Wildcat, which one?

[BsChoy]

I have figured out that my next rifle will be a wildcat...Probably an Ackley Imp of some configuration...I was thinking 257 roberts or maybe 243 but I wanted to know what you guys think is the most viable for a deer and the occasional coyote??

 

[rust collector]

As long as you're running off the rails, may as well go metric. 6.5 x 55 AI is popular among some long range buffs, as is 6.5-284. Relatively short barrel life with these, but they do reach out accurately.

 

[BsChoy]

as far as short barrel life, if I don't shoot the barrels hot and break in properly overall life shouldn't be too short right? figure 5000 to 7500 rounds?

 

[MachIVshooter]

The AI cartridges aren't exactly wildcats, since you can shoot factory rounds in the same gun. They generally bring the cartridges perfromance up to the level of the next one in line (.257 Roberts AI is roughly equal to .25-06; .25-06=.257 wthby. mag, etc.).

To be brutally honest, there aren't very many wildcats that are worth while these days. There are so many currently available factory chamberings that most surviving wildcats tend to be way overbore to gain the velocity edge. If you are looking for a quarterbore wildcat that will truly outperform the .25-06 and .257 wthby., RCBS makes dies for the .25-300 Ultra mag. Think 117 grain pills at 3700+ FPS. Also think rebarrel every 500 rounds or so. Just my $0.02.

 

[Essex County]

I have a heavy barrel 1917 Enfield in .257 Ackley and I feel that this a fine, efficent and balanced round. I'm quite pleased with mine............Essex

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

I would check around with a couple gunsmiths familiar with the Ackley. Some cartridges benefit alot, some a little, and some hardly at all. Almost all, however, will see increased accuracy and for whatever reason increased barrel life.

22-250 is one that benefits greatly, mainly because of the taper of the original case. A couple of gunsmiths I know talk about 4400 fps with a 40 grain pill. That's not a deer cartridge, however.

My only Ackley rifle is a .270 AI. It's new, but it has been shooting groups under 1" while fire-forming. I can't wait to see what it will do with some good handloads.

To be brutally honest, there aren't very many wildcats that are worth while these days.

I know. However, some people, me included, just like wildcats. Maybe just trying to be different. I've been thinking about hot-rodding my 25-06, but it's such a fine shooter I probably should just leave it alone.