Fast(er) twist 280AI

[Wapiti406]

I've been contemplating stepping back from the 300 win mag to a 280ai. Seems like most factory rifles are 1-10 twist. What are the faster twist (1-9 and under) barrels on the market?

 

[WeiserBucks]

I'm not a fan of factory barrels, aftermarket barrels are available in whatever twist you want.

 

[manitou1]

Lots of suppliers of after market/custom barrels.
Northland Shooter's Supply can rig you with a DIY set up.

 

[mtnkid85]

Are you by chance looking at Kimber? There 280ai is a 1-9 twist.

 

[Warrior27]

I have a 280AI Fierce Edge on order that has a 1-9.

 

[Wapiti406]

Thanks, guys

 

[Baddog]

How long has kimber been 1-9 ?

 

[6mm Remington]

I had a rifle built on a Model 70 Action and got a Shilen match grade barrel in 1-9 twist.

 

[GACory]

"I had a rifle built on a Model 70 Action and got a Shilen match grade barrel in 1-9 twist."

That's what I'm about to build.

 

[MuleyFever]

How long has kimber been 1-9 ?

I bought mine at the start of 2019 and it has a 9 twist.

Just ordered a build from HCA and am going with an 8.5.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Cooper is 1:9

 

[30338]

I'd go 8 or 8.5 and shoot stuff like Lapua 180 Scenars in it. Plus there are multiple other 175 plus grain bullets that would do well if throated properly. I'd probably just go straight 280.

 

[khuber84]

Christensen uses a 9tw on their 280ai as well.

 

[FCCDerek]

Sorry to resurrect an old post, but I just had a 280AI built with a Bartlein 1-8" twist barrel, throated for Nosler 175ABLR's. Still doing load development but thus far its a serious shooter.

 

[manitou1]

Bartlein also makes a stock 1-8.44 .284 blank.

 

[JPeters218]

I have a question about heavy for caliber bullets. I hear a lot about people getting fast twist barrels so they can shoot heavy bullets. When you start getting into the 175-180gr in 280ai, wouldn’t 30-06 start to out perform it? It seems to me 140-160gr is the sweet spot for 280ai.
I’ve also noticed people doing the same with 25-06. Going fast twist to shoot 130gr bullets. Why not go .270 at that point? Personally I think the 25-06 shines because of its velocity, but when you start getting into heavier bullets it starts to slow down right?

 

[cacklercrazy]

"I had a rifle built on a Model 70 Action and got a Shilen match grade barrel in 1-9 twist."

That's what I'm about to build.

Very interested in info on this. I got a couple m70's I wouldn't might doing something similar.

 

[wind gypsy]

I have a question about heavy for caliber bullets. I hear a lot about people getting fast twist barrels so they can shoot heavy bullets. When you start getting into the 175-180gr in 280ai, wouldn’t 30-06 start to out perform it?

The 175-180 grain 284 bullets typically have at least 0.100 better G1 BC than a comparable weight 30 cal bullet so they significantly outperform a 30/06 in regards to external ballistics. This would be true in a 280 vs 30/06 as well but is amplified by the larger case of the AI.

I’ve also noticed people doing the same with 25-06. Going fast twist to shoot 130gr bullets. Why not go .270 at that point? Personally I think the 25-06 shines because of its velocity, but when you start getting into heavier bullets it starts to slow down right?

Same story as above. The new 130+ .25 cal bullets are way slicker than 130 grain 270 bullets. You can probably push a 130 a tad faster in a 270 than a 25/06 but the big step up in BC for the heavy 25s negates that in a hurry. The 06 case is a big case for the 25 bore so you still get high velocities even with 130 class bullets.

 

[JPeters218]

The 175-180 grain 284 bullets typically have at least 0.100 better G1 BC than a comparable weight 30 cal bullet so they significantly outperform a 30/06 in regards to external ballistics. This would be true in a 280 vs 30/06 as well but is amplified by the larger case of the AI.



Same story as above. The new 130+ .25 cal bullets are way slicker than 130 grain 270 bullets. You can probably push a 130 a tad faster in a 270 than a 25/06 but the big step up in BC for the heavy 25s negates that in a hurry. The 06 case is a big case for the 25 bore so you still get high velocities even with 130 class bullets.

That’s kinda what I figured. I don’t reload and I’m not into super long range stuff so bc isn’t something I really pay attention to.


I am putting together a 25-06 for a deer/ antelope gun tho that I’ll use out to 500, but I plan to shoot either 100gr Barnes or 110 accubonds, so I went with just a 10 twist 24”.

 

[nwelsh]

I have a question about heavy for caliber bullets. I hear a lot about people getting fast twist barrels so they can shoot heavy bullets. When you start getting into the 175-180gr in 280ai, wouldn’t 30-06 start to out perform it? It seems to me 140-160gr is the sweet spot for 280ai.
I’ve also noticed people doing the same with 25-06. Going fast twist to shoot 130gr bullets. Why not go .270 at that point? Personally I think the 25-06 shines because of its velocity, but when you start getting into heavier bullets it starts to slow down right?