I have a LA model 70, currently in a 30-06. I have another 30-06, a 308, 264 WM, 3-243's, 2-25-06 and a 7mm-08 along with some smaller calibers.
I have a shoulder problem that takes out anything with more recoil than the 308. I don't need or want, another 30-06. So, question is, what should I re-barrel it to?
I thought of a 6.5-284 but have heard of some having problems with getting them to feed well without some work on the action.
Main use would be for a hunting rifle with taking it out to some distances. I have limited access to a 1000 yard range and a friend with his personal range out to 500.

So, thoughts?

Are the guys talking about 6.5-284 feeding problems trying to run them in a short action? I wouldn't be surprised if you ran a detachable A.I. Mag if you could modify the Mag lips to make it feed just fine out of your long action. I think it's a good choice, though the barrel life is not the longest. Load it with a 143 gr ELD-X, or 140 gr Berger.

280 A.I. would be another good choice, loaded also with a 162 gr ELD-X, or 168 gr Berger.

Give the rifle a "Light Palma" contour, or something similar, finish it at 25"-26" and put a very good brake on it. Recoil is so manageable that I'd put a pre-teen behind it.

6.5 SLR would be a good choice.

http://www.6mmar.com/65_SuperLR.php

6.5-06

There should be info out there.

Also thought about the good ol' 6.5x55 Swede? 24" barrel might squeeze a bit more velocity.

6.5X55

7x57

Fast twist 6mm AI might be worth a look. 6.5x55 improved with Lapua brass wouldn't be a bad option.

6.5x55 or 6.5-06 would be my inclination...

^^

Bartlein 2B 1:9 280AI and 160 AB's. Perfect

Never owned but have somewhat the same "problem" with my 30-06. Too sentimental to me to get rid of but not very useful based on rest of the rifles I have.
My pipe dream is to get a 280ai for
1. Cool factor, figured I have enough Wally World calibers and coolness definitely count to varying degrees for me.
2. I plan to reload it and 7mm bullets have a huge selection.

But I probably won't do it for awhile.

Can I get away with a 20" barrel on a 280AI, or just suck it up and have a really long gun (will be suppressed)?

Sure but it will loose some velocity.

Don't short change yourself on going that short. You really need 24". Mine is 25" and I've put a 7" TBAC ultra 7 can on it. It's long but not unwieldy. If you are gonna go short go 7-08 -- a 7-08 AI would be sexy.