Does any body here own a first edition Ackley reloading handbook

CMW

I have recently purchased a Mauser barreled action in .230 Ackley for a target rifle project. This is the same action as in a thread from Calebib. I actually bought the rifle off the guy who bought it from him and cannot find any reloading information for this rare wildcat cartridge. The only source i know that has any load information in it Ackley's first edition handbook. I was wondering if anyone here has on of these books and could help me out. Thanks

tennmike

The only data I have on it is from "Handbook For Shooters and Reloaders" by P.O. Ackley. Since that cartridge is pretty much not a widely used cartridge, reloading data is only available for the powders at that time, and there weren't many. Back then IMR was the go-to stuff.

60 grain bullet starting load 41 grains IMR 4064 max grains 45 starting velocity 3660 fps max 3990 fps
starting load 47 grains IMR 4350 max grains 48 starting velocity 3675 fps max 3675 fps

70 grain bullet starting load 43 grains IMR 4350 max grains 49 starting velocity 3510 fps max 3685 fps
starting load 48 grains IMR 4831 no max load given velocity 3450 fps

75 grain bullet starting load 45 grains IMR 4831 max grains 47 starting velocity 3185 fps max 3335 fps
starting load 44 grains IMR 4350 max grains 46 starting velocity 3395 fps max 3510 fps

CMW

Thanks tennmike, Could you also post the overall case length, Id appreciate it. That helped alot im glad I can still get powder to reload for it. that was the major set back for this project was wether or not i could even get powder for it. Im going to do a chamber mold soon to see if it is a .230 or a .230 magnum. I was also planning on buying a "Handbook For Shooters and Reloaders" but just wanted to know if the powder for my cartridge was still in existance.

stepmac

Actually I believe I own one of the early Ackley reloading manuals. Came in two editions, I have both. What do you want to know and I'll look it up.

CMW

Since i already got the .230 ackley info i was also wondering what the loads were for the .230 ackley magnum.

stepmac

CMW wrote: »

Since i already got the .230 ackley info i was also wondering what the loads were for the .230 ackley magnum.

I've got volumns I and II of Handbook for Shooters and Reloaders by P.O. Ackley. On page 293 of Vol 1 I've got data for the .230 Ackley which apparently you have....As an example 75 grain bullet in front of 45 grns of 4831 for 3185 fps. (sounds like a .243 to me.). In vol II on page 143 is data for the 230 Ackley (short) which they like better than the former cartridge.

Are you using the .30-06 case to form your cartridge cases? I see no listing for the 230 Ackley mag, but I see data for the 240 Gibbs which is a full length 30-06 necked to 6mm and fireformed to a larger case capacity. One load for it is: 75 grn bullet, 64 gr. 4831 for 3840 fps. That's quite a kick up from the standard 230 Ackley. How similar are the 230 Ackley mag and the 240 Gibbs?

I'd start with the 230 Ackley load and load up in steps until you get hard extraction or flat primers. Then go back down a grain or so untill it stops showing excessive pressure. Then you'll know you are okay. You are messing with hot cartridges here and I'd suggest care...but you know that.

Frankly I'm happy as a clam with a standard .243, but that's just me.

CMW

Thanks stepmac