My New Toy

travishunter3006 · Apr 4, 2015

LAST EDITED ON Apr-04-15 AT 11:25PM (MST)[p]Just finished my new toy.

I have a 260 AI with a 27" green mountain bull barrel, on a savage 110 long action and wrapped up in a Boyd's stock. Sitting atop this beauty is a Viper 6.5-20x50 vortex scope.

Went to the range to fire form some 260 factory and shot well.

Can't wait to see what she does with hand loads. Ill be shooting H4831 and will be topping that off with either 140 Berger Target Hybrids, 140 Hornady Amax or the 142 Long Range Accubonds.

This gun weighs 11 pounds but though primarily it's use will be over a bench she will accompany me into the woods this year on deer, elk and antelope hunts. I also hope to kill a coyote or two with it as well.

sageadvice · Apr 4, 2015

A bit heavy for my liking but i like your choice of cartridge. Probably do everything you'll want it to as long as you don't stretch those shots out too far on game.

Congrats on your new Rod!

Joey

"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"

travishunter3006 · Apr 4, 2015

It definitely is heavy for a hunting gun!

sageadvice · Apr 4, 2015

Something about those AI cartridges over the parent cases make them look sexy! The first time i fire-formed my 280AI, i took the spent case out, OH Yeah!!

Joey

"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"

Zeke · Apr 6, 2015

Joey is right, there's something special about the looks of the AI cartridges and the performance gain isn't too shabby either.

Enjoy the new rig. Should be a great little shooter and tons of fun!

Not my cup-o-tea for a "hunting" rig but certainly hunting isn't the only way to enjoy a rifle.

Zeke

one_dryboot · Apr 6, 2015

Nice set up.

Now show them your other toy. You know. .. the one that vibrates

Tikka · Apr 7, 2015

>Nice set up.
>
> Now show them your other
>toy. You know. .. the
>one that vibrates

LMAO!!!

travishunter3006 · Apr 7, 2015

>Nice set up.
>
> Now show them your other
>toy. You know. .. the
>one that vibrates

Sorry boot, I'd show a picture of you but I don't have one. Well at least not one that appropriate for this website!

lip_curl · Apr 7, 2015

LAST EDITED ON Apr-07-15 AT 12:25PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Apr-07-15 AT 12:25?PM (MST)

just curious, how much more velocity do you get from the AI version? whats the upside in fps/inch of barrel length in this caliber?
you might throw a 140SST in the mix, if my other calibers dont like the berger or ABLR, they almost always like the SST and ive been pleased with their performance on deer,lope,bear,vermin (wouldnt try to crack elk bone w/ one though)
im playing w/ a 260 on the other end of the spectrum, savage lightweight hunter, 18" barrel, 5 1/2 lbs and its showing a lot of potential. SSTs are holding <6" groups out to 500-600 yards which is about where the energy dwindles.

if you dont mind the weight of a long barrel whats your motivation to use a 260 when you would get more velocity out of the 6.5x284, 264win mag or the 26 nosler?

travishunter3006 · Apr 7, 2015

You ask really good questions. This gun has been months and months in the making. I have researched and shot 6.5 calibers chambered in 260, creedmor, 6.5X284, 6.5-06 and 260 AI.

The reason I went with the 260 AI is because I am pushing these 140's at 2920fps. This is nearing 6.5X284 performance.

I like the 260 cartridge but found it lacked that "edge" I've always looked for in a gun. I also took into account the cost of reloading costs and components such as cases and grains of powder per case etc... very hard to find 6.5X284 cases and if you do they get pricey. I pay $5 per POUND for 260 cases right now and that is enough to justify all the cost that goes into the fire forming of the AI case. I have yet to loose a case to fire forming.

My friend just built a 260 but it will be hard to compare apples to apples as he chose a 24" barrel but I believe it should be close enough to get an idea of performance differences. I chose the 27" barrel as I believe (my own opinion) that this is the max barrel length this case/bullet combo will like.

I also chose to upgrade the lug and nut to precision components offered by Northland Shooter Supply. Give they number a call and the owner answers. He is full of info and useful knowledge. He played a crucial role in some of my choices.

travishunter3006 · Apr 7, 2015

the first time I laid eyes on the 26 Nosler ballistic info I was sold. then I started looking into the actual build and found my money draining faster than I could afford.

One of the biggest considerations I made was barrel life. I hope to shoot this rifle thousands and thousands of times before replacing the barrel. this is why I chose a savage platform and the 260 AI. gives me a lot more life than the bigger and superior cartridges.

lip_curl · Apr 7, 2015

i went w/ the 260 for barrel life, recoil, weight (lack of) in the rifle, brass avail., and the BC of the 6.5 as well.

....but arent you giving back all of that barrel life as soon as you push the bullet to 6.5x284 speeds?

travishunter3006 · Apr 7, 2015

Probably.

Cahunter805 · Apr 7, 2015

Nice rifle! Hope you enjoy it.

I've went the ai route before and have since moved on. Fire forming just wasn't for me. Also for all the work the gains are minimal in most cartridges. The 280ai is the cartridge id consider since brass is available already formed. The shoulder angle does look cool though.

sjhgraysage · Apr 13, 2015

IMHO: A .264 diameter bullet weighing 140 grains at 2920 fps should not be any harder on a barrel than a regular old .270 Winchester shooting 130 to 140 grain bullets. I would expect to shoot over 5000 rounds before noticing any real change in accuracy from throat erosion.

Great looking set up! Quite a bit heavier that I want to carry though.