280AI vs 7 Backcountry

[Rick_AK_2325]

I’m a fan of both calibers, but I’m looking for something a little more compact. Maybe I’m just being a baby when it comes to trekking through heavy brush here in Alaska, but compact and light seems like it would work best hence the 110 ultra lite with either a 20” or 22” barrel. From there I’m hoping to choose the most accurate stock rifle/ammo. Also left handed.


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[Dbevans]

I’m a fan of both calibers, but I’m looking for something a little more compact. Maybe I’m just being a baby when it comes to trekking through heavy brush here in Alaska, but compact and light seems like it would work best hence the 110 ultra lite with either a 20” or 22” barrel. From there I’m hoping to choose the most accurate stock rifle/ammo. Also left handed.


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I’m also in Ak. I have a 300wm tikka i got cut and threaded. Its been accurate and is easy to carry in willows. I’m also a way bigger fan of tikkas than savage. Been on 2 successful brown bear hunts and 1 moose hunt.

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[Rick_AK_2325]

Great pic! Sadly no moose where I’m at. How short did you cut the barrel? Just took a glance at a left hand tikka t3x lite Veil in 300wm. 24” fluted barrel. I’m assuming they would only be able to cut and thread up to the fluting?


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[wtrbrdm]

I cut down a 300 win mag as well. It's listed in the classified (for details and ammo I used). I decided to be a gunea pig with the 7mm BC. I threw it together today....but won't see range time for a few weeks. She's kinda pretty though. 7lb 9oz as she sits.

Christensen 16.25" FFT
Manner Pro Hunter
Area419 brake, rings and rail
Vortex Razor LHT 3-15x42
Hawkins Hunter DBM and magazine

The only change may be the scope swapped to a NF NXS 5.5-22x50. That'll add 8oz or so. We'll see how this works out....

 

[peaceful_ruler]

Do you like to run a suppressor or not?

If you like to run a suppressor for hunting the 7 BC makes a lot of sense.

I personally don’t like a suppressor on a hunting gun(at least one that gets carried around quite a bit and has a good chance of an offhand shot)…

^I understand this is a controversial thing to say in these times but hear me out…
1) 8-16 oz extra weight
2) unbalances the rifle…you ever shoot a bull pup or AR style gun where the weight is balanced right at the trigger? iykyk
3) accentuates heat mirage from rapid fire causing image distortion
4) lengthens your barrel by 6”? Or more without increasing velocity; aka, if you shorten your barrel so it’s a reasonable length with suppressor it kills your cartidges performance; I die a little inside when I see someone running an 18” barrel with something like a 6.5 PRC or similar(particularly larger cartridges holding more powder)my 6.5 needmore has similar performance with a 22” barrel

All this to make it a little less loud, but not even close to quiet. I can understand the reduced recoil and percussion benefits but is it really worth the 4 cons I just mentioned? Not on my scales

280 ai naked with a 24” barrel all day, IMO

 

[wtrbrdm]

Definitely not saying the 7mm BC is the magic solution or end-all-be-all...but I like the data enough to mess around with it and give it a whirl.
I'll be hopefully picking up a TB Ultra 5 Gen 2 (5" and 7oz)
Rifle overall will be 7lb 13oz with a barrel length of 21" (including the can) zipping 175gr rounds at about 2900fps. 133db (ish) at the shooters ear is good enough for the occasional hunting shot...not for range day. Maybe it'll be a complete flame out failure....but I'll bite.

 

[ID-Muley]

Definitely not saying the 7mm BC is the magic solution or end-all-be-all...but I like the data enough to mess around with it and give it a whirl.
I'll be hopefully picking up a TB Ultra 5 Gen 2 (5" and 7oz)
Rifle overall will be 7lb 13oz with a barrel length of 21" (including the can) zipping 175gr rounds at about 2900fps. 133db (ish) at the shooters ear is good enough for the occasional hunting shot...not for range day. Maybe it'll be a complete flame out failure....but I'll bite.

View attachment 990393

I think you’ll be disappointed by the tbac 5 on that big of a cartridge/short barrel rifle. Just my opinion.

 

[MoeFaux]

Honestly, I would look at a tikka in either a 7 mag or 300wm. Way more factory options and the animals you’re shooting won’t be able to tell the difference

Personally, I would not.

