looking to build a a new better handling rifle

[sp6x6]

There was a outstanding 280AI just resent in adds here, real beauty

 

[John Klingenberg]

The donors kind of determine where you are. The Tikka may be a little harder to find a WSM stock or bottom metal and magazines for the conversation. Feed rails in the bottom of the receiver always seem to crop up a problem or two with the fat mags. If you're going with a short fat start with a short fat action if you want to save a little gunsmith money. The Sako would be my choice and 280AI is a great cartridge and as Bravo4 said...components are readily available.

 

[rotorhead]

Just make it easy.A plain Jane 30-06.Loaded with some of the modern day powders it can deliver some amazing results.

yes I really thought about that but if i did it would have to be an ackley or gibbs or sherman etc, just because. I dropped back to the 7 in my mind because in the same weight bullet you should BC

 

[rotorhead]

That would be the easy button for sure. However, I also understand wanting something different is fun as well. If I was wanting a 7mm on a long action reciever and standard .473 bolt face, I'd opt for .284 Win or variant.

It adds a lot more flexibility for bullet seating options due to constraints of magazine length. I realize you'll give up a little in FPS, but I'd happily loose that to have a cartridge work flawless with my magazine length. Just some food for thought, much like changing a .338 WM Tikka to a 7mm WSM.

I certainly see your point and its a good one. The sako has a detachable magazine and it measures 3.75 which should give me a little more room with the AI.

 

[rotorhead]

Right now literally just the difficulty with getting the exact 7mm bullets you want and h4831 or h1000. And I see it as less versatile than a 22" 30-06 with a modern reamer, especially under 600 yards. That again is based largely on your desire for a handy all-rounder. But I have seen 280ai ammo on shelves a lot around here so if that's the route you're going that's a viable option. People sure like them.

Jake, good points but it takes a long time to get the work done these days and the supply chain is always changing. the 4831 isnt an issue at least yet as I have few pounds of it I also have a couple 1000's. Once I decide I will start sourcing bullets but I have a lot of the little older models around because I used to do a lot of custom reloading for my uncles buddies. Unfortunately most of them old fellas are not longer with us. I visited with a fella at the range and he was shooting a straight 280 with a hornady 162eld I believe and was printing some real nice groups. That is right around the weight I was thinking abut. The 30 is still not off the table. I thought for sure the 280AI was going to get the nod but you guys have me checking into all the other suggestions other than the 26's. I feel the sako is a little better starting point and that I will sell the tikka but I will go back and forth in my mind several more times , I'm sure

 

[sndmn11]

7saw

 

[rotorhead]

The donors kind of determine where you are. The Tikka may be a little harder to find a WSM stock or bottom metal and magazines for the conversation. Feed rails in the bottom of the receiver always seem to crop up a problem or two with the fat mags. If you're going with a short fat start with a short fat action if you want to save a little gunsmith money. The Sako would be my choice and 280AI is a great cartridge and as Bravo4 said...components are readily available.

John, I think your spot on. I just did some checking on my two doners. The mag on the sako is longer than usual and staggard. I put some of my 6.5-06's in it and it holds 5 plus the length is way long compared to my tikka 6.5-06. So as you thought less gunsmith money=more hunting money. Then I have all kinds of -06 brass if I ever get in a pinch. I have loaded for just about all of the -06 brotherin except a few. I have many powders to choose from on hand. The rifle now weights just under 8 with a scope, not the one that will stay on it but it gets in the ball park. I do believe this is the right choice. Sako TRG-S 280AI fast twist. Thank you sir

 

[rotorhead]

Ok, I have made the decision to go with the Sako and chamber it for the 280AI fast twist. I'll keep the stock for now and see what it will do. There are so many barrel makers out there this should be a challenge. I have used a few lilja, hart and barlien in my past I have to say the bartlien on my 6.5 is superb. Any suggestions? Next I need a really good smith. I have two from your suggestions to get a hold of, any other recommendations? Next barrel twist and length. I have mostly used Redding dies and a few odd balls along the way that the gunsmith cut for me, what is the skinny these days on dies. Last few I went with were the bushing type dies.

 

[Lenny Foffa]

I'm sure it's really fun and rewarding to build one from Scratch, but I would like to suggest the Weatherby Ultralight Rifle in 270 Win, for Whitetail ,Mule deer and Antelope hunting . Its a 5/34 pound rile with a full 24 inch Fluted S/S Krieger barrel, in a Super light grey synthetic , Kevlar stock. Its built on a slightly trimmed down Weatherby Mark V 240 Weatherby Mag ( 6 Lug ) action. Its fast handling, and very accurate , in a really great deer cartridge. ( opinion) . Even the factory trigger is fine ! I had the stock Hydro Dipped in Snow Camo Pattern , just because I cant leave stuff alone. I bought it used about 12 or 14 years ago for $1000 in Gander Mtn . Its my #1 go too deer rifle . I cannot imagine what else I would do to a hunting rifle if I were custom building it. Leupold Steel Rings and Bases.

