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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 219
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 219 |
Considering something new. Your thoughts and opinions on the ctg will be appreciated. Looks like it's a std bolt face almost magnum.
NRA Golden Eagles, Benefactor Member and I vote!!
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,396 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,396 Likes: 1 |
I've had mine for 4 years now I think. It's ballistics run just shy of a 7 rem mag, burns a bit less powder, standard bolt face, little if any case trimming needed. With 150's I get great accuracy @ 3050 fps. Nosler brass although expensive is great stuff and ready to go out of the box.If you're looking for a good all arounder thats a bit different but not hard to work with I think you'd be happy with it when teamed up with a proper rifle.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,252
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,252 |
I ran one for a couple years. After the cool wore off I wish I had just bought a 7 mag as it would have made everything easier.
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,263
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,263 |
If I were to do one now I would probably go for the SAAMI/Nosler version to keep the brass options simple.
Since I already have the original there is no going back. I agree it is even simpler to just go 7mm mag. but the 280 seems much quieter and holds four in the mag. After that it is mostly the cool factor and less case trimming.
"When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred." Niccolo Machiavelli
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 8,056 Likes: 9
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 8,056 Likes: 9 |
I'm on my second one. This one is a standard saami. The first one was an original but was actually shorter than saami due to being short chambered for some reason. Not a problem once I got the sizing die modified and adjusted. The 280 rem is a great cartridge and the ai is a step up.
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,509
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,509 |
I do my own barrel threading and chambering and I've done probably 10 280AI's total,a couple for myself, one of my sons and others.
I think the only thing the 280AI has over the 7 Rem Mag is when you are building a lightweight rifle. My current 280AI is a 700 in an MR Edge with a 23" #2 Shilen. It's an ounce or two over 7lbs with a 3.5-10 Leupy in Talley LW's, the son's is pretty much the same with a 22" #2 Shilen in a lefty Hunter's Edge.
They both run 140's at 3100-3150. He's had great accuracy with the 145 LRX at 3100 out of his 22" barrel. But his was a bit dissapointed when his friend's 22" Fwt 270 pushed a 130 to 3135 fps..:-)
It sorta left him wondering why he had bothered with a wildcat..:-)
I also have a 7 Rem Mag in a 700 factory 24" tube in a Brown Precision stock, it runs a couple ounces over 8#'s with a 4.5-14 Leupy in Talley LW's. I don't think I'd want it any lighter. It drives 140's over 3300 with Rel22.
So, based on the above if I were building a 7lb-ish or lighter rifle with a long action, a 22" or 23" barrel and a 284 bore I'd go 280AI, or more likely standard 280 Rem and if I wanted a 24"+ barrel in a 284 bore in a slightly heavier rifle I'll go 7 Mag or one of the other big 7's, Mashburn, Dakota etc.
I think it's hilarious when guys get a 280AI built and then proceed to hot rod it to beat the 7 Rem Mag, "cuz everyone says it's the equal of the 7 Mag".....of course when you have a wildcat with a cool name the 8 or 10 grs more powder capacity of the 7 Mag doesn't apply. Some guys even build 280AI's with 26" barrels. If you are going to carry that around you may as well chamber it to something with a bigger case IMHO.
I do have a standard chamber 280 in the works also, I've had them before and I doubt I'll ever do another 280AI, there's no magic in it. If I want to go light I'll do a 7-08AI or a 284 on a short action.
"after the bullet leaves the barrel it doesn't care what headstamp was on the case"
"The 221 Fireball is what the Hornet could have been had it stayed in school"
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 35,900
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 35,900 |
I do my own barrel threading and chambering and I've done probably 10 280AI's total,a couple for myself, one of my sons and others.
I think the only thing the 280AI has over the 7 Rem Mag is when you are building a lightweight rifle. My current 280AI is a 700 in an MR Edge with a 23" #2 Shilen. It's an ounce or two over 7lbs with a 3.5-10 Leupy in Talley LW's, the son's is pretty much the same with a 22" #2 Shilen in a lefty Hunter's Edge.
