Rifle · Proprietary

.308 Winchester Ackley Improved

.308 AI.308 Winchester AI

Ackley Improved version of the .308 Winchester; widely discussed in precision shooting communities for its improved case capacity and reduced body taper..

Caliber
0.3079″ · 7.82 mm
Introduced
1952
Case
Rimless
Parent
.308 Winchester
Status
Active
Velocity2,700–3,000 fps
Energy2,670–3,297 ft·lb · est.
Identity
Introduced
1952
Type
Rifle
Origin
United States
Inventor
P.O. Ackley
Standard
Proprietary
Status
Active
Availability
Uncommon
Build
Primer
Boxer Large Rifle
Case type
Rimless
Pressure & range
Max pressure
62,000 psi
Eff. range
700 yd

Ballistics

Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–800 yd
100 yd · zero0″−108″108″ drop @ 800 yd0400800Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
Parent case
.308 Winchester

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.

SAAMI · approximate
Measuremmin
Bullet ⌀7.820.308~
Neck ⌀8.720.343~
Shoulder ⌀
Shoulder angle40°~
Base ⌀11.960.471~
Rim ⌀12.010.473~
Belt ⌀n/a
Rim thickness1.370.054~
Neck length
Case length51.162.014~
Overall length71.122.800~

Missing a dimension for .308 Winchester Ackley Improved? Some case measurements aren't in a published SAAMI/CIP drawing yet. Have a factory or reamer print? Send it → — verified hard-to-find data earns a free Lindcott sticker.

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

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

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

Lineage

Immediate parent
Family TreeOpen .308 Winchester Ackley Improved in the interactive cartridge family tree

Connected reference

History

The .308 AI is one of the more commonly discussed Ackley Improved cartridges due to the .308's dominant position in precision rifle shooting. In practice the gains are modest — 50–80 fps — because the .308 already has a reasonably efficient case design. It requires custom chambering and is not in common factory production.

FAQs

What bullet diameter is .308 Winchester Ackley Improved?
.308 Winchester Ackley Improved uses a 0.3079″ (7.82 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .308 Winchester Ackley Improved still in production?
.308 Winchester Ackley Improved is active; typical availability is uncommon.
What is .308 Winchester Ackley Improved based on?
.308 Winchester Ackley Improved is derived from the .308 Winchester case.

Sources & provenance

  • ReferencePublishers Development Corp. (P.O. Ackley) — Handbook for Shooters and Reloaders, Vol. I & II (P.O. Ackley) · bullet ⌀, velocity, grain weights, year
  • ReferenceGun Digest / Krause (F+W Media) — Cartridges of the World — .308 Winchester Improved / Ackley section · velocity, bullet ⌀

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