grandson is set on a new rifle, either the 280 or 280ai, he not in to reloading at this time, which?

Regular 280 is much cheaper if he is buying factory ammo.

I have both versions, and reload. I have killed elk and deer with each of them, but the animals didn't know the difference.

Matters not. 280 if he doesnt load. Once he gets into loading, the 280 AI will present an excellent learning curve.

And, he will then be a fan for life.

No downside to the AI.

If you want cheap factory ammo, shoot the standard 280 ammo (maybe lose 50fps).

I’d vote AI as well but either works.
Here is some more recent discussion -
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/12800231/1

👍AI

couple factory options in 280AI, plus you can shoot factory ammo too. shoot AI and pitch the case trimming.

The .280 AI is perhaps the best Ackley Improved cartridge, if not a handloader go with the .280. If he envisions becoming a handloader in the future he can shoot standard .280 ammo in a .280 AI chambered rifle and have a supply of AI brass for when he begins to handload. Either choice has no downside.

AI - regardless of whether he's a reloader or not. There are a growing number of commercial 280AI offerings, both ammo and rifles, and expect more to come.

Yesterday afternoon I took the opportunity to take a few rifles out and put them thru their paces. 2 were 280AIs. Ran factory Nosler 160gr Partions and factory Hornady Prof Hunter 162gr ELD-Xs thru both 280AIs. Accuracy was on par with what I've been able to get (to this point) by reloading; velocity was about 50fps short of what my reloads managed (2930 vs 2990).

This is good advice & good logic too............all else matters not at all.

And later if he wants to get into handloading, he can always have his standard, re-chambered to the AI version.

MM

Important question is how old is your grandson and how big is he (length of pull)? If he is young and small, you may be unable to find a 280 or 280 AI that is suitable for him, and may need to consider a 7mm-08 instead.

I personally shoot the 280 AI, but I have several friends who have went the 7mm-08 route for smaller grandkids.

I bought a 280AI today. I ordered some brass and dies.
I have plenty of 7mm bullets.

The 30-06 and 270 Winchester are far more popular and while doing the same things as the 280 that never caught may be worth more should he want to trade up rifle wise.

Finding ammo will be more difficult also.

On the other hand it's all for the fun of it cartridge wise you could say. I hunt with a .358 W. and have more than one of them.

I’d go .280 AI but I load. There might be a few more choices in factory ammo than the standard.280 Rem, however, and that will make a pretty big difference in how much he gets to shoot.

I don’t know if it is on the table, but for a non-loader, I’d go .270 Win with nary a thought given to either .280. The 7-08 would be choice #2.

I try to avoid the .270 Win aka LGBT community at all costs.

Nosler makes plenty of great/accurate 280AI ammo for the non-loader

Definitely the 280 AI. As mentioned, no downside and shooting standard 280 will yield plenty of fire-formed brass if he starts reloading in the future.

I have a couple of 280's and one 280AI. I also have a couple 7mm RM's.

The AI seems to be catching on and it will give you almost 100 fps, I guess. If that important to you, then go with the AI. For some reason even the brass is a lot more expensive with the AI, though I fire-form mine. The loaded ammo is also quite a bit more expensive.

If he is a true looney and has all the different cartridges/calibers and is looking hard for a nitch, the 280 AI is a plus there too.

As stated above, you can ream out the chamber to AI later if desired.

If you want the extra velocity and want to save $'s too, go with the 7mm RM. it's cheaper to buy a used 7mm RM rifle, the ammo is cheaper than the AI and you can load it down as low as 7mm-08 or 7x57 if you want.

Personally, I'd go 280 due to availability of ammo and price.

i got my 280ai built and also got into handloading at the same time. great round to learn with and no brass to trim is awesome in my eyes

that being said if I was going to buy a rifle with zero intention of handloading of your choices I would go 280, but also go to the local stores and see how much 280 ammo is on the shelf as others have said the 30-06 or 7mm-08 may be just as practical possibly even more practical depending upon ammo price/availability and what he plans to hunt.

I had a 280 Ackley built years ago. If I were to do it again, I’d just go straight 280. Less hassle fireforming and I didn’t notice a major improvement in velocity.

Where can I get a 280AI FL die with the neck honed out?
I usually go to Forster, but they don't do 280AI.

Redding bushing dies, you can use whatever bushing you want