I will hunt mostly deer, antelope, black bear, maybe some elk but elk won't really be a regular thing most likely. Initially, I thought the 280AI was the coolest, and best thing ever as "do all" cartridge but after looking less at the hype and more comparing ballistics with the 270 Win, it seems to have a negligible or just slight advantage up to 150gr bullets at which point it has the advantage but mostly because there are almost no bullets heavier than that for 270.
I am just looking for a factory rifle around or preferably under $1000, not heavy but not one with a pencil thin bbl either and the only 280ai I can find like that is the savage 110 but it has a 22 inch bbl...compare that to either a weatherby vanguard or Bergara B14 in 270 and those both have 24 inch bbl. I have carried guns of various barrel length through the woods all my life and can't imagine that I would notice a difference in convenience between a 22 and 24 inch so I don't really care about that....being that the cartridges are already pretty close in ballistics, Is there any reason to go with a 22 inch 280AI vs a 24 inch 270? Can anyone with those cartridge/bbl combos comment on what speeds are you getting? I suspect a 24 inch 270 will be exactly the same as a 22 inch 280ai or possibly beat it. I understand I'm splitting hairs here but I would love your guys' opinions. Which would you buy?
Also ammo isn't a factor, I have an in-law showing me the ropes on reloading.
I am just looking for a factory rifle around or preferably under $1000, not heavy but not one with a pencil thin bbl either and the only 280ai I can find like that is the savage 110 but it has a 22 inch bbl...compare that to either a weatherby vanguard or Bergara B14 in 270 and those both have 24 inch bbl. I have carried guns of various barrel length through the woods all my life and can't imagine that I would notice a difference in convenience between a 22 and 24 inch so I don't really care about that....being that the cartridges are already pretty close in ballistics, Is there any reason to go with a 22 inch 280AI vs a 24 inch 270? Can anyone with those cartridge/bbl combos comment on what speeds are you getting? I suspect a 24 inch 270 will be exactly the same as a 22 inch 280ai or possibly beat it. I understand I'm splitting hairs here but I would love your guys' opinions. Which would you buy?
Also ammo isn't a factor, I have an in-law showing me the ropes on reloading.