I've had a (heavy) 20" 7mm-08 for several years. 162 gr at 2640 fps MV.

I wanted a light 16" rifle, but 17" was as short as possible for the lathe with no extension. So, had I built another 7mm-08 with a 17" barrel, I would have lost 60 to 75 fps. Instead, the 17" is a 7mm-08 A.I. 162 gr at 2640 fps MV.

Same can be said for giving a .280 A.I. a short-ish barrel. Being the A.I. variety, you can pick speed back up over a standard cartridge.

Having said all that, I am also a lover of the 7 WSM.

I like the 280 AI a bunch. Just get it because you can’t have too many guns.

I don't know much about 280 AI
what would be the advantage over 7Remmag ?
no more belted mag case, but performance would be close.
7mag would have the nod on availability and cost to operate.
so what is to gain in going with 280AI ?

Less powder consumption and recoil.

Right.

Does more work with less fuel. Efficient case geometry.

I want one too!

That makes good sense. I like the short powder column of short action and short mag cartridges in a carbine length barrel for a more complete burn. With the OP looking to lose weight, a short action makes even more sense. 7 WSM would give a little separation from what the OP already has.
Saying all that, I really like the 280 AI

Have you seen the availability/price of powder?
I'd go with a round that would burn the minimum powder for the intended purpose. Like a 6.5 CM

280ai is what I would like to eventually convert my 30-06 700 into. It's just low on my priority list currently. Since I'm addicted to reloading, there is probably nothing that 280ai can do that between the woman's 270 and my 30-06 can't do for since I don't hunt much. However 280ai just seems like one of the coolest calibers on paper. We get far enough in life, I'd honestly love to convert both the woman's 270 and mine in 280ai.
Just a dumb story I tell myself when I first started reading technical ballistics/rifle shooting info... 6.5mm calibers seem to shine in the short actions, 7mm in the long action and 30 cal in the magnums with today's newer, heavier bullets. My long term plan is to have one of each.

I always admired family gun stories. I never received such stories/guns. I have installed pillars, bedded the action and would like to do a barrel nut/remage swap on my 700. The dream is that will be a family gun story I can start because with this rifle will probably come with like a couple hundred pieces of brass loaded and a few load recipes. The assumption is that this caliber will never go mainstream even after I die (assuming normal free Americans still can own gun when I die), so my loads will invoke memories.

Besides, I kinda just like saying 280ai.

I have all three. All built about the same. I run them in rotation and just cannot see much difference between the 270, 280AI and 30-06. Since I put together my 7-08 the others get even less use. Great cartridges all.

Two words: ammunition availability

I know of of no other real drawback or negative to the 280ai. But that’s a big one.

This goes toward the topic that applies to every single cartridge known to man.

There is no substitute for ammo that was developed, and tuned specifically for the rifle it was loaded for. It is a game changer for any cartridge, barrel contour, and barrel length.

I've seen smoking good ammo developed for Rifle A, look not so good in Rifle B. Of course there is ammo the does well in many rifles. But 100 yards ain't that hard. Make a load shoot at, or less than 1 1/2" at 300 yards, and the rifle owner is ruined for life. Off the shelf ammo isn't even a thought.

Derrick at Horizon did a 7-6.5 PRC wildcat. He used a 6.5 PRC reamer in a 7mm barrel then throated with 7 rem mag finish reamer. Neck up the brass to 7mm and rock on.

Case capacity mirrors the 280ai but in a more efficient case. Told me he was getting better velocity with H4831sc and a shorter barrel than an equivalent load in a 280ai and a longer barrel

That sounds awesome too.
I'd like to first master my current set up of very standard calibers. However I can't wait to take on some of these wildcats. I'm really digging the coolness factor of having something one off.

What's the big diff from a 7 WSM?

Honestly no good reason, it's as stupid as the shortness of the case just looks goofy to me. plus I knew a jerk who would not shut up about his 270wsm i probably just became petty about it. When 6.5 and 300 prc came out, I was sort of wondering why not also the 7mm. Seemed almost obvious to me.

Reading this thread has me wanting a 280AI. I’m trying to limit my calibers to the ones I already stock ammo for, but I may violate that. I was in Alamo precision in hurst today to get a barrel fluted and they have 2 very nice custom rifles for sale, both in 280AI. Must be a sign...

Do it!
My cousin tells me there is no coincidences, just unrecognized providence.

280 AI is a cartridge, not a caliber.

7-08 and don't look back

I had a Nosler years ago.. I absolutely loved the gun and caliber, 140g Accubonds were very effective and accurate.
I eventually got rid of it because I just didn't have the time for handloading anymore and factory ammo was scarce and expensive.

I now have a 7mag that is also a very lightweight rifle and with a can on it the recoil is totally fine..
They both are very close in performance and 7 mag ammo has a ton of options...

You don't want a 280 AI, you just don't....

You don't want to shoot sub 1/4" groups @ 200 yards......



You don't want to hammer an Elk at 300 yards and have him drop in his tracks.......



And you darn sure don't want to be on the last day of the hunt, having not seen anything for 4 days, have a bull step out at 415 yrds, quartering away from you headed for the timber and have to run the bullet up his spine (to find it lodged in his rt shoulder) to drop him in his tracks.......



Life is too short to deal with all that........

Is the .280 the same as the 7MM Remington express?

Yes,

Yes, & the 7mm06.