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

CountryFolk

CountryFolk

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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.

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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?
 
The development of the 223 Remington is directly tied to the ArmaLite AR15 in the late 50's and early 60's.
Initial work was being done with rifles chambered for 222 Remington, which was a popular cartridge at the time.
The Army had a specification that they wanted the bullet to have enough energy to pierce a USGI M1 steel helmet at 500 yds. The 222 Remington did not have enough powder capacity to get the velocities up where they needed to be. Remington took the 222 and shortened the neck and lengthened the body to achieve this goal and still have the OAL of the 222.
At the time, all 22 centerfire cartridges were either 1/14 or 1/12 twist. The heaviest bullet on the market back then was the Speer 60gr. semi spitzer, but most shooters were using either 50 or 55 gr. bullets.
The heavier bullets we have today are the result of the Army going to the M16A2 and specifying a 62gr. Ball bullet, and a 77gr. Tracer.

So, Ackley would have developed loads for the 55gr. bullet.
 
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