I just made a 257 ackley so any reloading data would be great. I think I will be shooting 87 and 100 gr bullets mainly.

Most Ackley Imp chambers increase case capacity by approx 3 grains. You will need to fireform cases to the new chamber and a "full throttle" load is recommended to properly fireform the cases. If you start with a load approx 1 gr less than max for the std 257 that will provide you with a safe start load and fireformed cases.

I've been shooting a 257AI for about 11 years. It has taken several of my trophies in Texas , Ok. and New Mex. My favorite load is straight out of Nosler Reloading Manual. My gun loves the 100gr Partion pushed with 50gr IMR 4350.
I would start out around 48gr and slowly work up. Mine found it's sweet spot with the max load.
Good luck with your new AI, I'm sure you will be very pleased with it.

quote:

Originally posted by Tx6BR:
I've been shooting a 257AI for about 11 years. It has taken several of my trophies in Texas , Ok. and New Mex. My favorite load is straight out of Nosler Reloading Manual. My gun loves the 100gr Partion pushed with 50gr IMR 4350.
I would start out around 48gr and slowly work up. Mine found it's sweet spot with the max load.
Good luck with your new AI, I'm sure you will be very pleased with it.

Yep! My 257AI loves the 50grn IMR 4350 load as well.

Thanks, guys

Hello. I'm a new guy on the forum, build custom Mausers (hobby) and love Acklies. IMHO, there is no need to waste powder, bullets and barrel life just to fireform cases. Just get some bullseye pistol powder or similar.....prime the case, load 11gr bullseye, cream of wheat to the base of the neck, jam a 22 patch in the neck to hold things together and bang......instant fireformed case. Simple, cheap, fast and best of all, makes perfect cases. I have done this in a 6.5-06 Ack, 257 Ack and '06 Ack. A gunsmith in Oregon taught me this trick many years ago.....try it you'll like it! Regards, Rick.

quote:

Originally posted by Tx6BR:
I've been shooting a 257AI for about 11 years. It has taken several of my trophies in Texas , Ok. and New Mex. My favorite load is straight out of Nosler Reloading Manual. My gun loves the 100gr Partion pushed with 50gr IMR 4350.
I would start out around 48gr and slowly work up. Mine found it's sweet spot with the max load.
Good luck with your new AI, I'm sure you will be very pleased with it.

This load has worked very well for me as well. I would strongly recomend IMR 4350 in the bullet weights you mention. If trying 110, 115, or 120 weights go to a slower powder for maximum velocities. R22 and the 110 Accubond are also a good combination.

I've had a .257 AI for almost 30 years. It's GREAT!! It's accounted for one shot kills on 5 sheep (4 Bighorns, 1 Dall), 1 bull elk, 2 caribou, and a whole pile of deer and ponghorn antelope. It shoots about any 115-120 gr bullet to 1 MOA at +/- 3000 fps. It used to like WW-785, but now I use the book max filling of IMR-7828. My best shot ever with it was 3 praire dogs at 125 yds with one Hornady 120 gr HP. Blew up the first two, and cut the third one in half.

The first rifle I ever built was a 257 roberts Ackley Imp. when I was learning to be a gunsmith at Trinidad State Jr. College. I now have total of 3 Ackley imp's, that I've built for myself. You'll love the 257AI. I shoot 87gr;s for varmets, and 120's for deer. I don't try to hot rod any of my rifles. With out checking I cann't tell you how much H380 I put in it, all I know is when I was working up my load I did find a load that it liked very well and it wasn't close to max. You can fire form brass like SAKORICK said, myself I just loaded some regular roberts brass with a factory type load and went prairie dog hunting, when I got back I had my fire formed AI. brass, and had fun doing it

Great post Mad Jack. I still like the 4064 over the ball powder.....it gets real hot in SD on the dog hunt. Of course, you being from colorful Colorado know the score. Have you started your business yet? PM me with the details. Regards, Rick.

I'll have to second or third the vote for 50 gr of IMR 4350 with the 100 gr bullets. My bullets are the bulk Remy 100 gr Corlkt. Accuracy is outstanding.

Steve E........