coyotes. Larry
 
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I have a 22-250 with a 1 in 17 twist barrel, I can get 40gr Barnes VLC's out at 4360 fps, so I think as slow a twist as you can get away with is the way to go. I can cover a five shot group at 200 yards with a quarter. Larry
 
A 6mm 284AI or even a 6.5-284AI would be a better project for a varmint gun IMHO. Great bullet selection for whatever you like and good BC's for bucking the wind. Either can be a true 1000-1500yd gun.
 


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