260 AI or 25-08 AI

[henry1]

Hey all have been doing a bit of reading on both of these cartridges. I was currious to see what you thought of them and if you had any experiance with either. The only reason i would go with the 25 is because i like the quarterbore (already have a 25-06 AI) and i have a supply of bullets for the cal.

The 260 would be fun i think, something new for me for sure. Great SD and BC of bullets, and both would be in a short action! duno if i would build a rifle heavy or light, probably have a medium to slow twist for heavier bullets? just thought i would pick your brains, give me some pros and cons to both.
Thanks!
Henry.

[FW Conch]

Well, since you already have the 25-06AI, you don't really "need" either:-)). That being said, if you go with the 25-08AI, it would just be a slightly down sized version of what you already have.

My vote is for the 260AI. My first Savage build was a 260Rem because I liked the performance of the .264(6.5mm) pills, and I have not been disappointed. I just think you'er new build should be something a little different.

A while back, I took a hard look at the fact that my shooting is limited to 300yds, so my most recent build was a 6.5Grendel. I like the idea of the "Improved PPC case", coupeled with the known performance of the 6.5mm bullet, and with the little I have been able to shoot it so far, it seems to suit my needs out to 300yds nicely.

No matter what you decide to go with, you won't be wrong. Like most of us it won't be long, you'll decide you want something else, and you"ll pick up another barrel, dies, cases, maybe primers, probably powder, etc., and the fun continues :-))

Can't wait to hear your decision :-))..........Jim

[stomp442]

Why not 250 savage Ackley improved? Its one of the best cases to improve on. If you want to keep components similar I would say 25. For something different the 260AI is a great one.

[henry1]

FW Conch, I know what you mean when you say it wont be long and ill be looking for something else! For a couple years now I have wanted to build a 6.5-06 AI on a rh action (im lh) and shoot it a bit, enjoy it, then try to sell it. I know the ballistics would be good, as well as performance. the part that i am hung up on is being able to sell it off... I dont think many people sell factory 6.5-06. Then I did some more reading the other day about the 260ai and thought man, that would be slick! and it seems that vel would be within 200 fps of the 6.5-06ai. Like you said I dont need anything else with the 25-06ai. It is a sweet cartridge and it is a hotrod!

I have never shot in a match before, but i think it would be great fun! So, from what i understand, the 260ai would be a great round for match shooting as well. Havnt done a whole lot of long range shooting but seems like i could do a bit with this build if i indeed did build it.

Stomp442 I have thought about the 250 sai, however brass for it may be harder to come by than 308 brass...

does anybody have any experience with the 260 ai?

Thanks for the replies!
Henry.

[stomp442]

You can make brass really easy. You can even make it out of 308 cases if you want to. I make my 250 cases out of lake city match 308 cases. But a simple neck up of 22-250 is the easy route. Cabelas usually has 250 cases in stock a couple times a year.

[stomp442]

The 260AI is a favorite of mine as well. I use mine as a match gun, its built on a model 111 action with 26" Mcgowen varmint barrel. I shoot 140 Bergers at 2940fps. Its very hard to beat in the wind and not to toot my own horn but I have won the last four of our local monthly matches with it.

[henry1]

Nice! Stomp442, do you own both of these calibers? if so, whats your favorite bullet for the 250? Thanks for the reply.
Henry.

[stomp442]

115gr berger all the way. I dont own an ackley version but both of my brothers do. I currently have three standard 250s though and the 115s work great in them too.

[FW Conch]

"stomp", if you don't mind my asking, what "flavor" of 115 Bergers do you use and what do you shoot with them. I also have a standard 250 Savage.

Thanks :-)).........Jim

[stomp442]

The only flavor they make. Berger only makes one 25 cal bullet at the moment and that's it. I have taken deer, feral hogs lots of coyotes and my nephew even killed an elk with it. They have worked flawless for me at ranges of 75 yards (hog) to 667 yards (Deer). That's really the only bullet I use and use it for everything.

[FW Conch]

My bad...I should have looked it up. That would be the 115grn Match Grade Hunting. I will be getting some of those, because I just had a "zip through" on a deer with a Barnes. Took me hours and hours to find that deer. Glad to hear about your success.

Thanks........Jim

[cheezie]

Henry1, If you want to build the ultimate short-action 6.5, go to the 6.5/300 WSM. This is a short/fat case that will shoot 200 fps faster than a long-action 6.5-06 (which I have) about the same velocity as the long-action 264 WinMag, and a LOT faster than a 260, even in AI. I have just built one of these gems and have yet to shoot it, but expect it to run 140-grain bullets at 3200+ with superb accuracy. My barrel is a 26-inch 8-twist McGowan sporter contour, with brake, that I bought from Dean (scope eye) on this site. Brass is easy - get 270WSM brass and run it through the 6.5WSM Lee sizing die and BINGO!
Jes' sayin'....

[Londerko]

Cheezie,
What is the muzzle diameter of your sporter contour barrel?
I have a factory savage sporter that's .556" @ 24". I want a lighter hunting rifle in 6.5 but was Hopeing more for .62-.65 at the muzzle, I'm also looking at at 23-24" barrel

[cheezie]

Mine is 0.6 at the muzzle, and the Vais-style brake is a little over 0.8

[Londerko]

Thanks,
Did you go with the sporter because it will be a hunting rifle?
Let us know how it shoots! I'm very curious to see what types of velocities and groups you get with it.
-Leo

[Jamie]

.......a medium to slow twist for heavier bullets? .........

I didn't see where anyone responded to this but you would need a fast twist for the heavier bullets.

A 260 AI would be my choice simply because of selection of bullets.

[Berger.Fan222]

Another vote here for the .260 due to the heavier, higher BC bullets.