7mm-08 - Chamber to Ackley or Leave it Alone?

I have a 260 Ackley, the accuracy is awesome and those bullets are zipping out there REALLY fast. I however will not have another as the fire forming of the brass is a pain in the butt, and it seems there is the odd feeding issue due to the straight case walls and the steep shoulder. Single loading is no problem, but my rifle is mag fed and I plan on some tactical/precision matches next summer and I do not want feeding issues in a high stress situation.

Plus I feel the added velocity is not all it is cracked up to be. From my 100 meter zero I am only 8.7 mils to 1000 meters so that is great, but I am sure the standard 260 would be less than 10 mils so I don't see a real advantage.
 
I am not an expert by any means but it would seem to me that by going to AI you will cut yourself off from the commercial ammunition market, which in and of its self may not be a bad thing, but what if you are in bumfartmiddle of no where and your ammunition is being safely stored at home exactly where you forgot it?

If it was me I would take the money it would cost for this operation and buy another rifle in s different calibre
 
A feature of the AI process is that factory ammunition will shoot just fine from a properly set up AI.
In this case, I wouldn't bother. I do my own gunsmithing, so the only cost would be for a reamer, but apart from tinkering, there wouldn't be much point.
 
I have really regretted getting rid of BOTH 7mm-08's that I've owned.

In many ways, the 7mm-08 is the perfect all-rounder cartridge ..
- very accurate
- very flat trajectory
- very powerful (more knock-down energy at 500 yds than a .308),
- and what's the downside? .. the recoil? .. no, it's almost unnoticeable

So, having made the same mistake (imho) that I feel you are about to make... TWICE ..
I would suggest that you reconsider. Take value in what you have, before you change it.
 
razorbeck said:
I am not an expert by any means but it would seem to me that by going to AI you will cut yourself off from the commercial ammunition market, which in and of its self may not be a bad thing, but what if you are in bumfartmiddle of no where and your ammunition is being safely stored at home exactly where you forgot it?
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Regular 7-08 ammo would work fine.
 
The Kurgan said:
That calibre needs no improvements. As others have said, if you want a bit more uumphhh, just move up to 308 or 30-06... even though you probably don't need it.
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Or a 7RM or 7WSM....staying with the same caliber that is.

Truthfully, I'd go AI....just because you can.
 
I have both a std 7mm-08 and the AI version. There is a formula that goes (if memory serves ) velocity increase is 25% of case capacity increase. So if AI'ing gains you a 10% increase in case capacity (and in a 308 based case you won't ) you will get a 2.5% increase in velocity. Don't get me wrong it's a fun cartridge, and I like Layne Simmons SGLC version even more, but don't expect huge velocity gains. I think the accuracy gains from AI chambered guns might have more to do with a better cut chamber rather then the AI design. - dan
 
As has already been stated, the straight walled cases like the 308, 7-08 and 260 Rem do not give any great performance increases when AI'd.
Cases with more body taper, like the 6.5x55 do show a greater gain when given the AI treatment.
I have owned a number of AI chamberings over the years...a few stood out, the 7-08 and the 260 did not.
I would leave the 7-08 as is. If you must get more from your rifle, then the 284 Winchester chamber may be what you want.
Regards, Dave.
 
I wouldnt touch it!!Leave as a 7/08.AWESOME cartridge.
I personally would take the money you were going to spend and buy another rifle in a totally different caliber.
 
My finnlite with a 20" bbl gets 2900 fps with 140 accubond and big game powder. It's a awesome powder. Max load with varget was 2710 fps, switched to max load big game a 2900 fps. In a 20" bbl how do you beat that?
 
As mentionned, you'll only see an increase of about 50 fps unless you crank up the pressure. If you want real increases in velocity, the best approach is to rechamber to 284 Win, again as already mentionned.
 
Andy said:
As mentionned, you'll only see an increase of about 50 fps unless you crank up the pressure. If you want real increases in velocity, the best approach is to rechamber to 284 Win, again as already mentionned.
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If the OP does start thinking 284 as has been suggested, his next thread will likely be should I go 284 or
284 Shehane?
 
Nipigon Jack said:
If the OP does start thinking 284 as has been suggested, his next thread will likely be should I go 284 or
284 Shehane?
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and then people will recommend 300 Win Mag, cause their grampie took a moose with one in '73 at 467 paced yards...............
 
I've been intrigued by some of the AI cartridges, but the 7-08 version isn't one of them. The key is to decide if there is a practical increase in performance that justifies the increase in cost and inconvenience. Performance can be measured in terms of velocity or accuracy, but I doubt if a 7-08 AI offers much in way of benefits in either direction. With a 22" barrel, you should be able to get 2900 fps with a 140 gr TTSX from a safe and appropriate handload with the factory chamber; if you can hit the vitals of a big game animal out to say a quarter mile, I don't see how the AI can help. I was quite impressed with what could be done at 500 yards with a 7X57 Brno similarly loaded. A 7 mag offers a real step up in performance, which the AI version of the 7-08 does not, in that it will produce the same velocity with a 175 gr bullet, what the 7-08 and 7X57 do with a 140.
 
IMO: 7-08 is perfect in a 20-24 in barrel
If you go 7mm rem mag you should go 26 inches or the gains are not so great for a lot more recoil and muzzle blast
 
There was a great write-up on the 25-06 AI in either Rifle or Handloader in the last few months. Basically there was little to no benefit to the AI version of that case. I almost built my 25-06 as an AI but the smith didn't have a reamer and I wasn't that horny to get it done. In the end I'm glad it all shook out that way. If the parent works well who cares about another 50 FPS?

I know, I know... turn in my Rifle Loony card at the exit.
 
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