getting ready to start a new project i have a new rem 700 short action that is going to get a new shilen select match barrel i just cant make up my mind on what caliber to choose. i have it narrowed down to three choices 257ai, 260, or 6.5x284. i have experience with the 257ai so what im looking for is people likes and dislikes of the other two rounds. this gun is going to be used mainly for deer and pigs, going to be using a 115-120 grain bullet and will be hand loaded for,

Mine is 8" twist 260 AI (reamer on sale at Midway). I think the other cartridges are too long to work well in a short action Remington. I use 120 SMK's for targets and 130 TXS's for hunting. Only killed one deer so far - 390 yards - bang/flop - shoulder/heart full penetration.

Since your primary concern is deer and pigs the .264 diameter in either choice are the better choices. The .260 will generally smoother feeding in short actions. Good luck.