I need a Muse for my donor action decision...280ai project

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It seems like there is a renaissance as of late pushing non-magnum rounds to the peak of their performance. And I have to admit, it hits me just right. I'm not a magnum guy, never have been; about the only magnum that has the potential to make me a liar is the 7mmRM. I've been enjoying seeing the interest in the 280AI that is starting to catch on, as this is a project that I have had in my mind for years now. It seems Nosler pushing it and SAAMI acceptance has really pushed the cartridge along faster that it was previously.

Anyways, to the point of the thread.

Background on what my desires for the rifle are:
  • Do all hunting rifle for North America, currently I use a 308 which has been great but would like some more distance, flatter shooting and greater SD and BC's
  • All weather type of build, synthetic stock, SS
  • Reasonably light, not ultra-light, preferably end up in the 8lb. or less range with a lightweight scope option from Leupold or such
  • 23-24" barrel length to get the most out of the 280ai, either in bead blasted SS or light weight carbon fiber wrapped barrel
  • Preferred action is a 3-position, CRF action (Win M70, Commercial Mauser w/ 3-position safety upgrade, Ruger MKII/Hawkeye), hinged floorplate magazine
  • Preference on stock is lightweight, fiberglass or carbon fiber
  • Trigger depends on action decided on but rework the OEM trigger or purchase aftermarket Timney or the like

I need some help preventing me from making a mistake at a crucial time in the process of my build. What is the best route to go in regards to the action for my stated goals?

My initial thoughts were to find a donor Win M70 action with CRF, which it is looking more and more like just purchasing a complete rifle stripping it down and selling off the extras for the action. Then finding the right barrel to fit my needs and dealing with a gunsmith to blueprint the action, headspace and install the barrel and then pillar bed it all in a good McMillan or other lightweight hunting oriented stock.

So based on my initial thoughts, the more I think about it the more options that come to my mind to consider. There is the option of finding a Commercial Mauser and perform the safety retrofit. I have found a JC Higgins Model 50 in 30-06 with a commercial FN Mauser action for $400 locally that has sparked an interest there.

Or there is the Ruger MKII or Hawkeye action route, finding one of these rifles for a decent price shouldn't be hard if I watch the local boards. I think I can easily find one of these for ~$400 as well. The problem with the MKII is more with the way the action is, makes it more difficult to bed and get a good fitment. Is this the same for the Hawkeye actions? I'm not familiar with those.


Bottom Line
So based on my criteria what is the best route to consider for an action to start procuring parts around that includes my requirements of CRF, 3-position safety, for a 280ai?
 
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Another option that I'm well aware of is buying a factory rifle that offers what I'm looking for, namely a Kimber. However, I don't really care for that light of a hunting rifle. Would prefer it closer to my 8lbs. finish weight for shoot ability. There will be times that I will just be enjoying this gun a the range shooting at longer ranges as well, so it will not be strictly hunting.

Am I overlooking any other factory offerings of 280AI that include CRF, and 3 position safety?
 
Are the Winchester M70 EW's all the same action length? 7mm08 would be a short action. 280ai would need the 30-06 action length.
 
<*(((>< said:
Are the Winchester M70 EW's all the same action length? 7mm08 would be a short action. 280ai would need the 30-06 action length.
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I was of the belief they were all long actions, but I don't know for sure. My searching around for builds for 280ai focused mostly on a tikka because of how easy it would be to do.
 
Ruger M77 MkII’s and M77 Hawkeyes share a common action. The Hawkeye change was a stock profile and a new trigger, really a MkII.1, not even a 2.5, let alone an entirely new model demarcation.

Bedding either, however, is not challenging. It just takes an extra step over 90 degree action screw models. The Win 70 and Ruger 77’s both feature square bottom actions with integral lugs, there’s really no difference in the “challenge” to get bedding compound to flow where it should for either (both a little more tricky than round tube actions). The only difference is in the pillar setting process. One extra step for the Ruger.

A McMillan Adjustable Game Warden under a Ruger M77 Hawkeye All-Weather with a Timney trigger and a Proof research 24” carbon fiber barrel out front in 280AI would be a dandy hunting rifle.
 
I’ll be honest, I have my heart set on a Win m70 but you guys and your talk about these Rugers and the price on gunbroker has got me thinking.

My 308 is a Ruger GSR 18.5” and it has been great for me as well.
 
My choices would be a Ruger 77/Hawkeye, or the Kimber Montana. All depending on preferred weight and barrel length.

so....I hit a comfortable 3050, shooting162Eld-Ms over RL-23, in hornady 280AI cases.
I also found that my federal 280 cases have a noticeable capacity difference than my .280AI Hornadys.

For reference I had to push my 7mms pretty hard to beat that by 100fps.
My STW was just getting it's legs 3250 but I didn't really mess with it that much, but anyway the .280AIs no slouch.....I'm just HOPING my 06AI does nearly as well.
 
