.280 AI & .270 win, is there a difference?

[brsnow]

Outside of bullet diameter it seems with factory ammo they are twins. Am I missing something?

 

[MuleyFever]

270 or 280AI

So I have a 270win that I'm going to have some work done to it. At the time i wasn't planning on changing it into a 280AI, but lately it has been crossing my mind. I was just curious if its worth making it into a 280AI?

www.rokslide.com

 

[brsnow]

270 or 280AI

So I have a 270win that I'm going to have some work done to it. At the time i wasn't planning on changing it into a 280AI, but lately it has been crossing my mind. I was just curious if its worth making it into a 280AI?

www.rokslide.com

Yes, saw that. There are new members since then so perhaps some fresh perspectives.

 

[Forest]

You can probably get a little more out if the 280 with reloading, especially with the selection of bullets available. But both are very capable, likely never know the difference on game. Gun selection, ammo availability, and which side the coin lands on would make the decision for me

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[CApighunter]

Noslers load data for a 140 accubond tops out at just over 3000 fps, my 280ai shoots 3150 with factory 140 accubonds from a 24 inch tube. Both can be faster with handloads. I think it’s safe to say the 280ai has a 150-200 fps lead with similar weight bullets.

 

[CLP]

I have both and every time I look at those two calibers I’m looking at lighter rifles that I don’t necessarily “intend” to shoot at distance. Taking distance out of the equation I don’t see why you’d limit yourself to a caliber with less components available. Especially the way ammo, powder, etc are right now with respect to being out of stock.

 

[dpep]

To the same respect, with how strange things are right now, I recently picked up a .260 and was able to walk out of the shop the same day with a couple boxes of ammo. No 06, 308, creedmoor or 270 for miles. Online isn't much better. This won't last forever but something to think about, another arrow in the quiver. My dad has a .280ai and loves it. Neither of us reload so take it fwiw.

 

[TREE ‘EM]

I looked hard at the 280AI but haven’t jumped in the hole.

I can push 150 grain partitions over 3100fps from my 270 but the accuracy is best at about 3020 with that bullet.

You have an advantage with the number of bullets to choose from with the 280 but if you have need to acquire factory ammo in a pinch to save the day you’re way better off with a 270.

 

[LaHunter]

I looked hard at the 280AI but haven’t jumped in the hole.

I can push 150 grain partitions over 3100fps from my 270 but the accuracy is best at about 3020 with that bullet.

You have an advantage with the number of bullets to choose from with the 280 but if you have need to acquire factory ammo in a pinch to save the day you’re way better off with a 270.

How are you measuring that velocity? That is super fast for a 270 Winchester.

 

[TREE ‘EM]

Lab radar
Reloaded 26 does wonders in a 270
No signs of pressure
No problems, other than obtaining more

 

[wyosam]

Realistically, not much. The ai is cool AF right now though. the 280ai has a little advantage for the reloader. Definitely tougher to find factory ammo for the ackley, but with a supply of brass that is pretty much moot.


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[300 win mag]

270 win is a classic.280ai is to me a top 3 all time cartridge.if your rebarreling i would do 280ai.that is if you reload your own.

 

[VernAK]

Lab radar
Reloaded 26 does wonders in a 270
No signs of pressure
No problems, other than obtaining more

^^^^^^this^^^^^^

 

[coyoteee]

Lab radar
Reloaded 26 does wonders in a 270
No signs of pressure
No problems, other than obtaining more

What length barrel do you have? And what would be a good starting weight of RL26 for the combo you mention?

 

[EmperorMA]

On paper? The .280AI wins by a bit.

On game? You or the game will never notice one.

Factory ammo and reloading components? The .270 Winchester has a huge advantage.

Cool factor? The .280AI is about as cool as it gets in 2020. The .270 Winchester is about as cool as it gets for the last 95 years. Both are way cooler than all but a small handful of cartridges.

 

[wyosam]

What length barrel do you have? And what would be a good starting weight of RL26 for the combo you mention?

RL26 is magic. Just load it up to whatever level of compression you are comfortable with. ****don’t actually do this, but you may very well end up there****


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[longbarrel]

.280 has better bullet selection, wider weight range but otherwise a twin to the .270. The AI gains the most from running higher pressures, which you can handload and get from the regular .280. I don't feel the hassles of case forming and potential feeding problems justify the "improved" version. A couple decades ago, Handloader had an article on the .30-06 regular vs. improved, showing minimal improvement from the improvement.

 

[TREE ‘EM]

What length barrel do you have? And what would be a good starting weight of RL26 for the combo you mention?

24” barrel runs best but 22” is no slouch. Might do a little better in a 22” with a 215 primer but I haven’t tried that yet.
I’m using Federal 210 primers, Federal Nickel plated brass, 150 gr NP, 60.2 gr Reloader 26

This is my load, in my rifle. Start 10% below and work up while looking for signs of excessive pressure.

I’ve talked with others who are loading hotter than I am without excessive pressure. I stopped where I got my best accuracy. 1/2 MOA @ 200 from a lightweight rifle ain’t too shabby, especially with NPs so that’s where I quit.

 

[codym]

The only reason I would take the 270 over a 280AI is if I only shot factory ammo and wanted to be able to go down to the local big box store and stand a chance of finding any. If that is the case then I say 6.5 creed or 30'06 in my area it's very popular and the easiest to find. I reload and I went with 280 AI and never considered the 270 due to poor LR bullet selection.

 

[JakeSCH]

When in CO / Utah this year I stopped at two different sportsmen's and two cartridges that they had the most ammo of was 280ai and 300 WSM. It surprised me...

I think I will eventually build a 280ai with a fast twist to shoot the 169 hammers, my buddy accuracy node is at 3060 with that combo using RL26.