Long Action AI Magazine + .260 Rem = Feeding Problems?

[Grapeshot]

Hi, everyone. This is my first post. I've been reading a lot of your posts and I'm really impressed by the amount of knowledge being tossed around here. I tried to answer my questions by searching but can't find the answers I'm looking for.

I'm going to build a custom-action 6.5 based rifle in an AICS stock and I'm trying to weigh some different options. I feel that the .260 Rem cartridge will fit my needs pretty well. I'm looking for .308-beating ballistics for practical rifle competition, target shooting, and to a lesser extent hunting. I want decent barrel life too so the hotrods like 6.5-06 and 6.5x284 are out for this project. Anyway, the custom builder I've been corresponding with suggested using a long action for .260 so that I can seat 130-140gr bullets out longer. I think it's a great idea, but first I want to know: will a short-action case like .260 Rem feed reliably in an Accuracy International long action magazine?

The other option I'm considering is getting it chambered in 6.5X55. I like that cartridge a lot but the case head is wider than a .308 based case by .003". Is there generally enough tolerance to allow the slightly larger case head to work in a .308-sized bolt-face on a custom action like the Stiller TAC300? I don't want to have a specialized 6.5X55 bolt that I won't be able to use for .308-based builds down the road, but if a 6.5X55 will fit a normal .308 bolt face I might consider that cartridge.

Finally, besides a little extra weight and slightly reduced rigidity, what's the downside to using a long action? Why isn't everyone using them? Iss the extra .25" throw really enough to slow you down?

 

[280man]

The quick answer is go short action. Builders like Surgeon, GA Precision, and Terry Cross to name a few have built hundreds if not thousands of 260's on short actions and from what you mentioned in your post that would be a great choice for you. Read Terry's gun of the week article its a few of years old but there is some good info therehttp://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek046.html

Hope this helps

 

[wapiti25]

You may not be able to seat the long bullets out in a short action. 140's seated so they do not go below the neck. It will depend on the bullets you want to shoot most of the time. You will never know the difference on the ridgity issues, You are talking about a mag cut out already. About feeding, I would talk to your smith about that, it is his responsability to make shure it feeds. Look at German's 40X Long article if you are having doubts about a long action being competive.