Which cal to go with?

[Chad280]

Im sitting on Remington action and an xcaliber barrel will soon be on its way. Its a .284 barrel. I don't know what cal to go with. 280AI, 7saum, or a 7 mag. I hunt Muleys and elk. Elk is all close shots but the muleys can stretch to 1000 yards due to the open country. What are your thoughts on a chambering?

 

[ShootDots]

Im sitting on Remington action and an xcaliber barrel will soon be on its way. Its a .284 barrel. I don't know what cal to go with. 280AI, 7saum, or a 7 mag. I hunt Muleys and elk. Elk is all close shots but the muleys can stretch to 1000 yards due to the open country. What are your thoughts on a chambering?

First, you have to decide what boltface you plan on using. The .280A.I. is a .473 Boltface and the others are .532.. If you have a .473, go with the .280A.I. >> if your boltface is already a .532, go with a 7 Mag.. The 7 mag will do anything and everything the others will do, as related to hunting, and brass is EASIER to come by!

 

[Chad280]

Its a .473 bolt face now. I have no problem opening it up and going with a sako extractor

 

[MTlager]

For a repeater gun you will have to go with a inline box for the Saum. Wont feed out of your factory magazine. Cabela's has one for about $110 that will hold 2 rounds. The 280 AI and 7mag work good out of your factory mag. Can get factory ammo and brass for both. The 280 AI don't give up a lot to the 7 mag, and uses a lot less powder!! I like my Saum but use a single shot action.
Lonnie

 

[Chad280]

My action is the drop box style. So I should be good as gold with any build from what I have been told.

 

[mac86951]

Its a .473 bolt face now. I have no problem opening it up and going with a sako extractor

Likewise we're assuming it's a long action. I too love my SAUM, but I've been looking to rechamber a 30-06 to 280, very nice cartridge. I'd choose the SAUM over the 7 mag, and the 280 over both at the start. For 1000y, go for a 280 AI, as I feel it gives better benefit over the "feeding reliability" of the tapered -06 case.

-Mac

 

[Sheldon N]

Thumbs up for the 280AI here as well. Love mine, shoots great out to 1000 and beyond with plenty of energy, very accurate too. No issues feeding from AICS mags.

 

[Larryh128]

There will always be 7mm mag brass and 280 brass, 284 & SAUM not so much. I really don't see a bunch of gain for the powder burnt between the 7 mag & a 280. The 280 is definitely more shooter friendly and if you go to the AI the gaps almost disappears.

 

[Sheldon N]

Yes, brass is easy to come by for the 280AI. I've been typically paying around $0.30 per case for standard 280 brass that I then fireform, have picked up lots of unfired brass on the secondary market. I use Remington brass and can get 7-8 firings, seems to hold up well.

 

[Chad280]

Gonna go with the 280ai, sent money today for my xcaliber barrel. I hope xcaliber barrels are accurate

 

[carlsbad]

284 shehane. Great for long distance shooting with 180 grain high BC bullets.

 

[nakneker]

+1 for the 280AI, you'll love it. I have one and a SAUM, love them both.

 

[284winner]

Don't rule out the 284 with that long action. You can run some long heavy bullets for those 1000 yard stretches and accuracy will rival any of the other mentioned rounds. Stick with around the 160s for 600 yd or closer. Can't beat that combo for comfort, range and accuracy.

 

[M14AMU]

Change barrels and go with 30/06! It ain't dead yet!

 

[riflewoman]

And now for something completely different...

30 Gibbs.

(Just to stir something up...)

 

[ebb]

7 RUM it will have enough power and berger hybrids will be where you send them.

 

[rudysts]

Gonna go with the 280ai, sent money today for my xcaliber barrel. I hope xcaliber barrels are accurate

I think you will be happy, I have one in 280AI Savage prefit from Xcaliber 28" and it is very accurate 180 VLD or hybrids shoot the same for me 2840 fps solid quarter minute when I'm not amped up on coffee.

 

[Chad280]

I think the 280AI will serve me well. I would like the 7 saum but I don't like the fact of only 2 rounds in the magazine. I think that 7 saum would be the one for sure but the 280AI isn't far behind. Im gonna shoot the 160 range bullets.

 

[30378]

The 280AI with 160gr Accubonds will serve you well. I love mine.

 

[Chad280]

The 280AI with 160gr Accubonds will serve you well. I love mine.

if you don't mind what is your load recipe?