What bullet diameter is .22-250 Ackley Improved?

.22-250 Ackley Improved uses a 0.224″ (5.69 mm) diameter bullet.

Is .22-250 Ackley Improved still in production?

.22-250 Ackley Improved is active; typical availability is uncommon.

What is .22-250 Ackley Improved based on?

.22-250 Ackley Improved is derived from the .22-250 Remington case.

Lindcott Armory

Rifle · Proprietary

.22-250 Ackley Improved

Also known as .22-250 AI

Ackley Improved version of the .22-250; pushes .224 bullets to near-.220 Swift velocities with better case life; popular among varmint hunters wanting maximum velocity..

Caliber: 0.224″ · 5.69 mm
Introduced: 1955
Case: Rimless
Parent: .22-250 Remington
Status: Active

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Velocity2,900–4,300 fps

Energy1,120–2,463 ft·lb · est.

Identity

Introduced: 1955
Type: Rifle
Origin: United States
Inventor: P.O. Ackley
Standard: Proprietary
Status: Active
Availability: Uncommon

Build

Primer: Boxer Small Rifle
Case type: Rimless

Pressure & range

Max pressure: 65,000 psi
Eff. range: 500 yd

Ballistics

Representative trajectory · velocity only, no drag model · 100 yd zero0–1000 yd

Drop Zero

Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .22-250 Ackley Improved, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.

Open in Ballistic Compare

Parent case: .22-250 Remington

Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

reloading data · secondary source

Measure	mm	in	✓
Bullet ⌀	5.69	0.224	·
Neck ⌀	6.45	0.254	·
Shoulder ⌀	11.53	0.454	·
Shoulder angle	40°	—	·
Base ⌀	11.86	0.467	·
Rim ⌀	12.01	0.473	·
Belt ⌀	n/a
Rim thickness	1.24	0.049	·
Neck length	6.86	0.270	≈
Case length	48.56	1.912	·
Overall length	59.69	2.350	~

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .22-250 Ackley Improved is highlighted below.

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Powder $/lb Charge (gr) Bullet $/ea Primer $/ea Brass reuses Brass $/ea

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Lineage

Family TreeOpen .22-250 Ackley Improved in the interactive cartridge family tree

Connected reference

FirearmsFirearms in .22-250 Ackley Improved ToolCompare ballistics

History

The .22-250 AI reshapes the parent .22-250 Remington case with a sharper shoulder angle, increasing powder capacity and adding approximately 100 fps over the standard .22-250. It is fireformed from standard brass and produces less case stretching than the parent, making it a practical wildcat for serious varmint hunters.

FAQs

What bullet diameter is .22-250 Ackley Improved?: .22-250 Ackley Improved uses a 0.224″ (5.69 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .22-250 Ackley Improved still in production?: .22-250 Ackley Improved is active; typical availability is uncommon.
What is .22-250 Ackley Improved based on?: .22-250 Ackley Improved is derived from the .22-250 Remington case.

Sources & provenance

Manufacturer Sierra Bullets — Sierra Load Data — .22-250 Ackley Improved · bullet ⌀, velocity, grain weights archived
Secondary AccurateShooter.net (reprinting Sierra data) — .22-250 Ackley Improved Sierra Loads (PDF) · velocity archived

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →