That it will be... I have been studying this cartridge for many years, and was going to build one for the last 3 years, but have gotten side-tracked every time. But my next build will be. My next 2 will be, a .280 AI, and then a .260 AI. If my local store still has the donor sitting on the shelf, I might head up there tomorrow. We'll see how things go, to see if I can make the trip...It's about an hour & half away, but I've been doing business with them for over 10 years, and they've always treated me right. I used to always deal with the owner, but a few years back, he had a relapse of cancer, and God rest him, he passed. He was a great guy, and has cut me some absolutely insane deals over the years. Like, I was on the fence, but I couldn't walk away from them type of deals.
But another guy that I know that works there, was there back when, and knows I always used to deal with the owner, so he cuts some pretty good deals (not quite as good, but as best as he can without getting fired). And he knows I buy the cheap used 700's for donor rifles, so that also helps with the price, since he knows that I'm buying them, bringing them home, and immediately taking them to the gunsmith.
It will definitely be a .280 AI, built on a blueprinted 700 action. The donor I found is (unfortunately) an ADL, so bottom metal and a trigger swap will be in order. Stock will most likely be a HS Precision Sendero stock or new Stocky's Long Range stock, if they are no longer on back-order. Barrel, since I love bull barrels, and want this to be a fairly lightweight whitetail rifle, might be a 26" 1:9 Proof Research carbon fiber barrel. But those are not set in stone... If I find a good cheap HS original Sendero stock, and Bartlein 5R Sendero contour in stock, might save some coin and go that route. I'm all about the budget builds. This will be my 6th or 7th custom in the last 2 years, so I'm definitely no stranger to the gunsmith.
