I have the standard version of all the cartridges on your list. I love the Weatherby's, but using a .30-06 bolt face for a build, I would go with the .280, or 280AI if you like. I would want the heavier bullets and high BC of the 7mm round. If you had a magnum action, I would lean towards the .257 Weatherby. That being said, my current coyote and pronghorn rifle is a .240 Weatherby.

That's my choice, 140 gr. Bergers at 3,000 fps. I have an H.S. Precision SPL .240 Wby, but feel the heavier 6.5mm bullet with greater B.C. is better than the 6mm in cross winds at ranges of 400 yds. or so.

Mine is a pre-64 with Borden's Bumps, blueprinted action, 26" 8.5 twist Kreiger, Jewell trigger, pillared and bedded in a Jon Sundra Boyd laminated stock. I have a Z5 3.5-18x44 BT, fitted with an Outdoorsmans turret, set up for this load out to 600 yds. It'll do 4 1/2" at 600 off a bench.

Three speed goats over the past three years, all under 400 yds.

DF

I'm going to vote for .280 AI...

because I have that reamer, a #3 Lilja ready to go, and my shop is about 50 miles north of you. Hint hint. PM sent.

I shot my 280AI side by side with my similar built 6.5-284 Wednesday. Was shooting to double check drop, well playing I guess. Either way out to 700 it's same/same......after that I started playin at 1,000 real quick before we ha to go.

I really like the 6.5-284 but could be just as happy with a 6.5-06 or 6-06 for deer sized stuff. Really want to do a big 6 sometime.

I'd go with something in 6.5 for the bullet selection, and probably end up with 130 or 140 vlds. With that action, an `06 Improved.

25-06, 6.5-06, 270, 280, whatever turns your crank. For just goats would run 25-06 and not look back. That said, I think your build is too chunky for me. I'd run a #2 Hart and call it good whatever cartridge you decide on.

Light barrels won't shoot good.......

For me, there are two that come to mind with a long action.
First, simple, easy, 25-06. Hard to beat in factory chambering. Easy to load, and shoot. I have one in the making on a VZ24 right now. It is a cheap Adams and Bennett barrel and a friend gave me a laminate thumbhole he built for doing some work for him. Should be good to go with 100s or 115-120s.
Second, 6.5-06AI. I have one on a 700, 28" varmint contour, B&C M40 stock. Shoots 100btips at 3500 and 123 A-max at 3200.



This one is lots of fun.

Nice goat, Jeff.

DF

Reads like you already have an M70 30-06 donor...

6/06 @ 24" using 105 Amax
6.5/06 @24" with 140 bergs