Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 22" barrel 280 AI velocities?

Anyone running a 22" 280 AI? Velocities of a 160 grain bullet?

Thinking of giving mine a barrelectomy.

Not a 160, but I'm getting 2800 with a 180 scenar and rl26 in my 22" barrel. I might knock it down a few more inches and top it with a can.

Running 25" now, and wouldn't consider less than 24.

Depending on the powder you’re using you should get in the 2900fps range without a problem.

I have a 280rem that has a 22” barrel and I love that gun, I’ve also had several 280ai’s with 24”-26” barrels, none of the animals I shot with any of my 280’s could tell the difference.

My 23" is giving me 2930-40 with a 162gr eld

Kind of what I was expecting. My current Kimber 280 AI seems to be faster than advertised and was wondering what real world vels you all are getting. I easily broke 3000 with several powders under a 160 Accubond with zero pressure signs and staying within published loads.

The other reason to chop the barrel is the wart on the end of it. I hate those knurled thread caps.............

I run a 22" and love the length.

I get 2,820 with the 168 VLD and 57.0 H4831. Very accurate load. Could chase more velocity with another powder but it's not necessary and I'm so over it...

Shorter, lighter rifles is where I'm at. At 5ft 8in tall, shorter is betterer for me. Plus a 24-26" barrel looks down right stupid sticking way over me head when strapped to my pack. Catches on everything.

The 140's have done all the necessary work in my 280 AI that I've never looked any further.

Another question - chopping a barrel affect accuracy? My current 280 shoots MOA with 5 Accubonds. I'd hate to mess with that......

A strong case for having the front sling swivel, on the barrel.....rather than on stock! memtb

I have a .280 AI with a 21" barrel. I just worked up to the most accurate load in my rifle and went hunting. Never had it not perform as expected. Sighted at 100, fired at 200 and 300 yds to verify drop.

If anything, it should make it more accurate. Nothing is 100% but stiffer should be better. Chop it.

Assuming your current rifle has a 24" barrel, you're looking at no more than a 2 ounce weight savings, if even that. I'd second the notion of attaching a barrel mounted sling swivel if shouldered you are having snagging issues.

Reduced speed hasn’t hurt your hunts one bit...I learned this later in life after chasing the fps, like many have. 😎

I'll second that! Greg, and his wife as well, get'r done every year.

Seems it would change the barrel harmonics which would affect accuracy, I would think.

What I'm thinking as well - but if the gun is accurate as is in a stable platform, I would think a bit of load tweaking would find an MOA load. Can't say as I've ever cut a barrel shorter on an accurate rifle. I should have done it first.............

I'd not build one longer than 23"...though I have never shot one longer than 28",nor shorter than 20".

Hint.................

I am a firm believer in owner preference. If you want shorter, just do it. But, like Daniel Boone told his boy, “Make sire you’re right, then go ahead.”

I cut my NIB Wby 2” before I ever fired it. 26” barrel was not to my liking. It’ll still do 3200 with 160’s.