Legionnaire
Contributing Member
I believe gauges for any Ackley on a .308 variant will work. I bought a set of .308 AI gauges and used them for my .243 and .260 AI builds. They’ll work for 7mm-08 AI, too. They all have the same shoulder.
Thoughts on 7mm-08 Ackley Improved... is it worth the effort and added cost?
- Thread starter MCMXI
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gotboostvr
Member
I thought so, but having no experience I wasn't sure.
troy fairweather
Member
I think my dad has the guages I'll ask him if you can't find any, don't think he has the 7-08ai reamer anymore tho. He has the standard 7-08 when I last checked.
What ive always read, and done, is your standard cartridge GO gauge becomes your No Go, and you use an AI GO gauge.....if someone does a .250AI, i have the go guage.
Actually on the .250 i set it for a noticeable crush fit on a sized standard case, then made sure the go guage went.
Actually on the .250 i set it for a noticeable crush fit on a sized standard case, then made sure the go guage went.
troy fairweather
Member
That's how my dad sets up his Ackley chambers, best to have the dies and brass when doing that. I know he has all the 280ai stuff but forget what he has for the 7-08 ai.
I need to find a 7x57ai reamer, I have that scratch on the shoulder in my chamber doesn't affect anything but it's visible in brass after a few firings and bugs me. So is day I'll use the barrel set back a thread.
I was lucky enough to get a redding 7x57ai 3 die set cheap. I would just ream the chamber to 280ai but the barrel is marked by John van Patten it being his last rifle built I'd like to keep it the same.
Nature Boy
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Don’t know if you though about going this route. Rent the reamer and gauges
https://4drentals.com/product/7mm-08-ackley/
https://4drentals.com/product/7mm-08-ackley/
Legionnaire said:
Well that's a duh moment for me!
I have the standard .308 Win family gauge set but had a brain fart for the AI. All I could find on PT&G's website was a 243 AI set with no compatible chambers listed, despite their comment that they list all compatible chambers for go/no go gauges. It doesn't take much to throw me off the scent it seems. Nature Boy said:
Yes, they're in town and I've met the owner a few times. I'd rather not go that route for personal reasons but it is a good option for sure. I want a set of go/no go gauges for myself anyway, and the cost of the reamer vs. renting isn't a big deal, particularly since I won't ream both barrels at the same time which would require renting again. I'd like to build one rifle, see how it goes, then either build the other or sell the kit which could include the reamer.
Bombs away!!! I ordered a 40 degree finish reamer, go/no go gauges and some parts for my other Kimber 8400 build i.e. a 6.5 PRC no go gauge, and an AICS T latch with a new roll pin and spring. PT&G mentions that it will be a while which is a good thing. I don't need another project right now so a couple of months lead time works for me.
Now I can figure out what to do in terms of dies while I wait. Thanks for all the good information and for pushing me over the edge. I think this is going to be cool.
Now I can figure out what to do in terms of dies while I wait. Thanks for all the good information and for pushing me over the edge. I think this is going to be cool.
I spoke with a tech at Redding this morning and his comment was that the Competition dies I have for 7mm-08 Rem won't work for the AI so I ordered the Deluxe Die Set. Also, when I placed the order for the reamer, I mentioned in the comment section that I plan on shooting the 139gr or 145gr LRX bullets from Barnes.
That 100 fps might make all the difference. I ran the numbers for the Barnes LRX 139gr, 145gr and 168gr bullets at 0F and 3200 ft elevation and an extra 100 fps moves the 168gr from marginally stable to stable/optimized. That could be a big deal for me if the extra case capacity and accompanying velocity bump, in combination with the 1:8 twist gives me the option to shoot a heavier bullet in very cold weather.
Crosshair said:
That 100 fps might make all the difference. I ran the numbers for the Barnes LRX 139gr, 145gr and 168gr bullets at 0F and 3200 ft elevation and an extra 100 fps moves the 168gr from marginally stable to stable/optimized. That could be a big deal for me if the extra case capacity and accompanying velocity bump, in combination with the 1:8 twist gives me the option to shoot a heavier bullet in very cold weather.
gotboostvr
Member
I'll be watching your results closely. I've got a 308win 700 that I've been thinking about rebarreling and a 7mm-08 is one of the top contenders. Probably a 24" lightweight barrel.
Update: The 7mm-08 AI reamer from PT&G showed up last week along with the dies from Redding so now I have all the pieces of the puzzle. I have a business trip coming up but will get one rifle put together when I get back.
Just to recap the builds ...
AG Composites carbon fiber stock with Open Country dip pattern
Kimber 84M receiver
Criterion 22" 1:8 twist stainless steel barrel with 1/2-28 muzzle threads
TriggerTech trigger
Titanium bolt handle
Just to recap the builds ...
AG Composites carbon fiber stock with Open Country dip pattern
Kimber 84M receiver
Criterion 22" 1:8 twist stainless steel barrel with 1/2-28 muzzle threads
TriggerTech trigger
Titanium bolt handle
SSN Vet
Member
If your neck sizing, and using fire formed brass, you're sizing die can switch hit.
If you happen to run across any, might wanna give 65staball a shot. Im seeing impressive velocity in my regular 7-08. I haven't shot it myself yet tho, so cant say as to the how accurate it is compared to other options.
troy fairweather
Member
Can't wait to see it doing some work, I'm trying to put the pieces together in getting that hunter.
stillquietvoice
Contributing Member
I almost got some to try out. I've seen impressive numbers from 6.5staball. The stuff went out of stock while I was placing my order so I bought superformance instead, did a load work up for 3006, but haven't tested it out yet.
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