Thread: .223 Ackley Improved

Shotgun powder with a cleaning patch jammed in there does the trick, put the barrel into a big bag of rags then you can do it in your shed no worries


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I have been forming improved cases for a fair while now. Imo the most important thing whether you are forming with or without projectiles is that the base of the cartridge is snug against the bolt face.

No matter how good they look after the initial form they take a couple loads to reach their true accuracy potential.
No trimming for the life of the case either

223 is easily my favorite cartridge. I also like the idea of improving it just for the sake of it.
A Wilson forming die would be an investment if you plan to shoot a lot as well.


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Originally Posted by R93

I have been forming improved cases for a fair while now. Imo the most important thing whether you are forming with or without projectiles is that the base of the cartridge is snug against the bolt face.

No matter how good they look after the initial form they take a couple loads to reach their true accuracy potential.
No trimming for the life of the case either

223 is easily my favorite cartridge. I also like the idea of improving it just for the sake of it.
A Wilson forming die would be an investment if you plan to shoot a lot as well.


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.223 is my favourite case too cause the more people who shoot it and don't pick up their empties the more free brass I get for my TCU

Reply from Robbie Tiffen

I used to borrow that reamer from someone, can't actually remember who, but anyway we aren't re-reaming tikka chambers these days as the hammer forged material reams badley and has cost us money to replace them so we won't be doing any more at this stage sorry

oh... I thought it was his.. interesting comment re Tikka barrels.

I just spoke to Arthur Cleland and he has the reamer and the no go gauges..

Thanks. Will send message.

Very interested in how you get on as i want to get my Rem 700 done.

Originally Posted by Wingman

oh... I thought it was his.. interesting comment re Tikka barrels.

I just spoke to Arthur Cleland and he has the reamer and the no go gauges..

Ask Kiwi Greg to confirm this, I believe he reams a lot of Tikka barrels.

Could also ask about 22-204 as I believe he can, or at least has had reamers for this in the past.
Offers slightly better performance and avoids the need for fire forming brass.

22/6mm Rem AI?
Mind you different bolt face size - silly me.

Originally Posted by Beetroot

Ask Kiwi Greg to confirm this, I believe he reams a lot of Tikka barrels.

Could also ask about 22-204 as I believe he can, or at least has had reamers for this in the past.
Offers slightly better performance and avoids the need for fire forming brass.

The only Tikka barrel we will ream/rechamber are the 223 out to 22 Terminator (22-204Ruger)

Stopped doing any others years ago, way too inconsistent & hard on reamers even brand new ones.

Big difference between 223 & 22 Terminator if you use the right powders.

Message from Arthur Cleland that the issue with hardness was attributable to older Tikkas not new ones. You have different view. Keen to get it done as all the commentary o/s is that they shoot like a laser. Probably because a longer neck like a 222.

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

The only Tikka barrel we will ream/rechamber are the 223 out to 22 Terminator (22-204Ruger)

Stopped doing any others years ago, way too inconsistent & hard on reamers even brand new ones.

Big difference between 223 & 22 Terminator if you use the right powders.

You mean you wont do any other Tikka barrel or just Tikka 224 barrels?
Is this attributed to hammer forged barrels being high quality or just don't lend well to reaming?

Originally Posted by Beetroot

You mean you wont do any other Tikka barrel or just Tikka 224 barrels?
Is this attributed to hammer forged barrels being high quality or just don't lend well to reaming?

We won't re-chamber any Tikka barrels except the 223 out to 22 Terminator.

Haven't had any dramas with doing them, others have been really hit & miss, even with brand new reamers, just not worth it which is why we stopped doing them years ago.

Its the metal the barrels are made from, even threading the muzzles isn't easy

Arthur has also told me he will do it.
A few projects I had in mind, 223 to ai 223.
22-250 to 22br. I'm fairly sure this can be done, I think he said yes.

valkyrie is only worth looking at in an AR. It has same case capacity as the 223, its just in an AR you dont loos any powder capacity with the heavy projectiles. In a bolt gun with a long throat you will pretty much match performance with the plain lane 223.