caliber for new build on long lenght action 06 bolt face

[Slaysesh]

I am looking for a cool caliber for a new build. I got a stock, action, trigger and bottom metal. just need a barrel really. but im not sure what caliber I got a 243ai already but its heavy. I plan on someday getting a 338 edge +p but that's for later plans. I am looking for a cool fun fast caliber between a 243 and 338. so I was considering a 280ai dose it have good ballistics? or is there anything else out there hotter round still staying with the 06 bolt face.
Let the discussion begin!

ie. I reload so any oddball things may be okay!

 

[geargrinder]

284win

 

[barnesuser28]

284win

yep, or if you want a little more pep in your step, Rich Sherman's (elkaholic) 280 Sherman, based off the 270 win (he also has a 300 sherman, which is the 280 sherman necked up to 30 cal)

 

[MudRunner2005]

.280 Ackley Improved would be my choice if I had a LA with the .308/ .30-06 bolt face.

 

[bigngreen]

The Sherman cases are as good as it gets on a 06 bolt face, 6.5 Sherman launching 140's 3200fps or the 270 Sherman with 165's at 3000fps, the 300 Sherman will run in the 300 win mag. It's as awesome as that case can get!!

 

[Slaysesh]

I would like the idea of this Sherman case I would like to hear more about the 280 Sherman. And what's about the Gibbs?

 

[MudRunner2005]

The .280 AI has phenomenal ballistics. It has ****-near identical ballistics as the 7mm RemMag, but in a non-magnum case. My gunsmith said he's been building them for 40 years, and they are one of his favorite hunting cartridges for deer-sized game. Which is what I want to build one for, for hunting whitetails.

 

[elkaholic]

I would like the idea of this Sherman case I would like to hear more about the 280 Sherman. And what's about the Gibbs?

Guess it's time to join the fray! I don't think you can go wrong with the Sherman case if you want '06 head size with mag performance. I first designed the 6.5 several years ago when I wanted to improve on my A.I. I was going to build the gibbs which is a screamer but did not at all like the case design. Way too short of a neck for one! I used the .270W as a parent to gain the added .046" in case length. I then blew all the taper out of the case I could and still get good extraction. This helps with pressure and case stretching and adds case volume. I then moved the shoulder farther forward than an A.I. but still left a .300" neck which is plenty for a 6.5. The long neck and 40 degree shoulder help contain the flame point better within the case rather than directly into the throat. This increases barrel life. The result was a case identical in capacity with the Gibbs, but a far better design. It has approx. 5% more capacity than an A.I. The result was a great performing cartridge with an '06 bolt that performs like a mag with better life. The same is true for the .280 version which will outperform the A.I. and the 300 is right on the heels of a 300WM. Brass is plentiful and cases are easy to form. Dies and reamer are available. Her e is a pic of the 6.5 and 300 Sherman with an -06 and parent .270 case for comparison. L to R .270W, .270 Sherman, 300 Sherman, 30-06. The .6.5 and .280 share the same case.......Rich

 

[Slaysesh]

rich would the 7mm version get close to stw performance? and what is the process of forming the cases same as any ackly improving?

 

[MudRunner2005]

rich would the 7mm version get close to stw performance? and what is the process of forming the cases same as any ackly improving?

There's only 1 7mm that that can reach STW performance and that would be the STw itself.

I would think the 280 Sherman would probably mirror the 7Mag....If I had to guess. I've never shot one, but it is similar to the .280 AI, so I'm guessing off of that.

 

[bigngreen]

I don't think you'll reach the 7STW level but the 7mag level should be attainable, the 270 version will run with my 270 WSM with .650 BC 165gr bullets and I can run with a 7 mag or WSM easy. If you want the STW performance there are several great rounds that do that but all on a mag bolt face, the 284 Sherman is the most performance you'll get from that case but it's quite a little when you look at where you start with it. On a mag bolt face your looking at the 7STW, 7 Dakota or the 7 LRM then there are a couple versions of the 7-300 win mag all in the next notch up in performance.

 

[CogburnR]

The load I am using now for the 270 Sherman is 66g of RL22 with a 130g Berger VLD. I haven't chronographed this load but it is over 3150fps in a 22" barrel. That's around 3300fps in a 26" barrel. I have shot the 165 Matrix at 2950fps in the 22" barrel so far.

For reference the Book max from Alliant for the 270 WSM is 66g of RL22 with a 130g bullet and 3228fps in a 24" barrel. For a 150g max listed is 64g at 3050fps in a 24" barrel.

I have 2 270WSM's and the performance of the Sherman is very similar.

 

[elkaholic]

rich would the 7mm version get close to stw performance? and what is the process of forming the cases same as any ackly improving?

Everyone has pretty well answered the question on the STW so I'll address the A.I. The Sherman, although it resembles an A.I., shares only two dimensions; one being the head size, and the other the 40 degree shoulder. The Sherman has less body taper and a longer body as well as longer overall length. You can not compare it to the STW as the STW is in a whole different league as far as capacity. Also in a different league as far as barrel life........Rich

 

[MudRunner2005]

Hey Rich, what kind of numbers are you seeing with the .284 Sherman, over the .280 AI?