Looking for a medium game rifle. I got rid of my short mags a couple years ago, have 270s and 30-06 but want something else.

You are changing from one of the most available rounds to not so much .... I recommend the 6.5CM because it DRTs and is more available for rounds...

DO IT!

24" barrel, 162 gr over 2900 fps. Might as well sell the .270's and .30-06. You won't need them anymore.

Why not a 7-08?

Great caliber and if you just want one then get it, there doesn't have to be any more to consider than that.

If you are asking for actual practical considerations, it's going to boil down to what you're going to do with it. Will it kill a deer deader than the aught six at 300 yards? No, not really. It definitely has a place in the myriad of options out there. Maybe something like re-barreling your 270/3006 with a faster twist and getting more performance out of your long action .470 bolt without stepping up to a magnum bolt face. In my opinion you'd have to have a very specific use case to justify going with a more boutique round like 280AI.

This is kinda end up too.

If you are wanting a new gun get it. If it is a caliber decision then look at the uses for the gun and select caliber based in use. For me personally, i would probably never buy a 280ai since there are much more widely available rounds that do the basically the same thing. I have done the boutique/form your own stuff before and found that it wasn't for me and that i didn't see enough in gains to put up with the logistical aggravation.

But that is my opinion and your usage may be way different

Assuming you reload, factory brass is available and seems like a great cartridge nearing the speeds of 7MM Rem Mag.

love it

proven caliber over and over

If I could only have one rifle this would be the caliber of choice. I’d get the faster twist barrel and shoot them 197 grain ice pick looking bullets

I think 175 ELD-X is what I would load in mine, if I had one. Hell of a BC, hell of a sectional density.

Personally, I buy brass, primers, powder and bullets anyway. Can't remember the last time I fired a rifle round that I didn't load. And .280 A.I. brass can be purchased already in A.I. form.

It’s the only AI caliber that I have ever recommended to someone I liked.

I have a 300WM but it’s not a hunting rifle. If I was building a new rifle, the 280AI would get a strong look and likely be the choice. But you already have two pretty similar options in your safe. What about going bigger, like a 28 or 30 Nosler, 300 PRC, or even a .33 of some sort?

I approached FiremanJG a couple years back with what I wanted in a rifle and he suggested a 280AI. It checked every box I wanted. We spoke about the build and he took it and built it from there. Not too long after, I was picking up my custom rifle and running it out to 800 yards with ease.

I was going to start reloading, so that was not going to be an issue. There is 280AI factory ammo for sale, and I’ve heard good things about it, but I think you can really see it shine when you reload and find the perfect recipe. Mine shoots 162 ELDM and ELDX at 2900fps+, and I’m 6/6 on one shot kills since using it. It is now my absolute favorite rifle I’ve ever shot. Incredibly accurate and it gets the job done! 1/4 MOA easily. And closer to 1/8th when I do my job correctly. I would talk you into a 280AI rather than out of one! I love everything about it. If you have any other questions you can email or call me. Would be happy to chat about it. If you are looking to get someone to put it together for you, call Jason!

PS - mine started at a Rem 270 donor...so you have a good starting block if you decide to use one of the ones you have for it...just a thought. 👍

I sold a Kimber in 280AI to a friend of mine because of recoil. Yes I'm a sissy.

Not right now. I cannot find anyone with 280ai brass in stock, and haven't been able to for months. I'm guessing the manufacturers are focusing on the more mainstream rounds. I even considered fireforming from 280rem brass but can't find it either.

In response to the OP's post: I love my 280ai, mine is a custom built Encore, I had it built for spot/stalk hunting in the mountains so I chose the Encore platform, no action results in a lighter and shorter rifle that a repeater. My Encore has a 26" barrel and is still shorter than my '06 with a 24" barrel. But since that's not the topic, I digress.

I have hunted Texas game primarily with a 708 for a few decades, and while I have zero complaints about the 708, I have come to love my 280ai just as much over the last 10yrs. I run cup and core bullets (Sierra GK) thru the 08, they just seem to perform better on game at 08 velocities. I run 160gr Nosler AB's thru the 280ai as the added velocity seems to make them function better on game. I tried them in the 08 and just didn't seem to get the expansion they show at the higher speed the ackley produces. The 160gr AB from the 280ai on deer or hogs seems to be just the right combination of bullet construction and speed to crate a nice wound channel without destroying everything within 6" of the wound channel like a typical cup/core bullet can, and it retains enough weight to exit with monotonous reliability. I have never recovered one.

For reference, as mentioned above I have a 30-06 as well, and while any of them will kill a deer or hog just as dead as the 280ai, I just like it better than the '06 for some reason. I do not get into the long range stuff, but if looking to I would not hesitate to build a 280ai for that purpose either. The Encore is a very functional platform within its limits, but it will never be an optimal benchrest or long range precision platform. The 280ai is an extremely versatile and efficient round. And sure, you can load it pretty warm and start approaching factory loaded 7mag velocities, but start handloading for the mag and the gap widens again. So an Ackley will never be a 7mag no matter how much anyone wants it to be one. Again, being on the single shot platform I do not push the limits the of the round due to stress on the frame and hinge pin, but I get respectable velocities from it.

If I had to do over again, I would not hesitate to build another 280ai. Just wish I'd have stocked a bit more brass for it before the stupidity we are presently experiencing.

Don’t do It.

My favorite rifle. Hands down. JG helped me spec mine out. I run the 168 Berger vld

Tikka Action
Bartlein 3b 25” 1:9
McMillan Game Scout carbon fiber stock with edge fill
Our AICS bottom metal with 3rd or 5rd Accurate Mag magazine

Thanks for all the replies.


I'm keeping my 6.5, but with the 16" barrel and weighing 14lbs; I'm wanting something about half the weight and enough azz take an elk in the 5-600 yard range.



Already have a couple. Wanting something a little bigger.

I would shoot your .270 or 30-06 out to 600 yds and see what happens. Shoot the one that is more accurate at 100-200yds. Both easily will take an elk. You would be surprised with the right cartridge or load they will shoot really well.

Make your .30-06 a .30-06 AI.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

I need something I can shoot suppressed, they were my dad's guns and I don't want to modify them.

I gotcha! Then I cant talk you out of any of the 7mm especially the 280 or 280AI, 24" or less if your going suppressed. I forgot also .284 Win, it might be old school but it has won countless long distance competitions!

Or.... Make your 30-06 a 338 Sherman

Wrong crowd to talk you out of a 280AI but I will try, just because you asked. 280AI is great choice for a Ricky Bobby 280 up around 62k psi. There are a lot of good .284 projectiles to choose from too. Shortening the barrel on an Ackley Improved to run suppressed kinda defeats the purpose of an ackley, which is to run it fast. Something with a short stubby case like a 270 WSM or 7 WSM might check all the boxes in a 20-22 inch barrel suppressed.

This mimics what I have thought but not said.