7 rem mag or 280 ack?

[Calvin45]

I vote 280AI!

On the one hand you already have all the stuff you need for 7rem. But where's the fun in that!? Time to "need" to try something new

 

[Mark37082]

I've had more than one 7RM and one 280AI. The OP was very specific in his desires. Even though I sold my 7RM's, I would recommend it over the 280AI for 180's and H1000. To be honest, if I was locked in on shooting heavy for caliber .284 pills with H1000 at high velocity, I would be looking at a 28N, STW, or RUM.

 

[Rflshootr]

Keep in mind that most barrel blanks come 28" long and will finish at 27" after taking 1" off the muzzle. If that extra inch doesn't bother you, I'd go that way instead of 26". You'll pick up a little more velocity. It's there so you may as well use it.

 

[southpa]

Ill kiss anyone's *** on here if you can find me an animal that can tell the difference between a 7mag or 280ai. That is, if its still alive to say.
I shoot 280ai 180 pills at 2756 over 4831sc, bug holes all day. Not one critter has ever been able to complain. Thats a true dope too, not chronograph numbers. You can get another 100-150fps or better with R23, good luck finding any, so why waste powder on a 7mag? Unless every hunting or shooting situation you experience is hella windy, those extra fps wont amount to much.
If you hunt Idaho, dont worry about longrange hunting, the IDFG is in the process of shutting it down anyway! Bitterness intended!

Respectfully everyone has their own desires. The OP has specific desires. The general consensus would be a 7mag to get him to his destination. We could all drive a prius but this is America so we all choose what we want. Nothing different.

Also, I seem to remember talks of these meetings on how to "fair chase proof" Idaho but this is the first I've heard of range limits. Maybe you could start another thread regarding this for discussion so we aren't hijacking the OP? Sorry for this OP.

 

[dogz]

I have both. Personally, I think many people get a 280 AI and go to extreme lengths to try to get magnum performance out of that cartridge. The 280 AI is a great cartridge, but it won't quite achieve magnum level performance, if that is what you're looking for.

I think you would be pushing a 280 AI VERY hard to achieve what you're looking for.

Good words, of course I've learned over loading for 54 years is that I can make a cartridge do whatever I want to make it do if I want to bad enough. Heck I can even do it and doing it with no pressure signs.......................snork

Pressure equals speed and speed equals pressure. No getting around that no matter how much one twists it

 

[Mcranch]

As stated before, I have the old school 280ai. Have used since around 94, with Nosler 160 and rl19 it shoots better than I can. I only have a lb. of it left. It hammers anything I point it at. I have many other rifles but this one has been my workhorse. I have a twentfive inch barrel on it if I remember correctly it was called a beanfield caliber. To me it doesn't have much recoil but I'm not recoil sensitive

 

[jake545]

X6!

ADDED as an FYI only - for what it is worth.

Maximum SAAMI pressure - 7MM RM = 62,366 PSI, .280 RM = 60, 000 PSI.

280 AI is saami at 65,000psi

 

[Frank in the Laurels]

7mm Rem Mag, take 2 grains out and you got your 280AI, which is also a fine cartridge...no contest with heavy bullets..

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

7 REM MAG

280Ai Is For Sissies.

 

[tomcat818]

Is this the RBros you mentioned?

If so, did you get the load data directly from Travis since I don't see it on the website? Contemplating whether I should have a custom reamer made or go SAAMI for a new 280AI build so curious whether the RBros rifle you mentioned is a custom reamer for the 180gr bullet to reach 2950fps out of a 24". I think it's a stretch for this cartridge to get 2950 shooting 180gr with a 26" barrel which has me contemplating running a 27" with no muzzle device to get close to that velocity shooting 175EH's.
Reasons for choosing the AI:
Accuracy 280AI has shown to be a very accurate cartridge in both factory and custom rifles at least as accurate as a 7RM.
Efficiency (Component costs are becoming prohibitive)
I reload so not worried about factory ammo availability
Cartridge capable of taking all North American game.
Moderate recoil since this rifle will be setup @ just over 9lbs ready to hunt for Western mountain hunting
800yd max range (175EH @ 2925) for elk which is more range than I'll ever need.

 

[rharfo]

Is this the RBros you mentioned?
View attachment 637645
If so, did you get the load data directly from Travis since I don't see it on the website? Contemplating whether I should have a custom reamer made or go SAAMI for a new 280AI build so curious whether the RBros rifle you mentioned is a custom reamer for the 180gr bullet to reach 2950fps out of a 24". I think it's a stretch for this cartridge to get 2950 shooting 180gr with a 26" barrel which has me contemplating running a 27" with no muzzle device to get close to that velocity shooting 175EH's.
Reasons for choosing the AI:
Accuracy 280AI has shown to be a very accurate cartridge in both factory and custom rifles at least as accurate as a 7RM.
Efficiency (Component costs are becoming prohibitive)
I reload so not worried about factory ammo availability
Cartridge capable of taking all North American game.
Moderate recoil since this rifle will be setup @ just over 9lbs ready to hunt for Western mountain hunting
800yd max range (175EH @ 2925) for elk which is more range than I'll ever need.

 

[tomcat818]

Wow 2980 that's smoking! makes one wonder what powder\COAL??

 

[muffin 02]

7 Mag

 

[FEENIX]

280 AI is saami at 65,000psi

LOL! I have heard that improving a 280 Rem (60,000 PSI) to .280 AI will increase pressure to 65,000 PSI. That's why I went with improving .270 Win (65,000 PSI) instead; if the same concept/principle applies, a .270 AI should be 70,000 PSI.