280 AI Real World Feedback

[texjitter]

Good morning all, I'm planning my next build and am heavily considering 280 AI on a Tikka action. Would like to keep this fairly light for a mountain rifle but mainly looking for a non-magnum caliber with plenty of punch for those long shots out west. Have done lots of hunting with 7 Mag and 300 win Mag but after spending some time with my 6CM lately I've come to appreciate the shootability of a softer shooting gun (I also shoot suppressed). I don't reload yet so ammo is limited to factory offerings or ordering from somebody like Unkown Munitions.

*Mainly just wanting to hear about you experience with this round on all types of game and at what distances. Thanks!

 

[lancetkenyon]

.280AI 26" 1:9" Proof. I handload, and run a 175 Elite @ 2986fps suppressed. Basically a 7RM in a standard bolt face. Animals HATE this combo. From pronghorn to elk. From 160 to 620 yards. Scoped and suppressed, my rifle weighs just over 9lbs.
Recoil is similar to my 7RM pushing a 180 @ 2996fps w 3 port brake. Very manageable.

My buddy shoots a .280AI, 160 TMK @ 3102fps. He CRUSHES game with his. Lots of them too. From near to far.

 

[belldar]

I have to quite hearing about the 280ai! I'm bound to build one

 

[bassassassin104]

.280AI 28" 1:8.75 Bartlein pushing a. 175 ELDX 2940 fps. Running a APA Lil B' Gen 2 brake. It is a heavy gun, never put it in scales, but I would guess 12 pounds. Recoil is very manageable, less than my 308. Several Wild hogs, deer, and 2 elk taken with it. The two elk were at 475 yards. One went straight down, the other made it 25 yards.

 

[Wild Monkey]

You said you don't reload and the 280AI is a reloader Cartridge and it's basically a magnum.

 

[Tidus56]

I shoot the 162 ELDM at 3040 out of a 24 inch barrel. It's my favorite gun right now, weighs 9.8 pounds and is a pleasure to shoot. Took an elk, and 2 mule deer this year. I think you'll like it.

 

[belldar]

I shoot the 162 ELDM at 3040 out of a 24 inch barrel. It's my favorite gun right now, weighs 9.8 pounds and is a pleasure to shoot. Took an elk, and 2 mule deer this year. I think you'll like it.

That's right there with my 7/300! I need to block this post or I'm going to loose some money!

 

[BEEMAN]

Built one on a savage action last year. 24" IBI and a 154 AH deadblow with H100V gets me 3160 FPS. In the process of building another one around the 140 AH. Hoping for 3300 FPS plus out of a 23" IBI carbon. The 280 AI just works.

 

[Darryle]

I read up, looked at ballistics, and had one built. 8 3/4lbs, Defiance Anti, 26" Proof Carbon Sendero 1 in 9", topped with a Swarovski Z6 and shooting 140gr Accubond somewhere around 3200ish. 5 for 5 on whitetails out to 300yds, 3 in their tracks, 2 less than 30yds and all with one bullet each.

 

[TAZMAN]

280AI is one of the all around cartridges that is very under rated in my opinion.

 

[nimrod_gn]

280 AI on Tikka action with Proof carbon barrel and Mesa Precision stock should be in my hands from the gunsmith any day now. First load development will be with the 140 gr Absolute Hammer - hoping to run 3300-3400 fps. Should be perfect

 

[BEEMAN]

280 AI on Tikka action with Proof carbon barrel and Mesa Precision stock should be in my hands from the gunsmith any day now. First load development will be with the 140 gr Absolute Hammer - hoping to run 3300-3400 fps. Should be perfect

Look forward to your results. Unless your barrel is less than 22", it shouldn't be a problem achieving those velocities. I believe Steve was 3300+ FPS out of a 22" with the 140 AH. Just waiting on my barrel. Tenacity and paradigm stock in hand with Hawkins M5 BDL.

 

[bamban]

I pretty much copied Lance Kenyon's load in my 280A1. I chambered a Douglas XX 8 twist sporter with the wildcat version reamer. Using RWS 270 donated by Dave Tooley, I am launching the 175 EH at 2950 after fireforming through a rechambered 7-08 takeoff.

Zeroing the load with CCI250 that replaced the 210Ms, here is the group at 200 yards. After rough zero at 100, first 2 shots landed at 1030, clicked to the right, then clicked down. When zeroing new or modified load I move in 1 axis at a time to verify whether the system tracks close to straight line.

FYI, I've had 1st round hits on eSilhouttes with this load from 200 to 1000 yards.

Action is 35 yo Howa 1500.

 

[tigerwerkes]

You said you don't reload and the 280AI is a reloader Cartridge and it's basically a magnum.

Would mostly agree, but mine shoots federal premium 168 bergers better than anything i can reload so far.