Considering getting my Rem 700 factory 30-06 rechambered to 30-06 Ackley Imp. Anyone have any pros or cons on the subject. Also if anyone could refer a good gunsmith. Thanks guys.

where do you live?

what kind of performance are you looking for?

is 50 or 75 fps worth it to you?

i rebarreled to /06AI exactly one year ago and am very glad that i did. there will be a lot of people who will try to discourage you because of minimal velocity gains,but for me it was worth it. i picked up a solid 100+ fps w/ the heavier bullets plus it lets me explore my hobby of reloading a little more. i would definetly do it again, in fact i am considering a 7/08AI

looks like you have a twin...

i would not discourage anyone to follow their dreams...if it will float yer boat go for it...to max out that boltface in a non wildcat go 9,3x66

Thanks guys i think ill go for it.

I have an 06 Improved. I can't really say that it makes that much difference in a hunting rifle but I agree with Boom, if you want it go for it. I would never discourage wildcatting or improving.

Just make sure the gunsmith you choose REALLY knows what an Ackley Improved chamber is and the correct way to ream it. Some of them do not.

ray

absolutly correct


b h

My old Rem 700 w/ 22" Mag-na-ported barrel could only get 2750 fps w/ 180's; and I know how to safely push the envelope.

Had it rebarrel w/ a 26" Lilja and can hit 3050 fps with Reloader 25. It's enough velocity increase that I'm 1) going to get the 24 year old hardened recoil pad replaced and 2) the scope is kissing me between the eyes enough to swell, not cut. I'm in magnum territory.

What barrel length is your?

The factory length is 22". I am also considering getting it rechambered to the 30-338 Winchester. Dont know if I'm throwing money away I have a 7mag that will do the same thing.But it sounds like you gained quite a bit with a 26" barrel.

I have a mentor right here on AR; Ackley Improved User. His assistance has been most helpful, intuitive and on the money. Once I opened my mind to his advice, it just made sense. I'm talking about using slower than traditional powder such as Rel 25, IMR 7828, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by rem788:
The factory length is 22". I am also considering getting it rechambered to the 30-338 Winchester. Dont know if I'm throwing money away I have a 7mag that will do the same thing.But it sounds like you gained quite a bit with a 26" barrel.

At 22" barrel, you don't gain much with an improoved chamber - as GSSP is quite correct about, slower powder is the key with the .30-06AI. Even more so with the .30-338 Win.
At that barrel length, keep it as it is.

for a significant increase go with a 300 hawk
www.z-hat.com

http://www.z-hat.com/300wsm.htm

You didn't reveal what part of the world you're from, but if the left coast of the US is nearby, then http://www.z-hat.com/ does many AI rebarrel jobs.

If nearer the right coast, then here is where I had my .223Rem AI and .338-06AI guns made: http://rwhart.com/

About 30 years ago, I had my .30-06 re-chambered to .30 Gibbs. The gunsmith used a 40 deg Ackley reamer and cut it to the Gibbs depth. To fireform cases, I have to expand the neck to .35 cal., then start the new shoulder with the Gibbs size die. I chronographed 180 gr NP's at 2990 fps. Its worked great for over 2 dozen elk, 2 moose and a mtn goat.

My part of the country is Casper, Wyoming and going to talk to Fred Ziegler at z-hat maybe next week. I'll go over all the details with him then. I also have a factory Remington 24" varmint barrel in 308 that ill talk to him about having rechamberd instead of the 22". I dont need a long range gun, thats what the 7mag is for, but more want something to tinker with and see the gains. The 300 Hawk is a fine cartridge and a simpler way to go. The barrel thats on the gun now shoots extremely well(sub half minute angle) at 100 yds. Well thats where it is at now i'll see what fred has to say and ponder but will repost my decision. Thanks all

That 300 Hawk is a fine choice. And I sometimes kick myself over not doing enough homework about my .338 build. I didn't belong to AR then, and didn't know the Hawk lineup existed. If I knew then what I know now, I would have had my barrel chambered for the .338 Hawk. Like someone else already said, maximize the '06 case.

Fred Zeglin wanted too many $$$ to rechamber mine to the Hawk.

I am not sure about using factory cartridges in the .300 Hawk. You can with the AI version. That is my saving grace with the .338-06AI. I can use factory ammo without headspace worries.

