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280 AI #7967801 09/10/20 01:16 AM
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Lochsley123 Offline OP
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Been looking into this caliber and thought I’d ask yalls opinion.
I current shoot and reload for 243 87g , 6.5 CM 143g and 30/06 178g. Would a 280 AI be a benefit to my safe or is it too close to the calibers I’m currently shooting?

If this has been covered before please refer me to the post but I couldn’t find one when searching.


Originally Posted by rickym
What kind of lights does it shoot out?
Like are we talkin the mini bulb Christmas lights or a 500 watt flood light?

Re: 280 AI [Re: Lochsley123] #7967805 09/10/20 01:19 AM
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Make the 3006 a 280

Re: 280 AI [Re: Brother in-law] #7967815 09/10/20 01:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Brother in-law
Make the 3006 a 280


30/06 was the first rifle my dad gave me to hunt with. It actually doesn’t get shot much. More of an sentimental gun for me these days


Originally Posted by rickym
What kind of lights does it shoot out?
Like are we talkin the mini bulb Christmas lights or a 500 watt flood light?

Re: 280 AI [Re: Lochsley123] #7967835 09/10/20 01:40 AM
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If having the 30’06 is sentimental there’s nothing wrong with rebarreling it into something you’d shoot, it’s still the rifle that dad passed on. 280 AI is a very capable and wicked efficient round with some pretty nice consistent brass available comparatively speaking. 30’06 brass tends to be rather loose and not as concentric as 280 to me. That’s not to say that the ole 30 won’t shoot or can be hand loaded to shoot extremely well.

If budgets are so much of a concern I’d look at a nosler rifle in 280ai or any of the newer cookie cutter custom guns.
The 280ai is on my list of to do’s I used to have one and it was was all tuned up and shooting well and someone made me a ignorant offer on it and I sold it. It ended up with a custom dial huskeymaw scope and was the complete package, the guy who bought it from me shot a bull elk at about 670 with it the year I sold it.
I built it on a blueprinted 700 action and put it in a hs precision stock, it had a Jewell trigger, and a 1:8.5 Krieger barrel.

It seems like it shot the very first group into about a .3-.4 hole at a hundred yards.

Of course the smith that built the rifle was one of the very best, it’s unfortunate he has since passed away.

Re: 280 AI [Re: Lochsley123] #7967879 09/10/20 02:09 AM
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The 30/06 is a 1/2 MOA rifle with my hand loads and neck sized brass (I’ve done a lot of work to it). Don’t really have a reason to rebarrel it. Just looking for an excuse to add something else to the stable roflmao just not sure the 280 AI is the right choice. The 260 Nosler and 28 Nosler are tempting but I wonder if they will go the way of the WSM rounds. I know there are few still popular 270/300 WSM but a bunch of the others kind of faded away.

Last edited by Lochsley123; 09/10/20 02:11 AM.

Originally Posted by rickym
What kind of lights does it shoot out?
Like are we talkin the mini bulb Christmas lights or a 500 watt flood light?

Re: 280 AI [Re: Lochsley123] #7967900 09/10/20 02:21 AM
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Well, I had one, a Criterion barreled Savage.
The pro’s were: better case life, velocity gains,100-150 fps more than a regular .280, and finally an undeniable cool factor.
The cons were: expensive up front costs, namely the dies and the brass (unless you go the fire form route)

Honestly, while uber cool, it didn’t shoot or kill any better than my “regular” .280’s so I traded it for a boring old .257 Roberts

Re: 280 AI [Re: Lochsley123] #7967904 09/10/20 02:22 AM
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280 A.I.

+100 fps faster than a 7mm-08

-150 fps slower than a 7 Rem Mag, on significantly less powder

Best cartridge there is for that bolt face in a long action.


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Re: 280 AI [Re: Lochsley123] #7967913 09/10/20 02:29 AM
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I think it falls perfectly in the gap of what you have. It’s an ideal addition.

Re: 280 AI [Re: Lochsley123] #7967996 09/10/20 03:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Lochsley123
. Would a 280 AI be a benefit to my safe or is it too close to the calibers I’m currently shooting?

.



I guess the main thing you have to figure out is what are you wanting to do that your current rounds won't. If deer, pigs, elk is what they are for, then in reality I don't think you would gain much over what you already have. So i guess you would really need to define your endgame to really be able to get a good answer. With the calibers you have listed a, if you are looking to fill a gap, it looks to me like a high stepping varmint round or a big magnum would be more what i would look at, as your mid range rounds seem to be covered. But, if just want one, then get it

Re: 280 AI [Re: J.G.] #7968047 09/10/20 04:42 AM
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Originally Posted by FiremanJG
280 A.I.

