liv4thehunt
Well-Known Member
280AI
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Long range mule deer rifle
- Thread starter IdahoHunter208
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HTJ
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2013
- Messages
- 64
Great calibers but there is nothing you can do with the 280AI that the 270 wont do. 270 is a fantastic caliber, easy to shoot, great long range caliber on the proper animal and ammo is way less expensive if you buy factory ammo not to mention you can find it anywhere if need VS the AI.
Secondly I am not questioning your shooting ability but 800-1000 is a long way to shoot accurately under hunting conditions at an animal that needs to be harvested with one shot! Much different than shooting steel!
ThorThor
Well-Known Member
800-1000 yards on mule deer - I would go 7mm at a minimum. Standard bolt face and Lon action I would go 280 AI. I have a 7mm ultra w a Berger 195 at 3100 and love it for long range on medium game. It carries very well out to those distances although 634 yards is as far as I have shot game with it (antelope).
800 plus yards is a long way to shoot anything live. Take a look at remaining energy and velocity at those ranges. Depending on bullet and initial velocity you may be under 1000 ft lbs of energy at those ranges.
800 plus yards is a long way to shoot anything live. Take a look at remaining energy and velocity at those ranges. Depending on bullet and initial velocity you may be under 1000 ft lbs of energy at those ranges.
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What is the caliber of your R700?
6MM06AI
Well-Known Member
Lots of good options! I really like my 280 AI. If you go that route I would suggest an 8 twist for the longer heavies. But if your barrel is not shot out, I've heard good things about the 30-06 AI. Just have it reamed out and your good to go. Have fun
While there are several cartridges that will get the job done well, I became addicted to the 6.5x284 for medium game hunting about 10 years ago. I have taken several big bodied Alberta mule deer(and the same number of big white tails) out to 1000 yards with my 6.5x284 loaded to 2975-3000FPS with 140 class VLD's. It's very accurate, has manageable recoil, great ballistics, and most importantly, with the high sectional density 140gr+ VLD's, it demonstrates excellent killing power over a wide latitude of range. I have never experienced feeding issues with any of my 6.5x284 rifles, including a custom build using a standard LA BDL/floorplate taken from a 30-06. No mods necessary. Maybe the feeding issue drama comes from the same crowd that suffers from the short barrel life neurosis.
Some of the big mule deer taken with my 6.5x284 between 400 and 1000 yards. All DRT with chest shots.
Some of the big mule deer taken with my 6.5x284 between 400 and 1000 yards. All DRT with chest shots.
longrangebob
Well-Known Member
If rifle is accurate - considered a 30-06AI ?.
Loved mine - gave to son!?!
Have 2 - 280AI (single shot falling block Browning & Borden custom) both magnificent ....
6.5/284 Mauser 98 (my Real Lite Weight for long treks)
Excellent Calibres All !!!
Loved mine - gave to son!?!
Have 2 - 280AI (single shot falling block Browning & Borden custom) both magnificent ....
6.5/284 Mauser 98 (my Real Lite Weight for long treks)
Excellent Calibres All !!!
280 AI or if you want a 6.5 do 6.5-06 AI. Cases are easy, buy 280AI brass and get a bushing 280 AI Die.... change bushings to size to .264 and one pass brass!!
Either will shine as a LR mule deer rifle. Or for antelope or Elk for that matter!
Either will shine as a LR mule deer rifle. Or for antelope or Elk for that matter!
dougduey
Well-Known Member
I rebarreled a 30-06 to a 6.5-284 without an issue. I'm on its second barrel now. It's one hell of a cartridge and it has plenty of power for mule deer. It's pretty easy to find a good load and it's super accurate with very low recoil. Although I wouldn't use it for elk, many do with great success. A NM outfitter that I've hunted a lot with loves this cartridge for deer and pronghorn. He said they've also taken quite a few big bull elk and oryx with it and a 140 gr bullet.
