Does anyone have any recommendations when choosing either a short or long action when building a 6.5-08AI? I've been going back and forth on this for quite a while. I can't seem to find too much info on COL for this cartridge. I am wanting to shoot 140 VLD's if that helps any. I also would like to add that short throating is not something I want to do.

Thanks guys,
Sam

I think around 2.850 should take care of you in COL.
Butch

If you are going to build on a long action, then why handicap yourself with a short action cartridge? You could build a 6.5-06 and get more velocity, or similar speeds with less pressure.

Given a long action, you could also do a 6.5-284 with VLDs.

I've never seen the sense in building a short action chambering on a long action rifle.

CAS,

I have not settled on what action length I am going to use. I have however settled on the cartridge I want to use.

Yes you are correct I could get more velocity from the '06 case. In my opinion the gain in FPS is not as important as barrel life and overall cartridge efficiency. I don't plan on racing the 6.5-08AI.

My main concern is whether or not I will be able to seat the 140 VLD's our far enough without being stopped by a short magazine or unreliable functioning.

For my $ I would simply build a 260. To me an AI on the 308 or 243 case never made much sense and I tested several. Load it to 65000 like a 6mm case and go shoot. I you are going with the AI why call it a 6.5-08AI vs a simple 260AI? Just curious. No need for a long action for the 308 case. Matter of fact it will probably feed better from the short anyway.

ramrod,

6.5-08AI vs. .260AI...six of one vs. half a dozen of the other. I don't know, I guess that .260AI is easier to type.

The good reasons for the AI may be few, but the real reason I want one is just to be a little different.

Sam

quote:

but the real reason I want one is just to be a little different.

Probably the best reason. That is why I built my line of PDKs.

You might do well yo take a serious look at the 6.5x284. A really outstanding cartridge in all respects.

6.5x284

I would go with the long action. This is probably one of the few 6.5s I don't have. I do have the standard 260 and 6.5-284. I say long action because if you don't like it you may have a few more options for re-barrel later.

I'd also say long action, the 6.5mm bullets once you start looking at 140's you be happy to have the magazine space. That's why I went with a long action on my 257 Roberts build.