6.506 vs 280 AI using 140 gr bullets

[loaders_loft]

Yrcan, that rifle looks great, and I love the stock, where did you find it? I would love to get a stock like that for my m595. At those high velocities which bullet do you prefer for deer, the ttsx or the ballistic tip?

 

[Yrcan]

Thanks for your interest in my stock. It is made in the US, my gunsmith imported it for me to Norway. i can ask him who makes it and post here.

I prefer the Nosler Accubond, it has good BC, and does not make a mess when hitting the deer. It makes a exit the size of a ping pong ball, and the surrounding flesh is pulverised.

 

[barthmonster]

280 AI... If you need something that recoils less you can handload down...

 

[SpencerSS]

If you must use 140s, the 6.5 is better, specially the 140VLD.

If you bump up to the 168 or 180VLDs in the 280AI it is a mean cat.

P.S. the 140VLD in .284" isn't bad by no means.

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

Tough call, I have both and like both. If splitting hairs the 6.5 has the best long range ballistics. The 280 the best close range ability on larger big game by shooting heavier larger caliber bullets. But both are so close and very good cartridges. No bad choice here.

 

[swift]

Why not combine the two and make a 6.5-280AI ???

Yeah,great cartridge.Mine have a 730mm barrel and shoot 139 gr scenars at 980m\s(3215fps) at 63000psi,123 gr scenars at 1045m\s( 3440fps) and 64500psi.Norma D.L 130gr moly travels at 1020m\s and 64800 psi.These are max loads and I reduse loads with a grain or so for long range shooting.I don't expect barrel to last more than 1000-1500 shots with these loads

 

[RCO]

Does anybody hunt with a lighter bullet than 140gr in the 280AI.

 

[fasthorse]

just got back from a souh texas deer hunt...i used a 280 ai..wish it belonged to me but dammitt it belongs to a friend...i have used this rifle on 2 diffrent hunts. so far 4 shots fired....3 dead deer.all were shot with the berger 140 grain vld.the 1 missed shot was my fault NOT the rifle or load. yesterdays kill was at 240 yrds thru the throat.. i know guys a neck or throat shot is risky BUT it was the only shot i had. i figured if i missed oh well..but it was the only deer i had seen in 3 days of hunting and season was over at sundown so i took a chance and got some meat for my freezer...i am in the prosess of ordering a barrel for my mauser 98 action and building the 280 ai for myself.

 

[timmay]

Nosler brass is okay until you use a high pressure load. The primer pockets then loosen to a point they don't hold a primer. If you use loads within spec they do fine. Just don't go nuts trying to push the limits of the caliber.

Tank

I shot a case of 20 nosler 308 custom competition out of my ar-10 and 3 out of 20 blew out the primers, so Id have to agree with you on their brass not holding primers well

 

[Shumba]

If you are set on shooting 140's the 6.5 will be superior where wind drift is concerned. The 6.5 will also start pulling away from the 280 drop wise @800 yards. However if you build the 280 specifically for 160 and up bullets like the 168 and 180 Bergers, the 6.5 is not in the same league ballistically and also where terminal ballistics is concerned there is no comparison.

I shot the 280 AI for years thinking the 140 at 3250 was the bomb. I built a rifle for the 180's and man what I have been missing.

 

[North61]

Got our caribou this August. I used a 6.5 Rem mag and 140 grain bullets at just under 3000fps. This is basically a 6.5-06 improved in a different form. The high BC of a 6.5 140 grain makes for quite the long range rig with very controllable recoil.

More here, from scouting to dancing to shooting to meat processing. The DRT action of a 140 grain bullet at 175 yards is seen at about 1:15 or so. I like 7mm but if limited to 140 grain bullets the 6.5 is better!

 

[Big Jake Duke]

You know, just to further mess with your head; why not a 270 AI? It splits the difference on what is bothering you.

It will push a 130gr over 3300 fps, a 140 over 3200fps, the 150s over 3150. I have only started to use the matrix 165s and that looks comfortable at 2950 fps. It also has a HUGE bc.

So there you go, split the difference and have the best of both worlds.

Ps if you do this get a 1:9 barrel.

If you are a 270 AI hater in the crowd, dont bother me. I really like mine and it shoots great.

 

[MudRunner2005]

My vote is for .280 AI.....That is what my next custom rifle will be chambered in.

 

[budlight]

6.5 - 06 AI for sure It has a nice selection of bullets with great BC and no shortage of donnor brass from the 06 line up.

As to 7mm I have the best one. It is the 7STW. When a 280 or 7mag is blowing primers the 7stw is a light load