DuckSouth.com

Don't mean to hi-jack but I have a related question. I have a family gun in 30-06 with a HVA Mauser style action. Built in 59' the barrel has seen a lot of lead and is on the downhill. This has been my go to gun for 15 years, I am very comfortable with the gun and want to keep the stock and action. Considering re-barreling in 6.5/06 AI or .280 AI. From what I've learned so far, the .280 AI has the advantage >140 gr bullet and the 6.5/06 AI has the advantage =< 140 gr. This will be my go to hunting rifle, mostly white-tail but I will want to take larger game from time to time. Not too concerned with a lot of target shooting, this will be a work gun.

Thoughts?

Also, I hand load and I'm not worried about fire forming brass.

There aren't hardly any .264 bullets that are>140g. A .260 will push a 140 Berger at 2650 which is ok but not great. If you really want to shoot lighter bullets then the 6.5x06 would be my choice. I personally shoot a 280ai with 168 vld. 2835 fps. I'm not a big fan of necking up or necking down and the neck turning it usually requires. You can't go wrong with the 280ai, nosler brass, 140-168 bullets.

If you don't handload, your wasting your money with a full custom. I would suggest getting you a Remington 5r in 308 and try several types of ammo until you find one that shoots good. If you do decide on a custom rifle, use someone in Ms so if something goes wrong or needs teeaking you can take it to them. The only two gunsmiths in Ms that would touch anything of mine is Dixie Precision in Brandon and Bills Customs in Shelby, both of those guys shoot completions and know what they are doing.

Blood dog, what's wrong with a timney trigger? I'm actually fixing to buy one for a ruger. Apparently Jewell doesn't make one for a plain M77.

Not sure... I have both a Jewell and a Timmney, I like both but do prefer the Jewell.

Delta, Nothing wring with the Timmney just not the same quality as the others. They are MASS produced and you never know what you are gonna get.