+100 fps faster than a 7mm-08

-150 fps slower than a 7 Rem Mag, on significantly less powder

Best cartridge there is for that bolt face in a long action.

Originally Posted by FiremanJG
280 A.I.

+100 fps faster than a 7mm-08

-150 fps slower than a 7 Rem Mag, on significantly less powder

Best cartridge there is for that bolt face in a long action.



That’s a good perspective. If its a 100 FPS less than the 7mm-08 how does it compare to the 6.5 creedmoor ?


Originally Posted by rickym
What kind of lights does it shoot out?
Like are we talkin the mini bulb Christmas lights or a 500 watt flood light?

Re: 280 AI [Re: Lochsley123] #7968081 09/10/20 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Lochsley123
Originally Posted by FiremanJG
280 A.I.

+100 fps faster than a 7mm-08

-150 fps slower than a 7 Rem Mag, on significantly less powder

Best cartridge there is for that bolt face in a long action.

Originally Posted by FiremanJG
280 A.I.

+100 fps faster than a 7mm-08

-150 fps slower than a 7 Rem Mag, on significantly less powder

Best cartridge there is for that bolt face in a long action.



That’s a good perspective. If its a 100 FPS less than the 7mm-08 how does it compare to the 6.5 creedmoor ?



I believe that’s faster than a 7-08 the way I read his post. I actually expected more than a 100 FPS faster. I would have guessed at least 150 with the same bullet. I know he’s loaded and shot both though so that numbers probably good. Since the 7-08 outperforms the Creedmoor with a 162 vs 140 I would think the 280 with that 162 would do so significantly.

Last edited by wp75169; 09/10/20 10:27 AM.
Re: 280 AI [Re: Lochsley123] #7968101 09/10/20 11:09 AM
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J.G. noted that it is faster than the 7-08 and slower than the 7 mag. I have a 280 Ackley and love it. That is my go to elk rifle now. I have taken a few things with it and it hits hard (I do reload, but nothing outlandish). The 160's weight bullet (I use Accubonds but like Hornady Elds). Great round.

Re: 280 AI [Re: Lochsley123] #7968108 09/10/20 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Lochsley123
Originally Posted by Brother in-law
Make the 3006 a 280


30/06 was the first rifle my dad gave me to hunt with. It actually doesn’t get shot much. More of an sentimental gun for me these days


I’m in the same boat

Re: 280 AI [Re: Lochsley123] #7968207 09/10/20 12:58 PM
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Pardon me, I miswrote. Looked at my 280 A.I. data. Brand new 24" barrel, brand new Hornady brass,

162 gr 2930 fps MV.

We would have to ask George if it sped up later. I bet it did after a couple hundred rounds, and sizing the brass properly


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Re: 280 AI [Re: Lochsley123] #7968272 09/10/20 01:42 PM
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I’m planning on getting a chrono out to my range sometime soon, and I’ll report back on the MV increase. It is shooting Amazingly well!

Fireman and I had a series of discussions on what I wanted out of a caliber and he suggested I go with a 280AI. He custom built everything for it and found out what my rifle liked the best by developing a custom load. Man, it shoots lights out and it hits hard! I’m 3/3 on animals. It is my favorite caliber now and I highly suggest it. If you are looking for someone to put one together for you, call Fireman! He built me a 1/4MOA rifle! How bout dat?

I’ve been very happy with the 162 Eld M and Eld X.


Last edited by Son of a Blitch; 09/10/20 01:43 PM.

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Re: 280 AI [Re: Brother in-law] #7968287 09/10/20 01:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Brother in-law
Originally Posted by Lochsley123
Originally Posted by Brother in-law
Make the 3006 a 280


30/06 was the first rifle my dad gave me to hunt with. It actually doesn’t get shot much. More of an sentimental gun for me these days


I’m in the same boat



3rd boat, I have a Springfield safe queen that was my dads


Donate to TX Youth hunting program.... better to donate then to waste it in taxes

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Re: 280 AI [Re: Lochsley123] #7968300 09/10/20 01:58 PM
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OP I’d build out a sub 7lb 280ai, they make great mountain rifles due to the lessor recoil when compared to 7 mag


Donate to TX Youth hunting program.... better to donate then to waste it in taxes

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Re: 280 AI [Re: Lochsley123] #7968368 09/10/20 02:42 PM
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First of all, the way the comparison was written (+100fps to 7-08 and -150fps to 7mag) was written very clearly to me as to which is the order.