The 300 Hawk is one that you can not fire factory ammo in but it is a fine cartridge. Fred still hasn't called me back but according to his website the base charge is $110. Then it goes up from there. I still think the 30-338 is one hell of a cartridge to go with, just going to cost more $$$. I am still swaying towards the Hawk but we will see when I talk to Fred.

Fred shut down the shop for a week. He might just be catching up on business. Don't worry it'll be delt with. He posts here from time to time. A nice guy.

quote:

Originally posted by buffybr:
About 30 years ago, I had my .30-06 re-chambered to .30 Gibbs. The gunsmith used a 40 deg Ackley reamer and cut it to the Gibbs depth. To fireform cases, I have to expand the neck to .35 cal., then start the new shoulder with the Gibbs size die. I chronographed 180 gr NP's at 2990 fps. Its worked great for over 2 dozen elk, 2 moose and a mtn goat.

You have a variation of the 30 Gibbs. The Gibbs had a 27 degree shoulder. Yours is still a pretty good cartridge, obviously.

Ray

quote:

The gunsmith used a 40 deg Ackley reamer and cut it to the Gibbs depth.

Just curious how you keep from having a chamber with a to large a head dia by taking a AI reamer that is tapered and running it the extra depth needed to make a Gibbs?

I have seen the Gibbs shoulder called everything from 27-35. The most common and the one published in the reprinted articles is 35. Since his data was detroyed after his death everything might be a guess.

quote:

Originally posted by ramrod340:Just curious how you keep from having a chamber with a to large a head dia by taking a AI reamer that is tapered and running it the extra depth needed to make a Gibbs?

I have seen the Gibbs shoulder called everything from 27-35. The most common and the one published in the reprinted articles is 35. Since his data was detroyed after his death everything might be a guess.

Ramrod

You make a good point about the oversize base. But if you have a reamer with a tight butt, running it in that extra .200" will give you a chamber that is OK with a lot of brass that tends to be big in the base to start with. I have made a 240 Gibbs using a 244 Ackley reamer that way. I know, the Ackley has a 40 degree shoulder whereas the Gibbs has a 35 degree, so it's not really a Gibbs.

Most of the 30 Gibbs cartridges I have seen have the 27 degree shoulder and most of the drawings likewise. But Gibbs are like Ackleys - not all the same. It seems that all except the 30 do have 35 degree shoulders though.

Ray

Rem 788. This is just a suggestion, but why not rechamber to a 308 Norma Mag? This will shoot with if not better then the 300 win. There is always someone selling brass on ebay, and if you get in a pickel for ammo. You can buy off the shelf. It's really a flat shooting round, that will stop elk in there tracks in your country where 300yrds is not uncommon.

FWIW the max one can get from a 30 cal in the 30-06 case is the 30 Gibbs...here's a photo.

Thanks Elk the 308 Norma is a great round, but have 7mm Rem Mag that shoots 1000 yds. This is more of a project to tinker with. Right now i'm still kinda up in the air on what i'm going to do. I like the ballistics of the 30-338 and of the 6.5-284. I really would like the 6.5 for the high bc's of the bullets and have something pleasant to shoot on the bench and have a decent long range lope and yote gun. Like i say this is a project to tinker with and have some thinking to do on what i need this gun to be. I appreciate all the input from everyone.

Thank You,

GINO

quote:

Originally posted by rem788:
Thanks Elk the 308 Norma is a great round, but have 7mm Rem Mag that shoots 1000 yds. This is more of a project to tinker with. Right now i'm still kinda up in the air on what i'm going to do. I like the ballistics of the 30-338 and of the 6.5-284. I really would like the 6.5 for the high bc's of the bullets and have something pleasant to shoot on the bench and have a decent long range lope and yote gun. Like i say this is a project to tinker with and have some thinking to do on what i need this gun to be. I appreciate all the input from everyone.

Thank You,

GINO

I shoot a 30-338 mag and 6.5x284 both are great calibers. If looking for a LR antlope or varmit rifle the 6.5x284 would be a better caliber. I use the 30-338 for elk and deer and with Nosler,Hornady,Norma and Laupa making 6.5x284 brass or just necking down 284 you has a pretty good selection. well good luck