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[LongRangeJunkie]

I am going to have a rifle built in 6.5-06 AI; you hear/read so many good things about the 280 AI, I was wondering if there is any appreciable difference to the 6.5 x 280 AI to consider it over the 6.5-06 AI.

Can anyone explain the difference (case dimensions, reloading, ballistics, advantages, disadvantages etc) between the 6.5-06 AI and the 6.5 x 280 AI?

 

[TOM H]

Might want to read this
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/dies-reamer-6-5x280ackley-41866/

 

[LongRangeJunkie]

Thanks, sounds like a lot for a little extra gain.

 

[strombeckj]

It's all splitting hairs. the 6.5 WSM/RSAUM in a long action would be my choice. (barrel life would be the only draw back) You could shoot the heavier 6.5's in a repeater and skip the fire forming. I shoot a 6mm-06 designed around the 95gr VLD as the max bullet weight. Skipped the AI version since the gain in FPS for my choice of bullet weight was nominal. You may want to think about a 6mm or even a 7mm bullet also depending what your are going to use it for. If it was for deer our smaller game I would go 6mm, deer and larger I would go 7mm. I always choose my bullet and intended target first and then look at the cases that produce my desired FPS and then ask myself "will it be worth the $$ and time" case prep, dies, fire forming, etc... sometimes an extra 100-300fps is not worth it. Take everyones input and then make a choice based on what YOU want. Good luck!

Jon

 

[backwoods83]

6.5x284 or 6.5 rem mag are less than a 100fps behind the 6.5-06ai, good brass can be had for the 6.5x284 and dies for both are cheaper, plus there is no fireforming or extra bulls#+t to deal with.

 

[rscott5028]

6.5x284 or 6.5 rem mag are less than a 100fps behind the 6.5-06ai, good brass can be had for the 6.5x284 and dies for both are cheaper, plus there is no fireforming or extra bulls#+t to deal with.

+1

Lapua brass is a huge plus for the 6.5x284

 

[LongRangeJunkie]

All good food for thought..............thank you.

I should have prefaced my post with my intended use............deer size game. I also have my heart set on a 139-142 grain bullet based on my deer hunting experience with my 270 Win. with a 140 grain vs 130 grain bullets.

I have a custom 30 caliber magnum for larger bullets/game; so this is for my lighter rifle/buller/game.

I have also done some research on my own and not interested in the 6.5-284 for several reasons even though it is a fine cartridge. Must admit I know very little about the 6.5 Rem Mag except for my reloading manuals.

I do have a Remington LA for the start of this build so any of these are excellent possibles to pursue.

I have exchanged with others in pursuit of knowledge and have been given some real good info for the 6.5-06 AI which they have had great success.............my mind was made up, but I thought I would find out about the 280 AI version before I sent the action off.

Again thanks for all input.

 

[rscott5028]

All good food for thought..............thank you.

I should have prefaced my post with my intended use............deer size game. I also have my heart set on a 139-142 grain bullet based on my deer hunting experience with my 270 Win. with a 140 grain vs 130 grain bullets.

I have a custom 30 caliber magnum for larger bullets/game; so this is for my lighter rifle/buller/game.

I have also done some research on my own and not interested in the 6.5-284 for several reasons even though it is a fine cartridge. Must admit I know very little about the 6.5 Rem Mag except for my reloading manuals.

I do have a Remington LA for the start of this build so any of these are excellent possibles to pursue.

I have exchanged with others in pursuit of knowledge and have been given some real good info for the 6.5-06 AI which they have had great success.............my mind was made up, but I thought I would find out about the 280 AI version before I sent the action off.

Again thanks for all input.

If you already have a 270win, then you're just looking for something different for the fun of it. So, you should do whatever pleases you and they're all fine cartridges.

The 6.5-06 AI gets a lot of support from other forum members and I see the 280 version discussed less frequently.

Let us know how it turns out.

Enjoy!
Richard

 

[strombeckj]

I know I love my 6-06. It has yet to fail me on deer with a 95gr VLD, it is still delivering over 1000 FT Lbs of energy @ 600 yards and is a laser.

Jon

 

[LongRangeJunkie]

Thanks, Yea I think it is everyones dream to have a custom rifle and I am no different. I reached a point in my life years ago where I became more selective with my deer harvesting............and now I have reached a point where I want more from my firearms than off the shelf.

My longest kills with my 270 have been 300uds and I was bit by the long range shooting. But now I want to step up my game and confidence...........that takes practice and confidence in your equipment. So I journey on in my pursuit of excellence and ethical hunting.