Custom Rifle Cartridge Choice

I would say a 260AI, it would fit perfectly between my Rem 6mm AI and 280AI. It will be in the safe someday.
My 19 year old grandson and I both have 260 AI's with an 1/8 twist Schneider barrels on Stiller Predator actions, McMillan stocks and Jewell triggers, he shoots a 129 Nosler Accubond LR -2900 FPS- 50 grains H1000- has take lots of antelope( 550 yards has been the longest shot) whitetail deer and lots of Texas feral hogs. I would not be afraid to shoot an elk with this combo. I shoot a Nosler 142grain Nosler Accubond LR- 50 grains H1000 in my varmint contour and has proven deadly feral pig medicine. we also take lots of game with a 6XC, Schneider 1/7.5 twist barrel, Hornady 103 ELDX, 42 grains H4350 at 3003 fps- deadly combo. Long time favoite also (since 1985) the Schilen 1/9 twist barreled 280 AI with 160 grain Nosler Accubond, 61 grains H1000- good deer, antelope and elk ( I actually a two 280 AI both Remington 700 ADL actions one McMillan and one HS Precision stock.
 
I was thinking of a fun subject to discuss. Let's say you have a chance to buy a custom hunting rifle that is broken in, has a load developed for it, and has less than 300 shots on it, what cartridge would you want? This rifle will basically be an all around hunting rifle, capable of shots out to 800+ yards. It will not be fancy or built for a specific role. The rifle will weigh less than 10lbs scoped, have a 26" barrel, muzzlebrake, and built with high quality components. If ammo and reloading components weren't an issue, what chambering would you want? Thanks!

300 PRC
 
That's what I got.
29" barrel.
7-300 Weatherby built by Harold Wolfe. He developed it in the 50s.
the original 7 STW.
242 rounds through it when I got it. No light bullets thank you very much. .010-.017 off the lands. 175 gr
 
When it's hunting time the PRC stays in the safe and I grab the 7mm rem mag! The most manageable/versatile magnum. You can find ammo anywhere (usually) high bc good sectional density. If you know how to correctly size brass the "archaic" belt doesn't mean anything. They can still shoot exceptionally well
 

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To get good at reading wind, you shoot a 6br in the wind. Shooting ultra high speed high BC heavies in wind might teach wind, but it's like learning to how to drive fast in a lambo. I shoot prs with a 6gt, lowish bc 108bt bullets. I have learned way more about wind reading in 3 events than I did in 10 years of hunting with my 7mm or 300 magnums shooting the highest bc bullets available.
Whatever works for you, but hitting within 5" at 700 yards or beyond doesn't mean you can get sloppy just because the bullet has a high BC and going fast. I found that when I shoot calibers like a .308 Win at extended ranges that, yea, you have to be more careful about wind. But I also found that when I switched to a fast high BC bullet, I overcompensated for wind far more often than undercompensated. I am not sure how you learn about wind hunting unless you are shooting rockchucks with a big game rifle; I used to shoot a ton of prairie dogs with a .223 and 55 grain bullets. You have to hold in moderate winds at moderate ranges; I didn't think it was very transferrable to big game hunting. But I hear you on PRS; I think I learned more the first six weeks I could shoot from my back door in CO that three years shooting once or twice a week in AZ.
 
I was thinking of a fun subject to discuss. Let's say you have a chance to buy a custom hunting rifle that is broken in, has a load developed for it, and has less than 300 shots on it, what cartridge would you want? This rifle will basically be an all around hunting rifle, capable of shots out to 800+ yards. It will not be fancy or built for a specific role. The rifle will weigh less than 10lbs scoped, have a 26" barrel, muzzlebrake, and built with high quality components. If ammo and reloading components weren't an issue, what chambering would you want? Thanks!
I built that as my 1st diy. 7mag 8T prefit OMR CF 26" barrel, NSS 700 SS LA, Timney 510 flat, McMillan ultra-lite Game Hunter stock, Precision Armament Hypertap break, PTG SS BDL floor plate, and a Vortex Razor HD LHT 3x15x42.
The Razor with be replaced with a Mark 5 HD at some point. I wanted to have just enough energy at 1000, with no extra recoil. And I had a 270 wsm 10T model 70 featherweight in a B&C stock already.
Shoots a 180 vld-h at 2944 fps at .5 moa. And its exactly 10 #'s even, empty and no sling. Plenty of energy at 1000 yards for elk at attitude.
If I was to do it again and didnt have a 270 wsm, I'd go with the ulta-lite Game Scout, I have one and like it slightly better, and maybe a 22" barrel, and probably 270 wsm so I would still get good speed from the 22" barrel with a fairly fast powder like RL16. And still just enough energy, 1200 #'s at 1000 yards for elk at attitude.
And I'd spend the extra money and buy a Bighorn or Tac 30 action. 700 is ok but once your $3000 plus whats $500 more.
 

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300 or 338 Terminator from Defensive Edge. Not exactly by your layout, but definitely a dream firearm for me.
 
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