260 AI. Anybody ever play with one?

[jmad_81]

I'm thinking that I'll be due for a new barrel on my Savage .243 this spring. It used to group everything very well and was really easy to find loads for. Now, even after a very good cleaning it still doesn't shoot like it used to. It will hold 1" all day, but that is no fun when it used to do .3" all day.

I was looking at doing a .243 AI for a while. They seem pretty dang impressive. But... I have never owned a 6.5. The main use will be shooting at the range. Maybe some dogs here and there, but mostly a fun long range shooting so I can save my STW a little.

Would love to hear your thoughts.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Id skip the AI myself on this case Jake...don't think you'll see enough difference to make it with it. I think the regular 260 with 123 amax would be awesome for a great LR practice saver your STW.

 

[DrMike]

Id skip the AI myself on this case Jake...don't think you'll see enough difference to make it with it. I think the regular 260 with 123 amax would be awesome for a great LR practice saver your STW.

Agreed.

 

[Anonymous]

A few friends of mine have had their rifles "Improved"....none reported gains that made it worthwhile.

With modern powder and good handloading practices you can often exceed practical AI velocities in standard chambers or at least get so close it just doesn't matter.

 

[jmad_81]

Man, talk about a buz kill :?

 

[DrMike]

Man, talk about a buz kill :?

Is there an easier way to let you down than to tell you the truth?

 

[jmad_81]

I'm affraid not. Some times the truth isn't what a guy wants it to be I guess.

 

[BK]

The thing with AI'ing a cartridge is that as the bore gets larger, the amount of powder space gained diminishes... so you gain more powder space with a .243 (The .280 is a different critter, they increased the pressures as well as capacity). I'm not sure just where the cutoff line would be, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't bother AI'ing anything .260 or bigger (on a .308 case) just for more speed. Now if trimming was becoming a chore, then maybe I might.

 

[jmad_81]

LOL, I do hate trimming :lol:

 

[DrMike]

LOL, I do hate trimming :lol:

I'm always pleased to see my dislikes confirmed. :grin:

 

[Anonymous]

The thing with AI'ing a cartridge is that as the bore gets larger, the amount of powder space gained diminishes... so you gain more powder space with a .243 (The .280 is a different critter, they increased the pressures as well as capacity). I'm not sure just where the cutoff line would be, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't bother AI'ing anything .260 or bigger (on a .308 case) just for more speed. Now if trimming was becoming a chore, then maybe I might.

One of my friends AI'd his '06...got 40fps. He was expecting a beltless .300WM- didn't get one.

I think the 280 AI is something of a different critter too. I believe if Remington had SAAMI'd the .280 with 65kpsi like the .270 and not chambered it in their 7600/7400 rifles the .280AI would be like the rest of them....mostly history.

I looked at a couple of references and the .280 is listed at 60kpsi....but for some reason I thought it was 55kpsi when it came out. No matter- lower pressure equals slower bullets when everything else is constant.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Give it 2" more barrel then your originally thinking and theres your AI speeds without the extra work and wear and tear!!! LOL

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Standard 260 with a 26" bbl and 123g amax would be really cool I think. Very accurate, low cost, low recoil, and tons of barrel life, all while still performing quite well to 1K...Dont think you can do much better for simpler

 

[Desert Fox]

I was contemplating building one at one time but decided on 6.5-47 Lapua instead. You can't go wrong with either 260 or the 260AI. They're both superb round. I like the Ackleyrized version though because you can squeezed probably 10% more powder into the case. More powder means more velocity and the sharp shoulder will prolong brass life.

 

[jmad_81]

I thought about just doing a 6.5-284 chambered to shoot the 123 whatevers. I don't think I could make the 140 to work very well is a short action. Went back and looked at the 243AI and I really like it but I think barrel life will be shorter than my 243 barrel that I have now. I want something that will last longer than a two or three years.

I think there are several great 6.5 rounds with in a 100-150 fps range of each other that would be fun.

 

[FOTIS]

Id skip the AI myself on this case Jake...don't think you'll see enough difference to make it with it. I think the regular 260 with 123 amax would be awesome for a great LR practice saver your STW.

I concur not worth it.

 

[BK]

I was contemplating building one at one time but decided on 6.5-47 Lapua instead. You can't go wrong with either 260 or the 260AI. They're both superb round. I like the Ackleyrized version though because you can squeezed probably 10% more powder into the case. More powder means more velocity and the sharp shoulder will prolong brass life.

Yep, that or a Creedmoor...

 

[6mm Remington]

I think there are several great 6.5 rounds with in a 100-150 fps range of each other that would be fun.

6.5-06 Jake!! Simple 25-06 necked up so brass would be easy to come by. Am I helping now?? :grin: :wink:

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Its a short action savage, 06 would be nice but won't work.

 

[Woodycreek]

The thing with AI'ing a cartridge is that as the bore gets larger, the amount of powder space gained diminishes... so you gain more powder space with a .243 (The .280 is a different critter, they increased the pressures as well as capacity). I'm not sure just where the cutoff line would be, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't bother AI'ing anything .260 or bigger (on a .308 case) just for more speed. Now if trimming was becoming a chore, then maybe I might.

One of my friends AI'd his '06...got 40fps. He was expecting a beltless .300WM- didn't get one.

I think the 280 AI is something of a different critter too. I believe if Remington had SAAMI'd the .280 with 65kpsi like the .270 and not chambered it in their 7600/7400 rifles the .280AI would be like the rest of them....mostly history.

I looked at a couple of references and the .280 is listed at 60kpsi....but for some reason I thought it was 55kpsi when it came out. No matter- lower pressure equals slower bullets when everything else is constant.

I think it was in one of P.O. Ackley's books that anything over 7mm would gain very little speed if you improved it. I'm in the minority since it would be a 260 AI. I like the 125-150 FPS gain. My 243 AI gave me a good 200 FPS gain over when it used to be a 243 Win. That was with a barrel that was setback right at an inch.