280 ackley vs 6.8 western

[Gila]

EOLs seem to be obsolete….Elite Hunter is the most recent I believe. Pretty much the same BC and hybrid design. I think the only difference that I have seen is that the jacket is different.

For 7mms I think better comparisons could be drawn between the 7 WSM, 7 SAUM and the 284 Winchester. Those cases will shoot the high BC heavies the best. I opted for the 284 Winchester. Plenty of Lapua brass around and it shoots 162 gr ELDs like a bat out of hell. However you will need to put your own rifle together.

Production rifles in 280 AI typically have a slower twist because it is a long action cartridge which was designed before the advent of the long, heavy, high BC bullets. After putting together a few of my own rifles, a 1:7.5” twist will stabilize any heavy for caliber bullet in a 7mm on down to a 22 Creed. Some of the rifle makers have gone to the 1:7.5” for the 6.8 Western. I know Browning has. I only use the “common” tried and true powders. The 284 Winchester does extremely well with the standard H4350 with LRP. The WSMs, SAUMS and especially the 6.8 Western does well with standard retumbo and any good double based powders like RS Magnum. I hear RS Grand has been pushing the 175 gr game changer well. I am still in the process of developing loads for the 6.8 Western. Focus is the 162 gr LRAB and the 175 gr game changer.

 

[Leaf Litter]

EOLs seem to be obsolete….Elite Hunter is the most recent I believe. Pretty much the same BC and hybrid design. I think the only difference that I have seen is that the jacket is different.

For 7mms I think better comparisons could be drawn between the 7 WSM, 7 SAUM and the 284 Winchester. Those cases will shoot the high BC heavies the best. I opted for the 284 Winchester. Plenty of Lapua brass around and it shoots 162 gr ELDs like a bat out of hell. However you will need to put your own rifle together.

Production rifles in 280 AI typically have a slower twist because it is a long action cartridge which was designed before the advent of the long, heavy, high BC bullets. After putting together a few of my own rifles, a 1:7.5” twist will stabilize any heavy for caliber bullet in a 7mm on down to a 22 Creed. Some of the rifle makers have gone to the 1:7.5” for the 6.8 Western. I know Browning has. I only use the “common” tried and true powders. The 284 Winchester does extremely well with the standard H4350 with LRP. The WSMs, SAUMS and especially the 6.8 Western does well with standard retumbo and any good double based powders like RS Magnum. I hear RS Grand has been pushing the 175 gr game changer well. I am still in the process of developing loads for the 6.8 Western. Focus is the 162 gr LRAB and the 175 gr game changer.

Did they actually change the 170gr bullet or just the name? My boxes of EOL has both EOL and Elite Hunter printed on the same box.

 

[Gila]

Did they actually change the 170gr bullet or just the name? My boxes of EOL has both EOL and Elite Hunter printed on the same box.

Don’t really know the answer for sure….but I know the EOL was proposed by Bob Beck of EOL TV show and designed by Bryan Litz. The only difference that I am aware of is that the Elite Hunter has the newer J4 Jacket. The BC is the same but a different jacket may affect terminal performance if the jackets are in fact different. I couldn’t find anything written down, might be worth a call to Berger.

 

[Leaf Litter]

Don’t really know the answer for sure….but I know the EOL was proposed by Bob Beck of EOL TV show and designed by Bryan Litz. The only difference that I am aware of is that the Elite Hunter has the newer J4 Jacket. The BC is the same but a different jacket may affect terminal performance if the jackets are in fact different. I couldn’t find anything written down, might be worth a call to Berger.

I requested info from Berger, I'll report back when they answer

 

[#publiclands]

EOLs seem to be obsolete….Elite Hunter is the most recent I believe. Pretty much the same BC and hybrid design. I think the only difference that I have seen is that the jacket is different.

For 7mms I think better comparisons could be drawn between the 7 WSM, 7 SAUM and the 284 Winchester. Those cases will shoot the high BC heavies the best. I opted for the 284 Winchester. Plenty of Lapua brass around and it shoots 162 gr ELDs like a bat out of hell. However you will need to put your own rifle together.

Production rifles in 280 AI typically have a slower twist because it is a long action cartridge which was designed before the advent of the long, heavy, high BC bullets. After putting together a few of my own rifles, a 1:7.5” twist will stabilize any heavy for caliber bullet in a 7mm on down to a 22 Creed. Some of the rifle makers have gone to the 1:7.5” for the 6.8 Western. I know Browning has. I only use the “common” tried and true powders. The 284 Winchester does extremely well with the standard H4350 with LRP. The WSMs, SAUMS and especially the 6.8 Western does well with standard retumbo and any good double based powders like RS Magnum. I hear RS Grand has been pushing the 175 gr game changer well. I am still in the process of developing loads for the 6.8 Western. Focus is the 162 gr LRAB and the 175 gr game changer.

Browning offers the a bolt pro with a 1:8 twist for the 280 ai. That’s the one I was thinking about purchasing. Will that twist stabilize the 175 to 195 7mm bullets? I’m assuming that will do just fine with the 160s but not so sure on the 175s. I think most factory 280 ai have barrels with a 1:9 twist.

