.280 AI uses?

[swampy14]

99.67% of my hunting in East Texas is done with a 6.5 creedmoor.
Whitetail and pigs is mostly what I shoot from 0-3/400 yds. And I target shoot out to a grand.

I want to pick up another rifle but I don’t really have a use case for the 280 AI Other than I just want one. But it’s hard for me to justify the cost. I know I can use it for bigger critters like elk and moose but I don’t really have any opportunity to hunt those things.

Am I okay to just want it? Haha

 

[SCHUNTER73]

Yep. Get it. It is an awesome round and very versatile. I have a myriad of big game rifles, and most overlap each other. I just love the decisions to make when considering calibers, scopes, etc. also imagining if what I might hunt next with each of them. That said, I love my .280 Ackley. My favorite gun to carry with me, although I have others that are more sentimental for various reasons.

 

[Lionheart]

Yep. It’s a fine classic caliber. Everyone should own at least one.

 

[UnckleBob]

I know this guy in Texas. He had a stunningly accurate 6.5CM Savage that would kill any deer that needed killin in Texas at any range that guy could reasonably expect to shoot (0-300yds).

So this guy got a chance to go hunting in Central Texas for a whitetail well within the capabilities of that 6.5CM and his 6 ARC.

So this guy lets his daughter shoot the 6ARC and she gets a deer. The next day, this guy hunts from the same stand and gets his own deer.

He shot that that deer with the 280AI that he built (every part installed by him) with ammo he assembled.

Was his deer any deader than the one his daughter shot? Nope

Did he have more fun shooting the deer with his 280 AI than shooting the Savage? Yep

Was his 280AI worth it? Yep.

Sometimes, the guns are part of the story.

 

[Mtndawger]

For me there is just something about a 280ai.

 

[doc holiday13]

For me there is just something about a 280ai.

I was deadset on 280AI or 7SAUM.. Then the PRC came out and went with that... All preference. Its kinda that 6.5prc VS 6.5 RPM argument

 

[Weldor]

I like mine for sure, did not need it per-say but glad I did get it.

 

[Marshfly]

I would not be surprised if the 7 Backcountry puts 280AI ammo availability in even worse shape than it already is with how many rifle manufacturers are adding models that support the new cartridge.

Just something to think about if you do not reload.

The 280AI was on my shortlist for when I rebarrel my 270. Now it's most certainly going to be the 7BC since I really like short barrels.

 

[swampy14]

I would not be surprised if the 7 Backcountry puts 280AI ammo availability in even worse shape than it already is with how many rifle manufacturers are adding models that support the new cartridge.

Just something to think about if you do not reload.

The 280AI was on my shortlist for when I rebarrel my 270. Now it's most certainly going to be the 7BC since I really like short barrels.

That’s my concern. I like the 280ai on paper. But with the introduction of the 7BC I’m leaning towards that just for the fact of ammo at my local store and eventual supply.

Now Barnes just started making a specific 280ai load so I’m curious how long that will last

 

[handwerk]

I have one on a customized Pre 64 M70 , one of my favorite rifles for sure

 

[Weldor]

What's the recoil difference? I know my Kimber Mountain ascent suppressed is easy on the shoulder.

 

[Robobiss]

I’m with you OP. I want one too for no good reason as well. I have a 300 BLK, a 6.5 creed, a 308, a 270, and a 30-06, that all basically never get shot anymore because I do 90% of my shooting and hunting with a 223 RSS.

I still want a 280AI and I don’t know why.

 

[Weldor]

I'm wanting another one.

 

[Vern400]

I would not be surprised if the 7 Backcountry puts 280AI ammo availability in even worse shape than it already is with how many rifle manufacturers are adding models that support the new cartridge.

Just something to think about if you do not reload.

The 280AI was on my shortlist for when I rebarrel my 270. Now it's most certainly going to be the 7BC since I really like short barrels.