7 RM is a 20% bump in recoil over the 280 AI (23.2 ft lbs free energy vs 19.3 on average)
300 WM is a 55% bump over 280 AI (30.0 ft lbs vs 19.3)

If ammo availability is a primary concern then 308 is your next best bet to the 280 AI. Of course, if you're shooting at ranges beyond MPBR, the 308 loses its appeal, and your next options to stay close to the AI in longer range performance and have superior ammo selections are 270 Win and 6.5 PRC.

That's my $0.02, anyway!

My data source:

Rifle Recoil Table: Updated for 2024 with all popular cartridges – Backfire

backfire.tv

 

[UnckleBob]

Thanks for that info! I may get back into reloading, but for now I’m lucky just to get out to hunt with 2 kids under 2. I’ve been eying the 7BC and it seems federal had some ammo issues that seem to have been fixed?


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I ordered my 2nd 280AI barrel 1 month before the 7BC came out. While I get ok velocities out of a 20" and 22" barrel, the 7 BC would handily beat both at 18" (and probably 16"). Had I known the 7 BC was coming out, I would have waited.

That 175g tipped Fusion load they are selling for the 7BC seems like an easy button.

 

[Rick_AK_2325]

Well after my long internal debate. I went with neither. Ended up getting a Tikka T3x lite Veil in 300 win mag. I know a big difference in what I asked about, but this seemed to make the most sense. Not worried about recoil and can eventually chop 2 inches off the barrel if there’s no accuracy issues with the rifle.

 

[wtrbrdm]

Well after my long internal debate. I went with neither. Ended up getting a Tikka T3x lite Veil in 300 win mag. I know a big difference in what I asked about, but this seemed to make the most sense. Not worried about recoil and can eventually chop 2 inches off the barrel if there’s no accuracy issues with the rifle.

Chopped my 26" Bergara 300 Win Mag to 22".

I only shot hand loaded 212gr ELD-X with 65.9gr of IMR4831 running at 2640fps.

Fine to shoot with the brake and ears....

 

[Rick_AK_2325]

Chopped my 26" Bergara 300 Win Mag to 22".

I only shot hand loaded 212gr ELD-X with 65.9gr of IMR4831 running at 2640fps.

Fine to shoot with the brake and ears....

View attachment 992962
View attachment 992963

Beautiful set up!


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[TREE ‘EM]

@Rick_AK_2325 have you considered a .270?
In the real world, it gives up nothing to the 280AI. There’s a ton of factory ammo readily available for the 270.
Either way, I’d recommend a 22” barrel over a 20.
There’s literally nothing in NA I wouldn’t be comfortable hunting with a 270.

 

[sneaky]

@Rick_AK_2325 have you considered a .270?
In the real world, it gives up nothing to the 280AI. There’s a ton of factory ammo readily available for the 270.
Either way, I’d recommend a 22” barrel over a 20.
There’s literally nothing in NA I wouldn’t be comfortable hunting with a 270. View attachment 993070View attachment 993071

Gives up nothing other than bullet weight selection, and BCs. Yes, both will kill anything on this continent.

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[BreechFace]

Gives up nothing other than bullet weight selection, and BCs. Yes, both will kill anything on this continent.

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My thoughts as well

 

[Latebloomer]

Just me personally…I have a 280 AI. If I were you, I would get a 30-06, especially if you aren’t reloading. Much more options to tune your rifle with and readily available.

 

[HuntInWild88]

Just my opinion I would go with a Honda civic, it gets much better gas milage and the after market sel....oh wait, the OP asked about two specific rifle cartridges...sorry OP I have nothing useful to add to this post.. carry on.

 

[Pilsner]

May I ask why the veto against BFS barrels? I have a few of them and I am quite happy with them. What am I missing?

 

[Rick_AK_2325]

May I ask why the veto against BFS barrels? I have a few of them and I am quite happy with them. What am I missing?

I’ve had 3. 2 in .308 that could not shoot under 2 inches at 100yds so I sent them back and now onto my third in 6.5 creedmoor that isn’t much better. I will say their customer service is pretty good though.


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[Pilsner]

I’ve had 3. 2 in .308 that could not shoot under 2 inches at 100yds so I sent them back and now onto my third in 6.5 creedmoor that isn’t much better. I will say their customer service is pretty good though.


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I'll make an offer of $1 each for the bad barrels.
My experience has been the opposite. One barrel sent the first 3 round into 0.22" and other into the 0.3"s
one barrel was 6.5 creed and the other was 300 PRC.