Which Lightweight 280 AI?

Joined
Dec 2, 2017
Messages
751
Location
Northeast Pa
If you like Weatherby just get a Mark V Ultra-Lightweight or Super Big-Gamemaster in 280 and have a smith rechamber it to the AI version for about $75. I have the Ultra-Lightweights in 30-06 and 338-06 and they are very light and very accurate with 24" fluted barrels. They handle like a dream too. $1200 for the rifle and $75 for the rechamber and call it done.....and you will wonder what the hell you were thinking with spending $2500+ for the other options. My 30-06 is under 6 pounds with that 24" fluted barrrel and the 338-06 right at 6 pounds with a 24" slightly heavier fluted barrel. Oh, and they dont look bad either.
 

AKredneck63

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 17, 2021
Messages
185
Buddy has a 280ai in a kimber mountain ascent. It is very accurate after working the bugs out of it. It can be super whippy tho you must really be on your A game to shoot accurately.
 
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SteveCNJ

SteveCNJ

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Jul 1, 2017
Messages
1,062
So I looked into the custom gun route. Between the wait time for some of the parts and the fact I've never assembled one and I'm looking for a highly accurate gun etc I decided to bite the bullet and bought a Weatherby Mark V Backcountry in 280 AI. With the contour #1 mod barrel it's reportedly 5.3 lbs. The price was better than I hoped. With shipping insurance it was $2,270 out the door from KYGUNCO.COM.

Range reports in the future.

Thanks to all who took time to comment.

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SteveCNJ

SteveCNJ

WKR
Classified Approved
Joined
Jul 1, 2017
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1,062
If you like Weatherby just get a Mark V Ultra-Lightweight or Super Big-Gamemaster in 280 and have a smith rechamber it to the AI version for about $75. I have the Ultra-Lightweights in 30-06 and 338-06 and they are very light and very accurate with 24" fluted barrels. They handle like a dream too. $1200 for the rifle and $75 for the rechamber and call it done.....and you will wonder what the hell you were thinking with spending $2500+ for the other options. My 30-06 is under 6 pounds with that 24" fluted barrrel and the 338-06 right at 6 pounds with a 24" slightly heavier fluted barrel. Oh, and they dont look bad either.
I looked for these but harder to find than Bigfoot.

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onetohunt

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 19, 2018
Messages
278
Location
Nixa, Missouri
I have the model 92 Cooper in a 280 ai and it is a laser!! Great shooting rifle and very light to carry. I have it topped with a Leupold 3-15x44 and it shoots the Nosler 140 accubond at .55 at 200 yards. Great handling gun and fun to shoot.
 
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SteveCNJ

SteveCNJ

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Joined
Jul 1, 2017
Messages
1,062
Range day yesterday. Broke the barrel in cleaning after the first 10 shots. Shooting Nosler Trophy 160 gr. Zeroed at 200 Hard to get used to the holdover at 300 yds. Swaro z5 3-18x44 BRH reticle. Got a good deal on it used but should have waited for a Z5i with the lighted reticle. Will probably still get one. Shoots better than my skill level. When I do my part they're in the bull. Was wearing a tee shirt and could have shot it all day. Very little felt recoil.

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