SmallCaliberCentral

Does the 204 cartridge lend itself to being Ackley improved? I've never heard of anybody doing it, and wonder if they did- would it provide much improvement in terms of either velocity and/or accuracy?

I have had dreams of a 20-06! Don't really know why but it does have a ring to it!

I asked the same question a while ago. Do a search for 204 Ackley and it should come up.

there is someone that has ever thing he shoots, AI'd.I doubt there would be much improvemet since the 204 already has a 30deg shoulder.The 40deg shoulder could cause feeding problems from magazine guns.A 20BR would be a better choice IMHO.

As much as I personally have liked and own a couple of AI rifles. I do not believe the slight increase in the shoulder angle would make any difference, in regard to the 204 Ruger. Case life and velocity would gain so very little, do not believe the extra cost of dies, chambering, etc. would prove cost effective. At least that is my humble opinion. Bill K

You're right Bill....this has been discussed ad nauseum. The 204R is at it's best "as-is", and not much gain could/would be realized by "Acklying" the case. With minimum body taper, 30* shoulder, it feeds well and has more than enough powder space to be called slightly "overbore" the way it is now. "Improving" it would only add needless potential feeding problems and die costs to realize a possible tiny gain in velocity.

This is one cartridge that the designers "got right" the first time around IMHO. Thank you Dave Emary, you did us good!!!

Thanks for all the replies. You basically said what I suspected, although I thought the issue would be in loosing neck length in changing the shoulder angle.