New Hunter, rifle upgrade, is 280AI the right choice?

[Nicaburns]

I agree with what has been said… drop your current savage action into a stocky’s VG2 and it will do everything you need! Spend the extra money on ammo and practice time.

 

[Ztm91]

Never take it lightly, the taking of a life. My personal goal is to do everything I can to make sure that an animal doesn’t know what hit it if I can. I owe him that respect.

I totally agree with you here. I second that goal.

 

[Ztm91]

I agree with what has been said… drop your current savage action into a stocky’s VG2 and it will do everything you need! Spend the extra money on ammo and practice time.

I would certainly be open to trying this. Unfortunately, it looks like they only have left hand savage stocks for bottom bolt release models. They don’t have it available for top bolt release models like mine..

 

[grizz19]

I’m going to second what a lot of guys have set on here. Find a rifle that will have minimum recoil, that you can shoot well, and run it. I used to be a 7mm and larger guy. I just built a 25 creed as my “do all rifle” and am getting ready to sell my 7 prc. Pair a good bullet with whatever you choose and let it rip. My dad has a 280 AI and it’s an awesome round. Could you just find a new stock for what you currently have and drop your weight down? I have one of those chassis’s myself and they are heavy. You could cut a couple lbs if you could find a carbon stock for your set up.

 

[Trogon]

There’s a seekins ph3 in 6.5 creed in the classifieds that would be perfect, if you must have a new rifle

 

[fuzzymarindave]

My 25 year old son just dropped his first bull elk with a 280AI. It is a lefty Weatherby Mark V Backcountry 2.0. He started with a Savage .243 which we swapped barrels into .308 and 7mm-08. The 280AI adds a little more and the extra recoil was manageable for him. I think it would be a great option.

 

[JeffRaines]

Yup once you develop a flinch, you own it.

OP - heed this warning. I started with a lightweight 30-06, and subsequently developed a flinch that took THOUSANDS of rounds to get under control.

280ai is a great cartridge... for a reloader. I have one. I love it. Would I recommend it for someone who doesn't reload? Absolutely not. Feeding the thing factory ammo would be expensive when you can find it. I'm the type that believes in practicing with the rifle you plan to use, so going out and shooting over a box of ammo in an outing is a thing and I just couldn't fathom doing that with that cartridge without reloading.

What you have now is more than enough to kill anything(within reason) regardless of what the haters have to say(just go read the 6mm/223 threads - those are both smaller than what you have and they kill just fine). I say within reason - I doubt youre going to be shooting something at 1k. At nominal hunting distances you dont need anything else.

Have you looked into a lighter weight stock? That Oryx weighs 4.2lbs by itself, I dont see why you couldn't cut that in half.

 

[UnckleBob]

I am new to both hunting and shooting a rifle. I bought and started shooting my first rifle this July. It is a savage ultralight in 6.5 creedmoor with an oryx chassis. The rifle is certainly more capable than I am, but also it weighs 12lbs. I am considering something a bit lighter, with a bit more authority. Being completely new to shooting a rifle, I also don’t want to go too light. Another complicating factor is I shoot left handed. At the top of the list currently is a Weatherby High Country in 280AI. From my research that seems like a good step up with a bit more energy, but with more manageable recoil in a lightweight platform vs the 7prc. The High Country is a little lighter than I would like, but I think I could get it to a manageable weight once bipod, scope, and arca rail are considered. I live in Idaho and will primarily be hunting deer and elk, but I would like to have something that is applicable for caribou, moose, etc as well.

From all the reading and podcasts I have listened to, the 280AI sounds like a good choice for me, just seems to be less readily available ammo choices in stores. The Boise Scheels has tons of variety for 7prc ammunition for example and one choice for 280AI. I would not be opposed to reloading in the future.

My current rifle certainly gets the job done. I just got back from my first hunt in Wyoming and was able to harvest a buck, drt first shot. Last week of October I’ll be going out with a deer, elk, and black bear tag in Idaho.

For a do it all rifle in the future, which would be more applicable for a new hunter/shooter? 280AI or 7prc? Also, the high country can be custom ordered with a carbon barrel as well. Any benefits there from an accuracy or weather resistance standpoint vs the steel barrel? The negative I see is the only barrel length available in carbon is 22” vs the 24” stock steel barrel. Research seems to indicate that the 24” barrel length is the sweet spot for peak performance with the 280AI (I will be shooting with a brake vs a suppressor)

Put it back in the High Country’s original stock and you'll have a good mid-weight hunting rifle. Mine is 8.1 lbs with rings and a light scope on it. If you add other accessories including a supressor, you will not end up with a lightweight rifle,

The Savage action is not the slickest, but my rifle is more accurate than I need for a hunting rifle.

But, my 280AI is something I built myself on an Origin Action. It definitely is more powerful than my Savage. It's a little heavier and has more recoil than the Savage. I did not really "nead" it. I just wanted it. As @JeffRaines said, it is a reloader's cartridge.

If you are just looking to buy a new rifle, get a Tikka or X Bolt in 270. You get a little more power over the 6.5 CM without the recoil of the 7mm RM or PRC.