Now that criteria has been further clarified, I'd like to chime in. I have a 30-06 that no sentimental value aside from I bought it and worked on it. If the cost is not a big deal to you, then totally do it even though it practically won't be any difference between it and a 30-06 within some very large number of yards. Never shot the caliber, in fact I've rarely shot any 7mm caliber. I just like all the numbers associated with 280ai, mostly the amount of speed vs powder. The gain in velocity vs powder is non-linear and the 280ai seems to sit in a sweet spot, again only theoretically to me.

The following is the average off possible max loads for each caliber from the Hodgdon website for a 162gr Amax. the bullet is arbritrary, mostly just to highlight the difference in numbers.

caliber 7mm-08 280ai 7mm mag
ave powder (gr) 41.5 49.0 64.3
ave muz vel (fps) 2,633 2,736 2,913
powder delta (gr) 7.6 [-] 15.2
velocity delta (fps) 103 [-] 176
fps gained per gr of powder 13.63 [-] 11.57


I'm a dude who likes long barrels!
Re: 280 AI [Re: Korean Redneck] #7968397 09/10/20 02:56 PM
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^^As usual, Hodgdon's powder charges are way conservative. Therefore their theoretical velocities are much lower than real life. Proper powder for each, is key. What I've made all three cartridges do, and do it safely.

162 gr

24" 7mm-08, 2700 fps MV
24" .280 A.I., 2920 fps MV
26" 7 Rem Mag, 3080 fps MV

Not hard rules, but common velocities for each.


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Re: 280 AI [Re: Korean Redneck] #7968403 09/10/20 03:00 PM
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As is often the case, pick a bullet, decide how fast you want it to go, and decide how much recoil you are willing to tolerate. Also, if you've already got a donor rifle, that plays into the decision of what cartridge to go with. Having a .270, or a .30-06, the most performance and not having to open up the bolt face or swap bolts, .280 A.I. is your answer.


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Re: 280 AI [Re: Lochsley123] #7968407 09/10/20 03:03 PM
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By all means buy what you want. I dont see the 280AI filling any true performance gap though.


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Re: 280 AI [Re: Son of a Blitch] #7968408 09/10/20 03:03 PM
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Fireman is dead on about the 280ai and TriggerTime is phenomenal builder. Shot this group yesterday sighting in/confirming zero before an axis hunt next week.

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Originally Posted by Son of a Blitch
I’m planning on getting a chrono out to my range sometime soon, and I’ll report back on the MV increase. It is shooting Amazingly well!

Fireman and I had a series of discussions on what I wanted out of a caliber and he suggested I go with a 280AI. He custom built everything for it and found out what my rifle liked the best by developing a custom load. Man, it shoots lights out and it hits hard! I’m 3/3 on animals. It is my favorite caliber now and I highly suggest it. If you are looking for someone to put one together for you, call Fireman! He built me a 1/4MOA rifle! How bout dat?

I’ve been very happy with the 162 Eld M and Eld X.


Re: 280 AI [Re: Lochsley123] #7968464 09/10/20 03:39 PM
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This might be a dumb question but why not a standard 280 rem? Is the ai version that much better than the original cartridge?

Re: 280 AI [Re: Gw123] #7968517 09/10/20 04:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Gw123
This might be a dumb question but why not a standard 280 rem? Is the ai version that much better than the original cartridge?


An extra hundred fps more velocity, Cases generally last longer as they do not stretch as much as the standard 280 case. Plus to be a little different and if needed in an emergency you can shoot standard 280 in a 280AI chamber


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Re: 280 AI [Re: Gw123] #7968537 09/10/20 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Gw123
This might be a dumb question but why not a standard 280 rem? Is the ai version that much better than the original cartridge?


Looking at data from nosler, the AI version is about 120 fps faster with the 16o grain bullet. Whether that is much better really depends on who you are. Generally the people who will tell you that the 120 fps is a huge advantage in the standard vs AI are the same people that will tell you that the 150ish FPS difference in 308 vs 3006 is insignificant. Really depends on end goals, and the whether the headache involved is worth it to go AI or not. I don't think it would ever be worth it for me, as ammo availability, brass forming/limited factory availability, less smooth feeding, etc., are not worth the marginal gains provided, when i can just go buy a 7 mag and skip all the headaches and get higher performance if i don't think a 280 is enough. But to each his own.

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