243 Win - Have you had yours Ackley'd?

**Bowhunter** · 27-08-2013, 20:26

I've bought a new Howa 243, some folk I've spoken to say I should Ackley it for various reasons which sound positive but what have you done or not done to your 243 and why?

It's going to be used mainly for hunting, a few SA Hunters shoots and general practice. I'm going to reload.

**Maroelas** · 27-08-2013, 20:33

Why screw around with perfection?

Okay so my 243 is 50 years old and I inherited it from my grandfather, so it carries a bit of sentimental value for me.

**G-force** · 27-08-2013, 20:38

Mine is Akleyed.However it has a 26" Krieger barrel which also helps when you are chasing speed.You will also find that the ackley brass has less brass flow than the normal brass.

**Messor** · 27-08-2013, 21:04

Does it not depend on the rifles twist rate? Very few people ackley for pressure reduction, they ackley for speed, the faster you shoot the slower twist rate you require.
So the Howa you bought?

**Piet Bezuidenhout** · 28-08-2013, 06:23

I have a 1976 model Musgrave 243. I hunt several times a year and I am also the owner of a 1974 model Musgrave 30-06 and a new 375H&H Browning. From the above rifles, I choose the 243. From Eland down to Impala. Brilliant rifle. I say that when a rifle has been quality checked in the factory, you do not fiddle with it. There is nothing wrong with a HOWA. Put a decent scope on it and off you go.

**Ds J** · 28-08-2013, 07:25

I know one person who Ackleyd his 243 to flatten the trajectory. He takes only headshots. Firstly because he does culling and needs clean carcasses; secondly because few bullets are strong enough to function properly at 3900 fps. For normal shooting, I think a standard .243 should do.

**Maroelas** · 28-08-2013, 07:31

Like G-force said, you need barrel length to use the Ackley

**Bowhunter** · 28-08-2013, 07:37

Thanks guys for your replys. Any brass issues with reloading a regular 243Win? Another advantage I've been told to AI'ing is longer barrel life, your opinions? I'm not concerned about a speed increase through AI'ing, but if it's going to save me brass headaches and short barrel life then maybe it's an option?

**Capt. Oblivious** · 28-08-2013, 07:40

There are lots of reasons to AI a rifle not just speed.Better barrel life, better case life, better velocity out of shorter barrel.
In the 243's case no more doughnuts because of the better shoulder design of the AI case
The guys that know believe the 243 turns into a completely different animal after having it AI