Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Looking for some deer/elk rifle guidance

I have a kimber MA .280ai with a 3.5-18x44mm vx6hd. Weighs 7lbs. Not sure what velocity/energy would be like at 800.

Have Jim build you a 300 wsm on his Ridgeline action. ADG is coming out with 300 wsm brass this year.

Only possible reason is that in the event you find factory ammo for both 280 and 280AI, the AI is going to be about $10-12 more expensive. But if you're going to reload for them, moot point.

All suggestions are sound ones, but there is nothing a 7mm can do that a custom 270 WCF can’t. In addition it’s easier on barrels, a 22-inch barrel will give magnum velocities without carrying more weight, and thousands of elk size game have been dropped by a 270 WCF.

308 win

If I were spending for a premium custom hunting rig, I would want it in my favorite caliber .308 or 30-06 with 22" barrels, even if I already had these calibers.

From your posts, it seems at this point in time your favorite caliber is .280 AI and you could order it in any barrel length you want to handle and carry.
Happy hunting

I’ve been toying with the same basic idea. Sell a bunch of rifles I don’t need and get one really nice rifle with the proceeds. I’ve been thinking about a Ruger 77 African in .275 Rigby. If I sold some rifles, I’d have some alpha glass to choose from, too. Very interesting.
Happy Trails

800 yards with a sporter weight rifle??????

When I put my latest rifle together for just such usage as you're considering I went with the 280 AI and happy I did.

Yep

My guidance is, get closer.

LOL! That made me snort.

I don't have much to suggest. I like the .270 and .30-06, .280 AI splits the difference. I'd probably get a good production rifle in the weight range you want slap good optics on top and go hunting. With what's being made today, I can't build a rifle as cheap as I can buy one since I've drifted to the lighter weight rifles.

6.8 western........just had to say it.