I just had a HV Krieger chambered in .223 Ackley and finished at 24", and after two days of break-in and testing, I couldn't be more happy.

I decided I liked the ballistics (and terminal effect) of the 40 V-Maxs cruising at the 4,000 FPS several people on this board have claimed. Though I wasn't optimistic about actually achieving this figure, and my standard .223 never really gouped the 40s as well as the 50s. But I decided that I'd see if I could get this bullet to work first. And I have a bunch of cheap 2200 that I also wanted to dispose of...amazingly I was able to get just what I wanted right of the bat! 40 V-max at and average of 4,030 fps using 2200 was achieved on my first load develoment string. In fact, my last group averaged over 4,100 fps but one of the shots yielded a slight bolt-lift hesitation so I consider this load to be too hot, and the group wasn't quite as nice. Best yet, the groups that averaged 3,916 fps, 3,972 fps, and 4,030 were basically ragged one-holers. No need to play with seating depth with this combo (I'm about .010 into the lands).

Couldn't recommend this cartridge more to others contemplating it.

My particular lot of AA-2200 is just a notch or two slower than H-335 and does nicely in form anf full house loads.

As far as the chambering itself,it is impossible to ignore it's excellence after you taste it. I've related it often,that the 233AI effectively retired all my other .224" centerfires,as it is simply so amazingly great.

Great cartridge...................

Big Stick,

I noticed how you explicitly referred to �your lot� of 2200. I purchased my 2200 in two different batches and found EXTREME differences between my two lots. The lot I�m currently using is over 200 fps slower than my other and is probably even a tad slower than AA 2230; fine by me now that I know. I first verified this finding after I�d worked up a load for my 6BR - I decided to test my other lot and reduced the already max charge by 1 click (about .6 grains) on my measure and test. The load chronographed over 300 fps slower! Fortunately I went from faster to slower and not the other way around because .6 grains wouldn�t have been enough to compensate for the difference between the two lots. This is why I�m hesitate to share �pet� loads with other people. At first I was disappointed in the lot-to-lot variance, but both lots/speeds have proved to work very well and produce exceptional velocity in a variety of cartridges. Dirty powder though. After a 100 � 200 shots or so when varminting, my brush comes out filled with black gunk.

My favorite and most accurate rifle is a .257RAI followed by a .223 Rem, so I read this thread with some interest and questions. Everyone who has a .223 AI seems to like it, and that is powerful evidence, but I have to ask..

What are the advantage(s) of .223 AI over .223?

Clark,

I'd say about 250 fps is the main advantage, yielding 22-250-like velocities, only with noticably less recoil, powder, barrel ware, barrel heating. It seems to be extremely efficient. As with any Ackley, you rarely need to trim the cases. And some would argue that the design is more accurate as is usually the case with AIs. My standard .223 also shot great though.

When you rebarrel, go with the the Ackley. You can't go wrong...even my fireforming loads shoot great.