.280 ai

[Tony Trietch]

I am going to pick up a ultra light weight rifle. One of the cal. options I am kicking around is a .280 AI.
Does any one produce factory ammo besides Nosler? I do not handload and It seems the AI might be better suited for someone whom works up their own loads.
I assume that any 280 AI will shoot 280 rem ammo?

 

[NaturalJon]

If you need factory ammo, you should probable go with a 7mm Rem Mag, if you are looking for similar performance to 280 AI

 

[NorCal_AR]

Yes you can shoot 280 in a 280 AI chambered rifle, also you are correct in the fact that the .280 and .280 AI are better suited for a hand loader. I have a .280 and have been talking myself out of converting it to AI. If you don't load I'd stick with the 7mm rem mag as well.

 

[Tony Trietch]

So nosler is the only factory ammo offered?

 

[NaturalJon]

According to the Midway USA website, Nosler is your only option. Cor-Bon is also listed, but at twice the cost. You just as well start reloading for the price of it.

 

[Tony Trietch]

Thanks Jon. Have thought about starting reloading my own for the past decade or so. I need another hobby like I need a hole in my head.
I will look into how the nosler 280 ai is shooting for everyone and see if it's producing well enough to bank on it with no other choices.

 

[Arbutusbucks]

For what its worth... I shoot a .280ai Nosler TGR with their light taper barrel. I am not sure if this would be "light" enough for what you're looking for, but it shoots lights out. I shoot Nosler ammo.

 

[Tony Trietch]

Thanks Arbutysbucks. I am looking at the Kimber Ascent.
I would hope it and the Nosler ammo would mesh but who knows.

 

[16Bore]

What bullet are you looking to run? 280AI is nothing more than a funky looking 270 until you get into the heavies.

 

[Tony Trietch]

Was thinking 160 or heavier.

 

[Tony Trietch]

I was going to wait till I got it in hand but I have picked up a new Kimber Montana in .280 AI. I only found three in the friggen whole country.
I had it shipped directly to Karl Kampfeld for a little "work". We are gonna see what we can do to get it on a diet.
I will report back.

 

[16Bore]

That's where I'd be. Been looking hard at that rig with 145 LRX in mind. Its twisted 1:9.5 so not sure if 168 LRX will do it.

 

[Tony Trietch]

The kimber comes with a 9.5 twist I believe. You saying that won't work with a 160 gr? I thought it was designed exactly for it?

 

[16Bore]

No, not saying that. Barnes says 1:9 for their LRX which is a pretty long bullet. I'd be surprised if it wouldn't though. 160 NAB should be a peach. Remington is 1:9 on their 7mags, but that's a 7.5# rifle, naked. You'll be around 6.75# done up. Probably less after Karl is done. Like I said, I've been looking HARD at a Montucky 280AI....270WSM and 300WSM as well. If I could put my mitts on a 7WSM, it'd be game over.

Looking forward to seeing how she shoots.

 

[Shrek]

16bore , buy a wsm Montana and have it re barreled In 7mm wsm. You ccould have a better barrel , 7mm wsm , and any length and fluting you desire. Buy an older one and do like Luke did and make what you want.

 

[16Bore]

Don't think that idea hasn't been kicked around a few hundred times....

 

[Tony Trietch]

No, not saying that. Barnes says 1:9 for their LRX which is a pretty long bullet. I'd be surprised if it wouldn't though. 160 NAB should be a peach. Remington is 1:9 on their 7mags, but that's a 7.5# rifle, naked. You'll be around 6.75# done up. Probably less after Karl is done. Like I said, I've been looking HARD at a Montucky 280AI....270WSM and 300WSM as well. If I could put my mitts on a 7WSM, it'd be game over.

Looking forward to seeing how she shoots.

I am counting on less than 6.5.

 

[blackdog]

I just had an old Remington 721 rebuilt into a .280AI and the day I got it back from the smith, I hadn't found reloading dies for it yet so was forced to pick up a box of Nosler Trophy Grade ammo loaded with the 140g Accubond. First 5 shots I took while doing barrel break in at 50 yards were literally in one ragged hole. So far, so good for this caliber and also the Nosler ammo. Now that I have the dies and doing some load work (targeting the 168g Berger), I think I'll save the rest of the 140 Accubonds for an antelope trip in the near future.

 

[sheepguide]

I run a .280AI for the last few years and shoot 140gr Noslers out of her and she shoots them very very well. And ive killed amny elk and moose with this combo and shoot lots out to 600yrds with great accuracy. Nosler is your only choice in factory ammo and if going factory I probably wouldn't get an Ackley as the benefits are minimal. But handloading the benefits are a lot more as my reloading time has been cut way back.

 

[sheepguide]

One thing is if you shoot Ackleys make sure the bullet fits the gun as there are different specs of Ackley. This is the case with my Ackley. Its not built for Nosler ammo. But I thing the factory guns are. http://faq.nosler.com/index.php?action=artikel&cat=31&id=39&artlang=en