6.5prc vs 280ai for my specific use case...

[Plinker147]

Yes in 22" barrel you will see a velocity drop off. Short barrel kind of negates the extra case capacity of an AI. My 24" AI gets 2850 with 175 gr. That's about a grain below pressure signs with R23. I still think you could launch some 155-160 at a solid 2900-50 in a 22" barrel. Make a nice suppressed rig

 

[XSIVSPD]

Yes in 22" barrel you will see a velocity drop off. Short barrel kind of negates the extra case capacity of an AI. My 24" AI gets 2850 with 175 gr. That's about a grain below pressure signs with R23. I still think you could launch some 155-160 at a solid 2900-50 in a 22" barrel. Make a nice suppressed rig

If you were to drop down to that weight range, wouldn't it make more sense so go with the prc? Similar weight bullets (thinking the berger 156) with a higher bc and SD at the same speeds since it has a 24" barrel?

 

[Mcarso1]

Thanks for all the replies! This is great!

I should also mention it will wear a brake with a suppressor over it for the overwhelming amount of its trips, so that will add about 14oz to the gun as well as help keep recoil low.

It seems like most people that rave about the 280ai have a 26" barrel. Will I be missing out on a lot of that velocity with the 22 or is the loss not that significant?

When you guys talk about 180s in it which bullets are you using? Something like the eld-m or berger/Sierra? Would the 195 be worth even testing in a 280ai with a 9 twist?

I have some I've been meaning to load in my 28nosler or 7mag/rum


Keep 'em coming please and thanks!

In the process of the 280ai build on a 24" barrel 9 twist and looking forward to the 168VLD, just going off of the info from others and previous success and happiness with the 6.5 140VLD in my 6.5x284.

 

[Plinker147]

If you were to drop down to that weight range, wouldn't it make more sense so go with the prc? Similar weight bullets (thinking the berger 156) with a higher bc and SD at the same speeds since it has a 24" barrel?

You could say that, really splitting hairs at that point. I think for the OPs purposes 280 AI shooting 155 (TLR) they have high BC and would be a great high retention bullet for OP's environment

 

[JarHeadTim]

Hands Down .280 AI

We hunt 7 big properties in Texas where 1,000+ shots abound and @ 26" with a 150 ABLR we have crushed everything we have shot from whitetail and mild deer to giant pigs (north of 550 pounds).

Recoil is nominal, accuracy is excellent (.290 three shot group) and low single digit SD's

If you want specific's PM me...

S/F

 

[Craig Miller]

Tag

 

[JarHeadTim]

MULE DEER that was supposed to say, guess I was too late to edit?

 

[chparatrooper88]

Thanks for all the replies! This is great!

I should also mention it will wear a brake with a suppressor over it for the overwhelming amount of its trips, so that will add about 14oz to the gun as well as help keep recoil low.

It seems like most people that rave about the 280ai have a 26" barrel. Will I be missing out on a lot of that velocity with the 22 or is the loss not that significant?

When you guys talk about 180s in it which bullets are you using? Something like the eld-m or berger/Sierra? Would the 195 be worth even testing in a 280ai with a 9 twist?

I have some I've been meaning to load in my 28nosler or 7mag/rum


Keep 'em coming please and thanks!

I had a .280 AI. Went on a hunt in far west Texas and realized I left my field pack along with my handloads. I always have a back up and that was a first gen Sendero in 7mm Remington Magnum. That Audad did not take a step. Actually more of a tumble. Good luck.

 

[dougduey]

I own a 6.5-284 Norma and a 280 AI. With RL26, you can basically match the performance of the Norma with 140 gr bullets. I get 3000 fps in the Norma and 2952 fps with the Creed. Since you already own a Norma, the PRC is like having the same thing.
The 280 AI is fantastic. It really shines with 150-160 gr bullets. Contact JarHead Tim for his info. He was able to hit the higher node in his 280 AI with the 150 ABLR compared to me (3200 fps compared to 3100 fps). If you're really set on 175-180 gr bullets, move up to a 7 Rem Mag, 7 Weatherby. 7 STW or 28 Nosler in order to get the performance you want with the heavier bullets.

 

[dougduey]

Oops. Needed to add.
The Norma and Creed pretty much get the same performance with RL26 and 140 gr bullets.

 

[JarHeadTim]

Oops. Needed to add.
The Norma and Creed pretty much get the same performance with RL26 and 140 gr bullets.

Hi Doug... 3,253 YMMV

 

[Philward]

Thanks for all the replies! This is great!

I should also mention it will wear a brake with a suppressor over it for the overwhelming amount of its trips, so that will add about 14oz to the gun as well as help keep recoil low.

It seems like most people that rave about the 280ai have a 26" barrel. Will I be missing out on a lot of that velocity with the 22 or is the loss not that significant?

When you guys talk about 180s in it which bullets are you using? Something like the eld-m or berger/Sierra? Would the 195 be worth even testing in a 280ai with a 9 twist?

I have some I've been meaning to load in my 28nosler or 7mag/rum


Keep 'em coming please and thanks!

Savage offering only 22"barrels for that cartridge is why I quit considering them for a 280ai.

 

[vancewalker007]

I thought it was more like 200fps+ over the creed? I know my 6.5x284 is and I'm not pushing it hard.

I've been keeping track of the clickers thread too. I was a machinist and have access to a lathe if I need to polish a couple thou out of the chamber.

For the 280ai, what kind of accuracy & speeds are you getting with a 180?

I can tell you from practical experience I'm getting 3040fps from my 6.5 PRC with a 26in barrel and the Berger 156 EOL. So, it it's quite a bit more than the CM. But, if you are really limiting your range that much you won't see an advantage in the higher BC bullets the 6.5 PRC can handle vs the typical bullets used in the 280AI. At 500 are less it's really a coin flip. The PRC will loose less fps than the longer cases. Gunwerks recently did a bunch of barrel length tests on several cartridges and the PRC and SAUMs lost the least, you should listen to their podcast on barrel lengths, 20-24fps per inch. The short fat cases are very efficient. At 500 yards either cartridge should be fine accuracy wise. Recoil wise they will likely be very close. My PRC has very little recoil and the 280 Rem I had was very similar which is close to the PRC. My 25 year old 5'4" daughter (not a shooter) handled the PRC with no problem. It's a 7 3/4 lb scoped rifle.

The 280AI will shoot heavier bullets so maybe give more ft lbs 300-400 yards.

The PRC will be a little more effecint on powder burn in short barrels, have a little lower recoil, will fit in a short action with a 2.995 mag

Both 7mm and 6.5mm have great bullet choices.

Terrible to have choices.

 

[Raudy707]

After shooting my 280 AI for 1 year and taking 2 blacktail, 2 mule deer, 1 wild pig and 1 elk, I sold my 6.5 PRC. I kept the Creed for a great cheap ammo range gun and great blacktail deer rifle. The PRC just didn't have a place in my gun safe anymore. My daughter used the Creed until switching back to her original 7mm-08. She's just more comfortable with her compact 7mm-08. My wife liked the Creed as well but now she's got her own 280 AI as we do hunt elk regularly. So the PRC was in the grey area. I struggled to find components for it and in the long run just couldn't find a slot for it. But the 280 AI with a 168 VLD and Rldr 23 is a mean cat. Come to think of it, I may have a 7 mag for sale soon.