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280 AI or other for new bolt rifle
#7095493
02/28/18 03:46 AM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,411
crash700
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OP
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I have a long action that I am considering using for a 280 AI build. Whats everyones thoughts on the round itself? I have a couple of 7mm Rem Mags so I already have longer distance cartridges and I have a couple of 7mm-08's so I have a lighter 7mm. For water reason, theres something about the Ackley that draws me to it and Im not sure why. I am open to other caliber suggestions as this is kind of a niche round it seems. I just wanted to get you guys thoughts in regard to what you would build for a standard hunting rifle. I normally shoot deer and hogs but do occasionally shoot elk and other larger animals, though I have a 338wm for that.
Si Vis Pacem Parabellum
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Re: 280 AI or other for new bolt rifle
[Re: crash700]
#7095532
02/28/18 04:25 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407
WileyCoyote
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407 |
With what you already have in 7mm's I'd look at doing something in a bigger or smaller caliber. IMO a 280 AI is almost a 7Rmg that uses 6-10 grains of powder less and runs same bullets only about 50-100fps +/- slower.
FWIW I'd go bigger in a 35 Whelen & could AI that'un for a little extra push...but having had a 9.3x62 IMO it is the perfect non mag step up with 250 gr bullets that'll about match a 338WMg's MV in that bullet weight, and go up to a tad slower 375 H&H's power in close to the same weight bullets, with the 286gr'er as the everyday great average do all bullet weight. Brass is easy, bullets are easy (Hornady & others) and someday I'll build one again as they are lots softer recoil that 338Wmgs & 375H&H's for sure. JMHO & YMMV Ron
It is TIME for Term Limits, cause Politicians are like childrens diapers and for the same reasons...Robin Williams "These are the times that try men's soul's"...Thomas Paine
"Those who fail to learn from History are doomed to repeat it" ....Santayana
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Re: 280 AI or other for new bolt rifle
[Re: crash700]
#7095604
02/28/18 06:38 AM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,183
Mike Honcho
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,183 |
The ackley shoulder just looks sexy. With that said I hold the 280ai in high regard but ever since getting a 7x57ai built its now a notch above the 280/280ai. Something about the history and the nostalgia just does it for me. My 7x57ai is also easy to load for and gives up very little to the 280ai up to 150's in my experience.
“Two things that define an individual what you do when you have everything, and what you do when you have nothing."
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Re: 280 AI or other for new bolt rifle
[Re: crash700]
#7095856
02/28/18 02:17 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,171
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,171 |
Great cartridge, but since you have 7mm above and below it, I think you might have fun with a 6.5X284
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Re: 280 AI or other for new bolt rifle
[Re: crash700]
#7095876
02/28/18 02:31 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,755
ccoker
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
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I had a 280AI for a few years, great round, if you handload or be willing to pay a lot for ammo..
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Re: 280 AI or other for new bolt rifle
[Re: J.G.]
#7095981
02/28/18 03:27 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,521
RiverRider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,521 |
Great cartridge, but since you have 7mm above and below it, I think you might have fun with a 6.5X284 As great a cartridge as the .280 and .280 AI both are, i think JG is onto something here. Brass for 6.5-284 is available, too, so no AI fireforming would be needed.
"Arguing with you always makes me thirsty." -Augustus McRae
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Re: 280 AI or other for new bolt rifle
[Re: crash700]
#7096018
02/28/18 03:48 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,411
crash700
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Thanks guys, something to think about. I was thinking 280ai so that I can stay with the same bullets out of convenience. The 6.5-284 does seem interesting. I was also considering the 35 Whelen, but I have a 9.3x62 also, though I seldom take it out, its an awesome cartridge for sure.
Last edited by crash700; 02/28/18 03:50 PM.
Si Vis Pacem Parabellum
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Re: 280 AI or other for new bolt rifle
[Re: crash700]
#7096027
02/28/18 03:57 PM
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,198
Smokey Bear
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,198 |
Crash, 280AI is a formidable cartridge and one I like. You have 7mm pretty well bracketed with what you have. Frankly you could make either caliber work for your stated plans. With that said I say, go for it. Trying new calibers and Bullets is what we do. Getting the ones that intrigue us and putting them through their paces is how we figure out what our preferences are and why they can change. I say get it and have fun with it.
Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
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Re: 280 AI or other for new bolt rifle
[Re: RiverRider]
#7096174
02/28/18 05:28 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 258
VarmintSniper30
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 258 |
Great cartridge, but since you have 7mm above and below it, I think you might have fun with a 6.5X284 As great a cartridge as the .280 and .280 AI both are, i think JG is onto something here. Brass for 6.5-284 is available, too, so no AI fireforming would be needed. you can buy 280 AI brass
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Re: 280 AI or other for new bolt rifle
[Re: crash700]
#7096232
02/28/18 06:04 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,521
RiverRider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,521 |
I know, but AFAIK only from Nosler.
