280 Ackley Improved

[-CLM-]

I am looking at having a custom hunting rifle built but I am having difficulty deciding which calibre to go with. Right now I am leaning towards the 280 A.I.

I am looking for some feedback on this caliber regarding ballistics, hunting bullet choices and overall field performance. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Pathfinder76]

I shot these guys with a 280 AI shooting 140 TTSX's at 3100 fps. The cartridge is easy to load for, brass is available, but doing it again I'd go with the 280 Remington.

[elkhunter11]

I have two 280AI rifles,and my handloads are reaching around 3140fps with 140 gr bullets,which is within 75fps to 100fps of the 7mmremmag with the same 24" barrel.Recoil is less than the 7mmremmag,but case life is better.Nosler sells 280AI brass,which I find to be very consistent,but very slightly on the soft side compared to some other brass.I myself am using the 140gr TTSX for all of my big game hunting,but the Nosler Accubond would be another good choice.

[whitetailhntr]

I have a .280 AI in a Cooper rifle. Awesome cartridge in my opinion. I've done pretty much all my hunting with a . 280 rem since 1995 and it has served me well for everything I have hunted. I bought the Cooper last year and chose the .280 AI since I already had the other .280 and wanted to stay with a 7 mm cartridge. I load 140 tsx bullets and used it for all my hunting this fall and it worked very well. Get one you will like it.

[bullrambler]

If you are looking for some additional info on the 280AI with various loads have a look at jarrettrifles.com and look at the drop down bars under pet calibers... You will fiind a custom gun maker who has tested the 280AI with 120, 140, 150, and 160 grain bullets. The information gets straight to the loads, with various grain bullets, velocities and comparisons to other known rifle calibers.

[elkhunter11]

I have a .280 AI in a Cooper rifle.

Both of mine are Coopers as well,the 280AI has been a very good seller for Cooper.A few years ago,it was rare to see a 280AI,but they are becoming more common,especially now that Nosler is making 280AI brass.

[bingo1010]

it isn't a hunting rifle but my 28" barrel long range rifles will move a 162 a max out at over 3000 fps and shoot under 1/2 moa to 1000 yards. i love the cartridge.

[nanuk-O-dah-Nort]

You guys make me want a 280AI

Sheesh!

I had one. Wish I still had it. It was built by Lex Weberbeck of Rifles Inc.
Have a look at his website. It's a good one. Has a video of him building a custom rifle. The gun he built for me weighed under 5 lbs, has a 26" Shilen match grade stainless barrel. He has his own design composite stock which is a real dream to hold. But don't get too excited by his so called quiet brake.
It works but you will be deaf for a while after shooting it at an animal.
Anyways, The .280 AI is an awesome cartridge. It will shot right with a 7mm Weatherby. The pain is fireforming the cases. Maybe today one can buy them. I used 140gr Nosler partitions in it with RL19 powder. One hot machine!
I loaded 10gr of pistol powder (BLC2) then filled the case with corn meal.
On top of this drop a bit of bonfast glue. The cases foreform real nice. The
neat part of a .280 Ai is that you can used .280 ammo if you want.

Best wishes in 2011.

[shooter]

Originally Posted by -CLM-

I am looking at having a custom hunting rifle built but I am having difficulty deciding which calibre to go with. Right now I am leaning towards the 280 A.I.

I am looking for some feedback on this caliber regarding ballistics, hunting bullet choices and overall field performance. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

The 280 AI has always been at the top of my list. I'm sure before too long, I will have one as well. Looking forward to pics!!

[swift1]

Does anyone know who stocks Nosler 280 AI brass in Canada?

[Elkaholic6]

Don't wanna hijack this thread... Buuuut..

Who all make's a .280 in factory rifles? I'm thinking about it for my next rifle, but don't wanna go custom.

[elkhunter11]

Who all make's a .280 in factory rifles? I'm thinking about it for my next rifle, but don't wanna go custom.

280rem or 280AI?Cooper makes both,but a few other companies make rifles chambered in 280rem.

[Big Thumper]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

280rem or 280AI?Cooper makes both,but a few other companies make rifles chambered in 280rem.

The shop I buy from has them in stock in Cooper, Browning(A bolts) and a ruger syn/s/s.

[Elkaholic6]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

280rem or 280AI?Cooper makes both,but a few other companies make rifles chambered in 280rem.

I'd prefer an AI, but a Rem would do. I was looking at the Coopers. Kinda expensive...