7 rem mag or 280 ack?

[Huntslow]

I would pick the 7RM if hunting as you can get it almost everywhere. Not so with the.280 AI.

 

[SSG Graybush]

Old question but I have set parameters that I'm working in.
Gun is to be built. Will be saami spec 280 or 7 rem with 1/8 ish barrel.
I have:
7 rem mag dies and brass.
Hundreds of 180 gr bullets.
8 lbs H1000
Fed match primers 210 and 215
Currently have a ackley chamber 280 rifle and dies.
So I will need 280 ack saami dies and brass.
Tired of fire forming.
Rifle will have a 26 inch barrel and a brake.
Must hit 2950+ with 180 class bullets.
Will be used for 1k shooting and hunting.
RBros just posted a 280 ack for sale 24 inch running 2950 with 180's.
Thoughts?

I have a 26" 7mag 8T and it shoots a 180 vld-h at 2912-2917 fps, depending on temp with 68.8 grs H1000, ES 15 fps, 67-73 thou jump is node so I seat at 70 thou, Norma brass bumped back 2 thou, cci250.
RL26 was faster, but it was more temp sensitive at ~1 fps per degree. I could push it faster with H1000 but 2950 fps would be about max. The node it's in is pretty solid at .427 moa tested to 300 yards on paper and bangs steel plates excellently to 1000 yards. I know you have 7mag dies but I'd probably do a 7 prc, I did my 7mag 8T before the 7 prc came out. Am not a belt hater, HS and then treat it like a non belted round as far as bumping the shoulder back 2 thou, I get 15 firings and retire brass without any issues. Imo the 7mag case size is perfect for hunting. It carries just enough energy to 1000 yards to kill anything in CONUS, with the least amount of recoil. View attachment 20230811_133839.jpg
The 280 ai is just a tad smaller/slower. So to get to your speed goal imo the 7mag would be a better choice. Both need a LA just different bolt faces.
Both are in that light mag category, with the wsm's, prc's and sst's. All good choices for hunting.

 

[john k]

I shoot/load/hunt with both cartridges and I prefer the .280AI. I don't use any brakes or suppressors so their is a noticeable difference in recoil and I believe the .280AI is more efficient. I also do not shoot an animal past 500 yards. This being a long range forum, with OP's desire to shoot an heavy bullet in 7mm at 1K yards, and with 8lbs of H1000 I would defer to the 7mag. Don't get hung up on 30-50 fps. Take it from me, as I'm in therapy from the mental anguish it causes.
P.S. That RBros rifle will perform!

 

[Raudy707]

Agree! ^^^

 

[osok-1k]

I'm about to do a 280AI for my next project. I have an older 700 LA 270 that needs a barrel so I bought an Ace 1-8 sendero 26" for the project. This particular action has the best bolt timing I've seen on a Rem 700, I think I'll true the face, add a ground recoil lug, and probably Salt Bath Nitride the whole thing or DLC. I'm thinking to send it to LRI, I wish I knew of someone in the Houston area who is on par with LRI but I don't.

 

[CCAguns]

Likewise. More credibility from those who have both.

 

[1raggedhole]

One can't go wrong with a 7 Mag......or a .280 AI.

 

[KsKevin]

Don't have the 7RM to compare to but a couple of loads in my 280ai with 24" proof 8twst…
* 180g VLDH, 2920fps, RL23 (near max)
* 168g BLDH, 2960fps, RL23 (max was a touch over 3000fps)
* 140g Absolute Hammer, 3322fps, H4350 (max was ~3400 IIRC)

For what you described, a 280ai using a 26" barrel will likely get to the speeds you desire but you may need a different powder and you'll be getting close to max. The 7RM should allow you to get there more easily and with the H1000.

 

[Kentucky Boo]

Old question but I have set parameters that I'm working in.
Gun is to be built. Will be saami spec 280 or 7 rem with 1/8 ish barrel.
I have:
7 rem mag dies and brass.
Hundreds of 180 gr bullets.
8 lbs H1000
Fed match primers 210 and 215
Currently have a ackley chamber 280 rifle and dies.
So I will need 280 ack saami dies and brass.
Tired of fire forming.
Rifle will have a 26 inch barrel and a brake.
Must hit 2950+ with 180 class bullets.
Will be used for 1k shooting and hunting.
RBros just posted a 280 ack for sale 24 inch running 2950 with 180's.
Thoughts?

I have both and you can't go wrong with either. I prefer the AI though

 

[brnilsson]

Not the real question, but what is IDFG doing?

We dont need to rob this guys thread, the explaination is long. In short they put a group of people together from around the state, i applied but wasnt selected, to look at redefining fair chase hunting with todays technology. The guys who got the ball rolling are from pocatello and they aren't fans of the longrange shooting when it comes to applying it to hunting. Ultimately they are aiming to limit the rangefinder capabilities to 600 yrds and scopes to a max of 9 power. I dont know what the outcome will be, im assuming it wont come out full force. We will probably end up with some limitations and gradually head, annually, to the full limitations.

 

[jbur13]

Since you already have the brass, powder, bullets and dies, go 7RM!
Easy 3k with the 26" 8t.

 

[ImBillT]

Im surprised at the number of mentions of RL-23. I can't fit enough in my 280ai to get top velocity.

 

[memtb]

I've never owned any 7mm/280…..but for some "illogical/unexplainanable" reason, I've always liked the 280 AI

 

[6.5x300 WBY]

Easy Peasy, 7RM all day.