"Arguing with you always makes me thirsty." -Augustus McRae
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Re: 280 AI or other for new bolt rifle
[Re: crash700]
#7098526
03/02/18 01:51 PM
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 8
Zeebob
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 8 |
It's always a fun dilemma deciding what to build next and I won't be much help! Had a .280 for years and it was very effective from varmint thru elk. I built a couple of 280AIs...they shot well but really didn't give me a significant improvement over the standard 280. Ended up selling both when I got tired of fire forming....
Now, I just built a standard .280 to replace the two 280AIs. With that and my 7x57s...I'm happy!
If you are toying with the idea of a 6.5-284, you really should think about the 6.5-06. You have a long action, and you can easily make 6.5-06 brass using 270 or 25-06 brass... The 6.5-06 is the ballistic twin to the 6.5-284. I've built a couple 6.5-06s and using 120 Sierra game kings or 130gr accubond it's like a death ray on deer and antelope!
Regardless, of your decision... 280, 280AI, 6.5-284 or 6.5-06 they all work great.
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Re: 280 AI or other for new bolt rifle
[Re: crash700]
#7098850
03/02/18 05:55 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,521
RiverRider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,521 |
Hey Zee. Good to see you here. When you comin out to help kill off some piggies?
"Arguing with you always makes me thirsty." -Augustus McRae
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Re: 280 AI or other for new bolt rifle
[Re: crash700]
#7098876
03/02/18 06:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7,759
snake oil
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7,759 |
If you get a .280AI get a break on it unless it's heavy....ask me how I know..Rebarreling my Kimber..
"You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas".
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Re: 280 AI or other for new bolt rifle
[Re: crash700]
#7098906
03/02/18 06:27 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,073
RedSnake
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,073 |
My 280ai is my favorite rifle to shoot steel and hunting. 168 bergers at 2800+ are devastating on game. Hornady has also started making Precision Hunter ammo in 162 ELD-x if you dont handload.
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Re: 280 AI or other for new bolt rifle
[Re: crash700]
#7099104
03/02/18 09:04 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,411
crash700
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I like the feedback that I have gotten, you guys are always great. I am still a few months out before I get it all together as I am slowly picking up the parts. I think that I may be set on a 280ai and will initially buy factory ammo and start reloading thereafter to get into some barnes TSX 140's to 160's for mulies and possibly elk. I have other calibers, but this one seems to be a good fit for most of the hunting that I currently do.
Si Vis Pacem Parabellum
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Re: 280 AI or other for new bolt rifle
[Re: crash700]
#7099659
03/03/18 01:03 PM
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 8
Zeebob
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 8 |
Crash, let us know how your project progresses! I just got done putting duracoat on my .280 yesterday! Just about done now! River Rider, I have been lurking here for a while. More interesting stuff going on here than the other spot we frequented. I'm up for helping you thin out them pigs whenever we can make it work! Zee
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Re: 280 AI or other for new bolt rifle
[Re: Zeebob]
#7099698
03/03/18 01:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,022
pertnear
"Demolition Man"
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"Demolition Man"
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,022 |
...If you are toying with the idea of a 6.5-284, you really should think about the 6.5-06. You have a long action, and you can easily make 6.5-06 brass using 270 or 25-06 brass... The 6.5-06 is the ballistic twin to the 6.5-284. I've built a couple 6.5-06s and using 120 Sierra game kings or 130gr accubond it's like a death ray on deer and antelope! Since you have the 7mm spectrum covered, my first thought was the 6.5-06 also. With the 6.5mm being all the rage these days, the bullet selection is excellent & more coming every day. According to Ackley's handbook, the various sharp-shoulder improved versions of the 6.5-06 (and there are a number of them including the AI) are all too overbore & buy you little. Keeping the basic shoulder angle, making cases should be easy & cheap with a neck-bushing .270 die set-up. The hardest decision about the 6.5-06 would be what twist should you order your Krieger barrel in!
"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” - George Orwell
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Re: 280 AI or other for new bolt rifle
[Re: crash700]
#7101183
03/05/18 03:26 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,409
rickt300
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I have a 280 AI, nice rifle and I too have a small 7(7x57) and a 7RM. Sad fact is that my 280 AI is lighter than my big 7 so I am going to sell the 7RM. My 280 AI is also too nice a rifle to be out much in the weather but it makes a nice safe queen. My 7x57 nicknamed "Ugly" is virtually weather proof and indestructible being built on a 24/47 Mauser action, synthetic stock, stainless barrel and it's two tone Rustoleum flat finish. I would sell the 280 AI before the 7x57 without question. But someday that AI will get out on an antelope hunt, maybe if I don't decide to take one of my 270's.
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