Anyone regret buying a 280AI?/Max bullet weight question

[Bomberodevil]

I am referring to the plastic tang piece on the clip.

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Okay, I see the clip you’re referring to. I have two magazines for it and I have likely 200-250 rounds through the rifle. The majority of those rounds have been during break in and load development, so not physically stressful situations, but I haven’t had any issues. The plastic tab actually seems fairly robust.

 

[jzeblaz]

I built a 280ai last year and love it. Been shooting 162 gr ELD-X out of a 25” 1:9 twist. Loaded with Ramshot Hunter. It’s a shooter for sure.

What kind of velocity are you seeing on that load?

 

[SCHUNTER73]

What kind of velocity are you seeing on that load?

I’m averaging 2855 fps.

 

[stealthgoat]

I agree 280ai is very nice, but at least for me it's a handloader cartridge. Very little ammo on the shelf, and it's expensive.

Clearly not a 'regret' as I knew that going in, but I do think about that when I see someone at the range with (relatively) inexpensive 6.5 Creed factory ammo just banging steel....

 

[tom338]

I have the ultralight, I settled on 150 grain TTSX over H4831. Speed about 2950. My first year with it, 2 elk down. No issues with the mag, don't look for any either

 

[Darryle]

I haven't regretted it one bit

My first 280 Ackley

My second one

 

[PredatorSlayer]

168gr bergers are the way to go. I have just been buying custom ammo, but getting 2950 fps. Killed two moose with it.

i’ll add - this is solely a UL hunting rifle. I don’t shoot it much, outside of hunting. I have several other rifles that have lots of factory options and are cheaper to shoot. For its intended purpose it is perfect.

 

[manitou1]

168gr bergers are the way to go. I have just been buying custom ammo, but getting 2950 fps. Killed two moose with it.

i’ll add - this is solely a UL hunting rifle. I don’t shoot it much, outside of hunting. I have several other rifles that have lots of factory options and are cheaper to shoot. For its intended purpose it is perfect.

I am getting the same results with my handloads (2945 fps) 168 VLDH, 7828ssc, Large rifle primers, Nosler brass
25" barrel

My favorite cartridge.

 

[Latebloomer]

I’ve got the Savage UL in 280 AI, and I really like it. It’s been easy to do load development, and it’s pretty accurate. Some of my good loads are ELDX at 162 grains, 59.1 grains of H4831, 0.030” off the lands, 2975 FPS, .505 moa. Also have the same bullets, with 58.8 grains of H4831, 2942 FPS, at .415 moa. It shoots the ELDM and the SST 162 grains about the same.

How long is your barrel? I’m shooting 139 gr LRX’s with 59 gr of h4831sc and I’m at 2950 fps.

 

[Latebloomer]

My grandfathers passdown - Win pre-64 FW. I started with this gun. Shot the barrel out and the found the stock cracked. I put a bartlein/McMillan on it and chambered in 280AI. Tack driver with 139gr LRX’s.

 

[Slugz]

More data for ya

We run 175AB, no issues with case capacity. Seeing 2840 with 4831SSC 57.5 grains
We have another load with 7828 that was a little faster but not much.

160-168 grain bullet is arguably your sweet spot for bullet choice for max efficiency

 

[Bomberodevil]

How long is your barrel? I’m shooting 139 gr LRX’s with 59 gr of h4831sc and I’m at 2950 fps.

22”, the Savage factory length in the 280AI Proof barrel rifle. It’s a 1:9 twist, 5 Groove barrel.

Maybe it’s just a faster barrel, who knows. I don’t load for top velocity, just a good accurate hunting load.

My dialed loads include 162 gr ELDX at 2975 fps with 59.1 of H4831, 162 grain SST at 2844 fps, with 58.7 of H4831, and 162 ELDX at 2942 fps with 58.8 of H4831.

All of these are with Nosler brass and Fed 210 primers, measured at least a 5-shot group with a magnetospeed chrono.

