Hi Billy B,hi all
I just read your thread Billy,and presently am at a slightly more advanced stage than you...Difference is in the cartridge,mine will be 6.5x57 improved 30°(this shoulder angle ensures good mag feed,and provides a spacier and more accurate cartridge),reamer cut by Dave Manson,I can send you a copy if you wish;I've read and gathered that for a hunting rig it will have all the good features without the backlash of 6.5x284(barrel burnin,recoil,great powder charge)and here in New Caledonia all this is serious matter to be well thought out.I don't intend(as of now)to shoot heavier bullets than 120gr(Nosler BT,Sierra pro hunter,Hornady SST)the critters involved don't require heavier bullets(the further I can think of shooting being 350,400 yards);all these can be launched at around 3000 fps or more(3100) through of a 26" barrel.The cases will be fireformed from 257 Roberts,slightly necked up and neck turned,the chamber will be a little tighter than Saami specs,I'll start with H4350 or H4831sc,or rather their australian equivalent(ADI 2209 and 2213sc).The scope will probably be either Vortex Viper 4x16-50 or Meostar 3x10-50(very clear and crispy piece of optics)...All I have to do now is convince Mc Gowen to accept the project....No easy task,believe me. So,Billy,all the best with your quest,and please ask me if you want to check my reamer print. This cartridge I'm hoping to shoot promises to be a little more efficient than the 260 imp(little more capacity,longer case,solid and appraised parent case- 7x57),maybe you should give it a thought,but your issues in the US are a bit different than mine(you can change your barrel almost at will,whereas I have to strive hard to get one shipped to me,and nobody to couple it with my action....Good luck anyway.