Perfect 280 AI barrel length?

z987k

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Got ya. So it's a better cartridge for people who are recoil aware.

My post wasn't meant to be challenging, I was honestly just curious after looking at the ballistics. I wasn't taking the recoil into factor.

Thanks for the answer!
Everyone is recoil aware. There's not a person that shoots a 50BMG out of a 8lb gun as well as a 223 out of a 8lb gun.
The recoil from 280ai and 28 nosler are not very close to each other... unless your 28 nosler is a 30lb gun.

You have to look at what the mission for the gun is. 28 nosler is a cool cartridge, but are you hunting elk at 1000 yards?
Realistically it has very very few people that actually need it, which is why in a discussion of 280ai and a little bit of 6.5prc, it's not really appropriate as it's not in the same league at all.
 
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24 inch browning x bolt sending 162 eld x @ 2996 fps
will kill anything i decide to squeeze the trigger on from the muzzle to farther then ill ever shoot
 

Harvey_NW

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24 inch browning x bolt sending 162 eld x @ 2996 fps
will kill anything i decide to squeeze the trigger on from the muzzle to farther then ill ever shoot
Is that a factory round or your load?
 

Harvey_NW

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my hand load & i can push it faster then that (3035fps) but thats where the accuracy is in that rifle
Dang that's awesome, what powder? I just hit 100 rds on mine so hoping it settles in and speeds up soon.
 
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Dang that's awesome, what powder? I just hit 100 rds on mine so hoping it settles in and speeds up soon.
Hv-100 fed 210 primers Hornady brass have to look up the charge don't have it i front Of me
As we are pepareing to hook up the lund and head for our annual fishing trip for wallye & smallies begining in minn and ending in West Virginia.
 

manitou1

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When looking at and comparing the ballistics on the eldx it looks like the 28nosler has quite a bit more speed and energy down range than the 280 and 7 mag. How come that particular caliber isn’t being talked about?
I’m asking because I’ve been considering 280ai, 28nosler, 7 mag and 300 prc.
Mainly a western big game guy that would also like to be able to carry it in the mountains for some sheep hunting. Not looking to shoot at 1000 yards on game, for sure on the range though.
Research barrel longevity of the 28 Nosler.
Also, dead is dead. I don't need to burn all the extra powder and experience the extra muzzle blast and recoil when the 280 ai will kill everything I hunt... 1000 yds and in.
 
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my hand load & i can push it faster then that (3035fps) but thats where the accuracy is in that rifle

I pushed mine up to 3003 yesterday with 162s, no pressure signs could've went further but brass being as expensive as it is I'll be happy with 2950 or so - that way I can increase longevity of the brass and still be in magnum territory. N560 was the powder I am using, along with Nosler brass.
 
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Mine is a 24", pushing 155 hammers at 3000 fps a full grain under max pressure. Id probably go 22 inches if I were to do it again but no complaints.
 

eoperator

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I sold my 24" proof 280ai barrel w/brake and ordered an 18" bartlein, chickened out and changed my order to 20"
 

Unckebob

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I built mine on a 24" barrel - no brake.

I chose the 280AI because I reload and didn't want to deal with the belt.

If I didn't reload, I would have gone with the 7mm RM or 270 because factory ammo is significant more available for those cartridges.
 

rootacres

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20" or 22"

I built a 7mm SAUM with a Proof 22" tube. I too was strongly considering the 280 AI but went in favor of the SAUM when it was said and done. I can share why if you want me to. What I like about this package is that with a 168gr VLD at 650 yds Im still hitting at ~2000 fps and ~1500 ft/lbs of energy. That seems to be a benchmark for elk which is the largest game I intend to hunt with this package. And it still leaves the bullet at a good impact speed to do what it's designed to do (even with a mono). The recoil is very mild and even less with a good brake. Coming in at just under 9lbs, it's extremely accurate and easy to shoot.
 

Unckebob

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So for the perfomance and BC should I just be going with a 6.5?

The 280AI can throw the same weight bullets at the same speed as a 6.5 PRC, but can also throw heavier bullets - particularly if you get a fast twist barrel.

For hunting bigger game, the 280AI is the heavier hitting caliber at just about any range.
 
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24" is the minimum barrel length. Less than that and you gain very little on the 280 or even a 7-08. 50fps per inch gets your 162 to around 2600, and you can do that from a 7mm-08 and a 22" barrel. Unless you like to experiment with faster burning powders. Stick with 24" or change caliber. agree with 284 Win.
 

z987k

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24" is the minimum barrel length. Less than that and you gain very little on the 280 or even a 7-08. 50fps per inch gets your 162 to around 2600, and you can do that from a 7mm-08 and a 22" barrel. Unless you like to experiment with faster burning powders. Stick with 24" or change caliber. agree with 284 Win.
The 280 and 7-08 also lose velocity when cutting a barrel, given equal barrel lengths 280ai will always be faster than those two. I can't for the life of me figure out why people parrot this over and over.

If you cut a 300wm to 4 inches it'll be slower than 30-30 with a 26 inch barrel. Ya, thanks.
 

30338

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6.5-06 or 6.5-270, setup to shoot 140 vld, Hart #2 contour cut at 23". Mild recoil and long range hammer. I am messing with a 6.5-284 doing about the same but lapua brass is handy to have. So I guess those 3 would be my pick. I burned out a 6.5-06 and loved it.

2nd choice, Hart #2 contour, 8 twist, 23", chambered in standard 280 remington using reamer setup for necked down 30-06 Lapua brass. Have yet to build one of those but that checks all the boxes I need checked. I'd throat it for 180 grain Scenars.
 

Darryle

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I built mine with a 28" Proof barrel. So far thru the 50ish rounds it has fired, I am hovering around 3160fps with the factory Nosler 140gr AccuBonds and Nosler 140gr Ballistic Tip. I am waiting for it to speed up before I really delve into load development. Accuracy it 3 rds touching at 100yds, hopefully I can tighten that up. It also hates a clean cold bore, which I kinda expected, just not to the degree of deviation.

424ED861-3FAE-43A8-8AA3-8E8528D0ACFC.jpeg
 

Unckebob

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I sold my 24" proof 280ai barrel w/brake and ordered an 18" bartlein, chickened out and changed my order to 20"

I have a 280AI barrel that is 24" long waiting for my Origin action. I got the calipers out and believe it could be cut back to around 20" and threaded for a suppressor. I have changed my mind daily for a few weeks now.
 
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