The Accurate Reloading Forums
P.O.Ackley Book: Fred Zeglin's Latest
It arrived yesterday.
A quote in large italic print opens the book, before the table of contents:
"Wildcatters have run wild in more ways than one. Without regulation of any kind, thousands of wildcat cartridges have been created which have little merit. Dozens of versions exist in each little phase of the business where one good one would do better. With no regulation to restrict such cartridges to a merit basis great confusion has resulted. Many loading-die makers have grown gray trying to keep up with the parade. Let there be no misunderstanding, though -- we want no part of 'regulations!'
"In spite of these things, and in spite of competition and waning popularity, we will always have wildcats. With the thousands of obsolete guns about, and the abiding interest ever existing in things new, there will always be a place in the guns and the hearts of shooting enthusiasts for wildcat cartridges. Long live the wildcats." (signed) P.O. Ackley
Riflecrank Incurable Permanente 
18 March 2017, 10:06
NormanConquestWhen I was building rifles (primarily wildcats) in the early 80's I would think that I had come up with the neatest thing since sliced bread;then I would pull out Parker's book + find out he had done it at least 30 years before.A humbling experience.
Never mistake motion for action.
19 March 2017, 03:59
AtkinsonHe just about did it all...
I hear folks condem the 30-06 Ackley and the 7 Ackley but they are both supreme rounds, The 8mm-06 Ackley Imp, is the full equal to the 338-06 IMp...Most of them come very close to the short belted counterparts..
Im not much of a wildcatter these days, as that discipline has been covered from head to toe IMO and I had my affair with many of them years ago. I do see them as good options for folks that like to play. Wildcatting is fun..
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
23 March 2017, 12:35
deadibobMy rebarrelled model 70 just arrived back today. It was my first hunting rifle and I bought it when I was 15. A mid-80's push feed 30-06 westerner. It now has a stainless 26" 30-06ai barrel. I can't wait to play with it. It will do something the other 30 cal mags/short mags can't do. It holds 5 in the box. Plus brass is cheap and everywhere.

24 May 2017, 01:26
MTGunnerI have owned a two voloumn set of P.O. Ackleys writing for some years now. I also came across a hard frack two volume set that does not see the light of day but only on occasion. MTG
24 May 2017, 03:24
hivelosityI have the paper back 2 vol. set it has some ragged pages from me and a few stuck together pages from the druel .
always lookin for something different and unusual. I even considered a pin fire one time. I have a 50cal necked down to 22. setin on my bench for a conversation piece
27 May 2017, 03:52
MileHighShooterI've got 2 Ackley books in the mail heading my way from another member. I can't wait ro dig in to them! Looking at buying the Fred Z book as well
If you think every possible niche has been filled already, thank a wildcatter!
28 May 2017, 20:14
.366torqueParker Otto Ackley! A "rock hound" with a love for firearms.
08 December 2017, 21:53
3584ELKMy daughter found this book for my birthday. It has been an interesting read so far. It removes a lot of the previously "known" B.S. about Mr. Ackley and highlights the caring and educational nature of this great man. Thank you, Mr. Zeglin.
Merkel 140A- .470NE
Beretta Vittoria- 12 Ga.
J.P. Sauer & Sohn Type B- 9.3x64mm
ArmaLite AR-10A4- 7.62x51mm
Franchi Highlander- 12 Ga.
Marlin 1894 CB Limited- .41 Magnum
Remington 722- .244 Rem.
and many, many more.
An honest man learns to keep his horse saddled.
09 December 2017, 09:43
Ray BI'll have to look-up the book. I never met PO but I knew a few of his students quite well and have one of his barrels made years ago, so it's almost as if I've met him.
09 December 2017, 15:50
Bill/OregonI stumbled upon this book just the other day. It is in the mail. The late Chick Donnelly of Siskiyou Barrel Works in Applegate, Oregon, knew P.O. very well and often shared memories of him if you asked. In fact, the two of them helped Francis Sell design the .25-35 Tomcat.
There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.
– John Green, author
13 December 2017, 00:17
Colin MastersI like E.K.'s stories about the Ogden Arsenal and P.O.
13 December 2017, 17:56
Bill/OregonHeh, word I had from Ackley via Chick Donnelly was that the guys at the Ogden Arsenal loved to tease Keith about his small stature -- and watch him get so riled up that he would invariably start challenging them to gunfights after work.

There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.
– John Green, author
13 December 2017, 22:53
bartschequote:
Originally posted by Atkinson:
He just about did it all...
I do see them as good options for folks that like to play. Wildcatting is fun..

Amen roger

Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..
14 December 2017, 01:21
wildcat junkiequote:
Originally posted by Atkinson:
He just about did it all...
I hear folks condem the 30-06 Ackley and the 7 Ackley but they are both supreme rounds, The 8mm-06 Ackley Imp, is the full equal to the 338-06 IMp...Most of them come very close to the short belted counterparts..
.
I a 30-06 sized case, Ackley Improved or otherwise, the 8mm bore seems to hit the sweet spot as far as efficiency.
Seems Winchester found the same with the WSM case and opted for the 325 WSM over a 338 version.
18 December 2017, 04:31
WoodHunterOrdered a copy today, thanks guys!
24 December 2017, 00:46
WoodHunterArrived yesterday. Well worth the read!! I have read of and followed Ackley since the 1960's and Fred Zeglin did a great job in tracking P.O.'s history and accomplishments. Even revealed many things I did not know.
24 December 2017, 23:47
INTJJust ordered mine. Maybe RIP is more than just a snake oil salesman......