They both run 140's at 3100-3150. He's had great accuracy with the 145 LRX at 3100 out of his 22" barrel. But his was a bit dissapointed when his friend's 22" Fwt 270 pushed a 130 to 3135 fps..:-)
It sorta left him wondering why he had bothered with a wildcat..:-)
I also have a 7 Rem Mag in a 700 factory 24" tube in a Brown Precision stock, it runs a couple ounces over 8#'s with a 4.5-14 Leupy in Talley LW's. I don't think I'd want it any lighter. It drives 140's over 3300 with Rel22.
So, based on the above if I were building a 7lb-ish or lighter rifle with a long action, a 22" or 23" barrel and a 284 bore I'd go 280AI, or more likely standard 280 Rem and if I wanted a 24"+ barrel in a 284 bore in a slightly heavier rifle I'll go 7 Mag or one of the other big 7's, Mashburn, Dakota etc.
I think it's hilarious when guys get a 280AI built and then proceed to hot rod it to beat the 7 Rem Mag, "cuz everyone says it's the equal of the 7 Mag".....of course when you have a wildcat with a cool name the 8 or 10 grs more powder capacity of the 7 Mag doesn't apply. Some guys even build 280AI's with 26" barrels. If you are going to carry that around you may as well chamber it to something with a bigger case IMHO.
I do have a standard chamber 280 in the works also, I've had them before and I doubt I'll ever do another 280AI, there's no magic in it. If I want to go light I'll do a 7-08AI or a 284 on a short action. IMO....This might be the most common sense post I've seen on these cartridges...I agree 100% with Rembo. 
Last edited by BobinNH; 02/10/13.
The 280 Remington is overbore.
The 7 Rem Mag is over bore.
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 878
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 878 |
Bob I agree. Rembo summed it up perfectly. To the OP, I really like mine but hell I like all of my stuff or it leaves. I have had fun screwing around with it, but its not magic contrary to some here on the fire.
Randy
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,258
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,258 |
Ed
A person who asks a question is a fool for 5 minutes the person who never asks is a fool forever.
The worst slaves are those that put the chains on themselves.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,160
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,160 |
I have run mine for 19 years now and I really like it. No magic just a solid cartridge for deer, etc. Accuracy in my rifle is excellent. Firforming brass is a pain but case life is excellent. I would not have one if I did'nt reload. Rembo is absoultely right, if you plan to hotrod it to equal a 7mm mag, save yourself the trouble and just get a 7mm mag. I also get 3100-3150 fps with 140 grain bullets which is all I shoot. If you are looking for something a little different, the 280AI is a great cartridge.
.280 AI Fan
"I don't make jokes, I just watch the government and report the facts" Will Rogers
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing" Unknown
Trump 2024!
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,737
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,737 |
I was almost on board with this until the confusion over the new AI vs. the old version came to light. One is the "original"
but the new one is SAAMI. Why didn't the "original" get SAAMI designation after all these years?
In the end, I bought a 84L in 270Win.(orignial version) and killed an elk.
My home is the "sanctuary residence" for my firearms.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,069
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,069 |
The 280 Rem 40* will give great accuracy and 3200+mv from a 24 3/4" tube with no pressure signs and forever brass life. If running heavies is on the table go 7RM. But the 280 Rem Imp 40* is a death ray on critters with 140NAB. Wouldnt run it any other way. I'd do it again if oppertunity arose.
Crossed Arrows Archery LLC Authorized Obsession Bows Dealer Custom Strings/Tuning www.crossedarrowsarcheryllc.comBlack Eagle Arrows Pro Staff, Montana Black Gold Shooting Staff, Dead Center Archery Products Shooting Staff
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 78
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 78 |
I have both versions and like them very much. If I didnt reload I would have never gotten either but I have enjoyed the process of working with both. The original is a remeamed out factory 280 Remington 700 and it shoots 1/4" groups with anything I run thru it. Great accuracy. I shoot 140's while hunting.
The other is the SAAMI on a Remingtin 700 action with a 26" #5 contour Benchmark barrel. Absolutely phenominal shooting rifle. Accuracy is outta here. I shoot 140's, 160's and 168's and get the best results from Berger VLD's in 168. Heavy gun but when you pull that Jewel trigger you get great results.
I do have to agree with the comments here. If ya trying to rev it up to the 7MM Mag save the effort and get 7MM Mag.
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