280 AI vs 6.5 x 284

[1lessdog]

What are the advantages or disadvantages to the 280 AI or 6.5 x 280.

I have 2 of the 6.5 x 284 and 2 of the 260 Rem.

I have a Remington 700 burning a hole in my pocket. I just don't know now what to build.

 

[drop_point]

Sounds like you wouldn't be gaining much going with anything new in that range. Your bases are already covered. I certainly wouldn't want another 6.5mm if you already have four other capable rifles in 6.5mm.

What are the advantage of a .280 AI? A bit better bullet range with good hunting bullets up to 195 gr. There is a little less brass flow with the .280 AI as well. I've had 6.5-284s, .260 Rems, and .280 AIs. For hunting up to elk, the .280 AI was my choice.

 

[Hammer]

... For hunting up to elk, the .280 AI was my choice.

Elk cartridges start with the 340 Weatherby and go up to the 585 Nyati.

 

[SKWERLZ]

You need a 7mm and 280 AI is a nice case capacity for it similar to 7 SAUM.

With 168’s it’s a game hammer and with 190’s it’s a nice mini ELR cartridge.

 

[ebb]

Hammer, you don't think 338 win mag is adequate?

 

[drop_point]

Elk cartridges start with the 340 Weatherby and go up to the 585 Nyati.

Only if you can't shoot.

 

[Steel Mover]

Never owned a 280 AI myself, just reloaded for one, new Rem 700 build, for a smith buddy that had his reloading stuff in storage, i do have two 6.5x06s and sevral 6.5x55s, several 260s several 7 RMs. The 280 AI will do what a 7 RM will do with a standard bolt face, making it a perfect candidate for a Remage build. All you need is a good long action build, with several good barrels to change out, like .243, .257, .277, .284, 358, etc.

 

[Hammer]

Hammer, you don't think 338 win mag is adequate?

Elmer tried the 338 Win Mag with 250 grainers, but for his last elk he chose a 500 Nitro Express with 570 grainers.

 

[three percent]

If I had that many 6.5's I'd go with 280ai.
I'd like one myself

 

[ebb]

The old guy that was the outfitter I hunted with used to shoot 2 elk every year for his freezer with a 30-30. 3% I have 2 260s but only one 6.5-284 and 1 6.5-55, I don't think you can have too many 6.5s

 

[Tesoro]

There were some very fine rifles made in the swede chambering but at the time the super high bc bullets didnt exist so the twists could be too slow to take full advantage of the round. ie: I have a Sauer 06 and wish i had a slightly faster twist instead of std 10t.

 

[three percent]

The old guy that was the outfitter I hunted with used to shoot 2 elk every year for his freezer with a 30-30. 3% I have 2 260s but only one 6.5-284 and 1 6.5-55, I don't think you can have too many 6.5s

I have a 260rem but it's the only 6.5 I have. And I don't have a .284 itching for a 284 win myself other than a little scout rifle in 7x57 I made for my son and wife to hunt with a long time ago.my father asked to borrow it and didn't return it yet and took my scope off and put a red dot on it.lol
I didn't say anything and just rolled with it.now my wife hunts with an ar10.lol arhgg I guess I could ask for it back but he really likes it

 

[SKWERLZ]

Hammer, you don't think 338 win mag is adequate?

More to being a great hammer that just mass.

 

[Willie]

I've shot 6.5- 284's for 10 years and they are my favorite 6.5.

I've taken more game than any other using a straight .280 REM in my early years. I still have one, but went to a 280 A.I. about 5 years ago for a middle rifle.

I've used mostly 140, 160 and 168 gr. bullets with excellent results on deer and 1 bull @ 440 yds. Nothing has gone more than a few yds, most just drop.

Though I have more rifles than I need, if I could only have one to take medium game up to elk, I would go 280 A.I. with RL-23, and 160 or 162 gr. bullets.

 

[bks22345]

Biggest problem with the 280AI is brass. It’s expensive and hard to find. Peterson is the best. I think they just ran some so buy all you choose to afford. Nosler costs the same but doesn’t last.

 

[TrapperBR549]

Biggest problem with the 280AI is brass. It’s expensive and hard to find. Peterson is the best. I think they just ran some so buy all you choose to afford. Nosler costs the same but doesn’t last.

I ran into that problem at first. Nosler brass was not holding up. I fireformed some old Remington brass and it is holding up great. I did find some Peterson and look forward to using it but haven't worn out the old Remington stuff.

 

[Willie]

I didn't mention brass, but it's Peterson. I started with ADG then found 500 of the Peterson 280 Ackley brass. I grabbed them all because I shoot 2- 6.5 wildcats using same brass.