I'm wondering if any of you that somehow ended up on an ackley improved chambered rifle just shoot standard ammo? I mean those that don't reload? My understanding has always been that a properly chambered AI rifle can shoot standard ammo, that's part of the point and is how you fire form. Is there any drawback to doing this (i.e. is it bad for the rifle)?

For instance, I have a 35 whelen AI, and I know of course for maximum performance I should reload, and I have, but with the new ammo's out there if I just wanted to feed it a diet of factory ammo is there any reason not to?

Also thinking about times there were good deals on ackley improved rifles but people that don't reload don't want them, why couldn't they just buy the rifle and firing factory ammo. if they are a reloader it's no more work than any other round.

Gracias.

Red

I don't think there are any serious drawbacks (like increased throat erosion, or what not) of firing standard ammo in a properly cut AI chamber. You will loose a bit of velocity, but as long as the headspace is set properly, I think your chance of a brass failure is almost zero.

Surprisingly (?), fireforming cases does at times produce very acceptable accuracy.

One drawback of AI chambered rifles is in the resale value, but if you have already benefitted from this when you bought the gun, I guess this issue is less important.

- mike

All the standard brass loads that I have shot in my improved rifles have been accurate,as well as fun.
If the chamber is cut the way it was supposed to be cut you should have no problem.

Glad to here your getting to the reloading stage on your 35 Whelen Imp. As said above if your chamber is cut like it should be their is no problem loading and shooting regular 35 Whelen ammo in the AI chamber, you may loose a little velocity, fire forming but it should be accurate, and when your done you will have your improved brass. I'd first check the headspace to make sure the 100% striped down bolt will not close on the GO gauge.

I've done several AI's and as long as the reamer was ground right and you use the same headspace point on both the standard and the AI version you won't have any problem.

My suggestions and what I do is:

Buy or make youself a set of Hornady Headspace guages, fireform a standard case in your chamber, measure a standard and AI case and see how much difference there is.

That way you will be certain. Zero to 0.010" difference is OK and I've had rifles with 0.020 - 0.25" excess headspace that worked well but ate brass. Just get a set of Redding Competition shell holders and/or have Redding make you one to take up the excess headspace...IF any.

I still have my 250 SavAI I build for my father 30 odd years ago and he gave back to me when he quit shooting...I've shot a few hundred standard 22-250 and 250 Sav standard cases in it without any problems.

REMEMBER...the reason P.O. Ackley set his original AI's up for just that specific reason...so you could shoot BOTH standard AND AI versions...all that happened usually was a loss in velocity with the standard cases...and not much depending on lots of factors.

Luck