I already own a 112 FVSS in 25-06. Shoots great. Want the next level of power. Is the Weatherby worth the money or would I be just as well served by the 25-06 AI? The heavy build rifle is what I want and don't see the .257 in such rigs. I strictly handload. In the long run I think the AI will be much cheaper to operate and perform about the same. Any idea what the reaming will cost? Also a set of dies?

You can check with CH or RCBS for dies and here's a place to rent a reamer.

http://www.reamerrentals.com/directory.htm

Figure a smith going to remove the barrel and set it back a couple of threads to clean up the chamber your going to have between 125 and 200 bucks in smith work. I don't think your going to gain enough in my estimate to really make it worthwhile. I'd probably go for something more powerful such as the 7mm STW or 7mm Ultra-mag. There's not a lot of difference between .25 and .28 caliber and you get a real gain in both bullet availability and velocity. That's what I'd do if I was looking for a real gain in both flat shooting and energy over the 25's. That 's one caliber that's not used as much in really long range shooting and suffers the lack of really good long range bullets as do calibers in 6.5, 7mm and 30.

my 2 cents.

Thanks Faucettb. I guess I should leave old faithful the way she has worked so well. I really love the .25's but I absolutely understand you're point. I was trying to keep it on the mild recoil side. If I'm missimg something here let me know, but as far as factory rigs and long range accuracy, there are three best choices. 6.5-284 Norma, .300 Win. Mag., and perhaps the 7mm Ultra for sheer high B.C., reach and a bit lower recoil than huge .30's, perhaps.

I'm sorry to re-post so fast but I need help. I have a wife and now a 5 month old son. THANK THE LORD. FOR HEALTH AND BABY. I don't have any extra money and can only make one move. Probably by giving up something I already have. It won't be the wife or baby! I feel that perhaps the .264 Win. Mag. is the ultimate long range target and medium sized game cartridge out there. I've read it all and I don't think it can be beat. Any takers. I'm prepared to debate so be ready. Just kidding. I AM ready do debate, but I'm also all ears. I know a thing or two though so you will have to have a good arguement. Please respond.

The 264 Winchester Mag certainly has long range performance capability. However, Winchester apparently would like to see this cartridge go away. They have put it in their "seasonal" category, which means that supply of brass and factory ammo is an iffy proposition. You can easily neck down Remington 7mm Mag cases, but you might have to reem the necks just to be safe.

your savage would be super simple to rechamber, it shouldn't require any lathe work and i think that it would be worthwhile. i probably wouldn't do a rifle that i shot a lot but it should be no harder on bbls than the weatherby or the 264 win mag. i keep telling myself that i'm gonna do one but i'm thinking about having a reamer ground with the 280AI body and shoulder and 25/06 neck and throat dimensions. that way a person can rechamber without setting the barrel back and it gives me an option for my encore bbl. as the ai chamber headspaces .004" shorter than the standard version of the cartridge and there is no way to set an encore bbl back.

Just for starters, by wanting an AI and longer range. You are going with a 100 - 120 gn bullets. Simple ream job to AI is the way to go. If your thinking a faster light bullet, the ranges are your main concern and with the 25-06 overbore as is. You will want to go with a slower powder giving you more range with the heavier bullets. The sierra 117sbt used to be the bullet of choice for me 600yd shots were common. Used a lot of IMR4350.

The 264 Win Mag, is definately a flat shooter, but to what point? I too have looked up all the paper ballistics and chose a .264 it will shoot with bench rest accuracy, very nice. So will a .222 every time you squeeze that trigger you will get what 5 inches less drop than a 25-06 at 500yds, using how much more powder.

Yeah, that's what I thought. I'm not going to be reaching any farther than you're average sporting shots. maybe 700 yds or whatever if we're playing but definitely not for game. The 25-06 already goes very long and is also much milder than the magnums. I have a smith in mind if I ever go to the .257 Weatherby. It would probably still be my choice for a semi-exotic for myself. I like to keep the recoil down. I find it easier to punch things if recoil is low yet power is high. Just my opinion on that. Thanks for the input.

those savages are pretty easy to change your own barells on, a wrench and go-nogo-guage.
see what the factory has to offer.

I have a friend with a 25-08,beautiful calibre,kills like the hand of god with hardly any recoil and shoots really flat and very accurately..