30-06AI

[eLightfoot]

Just out of curiosity, why don't you see 30-06 in the improved variety? Nobody even considers a standard 280 but the 280AI is thriving. Are the gain margins not as high with the 30? Does anyone here have one? What kind of performance are you getting?

 

[Wapiti1]

I have one, and built my father one. No issues getting a 200gr bullet to 2800 or a bit better. So, figure 100-150fps faster than the standard 30-06. I like the cartridge. It isn't revolutionary, but does give you more with the heavy bullets. I think it shines best with the 200. My dad prefers the a 180 at 2900fps. He likes RL22 in it and I prefer RL23 which my .300 Win Mag likes.

Is that enough faster? It matches a lot of factory .300 Win Mag ammo. Since you have to handload for it, the .300 Win Mag is going to be a better option. You get all the same performance and more if you want it out of the .300 in the same action.

It's fun and effective, so if you want something different it works well.

Jeremy

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Because the majority of shooters and hunters aren’t reloaders. Is there even a factory option for 30-06ai??? How many choices off the shelf is there for 280ai??? 2???

 

[Trigger06]

Because the majority of shooters and hunters aren’t reloaders. Is there even a factory option for 30-06ai??? How many choices off the shelf is there for 280ai??? 2???

No factory 30-06AI options as far as I know.

There are a few companies doing factory 280AI - Hornady (ELD-X), Nosler (Partition Accubond, Ballistic Tip, and E-tip), and Federal (new this year, can't remember what bullets they are offering).

 

[Wapiti1]

No one chambers a 30-06AI. That said, if it is chambered properly, all 30-06 ammo works in them. So, you are never without ammo, you are just back to normal 30-06 ballistics.

You need to handload to take advantage of the small capacity increase.

Like I said, it's a good cartridge if you want something a little different and are OK with handloading.

Jeremy

 

[fightthenoise]

If I was going to build a custom and settled on 30-06, it’d be an AI. Literally no downside. In fact I might look into getting a barrel for my bighorn. Y’all are bad for the wallet.

I think with RL26 and a 24” barrel you’d easily be in factory 300 Win Mag territory without having to go to a magnum bolt head or deal with a belt (whether that’s a thing is a whole nother thread). And that AI brass is great to work with.

 

[16Bore]

If I wanted more than an 06’ it’d simply be a 300 WM/WSM.

Simple.

 

[Wrench]

Most guys that shoot a 06' know that it does what it does well enough and another 50-100fps won't change anything in the end. It's timeless.

280 is trendy and responsive to the extra volume.

 

[DoubleBroomedMountainRifles]

30/06ai I think is a great cartridge. 4 rounds down in most actions, smooth feeding, I can build a rifle in the super lite actions and I can get magnum performance (Kimber Montana, Barrett Fieldcraft). As much as I love the 30/06ai I prefer the 30 Golata more (280ai Nosler brass necked straight up to 30 cal/no fireforming required).

 

[wind gypsy]

You’d basically get near 300 SAUM capacity. Maybe somewhere between 300 RCM and SAUM. Neat but I wouldn’t want to fire from.