I have a Ruger MK II SS 25/06 that I've never been that fond of that I am thinking of turning into a 280 AI.

I'm thinking about sending the action to Hart to have them install one of their barrels on the action.

Any words of wisdom before I do this? Any good reasons not to use Hart for this job?

Thankee in advance.

nope.

I would however do some research into the 280 AI round and make sure which version they are gonna do.
if it's the new saami version Remington and nosler got pushed through I'd just opt for a normal 280.
if you can get them to do the real Ackley version then it'll gain you a few more grains of case capacity.

quote:

Originally posted by Lamar:
nope.

I would however do some research into the 280 AI round and make sure which version they are gonna do.
if it's the new saami version Remington and nosler got pushed through I'd just opt for a normal 280.
if you can get them to do the real Ackley version then it'll gain you a few more grains of case capacity.

More like just a coule grains, and if he did that, he wouldn't be able to shoot 280 AI factory loads, would he? I think we are talking like a 25fps difference in the two chambers, right? Woopteedo.

More like a couple tenths of a grain and virtually no difference in performance. Either AI will gain you about 60 fps over the standard cartridge if it is loaded to the same pressures. Regards, Bill

I have a Hart on a mini mark x in 6.5 Grendel. haven't done much with it yet seems to like wolf more than hornady. Working up load soon.

From what I can find the AI case has between 2.3 and 2.8 grains (water weight) of more capacity than the parent case.

If you like AI cartridges go for it but if you're trying to get more performance, it doesn't look like that's going to do it.

You could get bigger performance differences just from the variances already in different barrels or adding an inch longer barrel to your current gun.

Send that rifle out to be re-bored to standard 280 and you would be good to go. Would have a new cut rifled barrel that fits your stock. Ruger put a decent weight barrel on the 25-06's and would make a great 280.

I like the idea of not having to trim brass, and the little extra punch is nice. However, these are just things I tell myself to justify a new gun/barrel etc. The regular 280 does it all, and I wouldn't be reloading it in high volumes, like a varmint round, anyway.

My McWhorter 7mm08 wears a Hart barrel. It is scary accurate.

Well I already have a 280 in another rifle. I was thinking about getting a 1-8" twist for some VLD shooting. That's why I am thinking about the 280 AI. I could do another 280 but I'd rather not.

There are 2 Hart families in the gunsmith business; I believe they're cousins. But only one makes rifle barrels, and only stainless steel, the Hart from Lafayette, New York. The other Hart is RW Hart & Son from Nescopek, PA. I had 2 AI rifles made by Bob Hart (the, I believe, grandson of Hart and Sons) on my supplied Rem 700 actions and both wear Hart barrels. One is 223 Rem AI and the other is 338-06 AI. Both were made to my complete satisfaction and I'm hard to please.

You'll be happy no matter which Hart you choose.

Both of the Hart shops will install barrels.

We have been using Hart barrels for years.

They are very accurate.

I am not up to speed on which barrels are preferred in bench rest competition these days, but but when I did, 15-20 years ago, Hart barrels were a dominant competition barrel maker.