280ai
 

What’s your thought for long range hunting?

I don’t think long range and hunting belong in the same sentence imo.

Amen to that, that being said the 280ai is a great long range low-medium recoil and is adequate for all game within reasonable distances and medium sized game (sheep, deer, goats...) and while I agree with GMXs statement about long range hunting, if you are going to hunt at long range it’s a fine caliber.

Its an easy answer, look at the ballistics and the distance you want to shoot at, what is the energy, is it acceptable

What’s long range? If your answer is 600yds then it’s an excellent choice.

x 2

Thks Kurt!

if I ever have a custom rifle built it will be a 280AI. A buddy of mine has one and the authority of which it anchors an elk and mule deer is impressive!

Stay with the standard 280 Rem. I have built 4 AI and they can be problematic because of the straight case. Velocity difference is marginal.

I will not built another Ackley.

Nice polite caliber to shoot .. not to loud, 150 gr high b.c.bullet just a whisker above 3000fps.

A lot a wind drift compared to the sleek 6.5 boolits,
I like my 280 ai. Shoot out to 600 with ease

Depends what you call long range. If your shots on game will be 800 yds and under you will be OK with the 280AI. I am using my 168 Berger load as a reference to your question. So if you were to shoot A 180 Berger or similar you may be able to stretch it out a little farther. I am using 1800 fps impact velocity as a minimum requirement for bullet expansion. Hope that gives you some insight to your question. Not like the first couple posts which is more like a lecture.

That’s exactly what I’m getting. My rifle really likes the 150gr ABLR’s at just over 3000fps, 5 shots under 3/4” @ 100yds and got me a pass thru on a bull moose at around the 250yd mark last year.

Proper bullet selection is key, especially out past 500yds. I recovered a TTSX from a shot in the 720yd range from a 280rem and it almost looked like I could reload it. If you’re going to shoot long range just make sure you pick a bullet designed for long range shooting, more specifically long range Hunting.

X2

I agree
To be 100% honest 600 yard is a pretty good poke when hunting

^^^^^^^^^^^ x2

Agreed. I have heard lots of guys say “once my 280Rem is shot out I will re-barrel to 280AI”... then they end up back at the 280Rem after lots of issues with their rifles.
Don’t get me wrong though, the 280AI has lots of appeal and I’ve considered it many times.
OP I think the 280 AI has a good following of people who swear by it’s performance to longer hunting ranges. It’s a go-to sheep hunting cartridge for many, and I don’t think you will be disappointed.

.280
 

I dont know how people define long range any more but if your planing to shoot over 500 yards you better be good with a rifle. I have a .280 AI in a Fierce Carbon Ti thy smacks the steel rams at 500 Meters easily and with authority. I use the 162 gr ELDX with RL 22 prefer to keep hunting shots under 300 but have killed some elk at longer ranges with the .280