 

[Elite]

More data for ya

We run 175AB, no issues with case capacity. Seeing 2840 with 4831SSC 57.5 grains
We have another load with 7828 that was a little faster but not much.

160-168 grain bullet is arguably your sweet spot for bullet choice for max efficiency

Thanks for data How long is your barrel? That’s impressive velocity for 175


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[TheHammer]

I have a handful of 110s, my ultralight being the second lightest by 13.5oz, scope, rings and rail comparable. No issues with the magazine from my experience, there are/were two styles of mags that interchange on these models. I do not prefer the one with the plastic lock tang like you posted, not that I’ve had an issue with it, just a preference.
My brother in-law lost one on a hunt, but he’s cut from a different kinda cloth, so not too credible to blame the mag in that situation. As for the 280ai it’s a fantastic 7mm. I’d personally go with a 145LRX if it were my setup. The gun shouldn’t be too horribly picky on projectiles. I’ve yet to see a 110 less accurate then the person pulling the trigger. Good luck with your purchase! Keep us posted with the process.

 

[BAKPAKR]

I haven't regretted it one bit

My first 280 Ackley

My second one

Nice rifles! What is the component list on the second one? Do you know what the bare rifle weighed?

 

[Slugz]

Thanks for data How long is your barrel? That’s impressive velocity for 175


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I'm at 24"

We are seeing roughly a 80-100 FPS difference than the book with Peterson brass and match grade primers.

Our load also is arguably a few grains over max (based upon book data) however that was our best groups in the guns 57-58gr

We see that a lot during load development. I can only attribute it to the 40deg shoulder, efficiency derived from that, minimal ( if any) brass lengthening and the Peterson brass.

 

[Darryle]

Nice rifles! What is the component list on the second one? Do you know what the bare rifle weighed?

6lbs 5oz bare

Pierce Alpine built by Pierce Engineering

Pierce Titanium action
Titanium recoil lug
Bartlein 2b fluted 24" 8.7 twist 5r
Wyatt's cut
Hawkins M5 BDL bottom metal w/Wyatt's box
Trigger Tech special
McMillan Classic Edge stock w/Elite jungle green and black
Talley Lightweight medium mounts
Tract Toric UHD 3 - 15 x 42mm

7lbs 10.4oz as shown

 

[MtnMike]

I bought a Montana Rifle Company .280ai about a decade ago (24" barell 1:9.5 twist) . It is hands down my favorite rifle. Despite having over a dozen others, It has caused all the others to play second fiddle if they get to play at all!

It is light, accurate, low recoil, holds 5 in the magazine, and kills everything I point it at. Deer, elk, it doesn't matter.

I've had awesome results with 55.5gr of IMR 4350 with 160gr accubonds. Sub moa, 2950fps.

Buy one and you'll forget about the rest of your rifles!

 

[sneaky]

I bought one in an Xbolt HCS last year. Just had to have it, darling caliber and all. I like the rifle a lot and it is accurate but if I were buying another tomorrow, it would be something with less muzzle flip and cheaper ammo. That said, I don't reload. At $5 a round, I can't shoot it as much as I'd like. Prices are trending down though, so hopefully that will continue. I also strictly hunt whitetail, so there is that. I bought it for the soybeans fields but since I've gotten it I've about stopped hunting them. Funny how things work out.

Say what? Muzzle flip? From a 280AI? Those Xbolts come with a muzzle brake. 280AIs are extremely mild recoiling, I've got a Cooper 92 that doesn't weight 7lbs all in, and it doesn't kick at all. Where are you paying $5/ round for 280AI ammo? You're getting ripped off if you are. It's nowhere near that much ordering it from Unknown Munitions, and a heckuva lot more consistent than most factory ammo.

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[hicountry1]

I'm running 160ab, with RL26, ave 3015mv, and sub .5 inch out of my wby bc.

Fed 210m primers and virgin nosler brass.

That's about as much velocity as you can get out of a 24 inch bbl with a 160

At least without getting crazy with pressure