280AI Rebuild

[nhenry]

My beloved 280AI is in the shop being rebuilt because of the inconsistent nature that the old barrel proved itself to have.

This time, it’s getting a medium sporter (think Bartlein’s 2b contour) with straight flutes, and a slimmer stock — a Remington 700 KS stock I got from ebay.

It’ll be a 280 Ackley again.

What barrel length should I go with? The gunsmith has it down as a 24” but I can change that when I see him on monday.

Thanks

 

[gerry]

24" sounds good unless you want to use a can. Not able to use those here but it seems that guys in other countries are going 18-20". Sounds like a really sweet build, like a Remington KS mountain rifle but with top notch barrel..

 

[Blkram]

Were it me, I would stick to the 24" pipe for all around use and performance.
(My 280 Rem wears a 24" barrel and is at home in the bush, on the mountain or out on the prairie!)

 

[RL338]

24” is popular barrel length for long action rifles today. I like using slower powders so a longer barrel can make use of it.

 

[JD338]

My M700 custom 280AI has a Hart #5 contour 24" barrel with 6 flutes.
She is a shooter.

JD338

 

[nhenry]

So I guess the peanut gallery thinks that 24” is fine and I shouldn’t consider shorter?

Were it me, I would stick to the 24" pipe for all around use and performance.
(My 280 Rem wears a 24" barrel and is at home in the bush, on the mountain or out on the prairie!)

There’s something sexy to me about a 280 Rem wearing a 24” barrel. I don’t know what about it gets my goat, but it surely does

 

[Blkram]

And I like it too!

 

[6mm Remington]

My 280AI has a 24" barrel. If I had my way the 280 Remington I had previous to this build would have had a 24" barrel on it also. That one was a factory 700 MTN rifle with the 22' factory barrel yuck! I say go 24!

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Go 24 in. You'll never notice the extra 2 ins getting in the way and it will deliver more velocity. Dan.

 

[phil]

I usually start at 26.
in case I want to shorten it later. But I never do.
I love some velocity without having to stomp on the brass too hard.

 

[RL338]

I usually start at 26.
in case I want to shorten it later. But I never do.
I love some velocity without having to stomp on the brass too hard.

This

 

[SJB358]

Put me down for 22" but I am the odd man out here I guess. I love a great handling rifle for 270/280 sized rifles. I reserve the 24's-26's for the bigger cartridges.

 

[AFG270]

Put me down for 22" but I am the odd man out here I guess. I love a great handling rifle for 270/280 sized rifles. I reserve the 24's-26's for the bigger cartridges.

Nhenry, unless you climb all over the mountains chasing elk, I'd go with a 24", best all a round length.

 

[6mm Remington]

I did a 24" on my custom 280AI. I love it. Perfect length.

 

[orchemo]

If a can is legal hunting in your area, might consider that in the length.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

I only want 22" on short action rounds (7mm-08 and such)...my 280AI is 24", I wouldn't mind if it was 26".

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

I like a 24” barrel on all of my long action standard cartridge (not magnum) rifles. Although even on some magnums I still prefer 24” barrels too.

 

[nhenry]

It still needs cerakote on the barrel, but it's done!
I'm currently inletting the KS stock for the barrel channel and the BDL, so this Christensen Arms Mesa stock is being used for now.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Sharp! Dan.

 

[JD338]

That's a very nice looking rig. I'm betting it will be a shooter.

JD338