Tuff time making a final decision

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I would go with the 260 rem, 140g VLD. If you want more bang IMPROVE it but make sure you get a WAYATTS mag box instaled.

Lots of brass to pick from neck it up neck it down.

1000 yard deer killer all day long.

I have to admit though 280AI does sound real sexy!!!!!!

[MontanaRifleman]

My approach would be to ask myself how far do I want to shoot? Then take a look at the bullet/load pssibilites including brass options. Then run some ballistcs and check the performance. Personally, I would not shoot on an average size or bigger buck deer past bullet opening velocity which is about 1800 fps for a lot of bullets. If you put the shot in the right place and it pencil holes, you'll kill it, but will you find it. *If* you get the spine, you'll put it right down. Antelope are pretty delicate critters and are not likely to go far even with just a pencil hole. I consider a 270 to be about a 700-800 yd deer (buck) gun depending on the bullet/load and elevation.

It really comes down to crunching the numbers, *or* your personal preference and accepting the performance of that preference.

For me, the 270 Win is the bottom end of LR hunting, but that's just me.

[Kevin]

Of the two you mentioned the 6.5-06 will give you just a bit more range. Personally I would just go with a .284. It will be pretty inline with the trajectory of the 6.5-06 yet you will have a little bigger heavier bullet arriving at your target. It won't be to far behind an improved .280 and you won't have to fireform cases.

[devildoc]

look at the 6.5-284, sure you'll lose a little velocity compared to the 6.5-06 AI, but you'll get equal or better accuracy with a whole lot less trouble. Load her up with 4350, 4831SC or RL-22 and you'll be in business.

[TheReeper]

If your thinking about shooting the 168grn Berger, I would go with the 7mm WSM. It will give a bit more power than the other cartridges you have listed. The 7mm WSM, with a 28" barrel, will push the 168grn at around 3200 to 3250fps.

[RockyMtnMT]

Go with the 6.5-06. It is no trouble to run 25-06 brass through the sizer and load it.

From what I have seen this season out of my son's rifle on deer and elk, it is very impressive. He killed a cow last week at 370 yrds. Broke through the heavy shoulder bone on the on side, took the front of the lungs, broke the heavy shoulder bone on the off side. Recovered the bullet in a piece of meat when we were butchering last weekend. Have not weighed it yet. This was the 130g Scirocco mildly loaded @ 2950fps.

I now have no reservations about the 6.5-06.

Steve

PS When we built this rifle, we contacted the Ackley people and were told that the improved version of this was the least efficient of the Ackley improvements. Makes it that much easier. Ordered dies from RCBS off the shelf as well.

[RockyMtnMT]

One other thing, recoil is nill in a lightweight rifle. We did a 24" 8.5 twist.

Steve.