260AI !!!

[Bill Norris]

Bill what is your freebore length? Thanks

Free bore is .060 for both of my 260AI.

 

[Fast14riot]

I wonder if the 140fb reamer will still mag feed from 2.950" mags.? If not I got a long action somewhere.

In my old barrel which was a .140" freebore I was shooting the 140RDF at 2.950" which was .030 off and the 140VLDT at 2.987 which was .010 off.

 

[nrspence]

Thinking of doing a 260AI on a lone peak medium action, so 3.2 mag length. What freebore would work best for 140 Berger hybrids to 156 eols?

 

[Bill Norris]

Thinking of doing a 260AI on a lone peak medium action, so 3.2 mag length. What freebore would work best for 140 Berger hybrids to 156 eols?

Both my 260AIs have .060 free bore and I have no issues with the 140 gr. Berger Long Range Target bullet seated at 2.990 COL touching the lands. Never worked with the Hybrids. However, the pressure ring is below the shoulder/neck junction. I normally use a mandrel prior to seating bullets and have not had a donut issue show up. Case growth in length is minimal with the AIs.

 

[Fast14riot]

Thinking of doing a 260AI on a lone peak medium action, so 3.2 mag length. What freebore would work best for 140 Berger hybrids to 156 eols?

I think something around a .150"-.160" would work well to load above the neck/shoulder and still be usable.

 

[46and2]

I think something around a .150"-.160" would work well to load above the neck/shoulder and still be usable.

I believe that is where I had mine throated to. Mine runs 140gr Barnes match burners and H4350.

 

[nrspence]

Just the information I was looking for, thanks all.

 

[calib]

I have had a couple 260ai's now. 1 was a 27" and the current one is a 25" both 1:8 twists using berger 140 grain hunting vld bullets and both have loved h4350. The current load I am running alpha brass, the other one was lapua brass. The current one I am running off a defiance anti s/a mag feed so not as long oal as others, but it is very consistent and reliable at 2835fps. Here is 2 targets at 200 yards shot 1 month apart shot with a 3-15 swfa scope, each 5 shot groups.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Question,.. could, a Tikka T-3, 24", 1-8 twist, in 6.5 Creed.,.. be HAND Reamed to,.. .260 Ai
Or, do I need to send it Off to, a Gun Smith for, this work ??
Thoughts ?

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Free bore is .060 for both of my 260AI.

@ Bill,.. Who did, YOUR Chambering job ??
I'd like to go with the .060 FB and, a .292 NO Turn, Neck

 

[B23]

Question,.. could, a Tikka T-3, 24", 1-8 twist, in 6.5 Creed.,.. be HAND Reamed to,.. .260 Ai
Or, do I need to send it Off to, a Gun Smith for, this work ??
Thoughts ?

I think where you'd run in to trouble is the diameter at the shoulder is slightly larger with the Creedmoor case than it is with a 260AI. I could be wrong so at the least I'd talk to a good "smith" before I made a decision.

IMHO, it's nearly always best to have it set back a little before rechambering to something else, or, better yet just order a new barrel and start fresh.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

For the Price of a Barrel & chamber "Job" I can BUY,.. a New Tikka T-3.
I'll have to DO some, "Digging around" for the answer to this, Unless I get Lucky and someone, "Here",.. KNOWS ! Thanks B-23

 

[B23]

For the Price of a Barrel & chamber "Job" I can BUY,.. a New Tikka T-3

I won't disagree with you on that and Tikka's right out of the box generally shoot pretty darn good but if you have to pay someone to rechamber your factory barrel you're already half way there on price so at that point, for me at least, I'd opt for a new custom barrel.

Tikka's and Sako's have some of the best looking factory barrels I've ever scoped but I'll still go with a good custom barrel before investing any money in a factory barrel, even if it's a Tikka.

 

[Bill Norris]

@ Bill,.. Who did, YOUR Chambering job ??
I'd like to go with the .060 FB and, a .292 NO Turn, Neck

(WSMNUT) here on the site. Zack Donovant - and his business is Old Dominion Custom Rifles in Maidens, VA.
I'm sure he can fix you right up. Best "Smith" I ever found with work & price you will appreciate too.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

@ Bill,.. Thank You !!!

 

[Bill Norris]

U welcome.

 

[nrspence]

Question,.. could, a Tikka T-3, 24", 1-8 twist, in 6.5 Creed.,.. be HAND Reamed to,.. .260 Ai
Or, do I need to send it Off to, a Gun Smith for, this work ??
Thoughts ?

No..just buy a new barrel and send your action and barrel to a reputable gunsmith to have it chambered in 260ai. Axisworks in Mesa AZ is doing my barrel with a .140 freebore.