(Another) 280AI Western Hunting Rifle Build (prefit)

[gretch6364]

Everyone likes when their buddy gets a new gun...even more so when he is building. This will be my first prefit build. Hoping the collective can provide some feedback and I will provide updates along the way through first hunt fall of 2023.

So far, this is where I am leaning:

280 Ackley Improved
Terminus Kratos Lite Action
Triggertech Diamond
Manner's Long Range Hunter Stock

I just ordered a Carbonsix barrel for it as the first part, as it seems to be the longest lead time. 24" Featherweight in 1:8" Twist.

Will also be working to accumulate ammo over the net 4 months. I live in the CO mtns....so it will be for mule deer, elk and pronghorn primarily. Some goat, sheep, etc. here and there. Expensive items are obviously the action, barrel, scope and stock.

I could definitely cut some weight with a lighter stock, but thinking the additional options are worth the extra half pound and the other half pound from a Ti action is costly.

Any thoughts on the Trijicon 3-18x44 FFP Tenmile HX on this build? Other scope suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[gretch6364]

Found a good deal through Sportsman's Warehouse for the Trijicon Tenmile HX 3-18x44 First Focal Plane. $1350 with free shipping.

Seems like a good deal and the scope has received great reviews....so I pulled the trigger on it. Nice thing about the scope....while I am planning on putting a custom turret on it for my primary hunting load, it will be nice to have to have the option of the MOA reticle for ammo and bullet weight flexibility. This will be my first FFP scope.

I also had a chance to talk with Terminus and they are down to 8 to 12 week lead times.

Ideally, I think I would like to cut some weight off the build....I just don't know where outside of a super minimal stock. I always hunt with a pack....so I guess I will have to find a nice quick release system and carry it on my pack more.

 

[ID_Matt]

I think you will have a bomb proof set up there. Very good choices. The only thing I would change - and it's personal opinion is a shorter barrel. But if you plan to just run a bare muzzle or a brake then 24" is good. Over time I have gone to shorter barrels - 20 or 22" and suppressed.

As for the trijicon. I have the same scope in mil and love it. They get good reviews on here and did well on Form's test. I don't really believe in custom turrets unless you don't plan on shooting too far. Lots of ammo change, altitude changes, etc. can make a yardage specific turret frustrating vs just using a dope chart or ballistic calculator.

 

[gretch6364]

Thanks for the input. I was worried about losing to much velocity by going to shorter barrel. My thought process was that in the elk woods, I would carry it with just a thread protector. In the sage flats for deer and lope, it won't matter as much if I throw a can on.

I hear you on the turret...and kind of same thought process....I would like run the turret in the elk woods with my elk load when not shooting much past 500 and need to be quicker. In the sage I will run the MOA turret and use charts.

The reality is....I am a MUCH MUCH bigger elk archery hunter then rifle. However, good tags are only getting harder and harder to get and my boy just turned 7, so I want to get him out on some easier hunts.

 

[gretch6364]

Finally got the rifle finished and sighted it in tonight. I am trying some different loads from Copper Creek eventually, but starting with Hornady ELD-X 162gr. Box says 2850 fps. First 20 rounds in the new barrel were all 2890 - 2922. The gun also in shooting sub half-MOA within this first box.

Zero feeding, ejection or firing failures either.

Hope this continues…happy with those results!

 

[hereinaz]

Sweet

 

[gretch6364]

Interestingly…I bought three different loads from Copper Creek for this gun. I followed 100% the exact same procedure for all three loads (160 CX, 168 VLD, 162 ELD-X) and they were all 175 to 200 fps slower then Hornady Precision Hunter with 162 ELD-X.

Here are the strings from today. Disappointed in Copper Creek, which rates their loads 120 faster than Hornady. Guess I will just shoot factory ammo.

 

[bayou0509]

Interesting to see those numbers. I just finally got my 280 AI from wolf precision this week (been waiting for 8 months). I'm eager to get it to the range. I have a few different semi custom loads from Choice Ammunition that I plan to start with.

 

[wind gypsy]

Thanks for the input. I was worried about losing to much velocity by going to shorter barrel. My thought process was that in the elk woods, I would carry it with just a thread protector. In the sage flats for deer and lope, it won't matter as much if I throw a can on.

I hear you on the turret...and kind of same thought process....I would like run the turret in the elk woods with my elk load when not shooting much past 500 and need to be quicker. In the sage I will run the MOA turret and use charts.

Just use a rangefinder that spits out the dope with the range. No charts necessary and the data moves with the atmosphere, velocity changes, load changes, etc unlike a custom turret. If you still want a "custom turret" - if the turret is big enough, use tape/marker or a label maker to slap yardard info on as well as mil/moa #s.

 

[gretch6364]

Interesting to see those numbers. I just finally got my 280 AI from wolf precision this week (been waiting for 8 months). I'm eager to get it to the range. I have a few different semi custom loads from Choice Ammunition that I plan to start with.

Please let me know how it comes out and what loads you tried. I did order the load development pack #1 from copper and some Federal 155gr terminal attack…will try to get and do some testing this week.

 

[gretch6364]

Attached are stats from two different seating depth options after first round of charge development. The black shot really good in charge development and is seated at factory. The blue is longer and most consistent velocity/es/sd from the seating depth testing.

Should I just stick with the black that I know will hit 1/2 MOA, or do another set of powder charge testing with the blue searing depth? Black is a lot of jump. Will post figures tonight.

 

[wind gypsy]

Attached are stats from two different seating depth options after first round of charge development. The black shot really good in charge development and is seated at factory. The blue is longer and most consistent velocity/es/sd from the seating depth testing.

Should I just stick with the black that I know will hit 1/2 MOA, or do another set of powder charge testing with the blue searing depth? Black is a lot of jump. Will post figures tonight.

View attachment 784912View attachment 784913View attachment 784914View attachment 784915

The primary thing I could take away from the info you provided is one is faster than the other. Otherwise I don’t think there is enough difference in group size to conclusively tell you anything. Same with speed. A given load could easily put out 5 shot SD/ES matching the numbers from both loads just by luck of which 5 got shot. Not sure what is all paid for with the load dev package but if you have something that works, isn’t on the verge of pressure, I’d just order a bunch of that.

 

[BAKPAKR]

Nice looking rifle. What does it weigh scoped?