280Ai

[JMAN80]

Have a Custom long action coming to me with a standard bolt face and wanted something different and I Keep coming back to the 280Ai!

Would be a hunting rig that I would most likely shoot a lot at distance at my local range (0-1000) and seems like this cartridge would be a hammer!

What twist rates are you guys using? Wanting
To shoot heavies out of a 26” Sendero contour barrel.

What are you Ackley guys using? I’d like to see some setup pictures also if ya don’t mind!?

 

[Bill Norris]

Have a Custom long action coming to me with a standard bolt face and wanted something different and I Keep coming back to the 280Ai!

Would be a hunting rig that I would most likely shoot a lot at distance at my local range (0-1000) and seems like this cartridge would be a hammer!

What twist rates are you guys using? Wanting
To shoot heavies out of a 26” Sendero contour barrel.

What are you Ackley guys using? I’d like to see some setup pictures also if ya don’t mind!?

Kenny Jarret from S C worked with this caliber for some time and built some fine beanfield rifles. Sierra has load data listed in their last manual for the cartridge. Some touted it to be as effective as the 7 Rem Mag.

 

[jkohler]

9 twist should cover your needs Unless your planning on solids Then step up to a 8 twist. I’ve put 9 twist on all the ones I’ve built. I believe most guys where shooting 160 ish.

 

[JMAN80]

9 twist should cover your needs Unless your planning on solids Then step up to a 8 twist. I’ve put 9 twist on all the ones I’ve built. I believe most guys where shooting 160 ish.

Think it would stabilize a 180gr?!

 

[std7mag]

Think it would stabilize a 180gr?!

Absolutely!
The 1:9 will stabilize all but the heaviest of 7mm bullets. Or the heavy monos.

My Weatherby Mark V Weathermark LT in 7mm Weatherby is a 1:10 and has no issues with the 175gr ABLR.

 

[xr650rRider]

 

[JMAN80]

Absolutely!
The 1:9 will stabilize all but the heaviest of 7mm bullets. Or the heavy monos.

My Weatherby Mark V Weathermark LT in 7mm Weatherby is a 1:10 and has no issues with the 175gr ABLR.

That’s good to know! Would like to get a 180gr eld going around 2800fps.

 

[JMAN80]

View attachment 1589579

Thanks man!!

 

[Savagenut71]

I've done half a dozen 280ai's in recent years and they've all been 9 twist. They stabilize 180 Bergers for me and they can get to 2800-2900 with right combo of powder and primer

 

[JMAN80]

I've done half a dozen 280ai's in recent years and they've all been 9 twist. They stabilize 180 Bergers for me and they can get to 2800-2900 with right combo of powder and primer

H4831SC seems “promising” but I’m new to the 280ai world…..

 

[varmit_hunter]

My 280AI has a 1@8 twist 26-inch barrel. I went with a 1@8 twist. Make sure I could shoot the Hornady ELD M 180 gr bullets. Hornady says a 1@8 twist or faster. For ELD M 180 gr bullet.

 

[std7mag]

That’s good to know! Would like to get a 180gr eld going around 2800fps.

If you already have the ELD, well that's what you have.

As I posted on another forum, to me there are much better bullets than the ELD.
Of the 10 deer I've seen shot with them, bullets like the Berger VLD (known for coming apart) penetrate deeper and do more internal damage.
The ELD damage seems to be more shallow.

 

[JMAN80]

If you already have the ELD, well that's what you have.

As I posted on another forum, to me there are much better bullets than the ELD.
Of the 10 deer I've seen shot with them, bullets like the Berger VLD (known for coming apart) penetrate deeper and do more internal damage.
The ELD damage seems to be more shallow.

Was just an example of weight range of projectile I’d like to usenis all. I do like Bergers if I can get them. I’d probably hunt with barnes or Nosler or possibly Bergers.

 

[nakneker]

280AI is a good all around cartridge. Efficient and accurate. I’ve owned two and wouldn’t hesitate to own another. The 180 Berger in a 1-9 twist would be a lethal combo if you’re shooting/hunting LD. If you know your shots are gonna be sub 400 or so the old partition does a good job and so does a lot of other cup and core bullets. I’ve seen some bullet splash with ELDX&Ms and Bergers at close distance and high velocity, they excel at long distances when velocities are dropping.

 

[JMAN80]

280AI is a good all around cartridge. Efficient and accurate. I’ve owned two and wouldn’t hesitate to own another. The 180 Berger in a 1-9 twist would be a lethal combo if you’re shooting/hunting LD. If you know your shots are gonna be sub 400 or so the old partition does a good job and so does a lot of other cup and core bullets. I’ve seen some bullet splash with ELDX&Ms and Bergers at close distance and high velocity, they excel at long distances when velocities are dropping.

I’ll practice on Coyote silhouettes @ 600 but unless I go to West Texas all shots will be under 400yards. A light partition would be nasty!

 

[Bc'z]

280AI is a good all around cartridge. Efficient and accurate. I’ve owned two and wouldn’t hesitate to own another. The 180 Berger in a 1-9 twist would be a lethal combo if you’re shooting/hunting LD. If you know your shots are gonna be sub 400 or so the old partition does a good job and so does a lot of other cup and core bullets. I’ve seen some bullet splash with ELDX&Ms and Bergers at close distance and high velocity, they excel at long distances when velocities are dropping.

You had a front row seat watching me nervously do load development In my 280ai with Barnes 140ttsx, I couldn't believe how much bullet was in the case, figured it would never reach velocity the mono needs and so on...
This thread got me to looking at Barnes 7mag load data last nite, I'd say I'm definitely in magnum territory @3123 muzzle velocity.
Now for some four legged furry friends to come out and play.

 

[JMAN80]

You had a front row seat watching me nervously do load development In my 280ai with Barnes 140ttsx, I couldn't believe how much bullet was in the case, figured it would never reach velocity the mono needs and so on...
This thread got me to looking at Barnes 7mag load data last nite, I'd say I'm definitely in magnum territory @3123 muzzle velocity.
Now for some four legged furry friends to come out and play.

Nosler says IMR-4831 under a 140gr Partition will get 3200+ fps…… that’s a hammer!

 

[Bc'z]

Nosler says IMR-4831 under a 140gr Partition will get 3200+ fps…… that’s a hammer!

Yes sir it is.
Keep in mind Noslers data is with a 26" barrel, Barnes data is a 24".
I achieved Barnes velocity with a 22" & RL19.
I love the partition bullet, but was wanting to try Barnes from recommendations from other hunters I know.

 

[JMAN80]

Yes sir it is.
Keep in mind Noslers data is with a 26" barrel, Barnes data is a 24".
I achieved Barnes velocity with a 22" & RL19.
I love the partition bullet, but was wanting to try Barnes from recommendations from other hunters I know.

Yessir….. I will have a 26” barrel…. Their spec is 1:9 as well. I do like a Barnes Tsx…… I’m going look at load data now. Lol

 

[std7mag]

Yes sir it is.
Keep in mind Noslers data is with a 26" barrel, Barnes data is a 24".
I achieved Barnes velocity with a 22" & RL19.
I love the partition bullet, but was wanting to try Barnes from recommendations from other hunters I know.

If you end up liking the Barnes, try Hammers or Cutting Edge.
You'll LOVE them!!

Lots of people seem to like the Barnes.
Personally, I won't use them.
I've seen 3 deer shot broadside with a Barnes. We recovered one.
And that one was over 600 yards away. Thank goodness for snow!