7 BC is running 80,000 PSI. Each rifle manufacturer, and action manufacturer is going to have to approve that application. Nobody knows exactly what it's going to do to barrels yet. Might be another 6.5 Winchester magnum from that standpoint.

From an engineering standpoint, it's interesting. It's novel. It's a curiosity. The jury is still out whether it's a good idea whether you're talking about 7BC, or 277 fury, OR 357 Maximim.

From this one standpoint, a 30-06 cartridge neck down by about 0.62 mm and with a blown out actually shoulder it's been around for 30 or 40 years and it is quite possibly the goldielocks 7 mm, meaning it's efficient use of powder, ease of reloading, manageable recoil for most shooters, and exterior / terminal ballistics.

You could be right, absolutely. But there are quite some hurdles to cross before that happens.

 

[rookieforever33]

Your in the wrong place to find anyone to tell you to NOT buy a new rifle.

 

[6mm Remington]

Love love love my 280AI I had built on a Winchester Model 70 Classic Sporter. Great cartridge and it shoots like a house afire. Shot my one and only 14 year old grizzly bear above the Arctic Circle in 2019. One 140gr. Nosler Accubond handload at 158 yards did the trick. My bear spun 180 degrees into the shot, did two somersaults, and was dead. He never moved or twitched after that.

 

[Marshfly]

7 BC is running 80,000 PSI. Each rifle manufacturer, and action manufacturer is going to have to approve that application. Nobody knows exactly what it's going to do to barrels yet. Might be another 6.5 Winchester magnum from that standpoint.

From an engineering standpoint, it's interesting. It's novel. It's a curiosity. The jury is still out whether it's a good idea whether you're talking about 7BC, or 277 fury, OR 357 Maximim.

From this one standpoint, a 30-06 cartridge neck down by about 0.62 mm and with a blown out actually shoulder it's been around for 30 or 40 years and it is quite possibly the goldielocks 7 mm, meaning it's efficient use of powder, ease of reloading, manageable recoil for most shooters, and exterior / terminal ballistics.

You could be right, absolutely. But there are quite some hurdles to cross before that happens.

Not a single one of the rifles chambered in it had to be designed specifically for the higher pressures.
Federal (the designer of the cartridge) states there is zero additional pressure on an action.
Barrels are proofed at higher than 80kpsi as it is. SAAMI specs 133-149% higher than SAAMI pressure minimum. 7BC is a SAAMI cartridge so they are proofed the same way.

So...maybe the conspiracy that the 7BC is going to destroy rifles might just be a little bit made up.

But what isn't made up is that 280AI ammo selection is low as it is. When a couple of dozen manufacturers jump to build rifles in a chambering that replicates of betters it in every way, it's not going to make that get better.

 

[Vern400]

Not a single one of the rifles chambered in it had to be designed specifically for the higher pressures.
Federal (the designer of the cartridge) states there is zero additional pressure on an action.
Barrels are proofed at higher than 80kpsi as it is. SAAMI specs 133-149% higher than SAAMI pressure minimum. 7BC is a SAAMI cartridge so they are proofed the same way.

So...maybe the conspiracy that the 7BC is going to destroy rifles might just be a little bit made up.

But what isn't made up is that 280AI ammo selection is low as it is. When a couple of dozen manufacturers jump to build rifles in a chambering that replicates of betters it in every way, it's not going to make that get better.

We"ll See. As for me, I haven't bought factory ammunition in perhaps 20 years other than 22 magnum. Yeah that's a deal breaker. If reloaders don't love it, it may not fly long term.

 

[Marshfly]

We"ll See. As for me, I haven't bought factory ammunition in perhaps 20 years other than 22 magnum. Yeah that's a deal breaker. If reloaders don't love it, it may not fly long term.

Maybe 5% of shooters reload. MAYBE. Reloaders have zero bearing on a cartridge's success or failure.

Most of us have zero desire to pick up yet an additional hobby like reloading.

 

[swampy14]

I think the prototype cases (the dull grey ones) were difficult to reload. The nickel plated ones seem to be easier to reload