DID I GET SCREWED - Lee Reloading Dies - .223 Remington Vs .223 Ackley Improved (AI)

CountryFolk

CountryFolk

Active member
Exchange Privileges
Joined
Jan 26, 2025
Messages
198
Reaction score
57
Points
28
I had received a damaged brand new Lee .223 Decapping and Resizing Die which I bought a few years back. I got busy and had put it on the shelf until a couple days ago.

I already messaged Lee about the problem but I dont have time to wait for their reply on if they will replace it.

I did a search on G.Broker for a replacement die and clicked the listing which had the lowest buying and shipping.

Form there the listing said "Lee 223 Rem FL Sizing Die"

About an hour after I paid for it I received an email confirmation which then said "Lee 223 Rem Ackley Improved (AI) FL Sizing Die"

From what a quick search told me, there is no 223 Remington Achley Improved Die ... its just a 223 Ackley Improved Die

So I immediately messaged the seller and while waiting to get a response from him, I wanted to ask all of you here if the 223 Ackley Improved Die is for reloading 223 Remington.
I have a 2016 Colt AR-15 in case it matters
 
Yeah, you don't have a rifle with a 223 AI chamber, so you can't use that die.

P.O. Ackley was a gunsmith many years ago that developed a series of his own improved cartridges. These were never factory standardized and are known as a "Wildcat" cartridge.

To clear the confusion:
223 Remington is the factory cartridge from which 223 Ackley Improved is formed.
P.O. Ackley thoughtfully designed the Improved version so that factory 223 Remington could be fired in the 223 AI chamber. The fired case becomes 223 AI.

Here's a pic of the two side by side.

The benefit is a couple grains more powder capacity, a 40 degree shoulder, and less case taper. This nets you about 100-150 fps more velocity for the same pressure.
It was designed mainly for varmint hunters to get more performance from their rifle without needing to re-barrel.

1783381924596.png
 
no4mk1t said:
The benefit is a couple grains more powder capacity, a 40 degree shoulder, and less case taper. This nets you about 100-150 fps more velocity for the same pressure.
It was designed mainly for varmint hunters to get more performance from their rifle without needing to re-barrel.
Click to expand...
What grain bullets did Ackley use or recommend?
 
Back
Top