280 AI question

[pacific-23]

That sexy moniker suckered me in. Now if I could only get some components...

 

[Shrek]

If you use 1000flbs of energy as your minimum for deer sized game you are talking about over 200 yards more real range with a 280ai. That is all real world range if you practice field shooting. I would also wager that if you formed from lapua brass and warmed the charge up a bit you could knock on 3000fps with the 280ai. The 30 06 is a fine round and will kill everything in NA but the 280ai is a more efficient round that will allow you to extend your range and it's way sexier than the 30 06. So it's got that going for it . I'm shooting a 7mm wsm and there is nothing it can do that a 7mm rem mag can't but I wanted the wsm. Next up for me is a 7mm-300wsm. If the only reason is utility then we only need the 22lr , 9mm , 30-06 , and the 12ga. . I for one am happy there are choices.

 

[Yellowknife]

If you use 1000flbs of energy as your minimum for deer sized game you are talking about over 200 yards more real range with a 280ai. /QUOTE]

Yeah... but I'm not talking about 1000 ft-lbs. Both rounds will do what I want further out than I can shoot. I'm talking about scoring hits. At what point under variable hunting field conditions does a 0.1 higher BC start to become noticeable to a reasonably skilled shooter?

I'm not arguing field utility. Or even 30-06 vs 280 AI. Both are cool with me. I'm just trying to learn a little. Clearly, at 1000 yds the 280AI is running away from the '06 given common bullets, but that's not what I'm curious about. Long range shooting opportunities are difficult to come by here, so I'm asking people who have more LR field time than I do.

Yk

 

[Matt Cashell]

YK,

The drops are easy to figure out. It is the wind drift from 500 yards on out that high BC pills pay dividends. WInd calls are an educated guess always. If your bullet is drifting less, then you will always be closer to your guess.

 

[Stid2677]

If you use 1000flbs of energy as your minimum for deer sized game you are talking about over 200 yards more real range with a 280ai. That is all real world range if you practice field shooting. I would also wager that if you formed from lapua brass and warmed the charge up a bit you could knock on 3000fps with the 280ai. The 30 06 is a fine round and will kill everything in NA but the 280ai is a more efficient round that will allow you to extend your range and it's way sexier than the 30 06. So it's got that going for it . I'm shooting a 7mm wsm and there is nothing it can do that a 7mm rem mag can't but I wanted the wsm. Next up for me is a 7mm-300wsm. If the only reason is utility then we only need the 22lr , 9mm , 30-06 , and the 12ga. . I for one am happy there are choices.

Yep, easy to get them over 3K.

 

[Shrek]

YK,

The drops are easy to figure out. It is the wind drift from 500 yards on out that high BC pills pay dividends. WInd calls are an educated guess always. If your bullet is drifting less, then you will always be closer to your guess.

^this. The reason I limit myself to 600 yards in the field is not that I can't figure the drop and hold it on target , it's because the wind calls become increasingly less forgiving. I don't live where I can practice long range field shooting so I can't practice the wind calls.

 

[Yellowknife]

Some background on the question.

In 2011, I passed on a big dall ram @ 550 yds. I was carrying a .300 with a straight 4x scope and I hadn't checked drops past 200 yds. I was totally unprepared to make a shot like that. Lost him in the clouds shortly after and came out empty handed.



After that I bought a more accurate rifle, a scope with a LR reticle, and practiced a bunch.

2013 I again spotted a nice ram again at 550 yds. This time I was much better prepared, but the conditions sucked. I was stuck in narrow canyon bottom in the rain with the sheep at an uphill angle and about two jumps from escape terrain. Again, I passed and that ram is still out there.



I don't regret either of those decisions. Given very good conditions, I know I can make hits at those kinds of ranges with my current 30-06. However I almost never get the chance to practice in poor conditions, so I don't have a good handle on at what point a BC change makes a significant difference in the real world when it comes to wind.

Given my current skill limitation I will continue to pass on long shots under poor conditions, but that doesn't stop me from being curious and trying to learn more. Thus the reason for the question.

Yk

 

[Arbutusbucks]

I'm no gun nut but I picked up a Nosler 280ai on just pure sexy factor... Literally, thats it. I only have one other gun a hand me
Down .35 Remington. Anyway the nosler shoots way better than I do. When ppl ask what caliber it is, it also starts some good conversations.

 

[husky390]

Translate that for me into real life experience for me? At 400 yds, the difference appears negligible. At 600, I'm starting to see a difference worth noting. BUT that's with the standard 10 mph, 90 d crosswind. In the field with variable winds and direction, at what point are you happy to be shooting the higher BC bullet? 400+? 550+? Rarely? Always?

My apologies to the OP for sidetracking his thread.

Yk

No worries, I'm enjoying the commentary and I have to agree with Stid, 280AI sounds way sexier than 30-06. I've learned more in this conversation than the hour or so of Google searches.

 

[O'Really]

Yk...thank you for your ethics. I wish more hunters felt the way you do.