Tikka 260 AI

[ThatDUDE]

I was wondering if many people have built 260 AI's on Tikka Actions. I haven't dealt with AI cartridges, but I have read they can have feeding issues. I just wanted to check for people's experience before I commit to this combo.

 

[MTWILEY23]

Did a 260AI on a Rem 700 w/ DBM that feed fine and shot lights out. I would think the Tikka mag design might feed even better than the staggered Rem mag box, but no first hand experience.

 

[Castle Rock]

You got me interested so I just run a magazine full of 260AIs through my tikka 708
Obviously they didn’t seat fully into the chamber but they fed fine

 

[Castle Rock]

Bty I think the 260AI is the best 6.5 by far

 

[ThatDUDE]

You got me interested so I just run a magazine full of 260AIs through my tikka 708
Obviously they didn’t seat fully into the chamber but they fed fine

That's great to know. Thanks for doing that. From what I have ran in calculators and researched that 260AI seems like it would be about ideal for me.

 

[Castle Rock]

 

[xsn10s]

I have a 260 AI in a Rem 700. It feeds fine from a BDL magbox. I did have some scratching on the cases from the bolt rails. A little time taking the sharp edge off with sand paper and a fine stone and problem fixed. My guess is that the Tikka DBM should feed better.

 

[Pwb199]

Zero feeding issues from my tikka and a long action mountain tactical mag

 

[HandgunHTR]

While not a 260AI, I have a 7-08AI and it feeds just fine from both the factory and MT mags (both SA and LA).

In my opinion, depending on what you plan to do with it, the 7-08AI is actually a better choice than the 260AI. The heavy 7mm bullets are just a touch better than the heavy 6.5 bullets when it comes to SD and BC. I can push a 162 grain Hornady ELDX at 2790fps out of a 20" barrel.

 

[bigunit]

I have a tikka in 22-250 ackley as well as a 280 ackley. Both feed just fine.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I had a Sako 75 in .260 AI about 12 years ago now. The Sako flush mount double stack magazine worked perfectly.

No experience on Tikka for .260 AI but I’ve had no issues with the latest Gen mountain tactical long action mags on my Tikka 7 SAUM.

 

[wyosam]

I’ve got tikkas in 280ai, 7-08ai and 6 Dasher. All feed flawlessly


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[ThatDUDE]

I’ve got tikkas in 280ai, 7-08ai and 6 Dasher. All feed flawlessly


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You just had to throw the 6 Dasher in there didn't you. . Does the Dasher run out of the factory mags? I have worried about it being to short.

 

[wind gypsy]

While not a 260AI, I have a 7-08AI and it feeds just fine from both the factory and MT mags (both SA and LA).

In my opinion, depending on what you plan to do with it, the 7-08AI is actually a better choice than the 260AI. The heavy 7mm bullets are just a touch better than the heavy 6.5 bullets when it comes to SD and BC. I can push a 162 grain Hornady ELDX at 2790fps out of a 20" barrel.

Got me thinking. I would have guessed a 20" 260AI could push a 147eld or 156 EOL close to those speeds?

Really seems like a sweetheart of a cartridge for guys who want to shoot short/suppressed and not have much recoil.

 

[Pwb199]

With RL 26, I’d bet that’s doable

 

[VAHunter01]

DBMs are the most reliable that I’ve seen when it comes to feeding. Have had way fewer issues feeding from single stack mags vs anything else.

If you do have an issue, they are also the simplest and easiest to fix.

 

[HandgunHTR]

With RL 26, I’d bet that’s doable

Got me thinking. I would have guessed a 20" 260AI could push a 147eld or 156 EOL close to those speeds?

Really seems like a sweetheart of a cartridge for guys who want to shoot short/suppressed and not have much recoil.

As Pwb199 pointed out, you may be able to do it with the 156 and Rx26, but with the 7-08AI I can get it with a few different powders and not run out of mag length using the M+ or MT mags.

Having a bit more bore volume helps.

 

[wyosam]

You just had to throw the 6 Dasher in there didn't you. . Does the Dasher run out of the factory mags? I have worried about it being to short.

They feed perfectly, loading them is a little different (can’t push them to the back until the last one is in). In practice the loading is not an issue. Zero feed issues at about 1800 rounds on my dasher


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[ThatDUDE]

They feed perfectly, loading them is a little different (can’t push them to the back until the last one is in). In practice the loading is not an issue. Zero feed issues at about 1800 rounds on my dasher


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That’s awesome. I might have to scratch that itch now.

 

[ThatDUDE]

In my opinion, depending on what you plan to do with it, the 7-08AI is actually a better choice than the 260AI. The heavy 7mm bullets are just a touch better than the heavy 6.5 bullets when it comes to SD and BC. I can push a 162 grain Hornady ELDX at 2790fps out of a 20" barrel.

That is flying from a 20” barrel.

Honestly I am trying to find a short action standard bolt face cartridge that retains 1800fps out to as close as 1000 yards as I can get. I don’t plan on hunting to those ranges without a lot more practice. However I would like to start practicing with a cartridge that will do it.

The 260 AI gets me really close. The 7 SAW gets me close as well. No I will have to lump the 7mm-08 AI into the mix.

I have flirted a lot with the 6mm’s. But the 6.5 and 7mm have a few more bullet options.