18" 280ai am I crazy?

[rcook10]

My custom 270 built on a defiance is probably 3-400 rounds from giving up the ghost. I'd like to spin on something else, preferably short since I hunt with a 7" can. My rifle is a long action so I figured I might as well stay with something of that ilk and a 280 ai seems like it would be the perfect contender for sub 165gr bullets pushed hard for a 4-500 yard deer and elk rifle. Most of what I've read is folks whining about blast and flash which shouldn't be much of problem with the can. Anyone tried something like this? What kind of MV were you getting? Any reason I should choose a 30-06 or something else? Thanks for weighing in.

 

[wildwilderness]

Shorter the better for a suppressor! If I were to go .284 cal I would shoot Hammer bullets in the 140 class, which would go fine in the 4-500 yard range.

Going with a bigger bore will allow you to push the same weight bullet faster, at the cost of lower BC. So you need to run the numbers at your expected max range and see if velocity trumps BC at that distance. In most calculations I have done in the past you have to be beyond 5-600 yds to have BC be more important than MV….

I put together a 20” 30-06 AI for my son but haven’t worked up loads yet, still fire forming brass

 

[Two Roads]

Big 280 ai fan.

You will not get full burn w 18” in 280 ackley, or much else hence the flash. And hiding flash is still same issue.

I would suggest 20” minimum and 7saum if you are bent on short barrel suppressed. A little better short column burn.

Also, for general discussion, not sure I get the whole suppressor thing when sacrificing velocity, I use ear plugs and never a brake.

 

[z987k]

Big 280 ai fan.

You will not get full burn w 18” in 280 ackley, or much else hence the flash. And hiding flash is still same issue.

I would suggest 20” minimum and 7saum if you are bent on short barrel suppressed. A little better short column burn.

Also, for general discussion, not sure I get the whole suppressor thing when sacrificing velocity, I use ear plugs and never a brake.

Reduced recoil and no hearing protection needed. At normal hunting ranges the reduction in velocity from a shorter barrel is irrelevant.

Short fats do seem to retain the velocity just a touch better in the shorter barrels.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Are you stuck with non magnum due to bolt face? I wouldn’t go shorter than 20. If you can go 7 Saum. Short barrel = short case

 

[chutinlead]

It also matter a lot what powder you choose. I didn't quite understand that with my 20" 6.5-06 I built from my old .270. Loaded up some 90gr Varmageddons with H4831 and had fireballs coming out the end of the suppressor.

From that I believe you should focus on fast burn rate powders with shorter barrels

 

[Ucsdryder]

It also matter a lot what powder you choose. I didn't quite understand that with my 20" 6.5-06 I built from my old .270. Loaded up some 90gr Varmageddons with H4831 and had fireballs coming out the end of the suppressor.

From that I believe you should focus on fast burn rate powders with shorter barrels

I read a lot about powder when I went with my 20” Saum. According to everything I read the powder doesn’t change. H1000 is the best option for me whether I’m shooting 26” or 16”. Like I said, just parroting what it read.

 

[chutinlead]

I read a lot about powder when I went with my 20” Saum. According to everything I read the powder doesn’t change. H1000 is the best option for me whether I’m shooting 26” or 16”. Like I said, just parroting what it read.

That very well could be and it could have been more about the bullet weight in a short barrel.

 

[B23]

Standard bolt face in 7mm/.284 bore size I'd make life easy and go straight 284. Get yourself some Lapua 284 brass and blaze away.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

My custom 270 built on a defiance is probably 3-400 rounds from giving up the ghost. I'd like to spin on something else, preferably short since I hunt with a 7" can. My rifle is a long action so I figured I might as well stay with something of that ilk and a 280 ai seems like it would be the perfect contender for sub 165gr bullets pushed hard for a 4-500 yard deer and elk rifle. Most of what I've read is folks whining about blast and flash which shouldn't be much of problem with the can. Anyone tried something like this? What kind of MV were you getting? Any reason I should choose a 30-06 or something else? Thanks for weighing in.

I've been gravitating towards shorter barrels as well lately, my 16" 6.5 saum really opened my eyes on how effective a suppressed shorty can be.
I was all set on going with an 18" 284 win but ultimately decided to wildcat a 7-300 wsm for a little more range with 180s.

I think the 280 ai will work well with your bullet choice and max hunting range, one thing to consider though is that a shorter cartridge length equals more actuall barrel length plus more efficient burn.
I'd also encourage you to look into a custom throated 284 win, honestly though since you have a true LA the 280 ai will probably get you an additional 50 fps at 18".

Whatever you do don't let anyone talk you out of 18", it's plenty of barrel for even LR shooting

 

[z987k]

I read a lot about powder when I went with my 20” Saum. According to everything I read the powder doesn’t change. H1000 is the best option for me whether I’m shooting 26” or 16”. Like I said, just parroting what it read.

This is what I've seen when chopping my 2 tikkas from 22 and 24 to 18 and 20 respectively. Fastest powder in the long barrel was the fastest in the short.

 

[CoStick]

I am considering taking my .270 win to 20” as well.

 

[B23]

FWIW, I've had many rimfire and centerfire rifle barrels chopped down in length. Some only a couple two or three inches and others as much as six inches lopped off and I've yet to have a single one of them where I thought dang I sure wish I wouldn't have had so much cut off.

 

[CoStick]

With a shorter and louder gun, does the suppressor work as well?

 

[Bruce Culberson]

I have a 20" 7-08 Ackley and have shot animals out to 500 yards. An 18" barrel 280 AI or 284 would work for sure. Probably get 1 more round in the belly with the 280

 

[Bruce Culberson]

Check the New Zealand forums, those guys run short barrels with suppressors. I'm not sure when Canada will get with the times and legalize cans, but i'd love to run one.

 

[B23]

With a shorter and louder gun, does the suppressor work as well?

Had my Kelbly 22-250 chopped down from 24 to 18 and even with a can it's not what I'd consider hearing safe. It's definitely quieter with a can on it than without and I can shoot it without plugs but it's definitely not hearing safe without them.

Case size certainly comes in to play. My 300blk pistol only has a 7in barrel and even with supers it's no problem shooting it suppressed with no ear protection. I recently picked up a Tikka compact 20in 204 that I need to get threaded and it'll be interesting to see how loud it is with a can on it.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

With a shorter and louder gun, does the suppressor work as well?

It's more about suppressor length than barrel length from what I've seen.
My 16" saum is ridiculously quiet with a 9" suppressor, the 7" configuration is way louder but still much quieter than an unbraked 26" .223