Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats .280, or .280AI, or ?

For sure MM, I am speaking generally. I just don't have as much an issue with brass growth as some I see having with the 06/270/06 type cases.

I bought a Rem 280 mtn rifle in mid 80's shot it untill about 2000 got tired of fighting that pencil barrel so I put a Lilja #4 on it in 2000 then about 2008 set it back and my brother's Browning 280 to 280AI. When I was load them as plain 280 Rem I could not get mine over 2950 and my Brothers over 2980 without ejector swipes. I took the same Rem brass and fireformed it to 280AI and ran them both over 3200 with RL23 no pressure signs. We can argue all day long about it I know what was before and after only thing that changed was the AI.Everybody argues about load data and always referr to book loads, Does Nosler and Barnes got it wrong? Quick load is not always right either when the 30 Nosler came out they missed it by a mile.
Do you actually think Nosler and Barnes would put data out there they didn't think was safe?

For the curious, I went with the .280AI version,

Brass is on the way……

Appreciate all the moral support in these difficult decisions we find ourselves in………(Grin)

Just wait till i start the scope needed thread,, Could be epic………..

You won't regret it.

Can't wait LOL

Those book loads are whimpy. Their max is where I usually start.
3200 out of your ack sounds like a monster. To The OP, congrats. Your gonna love your new rifle.

I think you'll be happy.
Use quality components.
And you'll get quality results.
The 280 AI is still one of my favorites.


dave

I wouldn't argue a bit and believe your numbers. I think the 280 Rem is a 58K so book loads are watered pretty heavily while the Ackley is a 65K cartridge. Makes a decent difference.



This is how the old M725 lays down 140's, so you adding 75-100 on top of that seems entirely possible (plus another 2" of barrel). This was in Hornady brass which isn't nothing great to speak of. But I can't make a pocket loosen or get swipes or any of that. Both of them are pretty great cartridges. But book to book, the 280 Ackley is a much easier deal if you want full speed stuff without the guesswork.

Gotta remember 15 years ago there was no RL26 and some of the othere " speedier" powders we have today.
I used imr 4350 and RL19 in my 280. In the low 3000 fps is all it would go in both with ejector swipes. I used RL19 when it first came out. 2 other guys at the time I knew that had 280 Rem both could only get in the 2975 range too..

For sure Sherm, I'd agree with that. Plain old H4831 worked decent enough in my 7600 with 145 LRX's and if there was a gun to be grumpy about pressures or show signs it'd be one of them.



Either way, a fella can't make a bad choice between the two of them.

I run A4350 in mine with a 139 sst. For now. Next bullet is gonna be a 150 cx and AB. I was able to work up to 55 grains where the load slammed shut on paper. Shot deer at 100 yards all the way to 450 with it. Typical 1 3/4" high at 100 and was able to dial the 16-17" low at 400 and so one. That sst is a whitetail bullet deluxe. Bit messy, but dead is dead. Shot a large bodied mule deer buck with it this year at about 150 yards and that bullet opened immediately. Tore him up but penetration was lacking. Acted more like a v max. I know a 140 partition would do it if I needed to kill bigger game.
BTW. I couldn't get mine to shoot better than an inch with 4831. Started with A4350 and the 3rd load, all of which were inside a quarter, hit in a rag hole.
I was (am) a big 30-06 fan with 150s and 165s. You can move that 150 with an 06, but a 280 rem and a 140 or 168 is just superior in my opinion. I wouldn't hesitate to build another 280 or 280 ai.

Yep, me too. As much as I loved my many 280’s, I have only kept one. They were all superseded by two 280 AI’s and I won’t go back. It was an easy decision when my first load development session with the AI produced 3200 fps with 140’s at 100 yd with 1/4 moa. That is with 63 gr VV165.

No guesswork. Love it.

Coyote, the 154g SST for short range work will not splash....ever!

180g ELD-M, Lapua brass, R#17, in the std 280 and AI with IMR 7828(Fed 210) is incredible.


Both the 280 and AI on Lapua brass is another kind of animal.

Book values are for pumps and semi auto's, they had to dumb down the 280.

IMR 7828 with Fed 210 with 162's, figure 2900 at the accuracy node, Winchester brass, 24", check the nosler #3 and #4 loading manuals for most accurate powder and load tested.

Peterson for the Win, Complete with cartridge cases , unforeseen bonus.

I've always loaded my 270 Win for big game with 150g Partitions at just over 3000 fps. Neck sized only cases, CCI magnum rifle primers and lots of H4831. Just got a really minty BDL in 7mm Rem Mag to replace the BDL in 270 I gave my son. i think it's a 1980ish rifle. Going to load 175g A-Frames in it once the weather gets warmer. 270, 280, 7mm all great cartridges. I'll post a picture of it tomorrow

I don’t understand why people want 100 fps more. Dead is dead when you kill something. Accuracy is more important.

7mm Remington Magnum’s are boring.

I also like my 7mm RM.

The three 280’s I have, the heavy barrel custom 280AI and the 7mm RM are all 700’s. They all shoot sub minute of angle groups and do so easily.

Accuracy isn’t an issue. So I guess it’s all about velocity.

The 280 will easily kill anything I’m planning on shooting. I’ve had one a long time as I have the 7mm RM. I get attached to rifles when they keep on working.

The argument on “which is better” doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. They all are great, pick one.