Author Topic: Custom Rifles and PO Ackley (Read 656 times)

springer222 · « **on:** December 21, 2003, 03:55:36 PM »

I have aspirations of building four different custom rifles in the following Ackley Improved calibers -a P-17 action for a 375 H&H AI, a Springfield action for a 35 Whelen AI, a '98 action (VZ-24) for a 7x57 AI, and a '96 action for a 257 Roberts AI. I have all of the actions, including two Oberndorf '96 actions. My question/concern - are the Oberndorf actions strong enough for the 257 AI round? I know I can either use another '98 action for the 257 AI or even buy one of the new commercial Mauser actions but I am set on the using the different actions and Ackley Improved rounds as kinda' a tribute to both PO Ackley himself and custom rifle builders of the past who used military actions as their basis for custom rifles. Even though there are many fine calibers that will do more than these Ackley rounds, I love their efficiency and I like having things that are just not the norm.

Thoughts on the strength of the Oberndorf '96 actions?

257AI · « **Reply #1 on:** December 21, 2003, 05:32:22 PM »

I was just looking through my Ackley book and reading the question and answers in back. Question on strength of 95 action and suitability of rebarreling to 220 swift , 257. 7x57, 243,244 308 etc. He said that they probably wouldn't would be ok but he wasn't too sure about the swift. He also recommended that the person use a 98 action for the highter pressure. The ackley is a high pressure cartridge and one of my favorites. I wouldn't feel good chambering one in a 95 or german 96 action. I might be tempted to in my Husqvarna 96 action made in 1943. I think that the steel is quite a bit better in the Husqvarna. To build a sweet 257AI find a small ring 98. Just my opinion.

257AI (Ackley Improved)

gunnut69 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 21, 2003, 06:32:21 PM »

I would bet the '96 would handle the pressure(I too would prefer the Swedish built action) but if you should ever blow a case or even pierce a primer, you'll be sorry you've a '96. They lack the final refinements on handling escaping high pressure gas that made the '98 so famous. Even the Enfield and Springfield aren't the equal of a '98. Still the Swedish 96's are great little rifles. The AI rounds with their straight sides tend to build a lot of pressure before showing the normal signs. A nice small ring 98 would be preferfed but I would feel endangered too badly with the '96.

springer222 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2003, 05:47:26 AM »

Thanks for the info. I guess I'll just have to do something else with the two '96 actions (I already have two stocks started for the actions - 1 fiddleback maple and 1 honey locust). Probably leave one a 6.5 and sit on the other until I decide what to do with it. I have several Turk actions of which I may turn 1 into the 257 Roberts AI. Again thanks!

257AI · « **Reply #4 on:** December 23, 2003, 06:00:31 AM »

I turned a turk into a 257AI and it worked out OK. May I suggest that you take one of your 96 actions and turn it into a light weith 250 Savage. Great little cartridge and is often recommended for the 93-96 actions. It is one of my favorites. I even have a finish reamer in 250-3000 now if I could just find a 25 caliber barrel to use it on.

257AI

gunnut69 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2003, 06:03:02 AM »

I have a turkish action. It has the small ring diameter barrel shank but the large ring. I was thinking of thinning the ring to near small ring dimensions but leave the top alone. The front base would then look more like an itegral square bridge look. The rear ring would simply have the rear base welded in place. Both bases would probably be at leat semi custom. A Claw type mount(lowered for better scope use) would be the mount of choice. Need to do some more measurements to be certain there no dimensionsal problems. Most especially the internal dimensions of the lug races etc. I plan on using it for a light weight mannlicher in 7x57.