 

[WKR]

Browning offers the a bolt pro with a 1:8 twist for the 280 ai. That’s the one I was thinking about purchasing. Will that twist stabilize the 175 to 195 7mm bullets? I’m assuming that will do just fine with the 160s but not so sure on the 175s. I think most factory 280 ai have barrels with a 1:9 twist.

Yes it will stabilize heavy lead core bullets. If you start shooting the super long and heavy mono's is where you might possibly need something faster than a 1:8.

 

[Gila]

Hornady recommends at least a 1:8” twist for the 180 eld-m while Berger 195 EOL hunting requires at least a 1:9” twist. While a 1:7.5” would be optimal, I think the 1:8” should work just fine for a 280 AI. The 6.8 Western 175 gr. Game changer needs at least a 1:8” twist. Match bullets and monos are generally longer bullets and typically require a faster twist

 

[manitou1]

EOLs seem to be obsolete….Elite Hunter is the most recent I believe. Pretty much the same BC and hybrid design. I think the only difference that I have seen is that the jacket is different.

For 7mms I think better comparisons could be drawn between the 7 WSM, 7 SAUM and the 284 Winchester. Those cases will shoot the high BC heavies the best. I opted for the 284 Winchester. Plenty of Lapua brass around and it shoots 162 gr ELDs like a bat out of hell. However you will need to put your own rifle together.

Production rifles in 280 AI typically have a slower twist because it is a long action cartridge which was designed before the advent of the long, heavy, high BC bullets. After putting together a few of my own rifles, a 1:7.5” twist will stabilize any heavy for caliber bullet in a 7mm on down to a 22 Creed. Some of the rifle makers have gone to the 1:7.5” for the 6.8 Western. I know Browning has. I only use the “common” tried and true powders. The 284 Winchester does extremely well with the standard H4350 with LRP. The WSMs, SAUMS and especially the 6.8 Western does well with standard retumbo and any good double based powders like RS Magnum. I hear RS Grand has been pushing the 175 gr game changer well. I am still in the process of developing loads for the 6.8 Western. Focus is the 162 gr LRAB and the 175 gr game changer.

Browning has also gone to 1:8 for the 280ai and mine loves 175s.

 

[#publiclands]

Hornady recommends at least a 1:8” twist for the 180 eld-m while Berger 195 EOL hunting requires at least a 1:9” twist. While a 1:7.5” would be optimal, I think the 1:8” should work just fine for a 280 AI. The 6.8 Western 175 gr. Game changer needs at least a 1:8” twist. Match bullets and monos are generally longer bullets and typically require a faster twist

Good to know. Sounds like browning did their homework and got it right.

 

[Leaf Litter]

StraIght from Berger regarding the change from EOL Elite Hunter to Elite Hunter: No changes to the bullet, only the name.

 

[BenRobbins]

I have owned both, and still have the 280 AI. The 6.8 western was sold to my buddy. You are splitting hairs. Long action vs short action if a few ounces matter to you. I love my 280 AI. I have wanted one for a long time. You have a lot of high bc options in 7mm, so advantage 280 in that regard.

What was the deciding factor for you in choosing the 280 AI? I am interested in both calibers.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

What was the deciding factor for you in choosing the 280 AI? I am interested in both calibers.

My teenage son also bought a 280 AI, so it made sense to keep the 280 for me.

 

[UnckleBob]

Browning offers the a bolt pro with a 1:8 twist for the 280 ai. That’s the one I was thinking about purchasing. Will that twist stabilize the 175 to 195 7mm bullets? I’m assuming that will do just fine with the 160s but not so sure on the 175s. I think most factory 280 ai have barrels with a 1:9 twist.

I considered buying my 6.8W in the AB3, but read about mixed accuracy in that rifle.

The base model X-bolts are not much more than the AB3.

 

[UnckleBob]

What was the deciding factor for you in choosing the 280 AI? I am interested in both calibers.

Those of you who have both calibers, have you shot similar weight bullets on both to them. Some of the comments seem to indicate that the 280 ai is better suited for the 160s and after that is starts to lose a lot of velocity and energy with anything bigger. I am curious how this compares to the 6.8? Appears that that 6.8 will shoot the 160 plus very well and will have a 3-400 increase on velocity over the 280.
That being said is the 6.8 is a way better option for the heavy bullets?
Those of you that have compared them what did you notice? Thanks

I have both. My x-bolt Mountain Pro is a 6,8w with a lightweight 24" barrel. My 280AI was built on an Origin Action using a 22" prefit barrel.

With the 165g ABLR, the 6.8W is getting just under 3,000 fps. With the 162g ELDx, my 280AI is about 200fps slower. When I adjust for the shorter barrel in the 280AI, the difference is basically nothing.

The 280AI is easier to shoot well, but it a heavier rifle that has an adjustable LOP and cheek riser. The Mountain Pro is about 1.5lbs lighter and has a tradition profile Carbon Fiber stock.

The only real difference I see is a short action rifle is going to be lighter than the same long action rifle.