.223 Ackley Improved

[KJV]

I have just gotten into PD hunting and have decided that my next gun will be a .223 Rem.  Is it really worth it to 'Improve' the .223?  
I already have a couple .22-250s and a 6mm and really enjoy the terminal balistics.  I was worried that I would be disappointed with the little .223.

[Robert]

...with the little .223.  I have also been looking into the Ackley Improved, but a lot of the guys say 222 Mag Ackley is the one.  I have also heard someone say that the .223 Ackley is all wrong for the Contender.  I forget what the reason was.  On the plus side......I have heard that the .222 Mag is about as close as you need to get to a 22-250, yet burning a lot less powder and a lot less barrels.  I'd sure like to try one, but cutting a barrel is such a commitment.  I really like my 21" .223, but I have an extra 14".  Maybe I should have IT re-chambered first to see if I like it.  Then I could think if I want to cut the carbine.

[DannoBoone]

I have just gotten into PD hunting and have decided that my next gun will be a .223 Rem.  Is it really worth it to 'Improve' the .223?   I
was worried that I would be disappointed with the little .223.

If you are considering "improving" the .223, could you consider still using
the .223 case with a .204 bullet? If you are reloading, the Tactical 20's
medium speeds are at 4000fps with the 33gr VMax. They're nasty little
critters at those speeds!

[John (Rojo)]

KJV,
This may not be a real popular response to many,  but,  here is my take on this.  For varmints,  the .223 does its job when the range does not exceed the cartridges or the shooters efficiency.  I don't know what the exact range is,  but,  300 or so yards seems to be the distance most talked about.  You have a 22-250,  and that covers beyond what the .223 cannot.  There is certainly nothing wrong with wanting a more efficient round.  My thought is,  that if you are trying to turn a .223 into a .220 swift,  or 22-250 and you already own one,  whats the purpose unless you just want to have one to have it,  or to experiment and see what the cartridge is like.  Which is as good a reason as any.
Depending on bullet weight,  your 6mm will cover what the 22-250 cannot when it comes to size of game.  It seems like you've got the bases covered,  unless it is something you just want to have - Nothing wrong with that.
When I need more than a .223,  I go to the 22-250.  If I need more,  then I go to the 243/6mm.  As you can tell,  I'm  not much in to altering an original caliber unless I do not have one that is needed to fill a void that another caliber will not cover.  If barrel erosion is a concern,  then  don't shoot the gun.
                                                                                                           Whatever you decide to do,  enjoy and good shooting.

John (Rojo)

[KJV]

I can't really afford a re-barrel.  I could improve for about $150 total.
I bought the .223 VLS last weekend for several reasons:
- The barrel heats up pretty fast on the .22-250
- The 6mm bullets are more expensive
- It is easier to load the ball powder
- I need to carry 2-3 guns to the dog towns
- There was an empty space in the gun safe

I just ain't familiar with the terminal effect of the .223, and was also
curious about how much 'improvement' the AI gives.
KJV

[Dand]

I'm no expert but given the 223's minimal case taper and short neck, I seriously doubt you'd get a meaningful gain going to an AI version.

I have a .223 Ruger 1 and I've often wished for a little more oomf when shooting in the field, especially when my pal had his 22-250.  I have long thought about going to the 222 Mag to get a bit more while being economical with powder.

 My other motive would be to remove the long freebore of my .223.  I can't seat most 55 gr bullets and still be close to the lands.

Have you thought about the 22 PPC as an alternative?

[ReedG]

I can't imagine what one would need to do in a "dog town" that can't be done with a 223, but whatever. The AI version, according to P.O. hisself, has about 10% more capacity (about 2.5 grains) and 3% more velocity. Seems hardly worth it to me.

I suggest you spend a few sessions at the range working up some loads for the 223 and see how much you come to enjoy it. I have nothing against the "bigger" 22s, but only in very rare instances will they actually outperform the 223.

[saltydog]

Why would you want to waste the money - shoot the 223 as intended and pull your 22 250 out for the longer shots. AI changes are OK in cartridges with significent taper - which the 223 doesn't exhibit - to increase velocity but the 223 is not the best round to AI.

[roper]

Let see five posters against none shoot the round.  I use  a 222,223 ,222Mag and 6x47(6mmx222mag) then for fun I also shot a 222AI,223AI,22BR,22-250AI,6-250.  I liked the 223AI so much that I had another one build using same barrel as other, Hart 1/14 twist.  On a PD shoot with the 223AI I picked up appr 100yds more range and if you do the math for that extra 100yd pretty cheap over a 22-250.  If you look at the 204 Ruger case that is pretty close to the 222x45 that the BR guys use as the 222Mag case wasn't all that great for groups shooting.

I think the 223AI is a better case than the parent case and for 10% more powder you get an honest 10% increase in velocity over the 223.  I'm starting to shoot TAC powder in the 223 and 223AI so far groups look good just need to chronograph those loads and compare to existing ones.

KVJ, I'm like you and take 2 or 3 rifles and TAC is alot cleaning burning than H-335 and I'm going to try it in the 22-250AI doesn't see to heat the barrel as bad.  Well good luck.

[nomosendero]

KJV, it is a good round, but not for everybody. The best thing to do is to research with those who have actually used it & draw your own conclusion if the diff. in performance is worth the other things you have to do to attain it. Opinions, awh you know the story.
Here is a good article to read & gives an honest comparison of the 223 & the AI:    http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html

You can check data from the many references in this article.

Steve Timms of VH fame also has alot of info on the round.