Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Help me decide barrel length for 280 ai

I am debating anywhere between 23 to 26 inches. I will be shooting elk out to 600 yds. Packing the weight is not an issue and 95% of my hunting will be hiking in the back-country. Mostly what I am thinking is having a nice handling rifle without sacrificing to much in terms of 600 yd performance on elk. I may be interested in lowering my maximum yds to 500 in trade for a better handling rifle. Thanks for any help in deciding.

Shod

Make it 32".....that way it'll have alot more velocity than a 270

if you've got a rifle that's good to 500, it's likely good to 600 as well, and an inch or two of barrel length won't be a big deal...
go with what you like and avoid decision by committee....

it would however, make little sense to ackley a .280 and then cut yourself short on barrel...

take a hard look at the 7 wsm....

I thought about that but when I did the math I learned 280 was 10 more than 270 so I naturally assumed If I went with a 10" shorter barrel I would be apples to apples.

Shod

I enjoyed pushing my 26" barreled .280AI to velocities many 7RM's don't reach with book loads and doing it at what I felt were comfortable pressures.
That said my next .280AI will be wearing a 23" or 24" super skinny tube and set in an EDGE or other really light stock.

Going that short why not use a 338 win mag and a 160 gr ttxts?

Nsaqam, I've been rolling almost the same idea around in my mind. Only difference is I was considering something along the lines of a 6.5x55 sweede with a 23" barrel for the short barrel build.

I'm leaning toward 25" for the 280 ai however haven't decided yet by any means.

Shod

Daypacker, if I was going to go really short I'd go 35 whelen. A buddy of mine pushes 2800 fps with a barnes 200 from a 20 inch tube. An inherent trait of the 35 whelen is the short barrel performance minus the muzzle blast. I see a 20" tube 35 whelen in my future as my go to fast wheeling bear rifle.

Shod

Get it in 26" then Shod.
You can always cut it later.

Sounds like good advice Nsaqam. I can always shorten it but its kind of hard to put it back on. Plus it'll justify my next build

Shod

I went 24" #5 fluted on my 280ai build currently at the gunsmiths. I debated 26" but I have a 257 Roy, 7RM and 338RUM in 26" flavors and 7WSM, 300WSM, and several other 20-22" light packers so I split the difference on my build. Have no doubts with the parts going in and the shop spinning it up that deer, elk and bears to 600 yds will be in serious danger

While I am still fiddling it seems 22" is just about right with the 140 AB's.

Nice rifle!

If I were doing a 280AI,I'd likely go with a #2 finished at 24" and contour a bit back through the chamber to lighten further.This has worked well for me on every 7 Rem Mag I've built,and what is on my 7mmMashburn Super now.

Shots to 600 are easily managed.But I would not be bothered by a 23" barrel and a bit lighter contour.

I don't think you leave 600 yards on the table with an inch or two less barrel of lighter contour.I've shot M70 FW's in 270 and 30/06 at 500-600 many times.Scope and rifle management and a good load plays a bigger factor.Their barrels are..........well.....FW's!

23 inches is perfect IMO, although I did have one at 22 inches that was awesome as well.

23.5" because 23" is too short, and 24" is too long

22 inches.

I'd tend to go with the 26... I actually put a 27 inch on a featherweight chambered in 6.5 x 55.. for having a long range antelope hunting rifle...

and then a 28 inch heavy magnum contour barrel on another model 70 for stationary long range hunting...in 6.5 x 57....

I admit, the 280 AI is one of the few Ackley cartridges I'd personally consider for myself... and only for that long range potential....

24"

No shorter than 24", no longer than 26".

24 at the very most.
I've several and they are all 23" and don't lack for anything.
Never could figure why someone would want to carry, handle, use a 26" barreled gun when a more handy, shorter, lighter, user friendly gun can be had.
26" adds nothing but weight and UNhandiness..................grin