The 280 AI is a very fine cartridge, too. I don't think you'll go wrong choosing either one. But, if you're going to bump up to a 7mm bullet, why not just go to a 7 Rem Mag?
Have you ever considered any of the Sherman cartridges?? They're pretty awesome. Very efficient. Look up Elkaholic on this site (that's Richards username). He can tell you all about them and what would work best for you.
If you're buying....gotta throw a vote in for the 28 Nosler. 180's Hybrids at ~3150 have been outstanding, easy on cases, deadly, and shoot out to 1,100 Just Fine. 195's will give you more of the same with a little better wind bucking at 800+. If you keep the old action, there are a bunch of great choices as noted by everyone, 280AI, 7RM, and 300Win (with a little work) would get the nod in my book.
Whaler63
Member
Lotsa rounds out there that will fill the bill. If I understand correctly - 800-1000 yds Deer gun. Right? Reliable trajectory and ability to mitigate windage better than others would be a key criteria you might look at. Then consider what your energy at 1000 yards should be to accomplish the task. Of the rounds that come to mind: 300WM & most other 300 and 7mm magnums. 338WM, 270WSM to name a few. I'm not convinced that the 6.5CM is a 1000 yard deer round, let alone a 600 yard deer round. But I am willing to be educated. Also keep in mind that a 1000 yard gun is not a mountain rifle that you toss on your shoulder and tip toe over the mountain peaks with. Its gonna be heavy and most likely shot from a rest or bipod.
If you're heart is set on keeping your action/bolt face the same and just screwing in another barrel...you may give the 270 Winchester a hard look. Nosler makes a 150grain Accubond Long-range bullet with a G1 Ballistic Coefficient of .625. Move the extra savings into a heavy optic and start working up loads for you new gun. You can also use your old '06 brass and neck it down the .277.
Best of luck, let us know how it works out.
Cheers,
FRS
Built my 280AI on a Vanguard action. It is stupid accurate.
I prefer the 160-162gr bullets for hunting, especially the 162 ELD-X.
I shoot 175gr Sierra GK and the 162ELD-X out to 1000m at steel, but limit my deer hunting to 500-750yds.
This rifle/barrel is standard weight with a can. Easy to load for, pleasure to shoot.
You will sacrifice nothing over similar cartridges like 7RemMag, 6.5-06, etc., and load work-up is easy.
ETA: What @Whaler63 says about the 270WIN holds water, too. I also built a heavy barrel 270WIN that will kill a pie plate at 1000yds. I've gotten one clay pigeon at that distance.
I also have a Rem 721 action rebarreled with a Benchmark barrel and Remage nut system for deer hunting. Have several bang-flop deer kills out to 500yds using the 140gr SST.
Both of my 270WIN builds use Benchmark barrels and have 1-9 twist. If 270WIN had come out with 1-9 twist years ago......well I won't start that argument up.
The 150ABLR would be a good choice if your gun likes it
I prefer the 160-162gr bullets for hunting, especially the 162 ELD-X.
I shoot 175gr Sierra GK and the 162ELD-X out to 1000m at steel, but limit my deer hunting to 500-750yds.
This rifle/barrel is standard weight with a can. Easy to load for, pleasure to shoot.
You will sacrifice nothing over similar cartridges like 7RemMag, 6.5-06, etc., and load work-up is easy.
ETA: What @Whaler63 says about the 270WIN holds water, too. I also built a heavy barrel 270WIN that will kill a pie plate at 1000yds. I've gotten one clay pigeon at that distance.
I also have a Rem 721 action rebarreled with a Benchmark barrel and Remage nut system for deer hunting. Have several bang-flop deer kills out to 500yds using the 140gr SST.
Both of my 270WIN builds use Benchmark barrels and have 1-9 twist. If 270WIN had come out with 1-9 twist years ago......well I won't start that argument up.
The 150ABLR would be a good choice if your gun likes it
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