260 rem or 260 ai

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profesional 111

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Location
west of Prince Rupert East of Japan
I want to build the ultimate deer rifle for out on the west coast. Mainly blacktails and sheep , some Elk hunting . The Elk are rather small and are always 100m and closer.
I was thinking of 260 rem in AI version. Semi heavy barrell SS. Only 20 inches long for in the bush and on the quad and boat. Macmillan Hunters edge stock or HS? Timmney or Jewel trigger? Remington Action? Have my eyes on the new compact 2.5 - 10 power NF Ballistic 600 retical.
Any advice would be much apreciated.
Thanks.:)
 
The AI version can be a PITA, having to fire-form your cases (no commercial cases available I believe) and hand-load (unless you already do and want to continue.)

The AI cases are straight walled (vs. tapered case walls,) I think, and I remember reading somewhere that reliable feeding from a mag can be a problem.

Now that all being said, I have NO personal experience with ANY AI chamberings, so I suggest researching it more yourself.
 
Either or will do fine and fire forming isn't an issue. Lots of people do it. Your elk on the island are Rosies and happen to have the largest bodies of all the subspecies.
if you are going to use a 20" pipe skip the AI, ballistically that would be retarded.
HS stocks shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence as a McMillan BTW and yes and EDGE is a nice stock.
Remingtons are an easy way to get into it, but I do prefer Winchester Model 70 actions if you can find a used SS short action.
If you are shooting under 100m try the old cup and core 140gr bullets. They are great at the velocity you will be getting.
 
The Queen Charlotte Islands have a sub-species of black bear that are amongst the largest in the world and the Sitka blacktail there are one of the smallest sub-species of deer in North America and are by far the tastiest/tenderest deer meat I have ever eaten I have hunted for the elk there but have never even seen one I figured they were so rare that it wasn't worth the effort.

The 260 Rem would be an awesome choice of cartridge/bullet for the deer if not a bit overkill.

I have shot over 20 deer in the Sandspit area back in the early 80's typical of blacktail bucks I never shot a big buck there that was out in the open they were always in thicker cover and even though a 260 Rem with a premium bullet would work just fine on the bears and elk I would go with a cartridge that pushes a wider/heavier bullet due to the ranges I used to shoot there never being more than 300 yards.

I'm thinking a boring old 30-06 loaded with a .475 BC 165gr Accubond @ 2750fps - 2800fps would be my choice for a one gun/cartridge/load combo for the Charlottes and would still be good to go for sheep.

My 30-06 is a Rem 700 LSS I had Guntech here on CGNTZ shorten the barrel to 20" for faster/easier all round handling.

I am now planning on loading with RL17 powder .588 BC 200gr Accubonds @ 2500fps making this combo a do anything combination it will not be going so fast that it hydralics/bruises the meat on close shots and due to the high BC's is a 400 yard big game hunting combo.

Because I am a gun nut I would also hunt with my single shot T/C Contender carbines in =

23" barrel in 6.8SPC loaded with 95gr TTSX @ 2825fps
21" barrel in 308Bellm loaded with 150gr Rem Core Lok's @ 2620fps
21" barrel in 375JDJ loaded with 260gr Accubonds @ 2300fps
22" barrel in 45-70 loaded with 325gr FTX @ 1850fps for deer and 425gr Beartooth Piledriver Jr @ 1700fps for bear & I have the new Barnes 300gr TTSX ordered that I'm thinking would make a fantastic all round bullet.
24" barrel Gonic 50 Cal magnum muzzle loader loaded with sabotted .429" 270gr Gold Dot's

Oh man I so miss hunting/fishing in the Charlottes totally wish we had never sold our mobile home park/house/shop that was located right across the road from the beach in Sandspit

CC
 
I just had a 260 built on a ruger #1 action but I've also decided to put together a lightish weight rifle in something similar (but on a Rem 700 platform)

I also figured I might go with a 260ai but after reading about the feeding issues, I might go with a 6.5 Creedmoor just to have something a bit different than my other 260.
 
Have both, and love em. I would agree the AI in a short barrel is rather retarded. But the 260 Rem has everything you need to take the game you are looking for. For such hunting in the weeds, you need not look for high power optics. Unless you want to switch out for a sheep hunt or such with the better (heavier) optics. 2-4X, in a light scope, in the ferns will suffice and make your gun easier to drag through the weeds. Suggest the 260 rem for a 20" barrel, 130gr bullets (SP, SST, partition), Savage or rem prefit (best bang for your buck IMO) 1-9 or 8 twist for the heavier bullets if you want to play with such down the road. 140s are great, but may not be necessary as the SDs are silly with a 6.5. Timney products have proven well for me, and are reasonably priced.

My two cents....Have fun!
Elky
 
profesional 111 said:
Any I deas on who to get to build the rig. I do not mind spending some money. Was thinking one of Gailards barrells. Where can one purchase a SS winchester or rem .action.
Click to expand...

I would look at Denis Sorensen or "guntech" on here. He is a good smith with good rates.
You can find donor rifles on our EE or you can look at the used racks either on line or by calling different shops in Canada. Ellwood Epps and P&D both have there stock on line.
 
I d do the regular 260rem, the gain from the AI is marginal, and the deer will not know the difference,

This is where the AI lovers tell me I'm wrong and we argue....:bsFlag:

Stay with the regular 260,

I have shot one of Sean's guns from north shore barrels(260rem)

They shoot awsome!

Good luck
 
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