Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting Cooper 6.5x284 vs .280 AI

I have been debating adding another Cooper to my collection for both target shooting and hunting and am considering the 6.5x284 or the .280AI. I don't have experience with either, so would like to hear from those of you who might have used these rounds. If you might have a Cooper available for sale/trade in these calibers let me know, too, please. I prefer walnut-stocked rifles over synthetics and have found a couple, but still looking. Thanks.

For target and hunting I'd be going with the 6.5x284, have a buddy that runs one that is very accurate, just hunting the 280AI would be my choice!

Agree ..

I have both and prefer the 6.5-284 for targets with 140s. Less recoil and very fun to shoot.

If you are only hunting deer than it really doesn't matter, just pick either one.

If you intend to hunt other game then the 280ai gives you a huge variety of bullet options and would be my choice.

Owned both and for some reason 6.5-284 didn't trip my trigger. I'd go 280 ackley

The 6.5-284 comes ready made to load and go. The AI of course, will require fireforming loads. Advantage to the 280 AI is the availability of heavier bullets. The 6.5-284 has better intrinsic accuracy, less recoil and is well suited to everything smaller than elk and works well even in that capacity.

Thanks for the comments, guys. Leaning towards the AI for hunting reasons and the heavier bullets that are available. The target shooting I do is informal, so I guess it is more practice for hunting than target shooting.

There is factory brass available from Nosler, as well as factory loads.

Barrel life will be better with the 280AI, how much better I'm not sure but hoping for nearly twice as the 6.5 can toast a throat for target shooting in as few as a 1,000 rounds.

If you build an AI consider an 8 or 8.5 twist for the new 190s and possibly 200 gr. vlds coming out.

I actually prefer the straight 284 in a long action. It will run with both the other calibers and the barrel will last 2x as long a the the 6.5 or ackley. RL 17 really makes the 284 go. Cooper makes the 284 in the mod 52.