Talk me out of a 7mm-08AI

I would continue to build the 7-08 AI if I were in your shoes. Why are you doubting your original build? AI are easier on brass for reloading and you can still shoot reg 7-08 if you have to shoot factory if you ever forgot your ammo on a hunt. I don't see a lot of negatives to not continuing with your build.
 
My thought is that if your going to use larger, high BC bullets, you will have to load them deep. Push back into your powder space, negate any advantage of the Ackley reamer.

The 284 is probably the way to go. Maximize powder space cor the action. IIRC the 284 does not have the throat burning issue of the 6.5-284. Should also be at least as easy to source brass and dies.
 
If you didn't already have a 7mm barrel I would suggest a 6.5X47. It will do all that you are asking. I run 130 Berger hunting out of mine and at 700 yds its going 1937.6 fps with 1083 ft lbs of energy. Still well above the 1800 fps benchmark I use to be sure the bullet will expand. In my other 6.5X47 I run 130 AccuBonds. Both bullets have been great on deer. The little X47 gets it done with very little powder or recoil.
 
I would stick to the regular 7mm-08 for a Cpl reasons,

- with custom builds I always pick cartridges that I can get factory ammunition for as I like to have the option of grabbing a box of ammo and heading to the range, and secondly for ease of resale, if you pick a cartridge like the 7mm-08AI and want to sell it you've just narrowed your options of selling it to only to those who can reload and fireform

Nothing wrong with the 7mm-08AI but gains are minimal
 
Keep it a straight 7mm-08 x2
My hunting buddy shoots one. He tends to create a lot of pack out work with it.

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Weatherby Fan said:
I would stick to the regular 7mm-08 for a Cpl reasons,

- with custom builds I always pick cartridges that I can get factory ammunition for as I like to have the option of grabbing a box of ammo and heading to the range, and secondly for ease of resale, if you pick a cartridge like the 7mm-08AI and want to sell it you've just narrowed your options of selling it to only to those who can reload and fireform

Nothing wrong with the 7mm-08AI but gains are minimal
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No problem finding factory ammo to shoot in an ai. Just buy the regular and shoot it then you have formed ai brass to reload.
 
Even with a 22” barrel I’d go 284 win. The 7-08 is great but I like to be a bit different. Sounds like a nice build no matter what cartridge you pick
 
Lots of good info and suggestions here. I strongly considered a 6.5x47, but my personal feeling is that a 6.5 bullet on heavier game like a moose or elk at shorter ranges (should I choose to use the rifle for such a hunt) would be on the light side. That being said my next target rifle is going to be a 6.5x47. My original plan was to go with a 7mm-08. My wife's hunting rifle is chambered in this 7mm-08 and I'm already set up for reloading. But the urge to try something a wee bit different got the better of me and for some reason I prefer not to duplicate chamberings in my gun cabinet. Some research suggested an average gain of 100-150 fps going with the AI. Ammo availability is not an issue for me. I always load my own and in a real pinch I could use of the shelf 7mm-08 and end up with a few more fireformed cases.

I've thought about the .284 win, but I got a little hung up on the idea that they may not feed very well from a standard .308 sized short action magazine and the cartridge is a little longer than I'd ideally like.
 
For those that are interested the full list of parts consists of:
-700 short action
-22" 1:9 twist Carbon Six (McGowen) Sendero contour barrel.
-McMillan game scout edge fill
-HS Precision Gen 1 DBM
-Trigger tech primary trigger
-Atrs recoil lug and bolt knob.
-Talley lightweight rings
-Leupold vx3 4.5-14x40

All in I anticipate the rifle to weight 7.75 to 8 lbs.
 
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