The naysayers don't bother me but I'd like something different. I started out thinking .308 but that thought progressed to where we are at today...IF, you can "Stomach", the 6.5 Creedmoor "Naysayer's", Just buy, a Tikka T-3 not-Fluted, in 6.5 Creed and run the 130 gr. ELD-M's at OVER 2,800 FPS and go have Fun,.. CHEAPLY ! I love my 6.5 CREEDMOOR, Tikka, it's Accurate ( sub 1/2 MOA ), LOW recoil and, Awesome,. Barrel "Life" !
Then, use action to, re-barrel,.. "SomeDay" !
I have fireforming loads shooting sub 1/3 moa easy. I wouldn't say you have to "deal" with fireforming.I agree on the 260AI since this is the route I went.
Wasn't sure if the OP wanted to deal with fireforming so I didn't suggest. I wouldn't however go 6.5x55 purely due to brass availability. There will be MANy more choices for good brass in 260.
I like Tuebor and Terminus actions. Both have less than 90° bolts on them so my hand stays farther away from the scope when cylcing the action. That said, for what you want an xm length action would probably be better. A 260 with a chamber throated for a 156 berger (similar length to a heavy mono) will have a C.O.A.L. of about 3.100". Most short action mag boxes top out at about 2.980".Hello all,
Just starting to kick around the idea of having a custom .260 built for a long range practice/coyote/wolf/prairie dog rifle.
I don't know squat about custom actions. What would you all suggest?
I also would like suggestions on the other particulars of a custom long range rifle including the smith to build it.
I'd like to run heavy monos, but not mandatory- again, I'd like suggestions.
Thank you in advance.
Ron
The "EZ- Button" ,..
IF, you can "Stomach", the 6.5 Creedmoor "Naysayer's", Just buy, a Tikka T-3 not-Fluted, in 6.5 Creed and run the 130 gr. ELD-M's at OVER 2,800 FPS and go have Fun,.. CHEAPLY ! I love my 6.5 CREEDMOOR Tikka, as it's Accurate ( sub 1/2 MOA ), LOW recoil and, Awesome,. Barrel "Life" !
Then, use action to, re-barrel,.. "SomeDay",.. Easy-Peasey !
Agreed! I honestly do not understand the hatred, but you know what Callahan says about opinions. Another advantage is the variety and availability of on-the-shelf and online ammo offerings.Watch, Texas Plinking Thousand Yard, 1 MOA steel Challenge on YouTube and, IT will convince you that, the 6.5 Creed is,.. HERE to STAY !
Most of, the .308's,.. STRUGGLE at,.. 1,000 yds !
The 6.5 Creed and FAST High BC bullets in, the 6mm's, ARE winning !
WATCH the Group's forming, around, the Plates.
Good luck with YOUR Choice,.. Take your TIME !
Most of ALL,. Have Fun !
Thank you! Yes we just received the UM bottom metal and XL short action magazine yesterday. It fit right up to a Pierce Skele-Ti (same as a Shadow but Titanium) and it fed a 300WSM loaded with a 200.20X at 3.135" OAL flawlessly with no modifications to the action, just our standard Wyatt box cut. I'll 100% be using this bottom metal and magazine in future builds for myself. In my opinion it's a game changer for our short actions. It opens up a lot of possibilities for cartridges like the 260 AI, 6.5-284, 6.5 PRC, 7 SAUM, Sherman Max etc that previously needed a medium or long action, or be neutered with lighter bullets or heavy bullets shoved deep in the case.I don't know anything about the Unknown Munitions short XL magazine, but it says 3.150" inside. which would be perfect for a 260 ai. if this magazine works with a short action, I'd talk to @Jud96. Pierce Engineering makes a great action.
This does come down to your budget, but I'd go with a 700 clone custom action. You'll spend an additional $400ish to get into an opening price point option a little more if you want more options, but there are so many more trigger and stock options than with tikka or savage. My first build was a savage and it's fine if that is what your budget allows, but it doesn't compare to my bighorns with trigger tech triggers. I buy lots of the pieces through Northland Shooting Supply, great folks.Am I reading that correctly that a Tikka can be home assembled?
You would be wise to go this route. I have bought quite a few from them. They are a fantastic action and I've never dealt with any other company who even comes close to the customer service they provide.We can help you out at Pierce Engineering. We have a lot of options in both stainless and titanium. Our short actions are available as single shots, BDL length mag box, Wyatt box, AW cut, and with the Wyatt box cut we can run the new Unknown Munitions Short XL bottom metal and magazines allowing 3.150" OAL. The actions can ordered bead blasted or cerakoted for no cost, or fully DLC or Nitrided for a small up charge. Let me know if you're interested! Thanks!