Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 280Rem vs 280ai

Hi guys, I am rebarrelling my 280rem and am considering with I ackley it or stay the same. I have no issues with the Remington version and no experience with the Ackley version. It seems like there is a lot of cool-aide with the improved version, but I'm not sure just how much is actually real or otherwise.

What are your thoughts, one way or the other? It will wear a 26 inch tube either way and if ever you were going to make a change, now is the time to do it right.

Lets have it.

I’ve had both, IMO the improved version isn’t worth the trouble. If the standard 280 isn’t fast enough just go straight to the 7mm Rem mag. When I had the AI version there were no factory cases so fire forming was the rule. Much easier today but the performance isn’t any different.

Only worthwhile point for me would be case stretch.
Wouldn't shoot a 280 all that much, can trim cases if needed.



#1 reason to?

Talking about it.

I've had both, presently have a .280 AI. I have the AI version because that's what Kimber chambered and that's the rifle I wanted five years ago when I bought it. If they chambered the standard version, that's what I'd have. Having said that, there is no trouble of any kind with feeding and shooting the AI.

All of my accumulated .280 Rem brass fire-forms easily. No trouble at all and no need to buy AI brass if you have a supply of good .280 Rem brass or ammunition already on hand.

The extended case life and reduced trimming and sizing work is not BS. I shoot the rifle regularly at the range and it's the lowest maintenance brass I load.

I can load to standard velocity if I want to conserve a little powder at the range, or I can go ahead and take advantage of the added capacity and load to max. The deer don't know any different and neither does the target board at the range.

I don't advocate either way because I like both cartridges and the extra FPS wouldn't sway me, but the brass life and reduced maintenance alone are reason for me to like the AI. I'd buy it again if I had it to do over again.

I hadn't really considered the brass life aspects between the two. Less stretch is definitely a benefit.

How did you go about fireforming your cases, never had to do that in over 30 years of reloading.

I see it is deep in the winter or summer as is the case for the OP. In other news, people are still trying to cou t how many fairies will stand on the head of a pin.

This is what I would do as well

I think my AI-ing days are behind me now.

I have enjoyed my 280 AI for almost 30 years. I handload all my ammo so it really makes no difference if I load standard 280 or 280 AI. I do get about 100 fps more from the AI but I have never tried to push my loads to 7mm Mag levels as some do.
Bottom line, there is really not that much difference. Get the one you like.

Mine as well. I still have a 243AI and a 280AI, but when they are gone, I don't see me doing them again.

I did the same thing.....lol. My thought process was like yours. It's not worth the trouble, stick with a 280. Of course you can still shoot a 280 factory in a 280ai but still... it's not much difference. My current 280ai turned out a little heavier than I wanted and it sits in the safe more times than not.

Take a standard 280 cartridge ,place it in the chamber of an 280AI and pull the trigger. BTW that may be one advantage of the AI, you can shoot standard 280 and 280AI ammo if the need ever arises. I have 7x57AI and accuracy is excellent with either round.

Take a standard 280 cartridge ,place it in the chamber of an 280AI and pull the trigger. BTW that may be one advantage of the AI, you can shoot standard 280 and 280AI ammo if the need ever arises. I have 7x57AI and accuracy is excellent with either round.

Which one is easiest to get brass/ammo for? That might make the difference for me.

This is the biggest reason I went with the 280AI. It's what I REALLY like about the .223AI. The extra fps doesn't matter much to me in either of them but the reduced trimming (especially with the .223 version with volume shooting) is something I really appreciate.

Just curious as to why. I have a .280 and .30-06 AI. I chronographed 180 Hornady factory loads at 2690 fps out of my AI chamber. I shoot those and load the fire formed brass, which then doesn't stretch much. That eliminates most case trimming, which I personally don't enjoy.

I don't see much velocity advantage outside of loading to increased pressure in the AI rounds, but the lack of case stretching is nice.

The AI is the easiest to get brass / ammo for in .280 / .280 AI, because there is factory brass and factory ammo for both cartridges and either will work in most .280 AIs. I have both.

I have a 280 ai. Like it fine. I only neck size brass and have had no issues.

If doing over, I’d likely just go 270 and be done with it.

I have and have had multiples of both. If I were starting all over again in the realm of the 280 and could choose only one I would go only 280 AI. Why? Brass life/lack of trimming is the major decision making point between the two for me. Additionally, take out all of the hyperbole asserted by 280 AI fans and look at the ballistic truths, it really is enough better than the 280 and it really is close (but no cigar) enough to the 7 mag to "justify" it. Look at it for what it is and not for what it is not. In reference to my first point making the decision from a starting over standpoint, it is much easier today to find 280 AI brass and ammo than it is to find 280 brass and ammo.

Well on my 243AI it is a tight neck and I have to turn necks so I can not just shoot 243 ammo and get my brass. After the forming, the FPS is not that big of a gain. A 6mm Remington is about the same with no fire forming required.
As far as the 280AI, brass is not as big of an issue but it still will not catch a 7mm Rem mag.