.257 ai

[Savage13]

Hey all I currently have a Savage 111 in .257 Roberts sitting in a grey laminate stock. My question is I KINDA want to re-chamber it to .257 AI. What if any are the disadvantages?

[wch]

I've had a 257AI for years, it is accurate and easy to load for. The only disadvantages that I can think of are the costs of rechambering and the loading dies

[FUBAR]

I shoot several "overbore" that people call barrel burners, but I love them....barrels are cheaper than bullets and if someone does not shoot enough to understand that then it's not an issue

I don't shoot my 6-284 in a 100 yard competition, and don't use my 6BR for Longrange hunting....but I have many rifles for many purposes, just depends on what you want to do....

[Blue Avenger]

Dies for that round are easy to find. Fire form loads are very accurate. Reamers are easy to find at most shops. They have already made a few.

[Jamie]

Do it. If you don't have dies for the original Bob yet then it is only a $75 fee at most places. Bob AI is a pretty cool fellow.

[stomp442]

Only makes a sweet round even sweeter. I say go for it you won't be dissapointed.

[BeatCJ]

How well does the .257 AI work in the shorter actions, 10, Stevens 200 SA? Can the longer bullets seated out work through the mag? I'm prowling for a 3rd 110 to build a lightweight deer rifle, getting tired of lugging the heavy ones.

[Luckus]

I have an old Ruger 77 ts 257 Roberts, that I rechambered to AI years ago. I used an RCBS sizer for years, but just recently bought a Forster sizer and had them hone the neck for less working of the brass. Go for the 257 AI (40 degree) and give the Forster die setup consideration.

[helotaxi]

How well does the .257 AI work in the shorter actions, 10, Stevens 200 SA? Can the longer bullets seated out work through the mag? I'm prowling for a 3rd 110 to build a lightweight deer rifle, getting tired of lugging the heavy ones.

You have right at 0.7" of room for bullet with the Bob. With the Berger VLD hunting bullet, you have 0.025" of wiggle room before the ogive is in the case or the round won't fit in the magazine. The nice thing is that while the chamber is being recut to AI, it can be set back a bit. That allows the smith to cut the chamber to allow you to get to the lands within that range.

[greyling]

do you 257AI havers have a few favorite loads you care to share? or even the .257 pages out of po ackley's book. I can't find that blasted thing anywhere.

also, when I got my rifle it came with a bunch of fireformed brass. It is not starting to split and I need more. I have once fired 257 bob cases, and I supposed I could reload them as bob's then shoot them in the AI, but is there a better way? should I attempt to anneal the case necks before doing anything?

[helotaxi]

Anneal them before and after if you have the capability.

[BrentWin]

The only disadvantage is that once you own one AI, you will keep getting more. I started with a 25-06 AI. Since then, My nephew and I have picked up 223AI, 243AI, 250 AI, and a 280 AI. Its a slippery slope!