280 AI Production Rifle Recommendation

[Mark37082]

You'll be fine with a 9 twist unless you want to shoot long mono's. I had 9.5 in a 7RM and it shot 168's really well.

 

[manitou]

Yup. 1:9 is fine for 160s.

 

[MagnumManiac]

I like my Kimber's, never had any of the accuracy issues I see on the interweb.

Cheers.

 

[7mm man]

I have an X-Bolt speed in 280AI, love it, recommend it for a production rifle. They stocks are pretty firm and don't bend easily under stress. You can load the heavies further out the case with mine. It loves 168 Barnes LRX bullets.

 

[7mm man]

X-Bolts have a 1 in 8 twist too I think.

 

[CCAguns]

160gr NABs or NPs not a problem in my 1:9 rifle.

 

[Buck1970]

Recently purchased the xbolt long range max. Stock, trigger, ease of shooting all great. However we can not make it group less than 2" with 162 hornadys and H4831. About to try 150's and have 165 and 175 on the way. 1/8 twist. Any suggestions are appreciated, as I'm closed to ready to sell it.

 

[7mm man]

Recently purchased the xbolt long range max. Stock, trigger, ease of shooting all great. However we can not make it group less than 2" with 162 hornadys and H4831. About to try 150's and have 165 and 175 on the way. 1/8 twist. Any suggestions are appreciated, as I'm closed to ready to sell it.

Try heavy and long bullets. My X-Bolt speed only like the heaviest, longest bullets. The 168LRX specifically.

 

[birddog 68]

1:10 twist here and no problem shooting 160 AB.

Recently purchased the xbolt long range max. Stock, trigger, ease of shooting all great. However we can not make it group less than 2" with 162 hornadys and H4831. About to try 150's and have 165 and 175 on the way. 1/8 twist. Any suggestions are appreciated, as I'm closed to ready to sell it.

I'm using IMR 7828 with 160's. I would try a different powder and or primer or play with the seating depth. All my Xbolt's shoot well under 1"

 

[David_h]

Recently purchased the xbolt long range max. Stock, trigger, ease of shooting all great. However we can not make it group less than 2" with 162 hornadys and H4831. About to try 150's and have 165 and 175 on the way. 1/8 twist. Any suggestions are appreciated, as I'm closed to ready to sell it.

Perhaps take out barreled action and inspect the factory bedding for possible improvement opportunities? My two x-bolt are my only bolt guns that I have not bedded myself as they shoot well with factory bedding. However mine are the carbon stocks and I've not had the op0ortunity to play with the composite stocks yet.

 

[Tim Sharp]

I want to try my hand at the 280 Ackley but don't want to spend $3000+ on a custom type rifle. Would love to hear some recommendations on a good production rifle. Seems that Kimber produces their excellent mountain line in 280 Ackley, as well as some Savage and Weatherby offerings. Can anyone recommend something that I could get into and be shooting in the next week or so?

The Savage High Country might be a place to look. I have one in 270 win and it is wonderfully accurate with factory ammo. In fact, it shoots so well, I don't waste my time handloading for it. Additionally, it is threaded for a suppressor; however, the factory trigger was replaced with a Timney.

 

[manitou]

Recently purchased the xbolt long range max. Stock, trigger, ease of shooting all great. However we can not make it group less than 2" with 162 hornadys and H4831. About to try 150's and have 165 and 175 on the way. 1/8 twist. Any suggestions are appreciated, as I'm closed to ready to sell it.

Mine is liking the LR 168 Accubonds.

 

[Adrenalinejunkee]

I want to try my hand at the 280 Ackley but don't want to spend $3000+ on a custom type rifle. Would love to hear some recommendations on a good production rifle. Seems that Kimber produces their excellent mountain line in 280 Ackley, as well as some Savage and Weatherby offerings. Can anyone recommend something that I could get into and be shooting in the next week or so?

I bought a Kimber Pro Hunter in .280 Ackley last year for $899 on sale. It shoots .5 MOA with Hornady Long Range Hunter ammo.

 

[Buck1970]

We tried 150 grains this afternoon. POA is the red 3/4" circle. Same thing it's been doing with 162's. I'm not sure what is going on. I tried federal premiums and it won't put 5 in a 2 1/2" circle.