280 AI recoil w/o brake

[TURNER208]

Looking for some insight on how the recoil is in a 280 ai without a brake. I’ve been hunting with a 338 Win the last several years so wouldn’t say I’m overly recoil sensitive but know I could shoot better with a lesser recoiling rifle. I’d prefer to not use a brake as I’ve had a few bad experiences around them. This would be a rifle likely in the 8-8.25 overall weight. Let me know your thoughts

 

[Slugz]

No issues at all.
No brake needed.

 

[TURNER208]

I’ve shot a 270 quite a bit as well as a creedmoor and was curious how they compare to that? @Slugz

 

[Slugz]

I sent you a pm. Id say a little more than that but not much. I find it very close to a 30-06 load we make with 180gr bullets.

 

[handwerk]

My unbraked 280 AI (145@ 3050) is right at 8 lbs. I don't fid the recoil bad bothersome at all.

 

[TURNER208]

Thanks @handwerk! Don’t know any buddies with one to shoot so I appreciate the insight. Looks like a sweet round and something different to try. Hear good things about them from everyone just never had the pleasure of shooting one

 

[BAKPAKR]

My unbraked 280 AI is just a hair over 7.25 pounds scoped. Recoil is not a problem.

 

[Liv2HntBigBullz]

Slap a can on it instead! My 280 is 6lbs and change, recoil won't be close to a 338 and it's by far my favorite mountain rifle in the safe!

Sent from my Pixel 8a using Tapatalk

 

[Mtndawger]

I don’t use a brake on any of my rifles. My 280AI semi custom tikka scoped weighs in at 8lb 3oz. I can still reasonably spot my shots and shoot 20 rounds during a range session with no problems and I only weigh about 163lbs so not a big guy. One of the keys is I’m using an Alterra Arms carbon stock. It has a negative comb which helps in directing recoil back and not inducing muzzle rise. This also allows me to shoot with my head up instead of forward and glued to the stock. Stay away from traditional sporter stocks. The new Rokstok comes to mind and promises to be even better. Another thing is to have some mass in the barrel. Like a heavy sporter type barrel to balance the rifle, helping manage recoil that way too. I find this setup much easier and pleasant to shoot than my factory x bolt 308 win. As a point of comparison. 280 ai is a fantastic cartridge.

 

[Bado20]

My primary rifle is an 8.25 lb scoped unbraked 280AI. Shooting 150's at 3010 fps feels pretty similar to a 30-06 with a 150gr bullet. No problems shooting it well positionally and off a bench. I definitely shoot it better than my 338 Win Mag.

 

[Macintosh]

Its made from a 30-06 case so holds about the same powder weight, shooting a 30-06-weight bullet, at +\- 3006 speeds—just very slightly more from the case shoulder. Therefore, until you start putting actual numbers to it, It’ll recoil very slightly more but pretty darn close to that 3006. Check out a recoil calculator and you can put an accurate number on it relative to what you are shooting.

 

[MountainCreature]

I have a .280 AI Kimber Ascent, very light weight. I believe something like 4.75 lbs before scope. Have light Leupold 3.5-10X scope and rings. Have full power hand loads 140gr Nosler BT @3332 FT Per sec. Kicks like a mule. My software estimates it creates 3451 ft lbs of energy. Way more punishing than my .35 Whelen with full power hand loads, 180gr Barnes @ 3009 ft per second. Software says Whelen load creates 3618 ft lbs of energy, but heavier rifle. Kimber has a brake, Whelen is Magna Ported.

 

[KHntr]

I have a .280 AI Kimber Ascent, very light weight. I believe something like 4.75 lbs before scope. Have light Leupold 3.5-10X scope and rings. Have full power hand loads 140gr Nosler BT @3332 FT Per sec. Kicks like a mule. My software estimates it creates 3451 ft lbs of energy. Way more punishing than my .35 Whelen with full power hand loads, 180gr Barnes @ 3009 ft per second. Software says Whelen load creates 3618 ft lbs of energy, but heavier rifle. Kimber has a brake, Whelen is Magna Ported.

Pretty impressive to be leaning on a 280AI hard enough to hit 7 Ultra Mag velocities….

Especially from what must be a very short barrel, considering my 280AI Mountain Ascent was 5lbs 5oz out of the box.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I had a Forbes 280 AI and it kicked like a mule. Had it threaded so I could use a brake or can and it was much more tolerable. Sold it and wish I hadn’t.

 

[bigunit]

My 280 is right at 8 lbs. 168 lrx at 2950 and the recoil is very manageable. The stockys vg2 stock helps a lot. I would say it's about the same felt recoil as my 7lb 308.

 

[Vern400]

I can't tell the difference between 280ai and 30-06 with a 150/165 grain. It's just a little more punchy than my 308. Barely noticeable but I run top end loads in the 308

I don't think I'd like a lighter rifle in those calibers.
I'm not steady enough to shoot a six and a half pound rifle well anyway.

 

[SloppyJ]

Mine doesn't kick bad at all. I find it close to my 30-06 shooting 160s.

 

[Forestryman2010]

Mine doesn't kick bad at all. I find it close to my 30-06 shooting 160s.

That is my belief as well. It’s about like an aught six.

 

[6.5Express]

My primary rifle is a Kimber subalpine 280 ackley. It is topped with a 3.5-10 NF SHV which brings it just over 7 lbs total hunting weight. Recoil is very manageable shooting a 145 Barnes lrx

 

[nphunter]

Recoil is such a person thing. Some people aren’t bothered by it at all and some hate it. My youngest son has killed a half dozen animals since he was 9yrs and 80lbs with my 10-11lb 280AI unbroken, 2950fps, 168 bullets. My wife and both kids have killed a combined 20+ big game animals with it. IMO it kicks less than my kids Kimber hunter 6.5cm with factory loads.

In a 7-8lb rifle it’s going to kick enough for anyone to anticipate it. Custom 280AI loads often outperform factory 7mag velocity’s. I wouldn’t let my kids shoot the AI in a 7-8lb rifle.