223 AI

[Baybilly]

Hello. I have several handi rifles and like most, find them addicting. I have a 223 ultra rifle that is really kind of my pride and joy as handi's go but I do have a question. Several years ago I took this gun to a reputable "gunsmith" I am now using this term lightly. I since had some other dealings which make me kind of suspcious. He talked me into reaming the chamber to a 223 Ackley Improved. I have since bought dies handloaded for the rifle and have shot it attaining very very good accuracy ( consistent sub .450 in groups at 100yds).
Recently I have shown this gun to another gunsmith who became very very concerned with the fact that I rechambered the handi for an ackley round due to the overall length of the cartridge and pressure. He was thinking the gun is unsafe for me to shoot! if this is the case I would be heartbroke. Can any of you please shed some light on this issue. I woudl really appreciate your input.

thank you,

[quickdtoo]

Welcome! I wouldn't be concerned if the barrel is on an SB2 frame, many people, gunsmiths included, are ignorant about H&Rs, the SB2 platform is available in several high pressure chamberings, 270 Win being one of them, I have several improved chambered H&Rs, one of them being a 270 Win AI, they work just fine providing they're handloaded properly. You may want to confirm the frame is an SB2 rifle frame and not an SB1 shotgun frame tho if you didn't buy it NIB, that info can be found in the FAQs. 

His concern may be due to rechambering the parent chamber to Ackley which can't be done properly due to the barrel being fixed, what you end up with is a chamber with excess headspace which requires ammo to be fire formed to eliminate the excess headspace, when done properly, the brass will be safe to use, done improperly may cause case head separations on the brass which isn't good, see Handloading for an Improved chambered Handi in the FAQs and Help sticky.

Tim

[marine]

  Many guys here have reamed their handis to larger cartridges and they do just fine with them.  I dont see how going to a .223 AI would harm you or your rifle.  If guys can shoot full loads of .500 S&W, you should be good to go.  I have been considering doing the same thing to my .223.  What is your twist rate?

[necchi]

 It took me awhile to wrap my head around this too, but it has to do with the angle of the shoulder. You need to cut the AI deeper in the bore to get the proper shoulder. You have to cut past the 23 degree shoulder too get the 40 degree AI.
 This makes the case set deeper in the chamber. With bolt guns, they just screw the barrel deeper in the frame to get the case against the bolt face (Head space) properly. With a handy you can't do that, the barrel breech face needs to be filed down then a shim palced at the lug to push the entire barrel back to the receiver.

[Sourdough]

The .223 is not a high pressure cartridge.  Appearently you have already proven the gun has no problems by firing many rounds through it.  If there was going to be a problem I feel it would have shown up before this.