Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats need 280AI info

The guy who lets me hunt his land has been really good to me over the years and I want to build him a rifle to say thanks. I know he wants a 280AI, not my personal fav but its what he wants. And I wonder if you guys can give me the low down on twist, bullet and chamber.

I will be using a 700 action and unsuer on barrel, looking at Kreiger, Hart and Braughton in a McMillan.

Like it to weigh in around 7 to 7.5 bare

So what do I need to know?

I will add that if anyone has one for sale that is also an option.

Thanks

Great gesture. We typically gift a few hundred a year to our land owner in stuff and labor. That's fairly light so you probably can't go over a #3 contour at the length you would want. If you think he would want to shoot the super heavies, go with an 8 twist otherwise a 9" should do it. Consider mag length if specifying throat length, you won't be able to fit 195s that are seated to the base of the neck so don't throat for them. Can't go wrong with any of those barrel makers, I'm partial to Krieger mainly because I compete with some of the guys that wok there. I think you need a 24" barrel at least or the AI is wasting powder in my opinion. An ADL might be lighter, and I prefer them anyway. My .02c, worth what you paid.

you might want to look at cabelas also they have legendary arms works and bergara rifles on sale in the 280 ackley

Thanks guys

This sounds like a good option.

If you build I would go with the SAAMI Nosler specked reamer to have the factory brass option. Nosler brass shoots fine in my 280 AI but I have heard it doesn't fit all of the original Ackley chambers or not with out head space issues. A 1 in 8 twist would be nice my 1-10 is good for up to 160 grain bullets but if doing over again I will go faster.
I would go #2 or 2.5 contour or the Bartlien 0 contour (a feather weight with more beef in the first taper) and stay with the 25 inch length I have. With 24" plus the 280 is getting real close to a 7 mag. in velocity.

Thanks Tejano. I hear mixed reviews in the LAW stuff, that and I have a 700 donor in hand. Was thinking a #3 Kreiger but not decided on twist, thinking 9. Thoughts?

A 9tw should be just fine for a 280AI

My 280 Ackley was originally done by Hill Country Rifles in a 7X57AI and later re-chambered in 280AI by our own Redneck.
It's built on a A303 Springfield action and one of the reasons I had it re-chambered is because it wouldn't feed that 57mm case reliably.
It has a Douglas barrel in a 1-10 twist and is probably one of the best shooting rifles I own.
My load is with 140TSX's with 57 plus grains of Ramshot Hunter with Winchester large rifle primers. I seat the bullets as far out as I can get
and can't shoot as well as the rifle can. I don't have my reloading log with me right now but I think that I'm getting around 3150fps out of it.
It's my favorite round but I sure do like my 350 Rem Mag too,along with my Swift and my Better Bob and my 444 and......
There's a 6mm E&W coming down the pipe soon too...
Good luck and I think you made a great choice with the 280AI.

PM coming..

My first 280 AI was built by Nelson Berger back in 85.
64g of H4831 and a 140g ballistic tip ran about 3100 and no deer within 500 yards was safe..
I ran that load for alot of years and alot of deers..
Douglas no4 stainless airgauged 1-10 twist.
Blew my own cases off Rem brass.
dave

A #3 would be fine. Mine has a #3 Lilja and it is a little heavier than I would like but recoil is nil and a true light weight may spank you a little hard. Mine has a recessed 11 degree target crown and It is unbelievably quiet for the kind of velocities it is getting and quite a contrast to my 7RM. I shot it one time and had to check the case to be sure that round had gone off. I think the crown and the 25 inch barrel help reduce noise and muzzle flash.

I would throat it for your favorite 160 grain bullet as that seems like the best all arounder and it will work with 120s-180s by juggling the seating depth. I would do a minimum diameter neck based on the Nosler brass as it is thicker than some others. Petzolt, Whelen, Jack OConner and others have said the 280 combines the best of the 270 and 06 and the AI has a little more Mojo. If I had to get rid of all my rifles the 280 would be one of the last to go. In fact I could do fine with a 223 a 280 and a 375 if I had to.

I'd probably do a 23" factory Rem Mag Sporter contour from Rock, Lilja, Broughton, Brux, etc. In a 2lb standard-fill stock, that'll get you close to your weight goals and still balance well. Stocks would be easy to find as well, or to spec out from a builder.

Thanks JPro, been thinking just that.

RBros built 280AI, Broughton #4 1:9 24", McMillan Hunter (edge fill), barrel and bolt fluted by Kampfeld, Timney

I have a 280AI in Nosler 48 and Kimber Ascent, both great shooters. I choose the Kimber more often because it's lighter. Last fall, a friend wanting to buy his daughter a rifle, asked about the 280AI. I recommended the Kimber Hunter. He surprised her with it for Christmas. I've worked with her to develop some loads, and settled on a 150 Nosler Balistic Tip, Nosler brass, CCI primers and Reloader 22 powder. The rifle is topped with a Sightron 3x9 scope and the combination of all of those elements group .75 inch at 100 yards. My Kimber Ascent for about $1,000 more shoots smaller groups, but not by much. I'd make the same recommendation to anyone looking for a 280AI. BTW, one hell of a cartridge in my estimation. I used the Nosler in Africa for one shot kills on Kudu, Gemsbok, Impala, and a Warthog. Two bull elk and three mule deer bucks stateside have fallen with one shot too. Doesn't get better than that.

Lilja #1 will get you a 7 lb rifle with a lightweight composite stock. Mine weighs 6.13, scoped.

Mine is built on a Pierce Ti receiver, Jewell trigger, Douglas barrel, and a custom Brown Precision kevlar stock.

It is a little light shooting off the bench as it hurts with full loads and 168 grain bullets.
Not noticeable when hunting.

Love that one Butch!
You may have said before, but what is the contour and overall weight on it?

In my old age I forgot the exact weight. I will get it out and weigh it again. The barrel is 26".