Looking for reviews of the 280 Ackley improved

[robtattoo]

wonder if you had a bad barrel, I easily got 3050 with RL17 and Barnes TTSX 150's.

It's possible. I couldn't get over 2800 with 150s & RL17 or 16. Best velocity was with IMR4831sc at any bullet weight, but I never got near 3000, even with 140s. I really wanted a non-7mag screamer & it disappointed me. Happy sold it at a hefty loss.

 

[300 win mag]

had one built for my dad 25 years ago.he shot a 06 before that.he was hesitant.well gave it to him on his birthday.it was 2 lbs lighter all up.the look on his face 1st time he shot it priceless.he used it constantly.280ai is one of the top 3 cartridges to me ever chambered.

 

[sneaky]

i was just looking at the 7 rem mag vs the AI. ballistics (at least out to 500yds) are pretty close and surely there is way more 7rm ammo out there (well at least in normal times) than AI. i guess if you reload it doesn't matter, but if you need a box last minute out in nowhere colorado, that might make a diff. so what makes the AI preferred over the RM?

Less powder, less recoil, comparable ballistics to the 7RM in an easier to shoot package. You can also shoot regular 280Rem ammo in it if need be. I can find 280AI just about everywhere even now. If you "need" a box of ammo on a hunt because you forgot yours at home, you've got bigger issues than ammo availability lol.

 

[sneaky]

I think im the only person that was seriously underwhelmed by it. I built a .280 AI on a savage action, with a 26" Bison Gunworks barrel. I never saw anything close to published or 'claimed' velocities. It was a bitch to find a good load for, super picky on bullets & powder & quite frankly a complete let down. Best I saw was 2800 fps with 150 accubond LR. I couldn't get enough powder in the thing to come close to pressure signs.

Say what? Sounds like you got a bad barrel. I get 2880 with 168s loaded nowhere near max pressure. It eats everything from 130s to 168s and all under a half minute. It's one of the easiest calibers I've ever loaded for.

 

[FCCDerek]

Say what? Sounds like you got a bad barrel. I get 2880 with 168s loaded nowhere near max pressure. It eats everything from 130s to 168s and all under a half minute. It's one of the easiest calibers I've ever loaded for.

I've gotta agree there. My 24" Bartlein 1-8" sends 180 Bergers at 2860, and I've seen nearly 3200fps during load work ups with 140 Barnes TTSX's and RL16.

 

[wyosam]

If you can’t get enough in the case to find pressure, your powder is too slow.


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[FCCDerek]

If you can’t get enough in the case to find pressure, your powder is too slow.


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Yup, thats a fact. I haven't seen any pressure in my 280AI load development yet, but I also haven't ran anything compressed. I work loads up slowly. Anyone loaded RL16 for Barnes 140TTSX's with any luck? I'm curious how much jump its gonna end up liking.

 

[IDHoundsman]

Say what? Sounds like you got a bad barrel. I get 2880 with 168s loaded nowhere near max pressure. It eats everything from 130s to 168s and all under a half minute. It's one of the easiest calibers I've ever loaded for.

What is your rifle setup for your 280 AI?

 

[SloppyJ]

It was the first new cartridge I picked up when I started reloading. It's my favorite rifle of all i own. Honestly, it has such good stats that it really makes it hard to find a new caliber you want. It's extremely versatile. If you want to shoot heavy, look for a 1-8 or 1-8.5" twist. Mine loves 160gr Partitions so much I'll be hard pressed to load anything else for it.

 

[SloppyJ]

I too really like my 280 AI, mine's a customized pre 64 M70/MCM stock, shooting Barnes 145 LRX's, for me it's a great all around setup.

Who did the work? Model 70s are my thing and I have an idea with a modern twist I'd like to get done.

 

[SloppyJ]

A new 280ai fan here as well. Recoil is mild, performance is high. Just finished the build and the only rounds shot through the rifle is the factory nosler 140AB. Out of the 24in criterion barrel its running just shy of 3200fps

Pretty cool aren't they? What was your build?

 

[The Guide]

Who did the work? Model 70s are my thing and I have an idea with a modern twist I'd like to get done.

I had a Winchester M70 in 300WM rebarreled with a Benchmark barrel by Snowy Mountain Rifles in Montana about 10 years ago. Did a great job on that so I bought a Remington 700 in 25-06 and had them blueprint the action and chamber a 8.4 twist 7mm Proof CF barrel in 280AI for me. That gun has shot 160 NP, 162 ELDX, and 168 Bergers all sub MOA with the 168's all touching. The 300WM barrel loves it some 215 Bergers with 76.7g H1000 chasing it. 280AI has killed a pile of Antelope and deer while the 300WM stacked up elk for several years out to 800 yards. I'd have no problem suggesting you try Snowy Mountain Rifles for doing some work on a M70 if you are looking to get some work done.

Jay

 

[handwerk]

SloppyJ, I had Eddie Fosnaugh in Mich. do the work, top notch.

Home

 

[LJT88]

Pretty cool aren't they? What was your build?

Rem 700
Criterion remage 24in heavy sporter
KRG Bravo
Arken ep4 4-16

Pretty budget minded but it works great.

Right at 10lbs as you see it.

 

[sneaky]

What is your rifle setup for your 280 AI?

Cooper 92. Cooper doesn't recommend anything over 168s in their barrel for the 92 because of barrel harmonics. Those lightweight barrels don't handle the heavies nearly as well as the 130-168gr bullets. If I wanna shoot heavy .284 bullets I'll shoot my 28 Nosler.

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[OutdoorEdventure]

Picked 20” Savage this year. Incredible accuracy and velocity.

 

[Vern400]

I'm sure you're aware but this has way more to do with individual competency and ethics than it does with 280ai capabilities. Lots of people are "comfortable" shooting at animals at 600 yards with no basis for that comfort beyond:

1. They shot a sub MOA group at 100 yards
2. leupold sent them a CDS dial that has the number 600 printed on it (or they have a range card, or a ballistic app, etc)
3. People on the internet or TV convinced em it's a chip shot. "Sub MOA at 100 is sub MOA at 600", "One Inch at 100 is six inches at 600, thats way smaller than vitals", "I know my drops"

You're exactly right. And those same people wound a lot of animals. If a hunter hasn't punched paper and blown up milk jugs full of water at 400 500 600 it's quite unethical to take a shot at one of God's creatures of that range.

Getting a good group at 100 yards might be 10% of the journey to become competent at 400 and beyond. For crying out loud you don't even have to have the scope mounted straight to shoot 100.

 

[BigCountry82]

I have a 280AI is is a wonderful cartridge. I wanted mine to shoot the heavier projectiles 168-180. I have a 1-8tw barrel. ( i found it very anemic with the heavier projectiles). Lighter bullets have no problem getting top velocities 139-160 class. The weatherby you are looking at had a 1-9tw so your good for the lighter weight class. An you will have no problem with the taking animals at ranges you described. It can be reloaded with several different good powders H4350, h4831sc , h1000 and many more. There is decent brass available and some factory offerings.

 

[Unckebob]

I love the 280AI I built on a an Origin Action.