NO expertise here for certain! When I bought my 280 AI is was simply because I wanted something different than normal. I had spent all my adult life hunting with either a .270 or .308 and both did a damn fine job, but I wanted something else.
I sure as hell wasn't about to go the full custom route, so I went with a Cooper despite not being fond of their actions. Boy am I glad I did. The damn thing is incredible. Here is exactly what I know, factory 280 ammo (140 FP) runs about 2850 in my gun. 140 Berger or Nosler Accubonds with 58.5 IMR 4831 lope along at 3050 and shoot one bug hole.
150 Nosler BT with 58.0 of the same 4831 also runs along about 3060 with a Fed 215 primer and OMG does it shoot! And the Nosler 160 AB with 56.0 of the 4831 is just shy of 3000.
I have no idea how much faster they could go and I have no intention of finding out. The damn thing shoots remarkable too me and ultimately that's all that really matters.
Funny thing about all of this, I have killed 6 critters with the 280 AI and upon inspection their death closely resembles that of the many more critters I have killed with the .270 or .308.