LoonWulf said:
My choices would be a Ruger 77/Hawkeye, or the Kimber Montana. All depending on preferred weight and barrel length.

so....I hit a comfortable 3050, shooting162Eld-Ms over RL-23, in hornady 280AI cases.
I also found that my federal 280 cases have a noticeable capacity difference than my .280AI Hornadys.

For reference I had to push my 7mms pretty hard to beat that by 100fps.
My STW was just getting it's legs 3250 but I didn't really mess with it that much, but anyway the .280AIs no slouch.....I'm just HOPING my 06AI does nearly as well.
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What's your barrel length on yours? 24"

The 280ai seems to be able to pretty reliably from my research can hit close to 3,000fps with 160-165gr bullets with really good BC and SD. That is what the great appeal to me is, and that in a lighter weight standard action.
 
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<*(((>< said:
What's your barrel length on yours? 24"

The 280ai pretty reliably from my research can hit 3,000+ with 160-165gr bullets with really good BC and SD. That is what the great appeal to me is, and that in a lighter weight standard action.
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mine is a 26"
I expect you to be able to scratch or exceed 3000 with a 24 also
 
Varminterror said:
Ruger M77 MkII’s and M77 Hawkeyes share a common action. The Hawkeye change was a stock profile and a new trigger, really a MkII.1, not even a 2.5, let alone an entirely new model demarcation.

Bedding either, however, is not challenging. It just takes an extra step over 90 degree action screw models. The Win 70 and Ruger 77’s both feature square bottom actions with integral lugs, there’s really no difference in the “challenge” to get bedding compound to flow where it should for either (both a little more tricky than round tube actions). The only difference is in the pillar setting process. One extra step for the Ruger.

A McMillan Adjustable Game Warden under a Ruger M77 Hawkeye All-Weather with a Timney trigger and a Proof research 24” carbon fiber barrel out front in 280AI would be a dandy hunting rifle.
Click to expand...

I was wondering what the actual changes between the MKII's and the Hawkeye's, I was getting conflicting information when searching that. So what would my GSR be; a MKII or Hawkeye action?
 
adcoch1 said:
I was of the belief they were all long actions, but I don't know for sure. My searching around for builds for 280ai focused mostly on a tikka because of how easy it would be to do.
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Nope, the Baco M70s EWs come in WSM actions for short action and WSM cartridges, and long action for .30-06, etc.

I liked the feel of my short (WSM) action M70 EWs better than my long action, but I prefer both M70s and Kimber 84s to M77s.

I plan on picking up a Kimber Hunter in .280 ai, but if I were going to build a .280 ai from an M70, I think I'd try to find a Baco Ultimate Shadow SS as a starting point instead of an EW. The US had a plastic stock and a heavier barrel profile than the EW, but were quite a bit cheaper. If you're rebarreling anyway, there's no reason to pay extra for the fluted EW tube. The EW has a nicer stock than the US, but it's still just a $270 B&C, nothing too fancy.
 
<*(((>< said:
I was wondering what the actual changes between the MKII's and the Hawkeye's, I was getting conflicting information when searching that. So what would my GSR be; a MKII or Hawkeye action?
Click to expand...

Neither and both...

The difference between the MkII and Hawkeye is only in the trigger and the forend contour. Your GSR forend doesn’t match either MkII or Hawkeye stocks. But the action is the same for all of the above. But the trigger in the GSR’s is the new LC6, which is a Hawkeye feature... Naturally, the GSR bottom metal and optic rail aren’t features of the MkII or Hawkeye either...

I expect yours is engraved “Gunsite” on the left side of the receiver, yes? Unlike the Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan which retained its parent labeling, the GSR’s received their own engraving - so it has the same action as both, same trigger as the Hawkeye, and a lot of its own unique features.
 
So as others mentioned kimber makes a 280ai 8400. Mausers are always a great option, but they do cost money to get as refined as say an M70. Also because of the lock time, mausers are inherently harder to make as accurate (I haven’t experienced this because pretty much all my mausers feature iron sight sonly, but it is a thing to think of on paper)

Currently I’m building a tikka t3 into a 280 ai. Seemed like a good balance for the round
 
Yeah I’ve all but ruled out a Mauser build, as I know about the lock time. If it was strictly a hunting rifle that wouldn’t matter, but I can see myself doing some long distance target practice as well.
 
<*(((>< said:
Yeah I’ve all but ruled out a Mauser build, as I know about the lock time. If it was strictly a hunting rifle that wouldn’t matter, but I can see myself doing some long distance target practice as well.
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There are ways to decrease lock time. I have seen it on small rings, and would think it may apply to large rings. My CG63 Swedish Mauser target rifle has a modified cocking piece and firing pin to reduce lock time. (These are not my photos but mine is essentially the same)

213AB008-610E-45CF-AF6C-092786A1278D.jpeg
2C44C539-B616-4BE1-B835-092FA20757B0.jpeg
F8A4D4EE-8392-43AF-94FB-6DF0CBC6E326.jpeg
DCAB92E8-9521-4CAB-9E11-A9833897342A.jpeg
 
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