6.506 vs 280 AI using 140 gr bullets

[fasthorse]

just got back from a souh texas deer hunt...i used a 280 ai..wish it belonged to me but dammitt it belongs to a friend...i have used this rifle on 2 diffrent hunts. so far 4 shots fired....3 dead deer.all were shot with the berger 140 grain vld.the 1 missed shot was my fault NOT the rifle or load. yesterdays kill was at 240 yrds thru the throat.. i know guys a neck or throat shot is risky BUT it was the only shot i had. i figured if i missed oh well..but it was the only deer i had seen in 3 days of hunting and season was over at sundown so i took a chance and got some meat for my freezer...i am in the prosess of ordering a barrel for my mauser 98 action and building the 280 ai for myself.

[timmay]

Originally Posted by liltank

Nosler brass is okay until you use a high pressure load. The primer pockets then loosen to a point they don't hold a primer. If you use loads within spec they do fine. Just don't go nuts trying to push the limits of the caliber.

Tank

I shot a case of 20 nosler 308 custom competition out of my ar-10 and 3 out of 20 blew out the primers, so Id have to agree with you on their brass not holding primers well

[ccoker]

I got a Nosler Trophy Grade in 280AI in the fall for T&E

was putting the factory 140 AB loads in the same hole at 100 yards and 2" at 500

pleasantly surprised at how soft recoiling the gun is

First weekend out I took a doe through the neck at 350 yards, two hogs behind the ear at 200 yards (one bullet through both) and my best buck at 100 yards

So happy with the performance of the rifle I just couldn't send it back and bought it..

[Shumba]

If you are set on shooting 140's the 6.5 will be superior where wind drift is concerned. The 6.5 will also start pulling away from the 280 drop wise @800 yards. However if you build the 280 specifically for 160 and up bullets like the 168 and 180 Bergers, the 6.5 is not in the same league ballistically and also where terminal ballistics is concerned there is no comparison.

I shot the 280 AI for years thinking the 140 at 3250 was the bomb. I built a rifle for the 180's and man what I have been missing.

[North61]

Got our caribou this August. I used a 6.5 Rem mag and 140 grain bullets at just under 3000fps. This is basically a 6.5-06 improved in a different form. The high BC of a 6.5 140 grain makes for quite the long range rig with very controllable recoil.




More here, from scouting to dancing to shooting to meat processing. The DRT action of a 140 grain bullet at 175 yards is seen at about 1:15 or so. I like 7mm but if limited to 140 grain bullets the 6.5 is better!

Caribou for The Table 2012 - YouTube

[Big Jake Duke]

You know, just to further mess with your head; why not a 270 AI? It splits the difference on what is bothering you.

It will push a 130gr over 3300 fps, a 140 over 3200fps, the 150s over 3150. I have only started to use the matrix 165s and that looks comfortable at 2950 fps. It also has a HUGE bc.

So there you go, split the difference and have the best of both worlds.

Ps if you do this get a 1:9 barrel.

If you are a 270 AI hater in the crowd, dont bother me. I really like mine and it shoots great.

[MudRunner2005]

My vote is for .280 AI.....That is what my next custom rifle will be chambered in.