280 Ack/284 Win/7x57 Ack/260 AI/25-06 AI

[sewwhat89]

I have no intention of ever selling off any of my rifles. I will recycle them into new creations! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

I like the semi-exotic stuff. I want something a little different but not a crazy in-depth amalgamation. I was under the impression that a true AI round, you could shoot factory ammo to fireform your brass and go from there. That was my plan at least.

Basically, I have a .25-06 that is my meat gun. There are no circumstances in East TX that I can encounter on my lease that it will not perform to perfection. It has accounted for several freezer restockings over the years. When it poops out, I want to rebarrel it to a 25-06AI, but for right now, I want to make a new "meat-gun" with a little more umph and flair. None of my hunting buddies understand my desire to spend several hundred dollars to remake a gun only to border-line abuse it. The rifle will be used in the worst conditions East TX can offer, make excursions in excess of 30 feet into pine trees and bust caps at careless piggies. I know I could save a lot of money and just use my 270 I already own for the same purpose, but that is not what I want. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

I guess I still have the old timer's hang-up on the 6.5s. On paper, they almost appear too good to be true. Its not a metric thing as I love the 6 and 7mm rounds. I will have to do some "soul searching" this weekend while I am bowhunting and balance what I want with what I really can use and need. This could get interesting! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Fiftydriver]

Sewwhat89,

I feel your concerns on the selection of the lack of big game bullets is really not warranted. Here is a short list of bullets I would recommend using in a round such as the 6.5-06 AI. This is on deer size game.
Nosler
120 gr Ballistic Tip
125 gr Partition
140 gr Partition

Hornady
129 gr Interlock
129 gr Super Shock Tip
140 gr A-Max
140 gr Super SHock Tip

Sierra
120 gr MK
140 gr Gameking
140 gr MK
142 gr MK

Barnes
120 gr TSX
130 gr TSX

Swift
120 gr A-Frame
140 gr A-Frame

Wildcat
more then I want to list.


From this selection of bullets you could choose one to hunt anything from pronghorns to moose easily.

Don't think the list of hunting bullets for the 6.5 is a weakness, there are plenty to do anything you would want. Plus Swift is releasing the new 130 gr Scirocco and Nosler is rumored to be working on an Accubond as well for release next year. There are many more big game bullets then most realize.

I am not saying its a "better" choice then the 280, just that bullet selection should not be the deciding factor as it is not that significant of an issue.

Just trying to make the waters a little murkier [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]!!!

Kirby Allen(50)

[wapiti13]

Sewwhat89, I'll throw in my 2 cents. If you will not hunt anything bigger than deer, anything you mentioned would work OK. But, if you plan on ever hunting elk, moose, bears, etc. sometime, then I would go with the 280AI. Had one and not only are they shooters as Kirby said, but high end bullet selection makes it a big game caliber. Basically , a 7 Mag on a smaller, more efficient cast. And yes, you can fireform with factory ammo. But I would suggest using Win 270 brass. The web is designed for higher pressures than the 280 cases. You can milk out a little more velocity. Of course, if you want to go crazy, I have a few steelheads left over in 280. Try and stick the web on those!! Goos luck. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]