Need some advice

[Ksmirk]

Ok fella's the 243 is for the most part done now I need to figure out a hunting rifle to build, this is probably not what most folks would think to be a long range rifle but for around here I'm thinking they would be just right but I'd like to get your input and thoughts. I'm thinking about either a 6.5-06 or a 280 Remington, chances of seeing an elk are about as good as me hitting the lottery so the majority of stuff will be in the deer class and pigs. I have the 243 that I'm still working on loads for and I also have the ol' reliable 308 but they both wear very heavy barrels and I'd rather not carry them for a long distance! so I was thnking of something with a heavier than factory contour barrel but not a HV barrel but I'd like to have something that would work out to say 600 - 700 yards on deer and pigs most shots will be in the 100 - 300 yard range.

If you folks would put in your opinions and experiences with either of the calibers or your choices please let me know! this has to be the hardest part of a rifle build! thanks for looking fella's. Later,

Kirk

[Stormrider]

My choice would be the 280. Great barrel life and availability of factory brass and ammo.

[AJ Peacock]

I would 'almost' choose the 280. If I were doing it, I'd go with a 280AI, same boltface as 280, easy/automatic forming, can be loaded to almost 7mmRM levels with much greater efficiency etc.

AJ

[Varmint Hunter]

My choice would be a 7mm mag of one variety or another. While either one of your choices would work, the 7mm mags would provide a flatter trajectory for 700 yd shooting at whitetails and would provide an additional level of terminal performance for that lottery winning elk.

If you don't want to go with a magnum cartridge, the 280AI is fairly close in power to the 7mm Rem mag and can be particularely accurate in a custom rifle.

Just my 2 cents

[Varmint Hunter]

Wow - Looks like AJ was a bit quicker to the "submit" button than I was on this one. :>)

[Ksmirk]

Ok of the 2 280AI's I have had anything to do with the fella's had a hell of a time getting them to shoot, one of them pulled the barrel rechambered to 280 and it shot fine, both were the same barrel and same reamer pretty much a couple of guys with the same everything is this something that happens often? like I said I have only had dealings with 2 but hey I ain't scared! the reason I don't want to go Mag is the fact of me busting up my shoulder a few years ago and well recoil these days also involves many hours with the heating pad! I'd put a break on it but I've done that before on another rifle I had and well I'd rather deal with the kick than the noise. Thanks fella's I'm leaning heavy toward the 280 and what the hell I might just give the AI version a try!

One other question, would you chamber it to accept 270 brass? my 25-06 I never bought any brass but when I found a mess of 270 I would have to trim it down, I know the 280 brass you can purchase anywhere but hey I'm cheap and don't mind a little extra work. I guess it's time to start gathering goodies up probably start the first of the year. Later fella's and thanks a bunch!

Kirk

[mikenc]

NOT to start a fight or offend anyone, but if your other experience with the 280 AI's was bad, find a different gunsmith.

JMO

Mike