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varmint round, which is better?

5mmgunguy5mmgunguy Member Posts: 3,092 ✭✭
edited January 2008 in Ask the Experts
Which is better the factory 22-250 or the 22-250AI. I think you have to fire form the 22-250AI as you can not buy it as factory brass. I think you can just fire factory 22-250 in a 22-250AI chamber to make the 22-250AI brass, correct?

Comments

  • HandgunHTR52HandgunHTR52 Member Posts: 2,735
    edited November -1
    I can't tell which one is actually better. I can tell you which one is faster. The AI is.

    As far as forming AI brass, you are correct. Fire factory 22-250 rounds in the AI chamber and you will form AI brass.
  • Mk 19Mk 19 Member Posts: 8,170
    edited November -1
    Better is a word that can not be used for these two because the question then becomes "better for what"?
  • nononsensenononsense Member Posts: 10,928 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    5mmgunguy,

    "I think you have to fire form the 22-250AI as you can not buy it as factory brass."

    The Ackley Improved cases are definitely not available from our factories like Federal, Remington, Winchester, etc. There might be some 'factory' cases available these days from one of the custom brass makers such as Conley and Jamison but you'd have to ask them to be sure. Otherwise, yes, you have to either go through some sort of fireforming process or use a hydraulic set up to form the cases.

    "I think you can just fire factory 22-250 in a 22-250AI chamber to make the 22-250AI brass, correct?"

    You can fire standard factory .22-250 cartridges in a properly cut Ackley chamber to achieve the Improved form. That is one of the benefits of this style of case.

    "Which is better the factory 22-250 or the 22-250AI."

    The term 'better' needs to be qualified.

    I don't think that one is better than the other unless you outline specific uses. I load and shoot both simply because one performs where the other does not and vice versa. As an example, I have a long range target rifle that is chambered for the standard .22-250 because it performs better ballistically than the AI cartridge does in that rifle with specific bullets and powders. On the other hand, I have a couple of varmint rifles chambered for the Ackley version which I like over the standard factory version of the same cartridge. A great man once stated that 'Form follows Function' which I believe is applicable here.

    Best.

    ADDED:

    Several companies got carried away after the buyout by ATK and their prices went out of sight:

    Commercial Accessories

    Alliant Powder

    Champion

    D-tect Systems

    Gunslick

    Outers

    Ram-Line

    RCBS

    Shooters Ridge

    Weaver

    Not the least of which was RCBS and their outrageous price increases on die sets other than those few mundane standard sets. However, fortune still smiles on those of us who enjoy shooting cartridges other than the standards and offers us a selection of dies priced in a somewhat more affordable vein. Also be aware that gunshows sometimes have 'junque' tables that contain all sorts of disparate dies and oddball reloading gear. I've discovered many a jewel in the boxes and bins of one of these seeming disorganized tables. Sometimes you just have to dig a little deeper or pull out that last dusty box on the bottom of the pile...

    Die prices:

    http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=555036&t=11082005
    $67.99

    http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=115514&t=11082005
    $28.99

    http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=770836&t=11082005
    $59.99

    http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/40720-53584-1731.html
    .22-250 Ackley Improved Limited Production Rifle 2-Die Set
    Item #: 40720
    Our Low Price: $27.85
    Club Price: $25.07

    While RCBS has a good reputation, it's certainly NOT the only player in the reloading die game and therefore there are alternatives for us to choose from.

    Best.
  • RCrosbyRCrosby Member Posts: 3,808 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Another factor to consider IF you may someday want to sell or trade the rifle. The standard chambering will likely be easier to sell and for a better price. If you really need that extra couple hundred fps, then go for it. Either are really fine rounds. I think you will find that standard ammo fired in the AI chamber will loose some velocity relative to the same ammo fired in a standard chamber.
  • ern98ern98 Member Posts: 1,725 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ackley reloading dies are two or three times as expensive as compared to the standard loading dies. If you really want that extra few hundred feet per second why not just step up to the 220swift? I've been considering punching out the chamber on my 218Bee to the Mashburn improved version, but the cost of the dies is holding me back as I really don't need the extra fps, what I want is the extended case life. But not so much as I want to spend $130 for the dies. Good luck......
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