Gentlemen,
Have a pair of A-5 Rocks in .308/.300 WM going back to GA Precision for Badger Ordnance Magazine Systems. Also have a spare check for a 7mm-08 or 7mm-08 AI clone to the .223 AI that they built for me last year... In short I'm having a heck of a time deciding between the standard 7-08 and the Ackley Improved version. Must admit Kenny Jarrett's influence is at work on the 7mm-08 AI... The rifle is being built because the .223 AI , design courtesy of Dogzapper, is fast becoming my favorite rifle. It's short, not heavy and not light, and is generally a joy to shoot... Have zero qualms about the .223 AI cartridge. That said I dunno if the AI is worth the trouble in 7mm-08 guise. What are your thoughts?

Redding has dropped the S-type FL die for the AI from the catalog. They've also never made a sliding chamber seating die for that chambering though one can be made by chucking a 7mm-08 sleeve up in the lathe and chambering it with the reamer. Not a big deal but somewhat of a headache... Is this is a portent of things to come?

Appreciate your input...

Regards, Matt.

May add up to 2.5% more velocity, probably save you a little case trimming, AI is definitely higher in cool factor.

JimF

I wish I had your problems... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

You can't really go wrong, but I have read George commenting that the Ackley's don't horn him up because of the added step of fireforming.

With that said I have a .223 Ackley and a .25'06 Ackley. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Is there anything a 7-08AI will do that a .284 won't do better?

Brass ?

I think AI's are better in the smaller calibers since there tends to be larger gaps between performance.

If I wanted more bang from a 7-08. I would just opt for a 280 Rem or 7mag.

I hear Kenny loads his 708AI pretty hot. If I wanted a short-hot 7mm, I think I would go 7mm saum or 284. I like the 7mm-08 as it is.

Jarrett claims a lot with the one they make. But my calculations only show a 2.3% gain. I would like to find out what he does and go for it. But, I always go for the odd duck and enjoy it.

Matt, I would stick with the standard issue and not drive the AI version as it don't give you much more and for the reasons you listed with the dies.. Bullet selection will yield more results than the extra horsepower from the AI...Dead animals will never know, lol...

I assume you will be putting it into a Remington 700 SA...If you use long bullets, magazine length can be an issue so try to pick your bullets for said use and throat it accordingly... IMO, you can throat it perfectly for the 120-140's and keep good bullet base / case neck junction geometry and still fit them into the magzine.. A reamer with 1 degree 30 minute leade and a freebore of .060 should yield these results..

Matt, I can't remember exactly the barrel contour of your 223AI, but I went precisely with Dogzapper's recommended 2 1/2 contour from Gary Snieder and I love it...if you go with another Mtn Rifle stock, you should consider the 2 1/2 contour..

I bet that once you have this rifle done, it and the 223AI will rule the roost.. I also know if the 708 is not enough horsepower for your needs, you have other options within reach...Go for it and have fun.....Z

I can't know but will have a good idea of the difference in a few weeks. I have a couple 7mm-08's (1@22" and [email]1@24"...[/email]

Badger is getting a 7mm-08AI in the morning. I will need to bed it for him and while I have it, will shoot a few rounds thru the Chronograph and see what gives...

I chose the 7-08AI over the 284 win as I seated a bunch of bullets to fit the mag box of my Rem 700 and found the 284 Win allowed much less bullet options w/regards to COL in the confined mag box (the poly tipped bullets were too long, and IIRC the X was too). No big deal except I don't like having bullets seated into the ogive.

Since having my first 7-08AI built, I've loaded for 5 others and have another for myself in the making.

50-75fps is what I expected to gain, which puts it in the 2950-3000fps mark (depending on powder) with the 140's and 3150-3200fps mark with 120's (22" bbl).

Cool little cartridge, feeds perfectly, requires little trimming....

Kill any better than a 7-08 Rem.... nope, but I view it as gaining 2" of free barrel length without the weight!

280_ACKLEY

Gentlemen,
I greatly appreciate the input as always. At this point I'm strong leaning toward a standard 7mm-08, however, it will be a while before they chamber the barrel...

Also thinking that with the .257 Weatherby project in progress there's no need in trying to get every last fps out what is going to be a short handy rifle...

Here is a parts list:

Remington 700 S/A
#3 Broughton at 21", 1-9" twist
GA Precision Bolt Release
McMillan Mountain Rifle Stock @13.5' over a decelerator, Remington Fill, two studs painted black
Dakota Bottom Metal
Talley 30mm QD screwlock rings on Talley 8-40 bases
Leupold Mark 4 3.5-10x40 LRT Duplex
Murray Quick Set Sling

All in all it should look just like this except for the size of the hole in the end of the barrel...(grin)

Regards, Matt

Matt, it should be a dragon slayer...I guarantee you'll like it alot...Got to get you thinking about some color on that stock, lol......

Just got back from the cabin, (only three miles from the house), shot a box through the 22 at some blue rock, had a cold brew, let the dog run, and reflected on things...It don't get much better than this, but sure could use some rain and these 100 degree days with the Kansas humidity sucks.....

708,
Yeah... I'm not quite as adventurous as the rest you gents when it comes to stock colors. Though I do go out on a limb with OD solid Gel-coat contrasting black metal work when I'm feeling daring...(grin)

Had one McSwirly that struck me as tad busy. That said I have fairly conservative tastes...

Regards, Matt.

About the same difference as 22" barrel compared to a 24" barrel........50 fps. I have a 260 AI and I don't think it is woth it for the extra velocity.......however if the smith has the AI reamer and not the standard reamer and it will save you buying another reamer like I did......then go for it!