Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting 7mag or 280ai

I have a nice 280ai and a Rem. factory 40x in 7mag. Would like to put a nice Turret scope on one of them for long range shooting. Which one would be the best choice. Both shoot well.

I'd pick the bullet you plan to shoot first, try it in both rifles, and see which shoots it better. 168 VLD, 162 A-Max, 180 VLD/Scenar... stuff like that is what I'd look at.

Tanner

Thanks Tanner, have tried the 162 amax and 162 Bthp in the 40x already. Will have to try it in 280.

How did they shoot in the 40x?

Tanner

The 162 BTHP shot around half inch at 100.

I love the 280 AI with 168 bergers.

Gary

Improving on that can get real expensive!

Decide how much impact velocity you want to kill things at a certain range you fell comfortable shooting to and to make sure the bullet does its job.

Unless recoil is a factor and or you're just punching paper, I prefer the 7mm Rem mag.

Also, pressure for pressure the mag case will always have another approx 200 fps over the improved case.

Aren't the ballistics on these too fairly similar?

id stretch the legs on that 40x, dont have to worry about magazine length, so run some 180 bergers if itll stablize them, and get WAY out there (like 2000yards out there)

More similar up to the 160gn bullet weight at least. Haven't shot heavier in the A1 yet. 2960fps with 160 Accubond's from a 22" barrel is hot on the heals of everything either side of it.

I have an use a 280 AI, if I had both I would pick the Mag unless the AI just shot head and shoulders better.

Randy

Good advice Randy.
I also have both but I am still comparing them as I have a .300 Winchester barrel just sitting there waiting for an excuse.
John

No, they are not, in any bullet weight.

I could never get my 280 Ackley to shoot 120's at 3,600 mv.

Neither could I get it to shoot 180's at 3K mv.

Pressure for pressure, the 7mm RM will always be 175 to 200 fps faster.

Not sure what your asking....

W

40X 7mmRM...

Thanks Guys. Will be a project for some time this year. Most likely go with the 7mag. Have had a varmint hunters brake installed already and the recoil is light, Keep the ai set up for hunting and the 7mag for long range. Just built a new home on our farm with a deck that has some long views. Will spend some time there.

It's a 40x.

It might not be all that hard.

Out of the muzzle it is.

However at 1000 yds its only around 50 fps faster with equivalent bullets so for long range there really is not that much difference.

The reason this occurs is the faster a bullet is pushed the more velocity it will lose per 100 yds creating somewhat of an equalizing effect.

This is especially true when velocities are in excess of 2800 fps.

Shod

So here are my thoughts which spark a possible new topic. I am considering a 280 AI, simply because it is a non magnum caliber, however, the 280 is going to perform at max pressure. 140 bullet at 3200fps approx. I have a winchester laredo which shoots incredible (1.5" groups at 300) with 165 Accubonds. With 79 Gr of Rl 22 (max load compressed) i am getting 3240 fps. I shoot the rifle maybe 10xs per year to check it and shoot game. Is it me or why am I even considering a 208 Ai for reasons other than a lighter rifle? the recoli from my 300 is not a factor. I do not own a 7mm Win Mag, however why would I consider one with this performance from the 300?


Thoughts....