Range Report .280 or .280 AI

[smittygs22]

Can any of you .280 shooters tell the diff between the standard, and the AI from a velocity, or accuracy standpoint?

I've heard that the standard .280 is pretty accurate. I was just wondering if the hassle of obtaining, or forming AI brass was worth having the AI over the standard. Im going to be building a long range rig, and I'm researching calibers.

 

[fcordrey]

Re: .280 or .280 AI

I went with the AI because I wanted something different . It is like all AI's in that it edges out the standard rounds with more speed . Faster .......yes . More accurate ? Don't know .

No need to form brass ..............Nosler makes really nice brass for it already .

 

[JRWALLSIII]

Re: .280 or .280 AI

Exactly what Frank said!!!!

I love my 280 AI

 

[goober]

Re: .280 or .280 AI

.257 , what do you love about you 280ai -I want to build one or a 284shehane but still undecided -tell me about this cartridge and its accuracy

 

[JRWALLSIII]

Re: .280 or .280 AI

I get a honest 2860 fps with a 26 inch barrel and 56.5 grains of RL22 and 180 Bergers. I have shot several 5 shot groups in the .2s with this rifle. I'm sure it could be pushed harder. I never attempted to hit pressure with my rifle, reson being it shot very accurately with that load so I saw no need to experiment any more.

Most guys in Fclass ( .284 win with a 30 inch barrel) are getting around that velocity with great barrel life and accuracy.

I am a fan of having something a little diffrent than most. The 280 Ackley just works!!!

Other pros to me:

You do not have to fireform the brass. The Nosler brass ain't cheap but it is very very good brass IMO.

Long Action DBM IMO is just to dang big and bulky. With Bdl bottom metal, I can easily put 4 rounds down and one in. You can't do that with a WSM or a .284 Win case.

The 284 Shehane is very intresting. I will eventually experiment with some RL17 and see what velocity/ accuracy I can get.

Bottom line is I am a big fan of the fast 7mm. I like them all. The 280 AI is honestly one cartridge I will Always own. .284 Win, 7 WSM, 7/300 WSM they are all hammers.... Oh let's not forget the 7/08 And 7/08 Ackley. I just started load development with my new 7/08 Ackley and 168 Bergers. Things are looking good with it so far.

If I were going to run long action DBM I would look hard at the 7/300 WSM

BDL= 280 Ackley

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: .280 or .280 AI

I think both go to the next notch above the .308 based cases in terms of energy sent downrange. The 7mm/.284" bullets give better BC for the same mass at their .30 caliber/.30-'06 cousins, and manage that energy better, delivering more of it downrange in the form of a greater supersonic range. Nosler has stated that for testing purposes, the .280 Rem is their chambering of choice because it delivers both excellent velocity and excellent accuracy. While I don't fault AI chamberings, I also don't employ them; I consider the .280 Rem to be plenty much enough of a good thing on its own.

I am still in the early stages of testing, but am finding quite good accuracy with H4350 and Nosler 120gr Ballistic Tips, running at a conservatively estimated 3100fps. They can be driven to roughly 3300fps. At the greater velocity, 1000yd can be reached with at least transonic speeds, but the point here is that the heavier bullets can be driven very adequately without getting matters all riled up in the engine room. This means to me that the chambering can carry the mail without a lot of excess wear and tear on the throat/bore.

Greg

 

[jrpilot]

Re: .280 or .280 AI

Nosler now sells 280AI brass.

 

[yavapai kid]

Re: .280 or .280 AI

The AI will give you 50 to 75 fps more mv and better brass life.

 

[goober]

Re: .280 or .280 AI

What kind of barrel life can one expect with the 280ai? I am going to send my new Fclass rifle down to my barrel maker to fit a 30-32 inch barrel .I will use 180gr Berger vlds and hope to get around 2950-3000 fps -what powder and how much ??

 

[Wild_Bill]

Re: .280 or .280 AI

Try AR2225 and AR2217, AR2225 is retumbo and it gives great velocity and low pressure in the 280AI i am using it in a 7mm Rem SAUM with awsome results for long range F Class.

 

[goober]

Re: .280 or .280 AI

Thanks Wild Bill

 

[Opticsspecialist]

Re: .280 or .280 AI

i shoot one, only problem is brass is hard to find lately due to the fire at nosler. i've got some factory 160 grain ammo i want to try, then i want to try it with 168 grain bergers. i love mine, toped with a nxs 5.5-22x56

 

[goober]

Re: .280 or .280 AI

Opsspecialist what sort of shooting are you doing with your 280ai .I use Norma brass -not cheap but pretty good stuff and they I believe make the Nosler 280AI Brass ?? I think . I am yet to rebarrel and shoot the 280AI but that will happen at some stage next week .I am building mine for fclass comps.

 

[PCR]

Re: .280 or .280 AI

Years ago, I fire formed new Norma brass for my .280 AI and the primer pockets opened up on about 20% of them after first firing.

 

[Opticsspecialist]

Re: .280 or .280 AI

i mostly hunt, but i like to shoot at distance when i can. right now i'm shooting nosler factory ammo then i'm reloading it because i can find any brass