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.280 ackley imp.

adluginb

#1 dad
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 28, 2010
365
36
53
Oklahoma
Thinking about building a .280AI and wondering from those that have them what barrels you used and length and twist. Mainly be used for long rang deer hunting built on a rem 700 action with 140gr bullets.

Thanks
 
Re: .280 ackley imp.

Brux 9 twist at 25" for mine. I get pressure before I reach some book velocities, but it shoots great. I shoot the 162s and the 139s. I can get the 139s to 3250 with a pretty hot load. That load is really fantastic out to about 600, after that the 162s at 2862 are better in the wind.
 
Re: .280 ackley imp.

What, did you just read the April 2011 issue of Shooting Times, and decide to pick one up?
whistle.gif


J/K...however, Shooting Times does have a very nice BA chambered in teh .280 on teh cover, along with a very nice write up on the cartridge. Gives you some nice info on handloads (from 139 gr all teh way up to 160 gr).

Anyways, you might want to try and pickthe issue up, very nice/informative article on teh .280 AI


Oh, the rifle in teh article is built by Dakota Arms on a Nesika action. Uses a Lilja 1:9 24", jewel trigger, B&C stock....and author produced a group measuring 0.8 inch at 200 meters...

Was geting 3177 FPS with a 140 Rem AccuTip, and 3061 FPS with 150 Barnes TTSX and 3038 FPS with a 160 Gr Nosler AccuBond
 
Re: .280 ackley imp.

I built a .280 on a Model 70 two years ago. Thought about the Ackley, but went with standard .280. I used a Shilen 1:9 barrel at 25 inches. I believe the contour is #5, I measured the muzzle and it was .695. I used an H/S Precision stock. With factory Remington green box 140 gr. bullets it shoots 1 inch groups at 100.
 
Re: .280 ackley imp.

If you want a killing machine

Run the 180 Bergers

I shot numerous animals and every single one was DRT!

I ran a 26 inch 1/8

The 280 AI is one of.....if not the most under rated caliber on the market

I always was a huge partition fan for hunting. That was untill I started using bergers. Run a 1/9 or faster and shoot the 168 or 180s

You will not regret it!!!
 
Re: .280 ackley imp.

I've got one being built right now by GAP. 24" Bartlein #3 contour (~0.690" at muzzle). GAP recommended a 1 in 8.7" twist to shoot up to the 168/175g. I ran the JBM Stability calculator (shows a 1.562 stability factor for a 168g Berger having an OAL of 1.437" at 2900fps at 0degF). Didn't have the OAL for a 180g Berger but I'm sure somebody would and you can run it to verify the 1/8.7" twist will keep it stable as well.
 
Re: .280 ackley imp.

I've got one coming from GAP by the end of the month. I found the 168 Vld work real well at around 3000fps. That was one reason I got at 280ai and not a 7mag. That and the cool factor.
My barrel is a 1/8 or maybe 1/8.7.
 
Re: .280 ackley imp.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KSKevin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've got one being built right now by GAP. 24" Bartlein #3 contour (~0.690" at muzzle). GAP recommended a 1 in 8.7" twist to shoot up to the 168/175g. I ran the JBM Stability calculator (shows a 1.562 stability factor for a 168g Berger having an OAL of 1.437" at 2900fps at 0degF). Didn't have the OAL for a 180g Berger but I'm sure somebody would and you can run it to verify the 1/8.7" twist will keep it stable as well. </div></div>

Not sure why you wouldnt have the OAL for a 180 Berger???

Actually I split the cost of the reamer with GAP for my rifle. If your rumming a longaction you should be good to go.

The reamer was set up perfect for the 180 or 168 VLD

A 1/9 or faster will stabalize the 180 just fine
 
Re: .280 ackley imp.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: .257</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KSKevin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've got one being built right now by GAP. 24" Bartlein #3 contour (~0.690" at muzzle). GAP recommended a 1 in 8.7" twist to shoot up to the 168/175g. I ran the JBM Stability calculator (shows a 1.562 stability factor for a 168g Berger having an OAL of 1.437" at 2900fps at 0degF). Didn't have the OAL for a 180g Berger but I'm sure somebody would and you can run it to verify the 1/8.7" twist will keep it stable as well. </div></div>

Not sure why you wouldnt have the OAL for a 180 Berger???

Actually I split the cost of the reamer with GAP for my rifle. If your rumming a longaction you should be good to go.

The reamer was set up perfect for the 180 or 168 VLD

A 1/9 or faster will stabalize the 180 just fine </div></div>

What kinda MV were you getting with the 180's? 2825?
 
Re: .280 ackley imp.

mine is almost done. i ordered a 24" #4 contour hart, 9" twist, with snake fluting. going in a manners mcs-sl.

going to try and keep it at between 8-9lbs finished, and it'll be my walk around(semi long range hunting rifle)

planning on shooting the 168 bergers, but will have to try the 180's just for fun as well.
 
Re: .280 ackley imp.

GAP 280AI
WIN M70
Bartlien Med. Palma
1:9
Manners T

I run the 168 Bergers at 2950
Nosler brass 60 gr. RL-22
Fed 215 primer

I also run 162 A-maxes over some H4831SC

Shot my first deer past 500 this past season-520 to be exact. I have run it out to 950 with great results on steel.

Couldn't be happier!!
 
Re: .280 ackley imp.

i'm not set up to reload, but mine is still running pretty hot with the nosler 160 soft points. i like the little round i think it's a better pick than a 7mm mag. i'll have to measure my barrel and check the twist rate
 
Re: .280 ackley imp.

280AI
Stiller Tac-300
26" Rock 8.7 twist
162 Amax with 4831sc
Nosler Brass
CCI primer

3000fps

I have also thought about building a light hunting rig in the same caliber. I can't say a bad thing about it.
 
Re: .280 ackley imp.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: .257</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KSKevin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've got one being built right now by GAP. 24" Bartlein #3 contour (~0.690" at muzzle). GAP recommended a 1 in 8.7" twist to shoot up to the 168/175g. I ran the JBM Stability calculator (shows a 1.562 stability factor for a 168g Berger having an OAL of 1.437" at 2900fps at 0degF). Didn't have the OAL for a 180g Berger but I'm sure somebody would and you can run it to verify the 1/8.7" twist will keep it stable as well. </div></div>

Not sure why you wouldnt have the OAL for a 180 Berger???

Actually I split the cost of the reamer with GAP for my rifle. If your rumming a longaction you should be good to go.

The reamer was set up perfect for the 180 or 168 VLD

A 1/9 or faster will stabalize the 180 just fine </div></div>

Given my purposes, I wasn't planning on shooting the 180s so I wasn't concerned with it. Good to know the 1/8.7 will be fine if the situation changes.
 
Re: .280 ackley imp.

I shot .280 AI. Its a round that is very, very hard to beat. I'm running a Shilen 1:9" finished at 25" with a medium contour, slightly heavier than a factory magnum. Its screwed into a 700 action. I'm running 140s over 62.0-63.0 gr of RL22 in Nosler brass with Fed 215M primers. I haven't chronoed the load, but it shows up on paper quite well and takes down game with ease.