Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Rebarreling and Rechambering a long action

Hey guys,
Have a 257 Roberts (long action) that I'm wanting to rebarrel. I've got a 257 Bee that I've fallen madly in love with, so the Roberts is getting replaced.

I live and hunt in Texas and really don't need a different caliber, but where is the fun in that?

Thinking about (remember la - no mag bolt face) a new rifle that I could take out hunting when I want a change of pace.


- 240 Bee
- 6.5x55
- 6.5x284
- 280 - 280ai

Part of me wants a gun to shoot at the range (but my 17hmr and 22lr fill that itch). So, a barrel burner won't hurt my feelings). I also reload, so any of these calibers are cheap enough to reload for.

What say you fellas.

What action?

If it was me it would be a 280. I might be tempted to go the Ackley route on that also. what kind of long action is it?

6-06AI with a tight twist would interest me.

Sorry fellas. Remington long action, that has been trued. (left hand)

And, while I'd love a 6.5-06, I like the idea of factory ammo, should I need to ship a box somewhere for a hunt (but still take my reloading rounds)

At the inherent risk that goes along with this question around here...Why not a 270 Winchester?

Great question and a fair one at that. I want some slightly exotic. Not like crazy...say a 7x64 Brenneke. But, I still want something that not everyone has.

I'd love some flat shooting (e.g., 240 Bee and/or 280ai) but am stuck with the long action - non magnum bolt.

Otherwise, I'd be asking about the inherent differences between the 26 or 28 Nosler, least we forget the 6.5 Magnum Couger Magnum Falcon Bird

I'd go 8 twist 240Wby. I joined the 240Wby family a couple of years ago and it's a fun round. Mine's a 10 twist so no high BC bullets for me. However, an 85gr Sierra HPBT at 3500fps is impressive on whitetails!

Try to buy once fired brass whenever you see any. It's scarce and expensive!

I re-barreled from a 270 win to a 280 Ackley.

The 280 ai has just a bunch of little advantage that on their own are not worth arguing. But added all together, makes for a pretty sweet package.

It has enough horse power to push the heavier high B.C. bullets. Not so much that you'll burn out your barrel too soon.

You can fire standard 280 rem factory ammo, or even the somewhat pricier 280 AI ammo. But it is just a shining star for rolling your own…

can you tell I love my 280 Ackley?

SWEDE!

Of those you listed, the 280 or 280AI.

Just a thought:

Since you already have a barrel burner in the 257 Bee, the rest of your criteria

-hunting in Texas
-shooting at the range
-cheap to reload
-available factory ammo
-something that not everyone has
-flat shooting (with light bullets)

could be met by the 6mm Rem.

.240 Wby

Why not step up to an 8x57? Decent factory ammo is available from Hornady, PRVI and S&B...light stuff from Rem, Win & Fed.

One hell of a hammer if you handload, doesn't give up an inch to the 30/06.

To top it all off it was the 1st truly modern cartridge and the reason for the 30/06 to be developed.

.280 AI. You might need to shoot an elk sometime.

On the other hand, if you have a place that lets you stretch it out, a fast-twist .240 could be handy and would let you save the .257 Wby. barrel for important stuff.

I'd suggest either of the two 6.5's on your list.
-good high bc possibilities are rather easy to find
-capable of taking larger game (more so the x284)
-decent availability of factory fodder
-both can be stretched out for distance
-either will put the fear of the Almighty into any game animal or piggy in Texas.
-both are 'unique' enough to be different from the 'norm'

Just my thoughts.

22x6mm Ack - 1/8 twist
22x284 - 1/8 twist
240 Wby - 1/8 twist
240 Artzer Mag - 1/8 twist
6.5x284 - 1/8 twist
280 Ack - 1/9 twist

Take your pick...

If you like the quarterbores, the 25-06 or 25-06AI with an 8 or even 9 twist are other options...

SWEDE! again..

^^This^^

You wouldn't need to ship a box for a hunt somewhere because you could find a box wherever you are.