 

[Alibiiv]

I must ask, Why the concern with the 7's

I realistically would shoot out to 600 on game and I'm confident to do so once it get back in the groove. I have and can shoot 1000 pretty easy as it was a serious focus of mine in past years. All targets and powerful guns but I never felt comfortable shooting that far on game, I'm not saying a speed goat or and auodad at say 625 wouldn't work but only if I didn't feel I could get there. I like to hunt and getting a little closer hasn't been much of an issue in the past. Alot can happen in 400 more yards so I would say 6 is what I'm looking for. I really think 3-4 is all I need but as they say, just in case. I'm really leaning to the 280AI built on the sako TRG-S. I already have a 6.5-06 and its a beautifully accurate shooting rifle, its really the one I would take longer shots with anyway. The problem is it is a bit heavy for mountains, hills no issue and flat lands no issue. It has a beautiful laminate stock and I dont mind a ding or two but mountian hunting needs a composite. I think the one that is on the sako should suffice. I am wanting a rifle I can take to the mountians and it seams the sako really only needs some minor work and a good barrel. The idea hear is to sell the one I dont use. I have done all the super distance shooting I need to do, if things go too far south maybe not but I really just want to hunt, I'm a neck shooter when it is possible and I like the precision required. As earlier stated, I have shot most of the hard hitters, I just want a work gun that is super accurate with a sensible scope.
The tikka will probably be the one sold as I think a good gunsmith can work with me to get the most out of the 280AI and a nice nearly non existent recoil to boot

I want to say I appreciate all the input and points of view. I caused me to do some more hunting around and helped me decide that The 280AI is all I need. next all the details will have to be thought out, this is where it gets fun.

This forum is the greatest place to find the information like what you're seeking. Glad to read that you've found the cartridge for the build, that's a major step for making that special rifle. What I strongly suggest is at least a 24 inch barrel if not a 26 inch barrel to get the full potential out of the .280 AI. I have several rifles that have 26 inch barrels that I hunt with, I really do not notice that much difference between them and their factory 22 inch barrels when I'm hunting. I'm shooting Ruger 77s, .,270AI and 30-06, that I had the barrels contoured to factory specs. The barrels are light and wispy, and as of late I've determined that they are 2 shot rifles due to that contour. By this I mean 2 shots will be 3/4 inch, 2 **** group at 300 yards then the 3rd shot will walk about an inch. But that's with a light factory contoured barrel. I know it's possible to get more than two shots at a long distance, however I'm not too certain about the possibility of that happening at least fo me. My shooting realist shooting skills are similar to yours, more like 300-400 yards. 300 yards no issues and all day long, 400+ it's a "maybe" we'll take the shot depending on the variables. One last consideration that I'd like to suggest is barrel twist and hurling those heavy for caliber bullets. For me personally my .270 AI HAS A 1:10 twist because of my shooting capabilities and what I intend to hunt. I believe that in the .270AI cartridge the 130 for whitetail deer out to 300-400 yards is the optimum we bullet and a realistic choice. A heavy bullet=weight = recoil!! You've written that you've shot the heavy hitters and you are looking for something more comfortable to shoot. If I were building a 280AI and hunting up to elk I'd be thinking 168-175 grain bullet as an optimum heavy weight bullet for my hunting needs. Good luck with your build.

 

[S96743]

Ok, I have made the decision to go with the Sako and chamber it for the 280AI fast twist. I'll keep the stock for now and see what it will do. There are so many barrel makers out there this should be a challenge. I have used a few lilja, hart and barlien in my past I have to say the bartlien on my 6.5 is superb. Any suggestions? Next I need a really good smith. I have two from your suggestions to get a hold of, any other recommendations? Next barrel twist and length. I have mostly used Redding dies and a few odd balls along the way that the gunsmith cut for me, what is the skinny these days on dies. Last few I went with were the bushing type dies.

LRI is in TX

 

[COBrad]

I'll save any rifle type suggestions as you have already made some decisions. I can recommend a really good gunsmith though. West Elk Precision in Grand Junction Colorado. I have a 9 lb 300 WSM he built that usually holds half moa on my 1320 yard range in calm conditions. He is finishing up a .300 Norma Improved for me now. PM if you would like more info.

 

[bamban]

LRI is in TX

Where in TX?

 

[ducky]

LRI is in TX

Long Rifles Inc. is in Sturgis SD according to their web page.