Am I wasting my time/money?

[omega1]

I was thinking about an economy hunting rifle project and hoping to get some feedback from the wealth of knowledge on this site. My idea was to buy a Ruger American Predator in 6.5 Creedmoor (6.6 lbs) due to the weight and price. My plan was then have my gunsmith re-cut the chamber to .260 AI. I have a heavy .260 AI and am very impressed with the accuracy and velocities using RL26. Just thought it would be nice to have a hunting rifle in the same caliber.
The .260 AI reamer should totally clean up the Creedmoor chamber right?

 

[Bc'z]

Wasting your money in my opinion.
My 6five RAP rests in a Boyd's stock $220
Swafa 3x15 w/rings $600
Trigger adjustment myself
@boltfluter made it sexy $75OCW test with berger 140 elite hunters what more can you ask for?

 

[Raythemanroe]

Wasting your money in my opinion.
My 6five RAP rests in a Boyd's stock $220
Swafa 3x15 w/rings $600
Trigger adjustment myself
@boltfluter made it sexy $75View attachment 1116840OCW test with berger 140 elite hunters View attachment 1116841what more can you ask for?

No Timney?

Ray

 

[omega1]

Bo`z. Nice shooting. What kind of velocities have you been able to achieve? The only reason I would punch it out to .260 improved is to get up to 3000 (or close) fps with a 140 gr bullet.

 

[Bc'z]

2740 with Rl26 140 gr Berger.
OCW test pictured was with h4831sc, haven't clocked it yet.
I did load 25 more for velocity check, and see how it holds at distance.
If your after 3000 by all means change the barrel, Bell n Carlson is making stocks for the RAP now.

 

[omega1]

Maybe I should be thinking 6.5 PRC.

 

[Bc'z]

Or 6.5-284 6.5-06, either way chamber 2 barrels off same reamer.
Oops they wont fit your short action.

 

[Bc'z]

No Timney?

Ray

Timney makes a trigger for this turd?

 

[Ringostar]

The prc is different bolt face than creed. I’ve not looked into the Ruger American. Not sure if they offer a magnum short action bolt. Before spending the money on one, then rebarrel or rechamber. Why not shoot what is already available?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Or 6.5-284 6.5-06, either way chamber 2 barrels off same reamer.
Oops they wont fit your short action.

The 284 was originally designed for a short action. My deer rifle is a 6.5x284 on a shawty

 

[omega1]

I do have a WSM action I could sacrifice for a PRC but I'm kinda fond of it in its present form. I'm still leaning towards a .260 ackley improved since I already have one rifle in this caliber and have everything I need to reload it

 

[Exercion]

I was thinking about an economy hunting rifle project and hoping to get some feedback from the wealth of knowledge on this site. My idea was to buy a Ruger American Predator in 6.5 Creedmoor (6.6 lbs) due to the weight and price. My plan was then have my gunsmith re-cut the chamber to .260 AI. I have a heavy .260 AI and am very impressed with the accuracy and velocities using RL26. Just thought it would be nice to have a hunting rifle in the same caliber.
The .260 AI reamer should totally clean up the Creedmoor chamber right?

Well you hear of parent cases, I reckon the Creedmoor can be a "parent chamber". I have had a similar idea but want to go with the Swede, just haven't compared reamer prints to see if it's feasible.

Eric

 

[TAJ45]

Maybe my mem bank is, well, blanking out but it seems AI on a 260 gives so little improvement as to not be worth the expense or "oddity". Getcher ammo at any WallyVille.... in case of the always mentioned "emergency" with an unmolested .260.

Less trimming w the sharper shoulder? You said "hunting rifle". After load dev, how many rds a year....after fire forming, w that added expense. Wear on a hunting bbl should be a non event overall.
Feeding is a never issue w a non AI.
If you really need the extra 75-125 fps, use 308 Palma sp brass and get the extra oomph there.

For a hunting purposed rig, K I S S and put the saved $$ in your glass.
Dont get me wrong. I LIKE 35-40° shoulders. I think P. O. should be in the HOF.
Just not a 260.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I would check to see if a 260 case will fit in the mag with a 140 seated to the lands. The 260 case is .120" longer than the 6.5 CM so that's gonna eat up mag space. Some rifle mags don't leave much room for using long heavy bullets.

260 AI would definitely be a considerable jump up in speed over the 6.5 CM

Though to me, it just seems like a waste to spend all that money on a new chamber job for a $300 factory rifle. Just my opinion.

 

[Raythemanroe]

I have seen a couple 260 AI's shootin pretty good@ 1k using 146 Eazors.

Ray

 

[Bc'z]

I would check to see if a 260 case will fit in the mag with a 140 seated to the lands. The 260 case is .120" longer than the 6.5 CM so that's gonna eat up mag space. Some rifle mags don't leave much room for using long heavy bullets.

260 AI would definitely be a considerable jump up in speed over the 6.5 CM

Though to me, it just seems like a waste to spend all that money on a new chamber job for a $300 factory rifle. Just my opinion.

Great points right there.
In my RAP I'm confined to mag length 2.835"
I believe Boyd's is now offering an AICS magazine conversion for them now.

 

[omega1]

The Ruger model 26973 uses AICS pattern magazines and I already own about a dozen of them. Hmmm. Looks like I'm rationalizing my pursuit of this project. I'll probably spend dollars to save pennies I appreciate all the input.

 

[ebb]

Yes you are wasting time and money. The only thing you need to shoot it as is is a set of dies. You can use bullets and power and primers from the 6.5 AI in the Creed. Shoot it as a 6.5 creed and rebarrel when it's life is over to what you want. No game animal will ever know the difference.

 

[omega1]

I already own two 6.5 Creedmoor rifles and reload for them so I don't even need to buy dies. Just looking to "hotrod" the rifle a little. On that note... I've heard you can "hotrod" the Creedmoor by going to small primer brass. Can anyone give me any anecdotal experience?
Thanks

 

[22XC Guy]

I recently bought the Ruger Go Wild Camo 6.5 Creedmoor for a new walking around rifle.. Just started testing a few weeks ago.. Lapua brass, 450 CCI primers, Hornady 95 grain V Max.. Average 3,212fps, ES of 8 and winged my 4th shot..

Steve