Interesting post and question.

I do not have one, but keep teetering on the fence as to whether to buy one as a "ranch rifle" for varmints, deer and rarely elk or bear. For my needs, my 6.5x55's have served similarly and well and possibly better due to ability to handle long bullets. I've always wondered about a quick twist .257 with 130 or 135 grain custom bullets. It is a caliber that I do believe could kick me into a bullet swaging setup...

Anyway, from what I have read, the biggest problem with the STANDARD .257 is the "lousy" factory ammo ballistics and the reputation these rounds have garnered ON PAPER. In the field most folks report they kill well, and boosting the velocities to what the various modern rifle actions can take would put the cartridge in another realm yet above factory level ammo performance.

If {when} I get one, I believe it will be the regular vanilla version as I don't see enough improvement by the Ackley to warrant the cost FOR ME. This is NOT to criticize the Ackely at all, as it is a super cartridge, only to show my hand about my hesitation to pay money for extras on utility rifles I'd wind up beating up any-ole-how...