What classic long action cartridges are available (other than 30-06) preferably something higher velocity. I’m looking to build a rifle for my dad and he likes the older stuff.
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Classic long action hunting cartridges?
- Thread starter LandenR6arc
- Start date
280ai looks promising if you want something a little more unique.
Hmmm…”older stuff, classic, higher velocity than 30-06”…….
300 H&H
It would be nice to know the intended use.
300 H&H
It would be nice to know the intended use.
Go this route and don't look back. You won't get much more classic American hunting cartridge than a Remington 700 chambered in 7mm RemMag. I'd modernize it internally, by butting a nice high-quality barrel on it with a 1:8 twist (it'll still look classic on the outside), so he can shoot up to 180-195gr bullets if he wants.
Sorry I haven’t check the thread in awhile but to answer a few questions the bolt face is magnum or standard, and the use is hunting but mostly an heirloom style rifle something really high quality. So preferably a cartridge that old but unique
Nothing beats either a .30-06 or 7x57 for nostalgia except maybe a .300 H&H. A .35 Whelen gets honorable mention.
Nothing would beat a 1:8” 7mm REM Mag for anything else.
My .25-06 is a killer despite miserable BC’s.
Looking at the numbers, I could like a .338-06.
Nothing would beat a 1:8” 7mm REM Mag for anything else.
My .25-06 is a killer despite miserable BC’s.
Looking at the numbers, I could like a .338-06.
A Shiloh Sharps in 405 Winchester would be a unique rifle as a heirloom variety.
Won't get higher velocity but IMO a better all-around Classic cartridge that can take anything in North America is the 35 Whelen. I know some say it's not enough for the big bears but it worked well on my Kodiak Brown. I also have taken Blacktail and Whitetail with the same load.
That is a simple fix… This 26” 7.5” twist Proof blank is for when my current 26” (10” twist) .25-06 AI 40° finally craps out (I built it way before the new heavy .25 cal bullets came out), then I can start shooting the Berger 133’s and 135’s. It’s been sitting in a corner in the closet since 2020.
This, it is the only L/A chambering I hunt with any more. Plenty of S/A, but the 280 Ackley is the go to.
Being you can get already formed 280ai brass makes it very attractive.
It’s an awesome cartridge, too! With 7977 I’m pushing a Berger 175 Elite at 2700-2800 from a 24” barrel with some really nice groups. If I dropped to a slightly faster powder (7828 SSC), I can probably get another 75-100 FPS safely.
Yes it does. I sold off a bunch of Sammi Peterson brass, but still have several hundred pieces of new and a couple hundred once fired. Plenty of primers, powder and bullets. I also have these reamers and once I get dies back and rifles built, it's going to be on.
First I have to get the container finished so I can get moved and be on the farm full time.
That 25-280ai is going to be wicked!Yes it does. I sold off a bunch of Sammi Peterson brass, but still have several hundred pieces of new and a couple hundred once fired. Plenty of primers, powder and bullets. I also have these reamers and once I get dies back and rifles built, it's going to be on.
First I have to get the container finished so I can get moved and be on the farm full time.
It's really nothing special, it's essentially the same exact thing as the .25-06 AI 40º that has been around for a very long time... I built one of those about 11 years ago, and it's been a phenomenal cartridge. Especially with the heavy .257 bullets like the Berger 133 Elite Hunters and Hornady 134 ELD's. Just make sure to run a 7.5" twist barrel.
The only advantage to his reamer or a non-standardized .25-06 AI 40º, is that his reamer's spec's are 95% SAAMI specs for the .280 Ackley, so he can simply size down already formed .280 Ackley cases 2 neck sizes and not have to touch anything else, so minimal fire-forming. I reform and fire-form .270 Winchester brass for my .25-06 AI 40º, and it runs like magic. Once formed, my final loads are pushing Berger 115 VLD's (10" twist, built way before the new modern heavy .25's) around the 3,400 FPS range from a 26" barrel.
Here's a few pics I took over the years showing before & after of fire-forming my cases...
Lots and lots of good choices. My favorites are the .25-06 and .35 Whelen. But I would love to own a nice .264 Win with a decent throat and 1-8 twist. Another I would love…is the 300 H&H. That shoulder really makes you appreciate the belt. Finally the 6.5 Weatherby Magnum. Not that old but in reality it is simply the wildcat 6.5 Weatherby Wright Magnum of the late 1950’s/early 1960’s. Created for shooting in 1000 yard matches.
But for real old time faster than a .30-06, check out the .300 Weatherby Magnum…
But for real old time faster than a .30-06, check out the .300 Weatherby Magnum…
Another vote for the 300 H&H.
For my 14th birthday I saved up for my first big game rifle. The Remington "Classic" caliber of the year was 300 H&H and thats what I ended up with. I have killed a bunch of critters with it over the years. Lots of years later, absolutely zero regrets on that caliber.
It got a new barrel a couple years back. Manners is working on a new stock for me now. I will have it dipped in a nice english walnut finish rather than tear up a $3,000 chunk of wood.
Agreed. I'd argue pretty much any wildcat at this point isn't special. Choose a bullet and how fast you want it to go and there's multiple different cases to get you there. I'd like to see his reamer spec to see what's different about it versus a regular 25-06 ai. It's funny seeing 25 cal be the flavor of the month. Pretty much every 25 cal cartridge has been dead for a long time. I shoot a 257 roberts occasionally and a friend has a 25-06 so I have a soft spot for them. Can you neck down peterson 280ai brass for your 25-06ai rifle?
I have no idea, I haven't tried. I'm sure the Petersen brass is the same spec as the Nosler .280 Ackley brass, since Nosler is the one who had it SAAMI approved to their specs. I have several Ackleys, including .25-06 AI 40º, .280 Ackley (Nosler/SAAMI spec), .30-06 AI 40º, and the infamous .300 Ackley Improved Magnum (AKA by the Army Marksmanship Unit the ".300 AMU").
Also, after 1.5 years of waiting on parts, I finally finished my custom .25 Creedmoor build, with a 20" 7.5" twist Proof Research CF barrel. It's insanely fun to shoot. It really reminds me of my old .22-250 back in the day, but with WAY more ass behind it, since I'm pushing the Berger 133 Elite Hunters around 2,800 FPS average.
Again sorry I haven’t checked the thread but I’m really considering the 280 ai just because it’s a really romantic cartridge for me and it’s available in factory ammo not that I would be using it because I like to roll my own. The weatherby cartridges do speak to me as well I’m having trouble picking between like a 300 weatherby in an old mk 5 delux with the walnut stock and an ebony fore end tip. Or a 257 weatherby in the same rifle. That spec comes the closest to the heirloom quality rifle I’m looking for in a factory configuration but I’m not opposed to going full custom.
I had a .257 Wby, and used to be a huge fan... Don't waste your money. Build a .25-06 AI 40º instead...It'll be within 75 fps of the Wby, but with much better barrel life (a lot less powder/flame/heat), cheaper and easy to find brass (I use .270 Win brass), and less powder consumption, more efficient design, etc...
But I'd definitely go .280 Ackley if you are wanting one. It's an awesome cartridge.
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