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.30-06 Ackley Improved

We recommend xxlreloading.com for the most comprehensive .30-06 Ackley Improved load data, covering a wide range of powders and bullet brands or quickload.pro to calculate your individual load:

Caliber Description

The .30-06 Ackley Improved is a popular wildcat cartridge born from the iconic .30-06 Springfield, a legendary round first adopted by the U.S. military in 1906. The renowned gunsmith P.O. Ackley developed the improved version in the mid-20th century as part of his extensive efforts to increase cartridge performance through case modification. Ackley’s method involved re-chambering a standard .30-06 rifle barrel with a more steeply angled shoulder (from 17.5 degrees to 40 degrees) and slightly less case body taper. Shooters could safely fire factory .30-06 Springfield ammunition in these chambers, which would then fire-form the brass into the new Ackley Improved configuration. This design innovation allowed reloaders a simple path to increased case capacity and higher performance without sacrificing reliability—a fact that helped cement the .30-06 AI’s reputation among handloaders and custom rifle enthusiasts.

For the experienced ammunition reloader, the .30-06 Ackley Improved offers several compelling advantages. The increased powder capacity, typically around 5 to 6 percent more than standard .30-06, enables higher velocities with similar bullet weights—often a 100-150 feet per second gain. This performance edge is especially attractive to long-range hunters and shooters seeking a flatter trajectory and greater downrange energy. Additionally, fire-forming brass is straightforward, as readily available commercial .30-06 brass or ammo can be used in the AI chamber, making cartridge preparation for reloaders cost-effective and efficient. The round is at home in both field and benchrest environments, offering impressive consistency and accuracy for those who take the time to carefully develop optimal handloads.

When it comes to game species, the versatility of the .30-06 Ackley Improved mirrors that of its parent cartridge, but with the benefit of enhanced terminal performance. This round is a proven choice for North American big game hunting, including deer, elk, moose, and black bear. The increased velocity offered by the Ackley Improved configuration provides a flatter shooting experience, making it well-suited for hunting at extended ranges in open terrain, such as western prairies or alpine settings. The .30-caliber bullet selection available to reloaders means that with careful load development, the .30-06 AI can also be tailored for varmints using lighter projectiles or dangerous game with heavy-for-caliber bullets, further expanding its appeal.

Typical bullet weights for the .30-06 Ackley Improved range from 110 grains for lightweight varmint and target loads up to 220 grains for heavy game and specialized applications. The most popular bullet weights among reloaders tend to be 150, 165, 180, and 200 grains, each offering a balance between sectional density, expansion, and retained energy. The cartridge’s improved shoulder angle not only enhances case life and reduces case stretch, but can also contribute to excellent accuracy when paired with uniform, concentric reloads. With the right powders—often slower-burning choices to make the most of the added case capacity—the .30-06 AI round can deliver superb ballistic performance, making it a compelling choice for reloaders looking to get the most from a classic platform with modern improvements.

Popular Load Recipes

- 168 gr Sierra MatchKing, 58.0 gr IMR-4350, CCI 200 primer, 2.950" OAL
- 180 gr Nosler Partition, 61.0 gr H4350, Federal 210 primer, 3.340" OAL
- 150 gr Hornady Interlock, 58.5 gr Varget, Winchester LR primer, 3.249" OAL
- 165 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip, 59.0 gr RL-19, CCI 200 primer, 3.320" OAL
- 180 gr Barnes TSX, 62.0 gr RL-22, Federal 215M primer, 3.340" OAL
- 168 gr Hornady ELD-M, 59.5 gr H4831sc, CCI 200 primer, 3.300" OAL
- 150 gr Barnes TTSX, 57.0 gr IMR-4064, Federal 210 primer, 3.240" OAL
- 200 gr Sierra GameKing, 59.0 gr IMR-7828, CCI 250 primer, 3.340" OAL

Always confirm and cross-reference loads with a current reputable reloading manual. Begin at minimum loads and work up carefully while watching for pressure signs.

Cost per Reloaded Round

Let's estimate a cost comparison per round between reloading .30-06 Ackley Improved and buying factory .30-06 ammo (since factory .30-06 AI ammo is essentially unavailable).

Assumptions and Current Estimates (as of early 2024 prices):

Factory .30-06 Springfield ammunition:
Average retail price for hunting rounds: $35 for a 20-round box
Price per round: $35 ÷ 20 = $1.75

Reloading .30-06 Ackley Improved (per round):
- Brass: $1.00 each (new, but reused ~5 times, so $1.00 ÷ 5 = $0.20)
- Primer: $0.10
- Powder: 58 grains per round (typical for .30-06), 1 pound = 7000 grains, so 7000 ÷ 58 ≈ 120 rounds per pound. Powder at $45 per pound → $45 ÷ 120 ≈ $0.38
- Bullet: High-quality hunting bullet, $40 for 100, so $0.40 each

Total reloading cost per round:
$0.20 (brass) + $0.10 (primer) + $0.38 (powder) + $0.40 (bullet) = $1.08

Savings per round:
$1.75 (factory) − $1.08 (reloading) = $0.67 saved per round

You save about $0.67 per round by reloading .30-06 Ackley Improved compared to buying factory-loaded .30-06 Springfield ammunition.

Technical Specifications

Safety Standard / Application

C.I.P. / Rifle Caliber

Most Suitable Bullet Weights

112 - 208 Grains

Case Capacity / Average Charge

70 Grains of Water / 52.8 Grains

Average Muzzle Velocity / Energy

2766 fps / 2702 ft-lbf

Case Length / Max. C.O.L

2.486'' / 3.332''

Similar Calibers

.30 BR

.30 Carbine

.30 Fl. N.E. Purdey

.30 Nosler

.30 R Blaser

.30 Rem.

.30 Super Fl. H&H

.30 TC

.30-06 Ackley Improved

.30-06 R Stief

.30-06 Spring. (7.62 x 63)

.30-30 Win.

.30-378 Weath. Mag.

.30-40 Krag

.300 AAC Blackout

.300 Blaser Mag

.300 CR

.300 H & H Mag.

.300 HAM'R

.300 Lapua Mag.

.300 Norma Mag

.300 Precision Rifle Cartridge

.300 RCM

.300 Rem. SA Ultra Mag

.300 Rem. Ultra Mag

.300 Savage

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.300 Weath. Mag.

.300 Win. Mag.

.303 Savage

.307 Win.

.308 Marlin Express

.308 Norma Mag.

.308 Win. (7.62 x 51)

.308 Win. Ackley Improved

7.5 x 55 SWISS

7.62 UKM

7.62 x 39 (.308) Russ.

7.82 Warbird (Lazzeroni)

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