260AI

[lancetkenyon]

24" barrel, 100 gr. bullet @ around 3,000 fps...I don't see much of a distance handicap. I run basically that same setup with a 22" bbl and I'm good to +1,000.

100gr from a 24" .260AI should be up in the 3200-3300+fps range.
BCs are not the greatest, but the added speed will help with that. I am seeing a 500+ deer round.

 

[Ltbullken]

Just my preference, but I'd cut the throat longer and set the barrel in a standard action so you can seat out longer heavier bullets, get better MV with a lower pressure curve. My 2 cents.

 

[Josh P]

Maybe consider building on a long action to seat the bullets long.

 

[TxHeartShot]

100gr from a 24" .260AI should be up in the 3200-3300+fps range.
BCs are not the greatest, but the added speed will help with that. I am seeing a 500+ deer round.

Easily a 500 yd deer round. That bottom rack in my avatar was with a 130 gr. Scirocco from a regular 260 Rem at around 700 yds.

 

[Eric H]

Will be heading to my GS Friday to pickup my 6CM and 6GT and get his recommendations.

 

[Sid Post]

Maybe consider building on a long action to seat the bullets long.

On a long action, I'd do a 6.5 Swede myself or 6.5x55AI variant. I think that one is generally overlooked but, as an Intermediate cartridge, you get more case capacity along with room for longer higher BC bullets without a lot of fuss.

 

[JAYgs8163]

Running the numbers using an 100 GR Barnes and assuming you can get 3000 FPS from the 18" barrel, your effective hunting range will be between 400-500 yards. After 500 yards velocity falls off fast. At 500 you're still moving at 1900 FPS.

 

[MTSLW]

Good luck! Can't wait to see your finished product. The thought of a 6.5swede in a short action is very intriguing.

Look up the 6.5 Addiction, it's a Swede improved. I've been shooting them for a few years and it's a great cartridge! 140's at 3050 is easy and have run up to 3200 in a 26" barrel with RL 26. Also have reamers for 6 and 22 versions the XM length Defiance action is perfect for it!

 

[lancetkenyon]

Just my preference, but I'd cut the throat longer and set the barrel in a standard action so you can seat out longer heavier bullets, get better MV with a lower pressure curve. My 2 cents.

This. I had my reamer cut with an additional. 090" of FB to .140". Still fits in a 2.980" Accurate .308 mag or a Wyatt's extended box SA mag.

 

[Mark carter]

I saw you were getting the 700 action and if you have not yet, you might consider a Mack Brothers. Already has the M16 extractor, nitride bolt with flutes and Wyatt's cut.

EVO II Stainless Steel BDL Short Action | Mack Brothers

The Mack Brothers EVO II Stainless Steel Short Action starts from a 416 heat treated billet, and is CNC machined in only two operations eliminating possible

macbros.com

They are great actions to build on and at a decent price

 

[Mark carter]

I saw you were getting the 700 action and if you have not yet, you might consider a Mack Brothers. Already has the M16 extractor, nitride bolt with flutes and Wyatt's cut.

EVO II Stainless Steel BDL Short Action | Mack Brothers

The Mack Brothers EVO II Stainless Steel Short Action starts from a 416 heat treated billet, and is CNC machined in only two operations eliminating possible

macbros.com

They are great actions to build on and at a decent price

 

[Mike D Texas]

24" barrel, 100 gr. bullet @ around 3,000 fps...I don't see much of a distance handicap. I run basically that same setup with a 22" bbl and I'm good to +1,000.

I would like to see your ballistic chart on that.

 

[lancetkenyon]

I would like to see your ballistic chart on that.

This is at6500' and 80°F. Pronghorn country. The 100HHT @ 3400fps is barely a 900 yard round in my opinion.
Take 400fps off, and more like a 650yd round.

 

[Tom264]

Big 260AI fan here but surely wouldn't handicap it with a slow twist barrel.