.223 to.223AI

[barenk]

Does anyone know if it is safe to  re-chamber on a NEF bull barrel from .223 to .223 AI ? Just wondering if the NEF is strong enough for the extra pressure.
Thanks for any input that may/will be given.

[quickdtoo]

Welcome to GBO! You can't create an Ackley chamber on a fixed barrel from the parent cartridge chambering, it requires the barrel to be set back which can only be done on a threaded barrel such as a bolt action where the barrel is turned into the action one thread, then the new chamber is cut. The action is plenty stong enough for a Hornet barrel to be rechambered to a 223AI tho. I have a 280 Rem Improved Ultra, but factory ammo can't be fired in it as a true Ackley would allow, it requires fire formed handloads.

Tim

[Slufoot]

You can't create an Ackley chamber on a fixed barrel from the parent cartridge chambering, it requires the barrel to be set back which can only be done on a threaded barrel such as a bolt action where the barrel is turned into the action one thread, then the new chamber is cut.
Tim

This is very good information and is true for rimless cartridges such as the 223 Rem. that barenk asked about.
Rimmed cartridges on the other hand are doable in fixed barrel firearms because they can headspace off of the rim. A 30-30 barrel can be done to AI on a Handi-Rifle and factory ammo is no problem. There is also the 22 Hornet to K-Hornet, this is also doable because of the rim to headspace on.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot