7 MM - 08 To 280 AI

[tony]

Sportsmans in Boise has a Montana Rifle's 280AI that is preowned in stock for $1099

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Any idea if they ship used rifles store to store? There's a sportsmans warehouse few hours from me

 

[WYhuntshoot]

If I was you and you are already set up for reloading the 300 Win Mag, I would but some money into that rifle with a Mercury filled recoil tamer that you can have epoxied into the stock. They are around $60.00, then add a Pacmire de-axcerleration pad. Then add a nice muzzle brake, you may see an increase in accuracy.

I had a Weatherby Varmiter in a rare 7mm-08 that went from 1/2 to 1/4 moa after installing a break.

If you just have to have a new rifle, then I would actually go with a Savage with the Acu trigger, wife has one in 7mm/08.

If I was going for something, it would be another 284 win with a 28 or 30 inch barrel.



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I’m keeping the 300 win mag. Too much time into load development. Already shoot a brake. It will just stay a bear and moose gun. I appreciate the insight into the recoil tamer. Something I will definitely keep in mind for the future!

 

[WYhuntshoot]

I vote 7mm-08 with a 120 Nosler BT. You will slay any elk inside 500 all day.

If you want to up your horse power buy a 30-06 and use that. 280ai is a great caliber but I wouldn’t buy one if you already have a 7mm-08

I don’t own the 7mm-08 anymore and I have had a weakness for .284. As long as it isn’t a 7mm mag or 28 nosler. Haha

 

[WYhuntshoot]

Savage makes a stainless 280AI for about $850. 110 Storm. I’d also check Kimber, Bergera, et.al. By the time you rebarrel and chamber the Ruger, you are right there in $. If you could find a Tikka action and a prefit barrel in 280AI, that would be a good option too.

But for elk to 450, you don’t need the AI. A 7-08Rem or 308Win or 270Win or 30-06 would be the easy buttons IMO.

Hello,
I'm new on here. I was looking at a Ruger American in 7mm-08 and 30-06. I was thinking about a rebarrel 24-26 inch. Also higher end trigger. I am interested in a 280 AI. I am posting today to get an opinion. I have a limited budget. I would like to get a higher quality rifle as an end result. Would I be better off buying a $1300 gun? Or buy an ok action and do some work?
I would like a 280 AI with an 7.5-8 twist. 450 yards or less for elk and under. I currently shoot a 300 win mag but the recoil has been wearing on me. I also hand load for 7 other cartridges. I would shoot around 150-160 gr bullet.

Thanks everyone. I’m likely to buy a Browning Xbolt and change the trigger spring to an Mcarbo and put a vortex viper LHT

 

[Darryle]

Criterion Savage prefit 26" 280 Ackley barrel is $325, I have seen Stevens and some older Savage rifles for less than $400 quite regular.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Buy a tikka in 7mm08 and have it reamed out to 280AI.

 

[WYhuntshoot]

Thanks everyone. I’m likely to buy a Browning Xbolt and change the trigger spring to an Mcarbo and put a vortex viper LHT

Vortex razor

 

[BjornF16]

Thanks everyone. I’m likely to buy a Browning Xbolt and change the trigger spring to an Mcarbo and put a vortex viper LHT

Vortex razor

Do yourself a favor and read the thread I linked below. I would suggest a Trijicon Credo or Tenmile scope.

Vortex Razor HD LHT 4.5-22x50mm Field Eval

Ryan Avery asked if I would review this scope in the same vein as the Meopta Optika 6 and Tanget Theta evaluations and I agreed. I get queried about these scopes almost as much as any, and even though I have seen poor performance from the prior LHT’s, this is a different design and will be...

www.rokslide.com

Honestly, if you are keeping your range inside 500 yards there isn’t any reason not to go with a 7mm-08 versus 280AI. I also had the 280AI bug. Should’ve stayed with 7-08.

I ended up with Weatherby Backcountry 2.0 in 280 AI. My other candidate was X-Bolt Pro Mountain (couldn’t find one at the time). I prefer stainless barrels.

 

[KoolBreeze]

Thanks everyone. I’m likely to buy a Browning Xbolt and change the trigger spring to an Mcarbo and put a vortex viper LHT

I bought a HCS xbolt in 280AI last fall. Shoots sub-MOA with 2 of the 3 factory ammos I've tried. My factory trigger adjusted down to a hair under 3 lb with two revs on the adjustment screw. It might have went a bit futher but that's low enough for me. I've read it's hit and miss on the trigger though.

 

[FCCDerek]

If you only plan on shooting 150-160 grain bullets you don't need an 8 twist. I would still recommend it, in case you decide to shoot heavier bullets later on. I run 180 Bergers in my 280AI with an 8 twist and they run very well. Great long range target round. My hunting load is 155 Absolute Hammers at 3100fps. It'll drop any critter inside of 500 meters. The guys recommending a Tikka and having it rebarrelled are 100% correct. Thats your best option by far. I'd get a Bartlein barrel for it, 3 contour 8 twist and you'll have a rifle you can hunt anywhere in north america with. I went with a full custom build for my 280AI, but truth be told a Tikka with a high end barrel would arguably be just as good. Then later on you can also upgrade the stock if you want to.

 

[WYhuntshoot]

If you only plan on shooting 150-160 grain bullets you don't need an 8 twist. I would still recommend it, in case you decide to shoot heavier bullets later on. I run 180 Bergers in my 280AI with an 8 twist and they run very well. Great long range target round. My hunting load is 155 Absolute Hammers at 3100fps. It'll drop any critter inside of 500 meters. The guys recommending a Tikka and having it rebarrelled are 100% correct. Thats your best option by far. I'd get a Bartlein barrel for it, 3 contour 8 twist and you'll have a rifle you can hunt anywhere in north america with. I went with a full custom build for my 280AI, but truth be told a Tikka with a high end barrel would arguably be just as good. Then later on you can also upgrade the stock if you want to.

Thank you. That is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. I’ve always liked the hammer bullets.

 

[AkRyan]

I grew up shooting a 7mm08. Very familiar. I’ve more than one friend with excellent luck with rebarrels. Pretty set on a 280 AI. Maybe a light Palma or light varmint. Tough to find much for 280 ai factory in stock. That isn’t a savage or kimber. Anyone have any opinions on a rebarrel?

You sound educated enough to know the right answer.

 

[Txtrapper10]

I think weatherby carries some .280ai’s now. Not sure if they do in the vanguard line though. The mark v’s are pricey

 

[BC Boy]

Buy a tikka 7mm-08 and have it reamed to 280ai, change the bolt stop and mag and you are done. Works great!

 

[wyosam]

Buy a tikka in 7mm08 and have it reamed out to 280AI.

Would be a great solution if they weren’t twisted so slow (1:10)


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[mar]

Do yourself a favor and read the thread I linked below. I would suggest a Trijicon Credo or Tenmile scope.

Vortex Razor HD LHT 4.5-22x50mm Field Eval

Ryan Avery asked if I would review this scope in the same vein as the Meopta Optika 6 and Tanget Theta evaluations and I agreed. I get queried about these scopes almost as much as any, and even though I have seen poor performance from the prior LHT’s, this is a different design and will be...

www.rokslide.com

Honestly, if you are keeping your range inside 500 yards there isn’t any reason not to go with a 7mm-08 versus 280AI. I also had the 280AI bug. Should’ve stayed with 7-08.

I ended up with Weatherby Backcountry 2.0 in 280 AI. My other candidate was X-Bolt Pro Mountain (couldn’t find one at the time). I prefer stainless barrels.

How do you like the Weatherby? Was it the titanium model?

 

[MTMeatHunter]

Would be a great solution if they weren’t twisted so slow (1:10)


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Aren’t they 1:9.5s? I owned a 9.5 twist 280AI and didn’t have any issues shooting the 162 eldx or 168 Berger.

 

[HaydenLane]

If you already have a 6.5 PRC, why are you trying to squeeze a 280 AI out of a tight budget? It isn’t going to do you any better at the ranges you’re talking about.

 

[BjornF16]

How do you like the Weatherby? Was it the titanium model?

Not the Ti model…I like it well enough. Nice, light and accurate. I would like it better if it were stainless barrel.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Would be a great solution if they weren’t twisted so slow (1:10)


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I agree - thats why I haven’t done it personally