.280 AI?
- Thread starter Bill M.
- Start date
Ridgerunner665
Member
About 100 fps, brass lasts longer, and that's about it.
I've been shooting 280 AI for several years now, hunting deer and coyotes, and its been great.
I've never fired a bullet lighter than 160 grains through it, as it is primarily a longer range setup.
The not very popular 7mm Remington Short Action Ultra Mag is close enough to identical to 280 AI in regards to powder capacity.... load data is interchangeable in my experience (hasn't caused me any issues).
I've been shooting 280 AI for several years now, hunting deer and coyotes, and its been great.
I've never fired a bullet lighter than 160 grains through it, as it is primarily a longer range setup.
The not very popular 7mm Remington Short Action Ultra Mag is close enough to identical to 280 AI in regards to powder capacity.... load data is interchangeable in my experience (hasn't caused me any issues).
troy fairweather
Member
To add
Less bolt thrust
More ammo availability
Don't have to trim brass
More positive headspace
Longer lasting primer pockets
Less bolt thrust
More ammo availability
Don't have to trim brass
More positive headspace
Longer lasting primer pockets
rayatphonix
Member
I’ve got both, so here goes:
- the AI gains 100+ fps. In my case with 140 gn bullets, it almost 200 when I’m comparing my best hunting load. Rifles are different, with the AI having a longer barrel, so that’s some of the increase. Most of the reloading manuals have them within about 100 fps. Many new AI rifles come with a longer barrel to maximize velocities.
- longer brass life with the AI. Minimal case stretching so you don’t work the brass as hard
- these days AI has better brass with Nosler and Peterson supplying excellent brass. Nosler also makes 280 Rem brass but I’ve never seen it. If you want to form your own, this benefit goes away. It also seems easier to source new 280 AI brass vs 280 Rem. A friend blames the AI for his inability to get new 280 brass. Again, if you can form your own, it’s a non issue.
- these days I think it’s easier to find a new rifle in 280AI, but perhaps I haven’t looked hard enough for 280 Rem
The 280 AI seems to be gain popularity somewhat at the expense of the 280 Rem. With 140 grain bullets I exceed the velocity of several buddies 7 RM. Again I’m talking hunting loads. Most of us load our own, and this surprised me when we were comparing loads. My load isn’t particularly hot, and I think my 26” barrel makes the difference.
I’m sure others will chime in, both for and against the AI. Since I got my 280 AI, that’s become the only long action rifle I use. My 30-06 and 270 sit in the safe. I’m a believer.
- the AI gains 100+ fps. In my case with 140 gn bullets, it almost 200 when I’m comparing my best hunting load. Rifles are different, with the AI having a longer barrel, so that’s some of the increase. Most of the reloading manuals have them within about 100 fps. Many new AI rifles come with a longer barrel to maximize velocities.
- longer brass life with the AI. Minimal case stretching so you don’t work the brass as hard
- these days AI has better brass with Nosler and Peterson supplying excellent brass. Nosler also makes 280 Rem brass but I’ve never seen it. If you want to form your own, this benefit goes away. It also seems easier to source new 280 AI brass vs 280 Rem. A friend blames the AI for his inability to get new 280 brass. Again, if you can form your own, it’s a non issue.
- these days I think it’s easier to find a new rifle in 280AI, but perhaps I haven’t looked hard enough for 280 Rem
The 280 AI seems to be gain popularity somewhat at the expense of the 280 Rem. With 140 grain bullets I exceed the velocity of several buddies 7 RM. Again I’m talking hunting loads. Most of us load our own, and this surprised me when we were comparing loads. My load isn’t particularly hot, and I think my 26” barrel makes the difference.
I’m sure others will chime in, both for and against the AI. Since I got my 280 AI, that’s become the only long action rifle I use. My 30-06 and 270 sit in the safe. I’m a believer.
.38 Special
Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2006
- Messages
- 7,355
I have a soft spot (in my head, probably) for Ackley cartridges, but I don't see significant advantages from them in general. Barrel length for barrel length, I think even 100 fps advantage is being generous, and if we're being realistic, 100 fps rarely makes any difference in either external or terminal performance.
They're fine cartridges, and if a fellow wants one he should get one. Trying to make a case for them being truly superior, though, ends up being an angels-on-pins sort of deal.
They're fine cartridges, and if a fellow wants one he should get one. Trying to make a case for them being truly superior, though, ends up being an angels-on-pins sort of deal.
sage5907
Member
The only disadvantage I can think of in owning a 280 AI is that I would think the AI would perform better in a 24 inch barrel. I prefer a 22 inch barrel on my hunting rifles and I think the standard version would perform better in a 22 inch barrel.
troy fairweather
Member
The ai will be faster at any barrel length.
sage5907
Member
I agree that it will be faster but the AI will also have more recoil and muzzle blast. In a light mountain rifle where does user friendly stop being user friendly?
20" 6.5-300wby?
.......... You know there's somebody out there running around with one.......
My AIs got a 26" tube hits 3000 and change with 160class bullets.
Thats about the same as my 24" 7mags have run
sage5907
Member
20" 6.5-300wby?
.......... You know there's somebody out there running around with one.......
When I wrote my response I was thinking of a 264 Winchester in a Model 70 featherweight! I once owned a 270 Weatherby magnum that weighted about 7 1/2 pounds and that damn thing would jump up and hit you right between the eyes. It was not user friendly.
Thankfully both of mine were configured as heavier rifles, the .264 impressed me enough I want to do that one again (143@3300).......couldn't cram enough of the powder I had on hand into the wby to deal with the .4" of jump
troy fairweather
Member
I think xphunter here has a 14"bolt pistol in 6.5-300, he definitely has a few fast rounds in his hand cannons. I've seen a few 6.5-300s online on different forums in the 18-20" range.
no replacement for displacement!.....still not going to do that one myself....don't really want to be next to one when it goes off either......also Harris thought a 14"? 50bmg pistol was a good idea...
DM~
Member
For the average guy? NONE!
For the guy that pushes his velocities all the time, yes there is a small advantage already mentioned in some above post.
I made my 280 Rem. cases out of WW 270 brass back in the 70's, I don't push my velocities although I don't "light" load either, and I'm still using the same cases and have NOT had any case length/ primer pocket stretching problems at all. My fav load uses 145 grain bullets, and they are very accurate. I've taken caribou, blk. bear and a ton of deer with the same load.
Guys like to brag about AI velocities in several cartridges, but with bbls of equal length, and loads of equal pressures, you really don't gain much at all.
DM
