280AI

[hardcorehunter5]

I have a standard action model 700 in 270 that was my first bolt gun for hunting. So, I cant sell the gun for that reason and I want to have it re-barreled but dont want to spend a fortune. I want a long range rig for elk hunting and need a cartridge with good ballistics. I was thinking the 280ai since I could save spending $250+ on a magnum bolt. Anyhow here's the question, Should I just break down and convert it to a magnum or buy a magnum cambered rifle or will the 280ai work? On paper it seems like it will but need some real world opinions and experience.

-Hardcore

 

[DrMike]

How long range are you anticipating? I would be comfortable with a 280AI as a dedicated elk/moose rifle. Loaded with a premium bullet such as the 160 grain AccuBond, it will serve you well when hunting elk.

 

[JD338]

The 280 AI is an awesome round. It is very similar to the 7mm Rem Mag but in an '06 case.
I have shot mine out to 600 yds and it hits hard.
Shot a speed goat this fall in WY at 338 yds with the 140 gr AB at 3150 fps. The 160 gr AB at 3000 fps is plenty for elk.

JD338

 

[hardcorehunter5]

With practice I would like have a rifle with killing ability to 1000 yards. That doesn't mean I would shoot something out there its just important to me that the limiting factor would be my ability and not the cartridge.

 

[IdahoCTD]

You really wouldn't need to spend 250 for a magnum bolt. You can have the bolt face opened for 100.00 or so but you could also sell your bolt and buy another with a magnum bolt face. You would have very little in it this way. You'll need a different follower and might have to modify the feed rail but that's about it.

 

[Oldtrader3]

You can aproximate 7mm Rem mag ballistics with the .280 AI and using handloaded 160 grain bullets. Many hunters use the 7mm Mag for elk hunting and it does the job for them.

 

[Elkman]

With practice I would like have a rifle with killing ability to 1000 yards. That doesn't mean I would shoot something out there its just important to me that the limiting factor would be my ability and not the cartridge.

I really believe in the 1500 foot lbs. minimum for elk. If you really want to be able to kill cleanly and ethically at 1,000 yards then I would be moving up to a Laupa or RUM to get closer to that number at longer ranges. I am aware of the television shows showing elk and other game kills at those distances. I am also fairly experienced with elk and recently was "retrained" on what a, "not hit so well" elk will do hit at 525 yards with a 300 Win Mag.

The 280AI is a great cartridge, it can be loaded to nearly 7MM mag ballistics especially with a longer barrel. It would be a great choice for most hunting situations. If I did not already own 2 7mm Mags, and a 280 remington, I would own one. I really believe however for thousand yard hunting, on larger game that more is better.

 

[SJB358]

I am with the others, the 280 AI is an awesome cartridge and seemingly very accurate as well. Like Bill though, I have a 7WSM and 7RM, so my "need" isn't just there yet for one.

I do agree with Bill though, the 1500Ftlb is a good standard to use when hunting big game, might not be entirely the best used for deer and such, but for elk class, more is usually better. Saying that, you would easily retain 1500 out to 600 yards or so with a sleek bullet and be a GREAT elk rifle!

Sounds like rebarreling is a great idea, if even for something in the 277 class. With the new 150 ABLR coming out, you could even AI the 270 case and really have something unique and just about as capable as many magnums.

 

[JD338]

I have to agree with Bill and Scotty
You can push the 160 gr AB with a .531 BC to 3000 fps.
The 1500 fpe mark will get you 575 yds and 1000 fpe will get you to 850 yds.
That is very respectable performance.
FWIW, the 338 RUM with a 300 gr AB at 2700 fps will have 1900 fpe at 1000 yds.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

I have to agree with Bill and Scotty
You can push the 160 gr AB with a .531 BC to 3000 fps.
The 1500 fpe mark will get you 575 yds and 1000 fpe will get you to 850 yds.
That is very respectable performance.
FWIW, the 338 RUM with a 300 gr AB at 2700 fps will have 1900 fpe at 1000 yds.

JD338

Jim, what do the numbers look like with the newer 168 AB? Maybe running around 2900 or so?

 

[nvbroncrider]

I'm guessing 2850 or so for 175's so 2900+ for 168.

 

[JD338]

I have to agree with Bill and Scotty
You can push the 160 gr AB with a .531 BC to 3000 fps.
The 1500 fpe mark will get you 575 yds and 1000 fpe will get you to 850 yds.
That is very respectable performance.
FWIW, the 338 RUM with a 300 gr AB at 2700 fps will have 1900 fpe at 1000 yds.

JD338

Jim, what do the numbers look like with the newer 168 AB? Maybe running around 2900 or so?

Scotty,

Pretty good!
The 168 gr ALR has a BC of .672. With a MV of 2900 fps, this is what I get.....

700 yards 2019 fps and 1520 fpe
1000 yards 1698 fps and 1076 fpe

JD338

 

[woods]

People should just realize that there is no magic

The 280AI has performance and recoil in between the 280 Remington and the 7 mag, IMO closer to the 7 mag than the 280 Remington.

That is all other things being equal

 

[Jerry 919]

Jim,

All kidding aside. Great shooting. My TGR does the same with the 150 E-Tip.

Saw reloading manual #7 yesterday. You are going to love it.

Jerry 919
Bend, Oregon

 

[Oldtrader3]

My personal standard for shooting yardage limits is based on bullet expansion and penetration. Whatever range where my specific bullet in that caliber will not expand quickly and penetrate pretty fully at least through the full boiler room of whatever game I am shooting, is my limit. I usually take the bullet manufacturers's recommended expansion velocity and add 100 fps to it for penetration. Wherever that yardage falls out in yards is my limit for that bullet.

It does not hurt to test this hypothesis in water jugs as well because manufacturers (not Nosler) do exagerate. Of course the other quotient in this equation is the ego stretching question of shooting competence which varies between each individual one of us. I only see selected people shooting at my local club whom I believe could kill a deer at 400 yards cleanly and quickly.

With me personally, because of age, eyesight and other physical limitations, I will not shoot deer sized game beyond 400 yards and larger game limits at 500 yards depending on caliber being used. I am perfectly capable of killing game further with the right rifle. I just won't do it anymore.

 

[longrangehunter]

Ok I'll through in my two cents on the subject. If you'd like a standard length medium bore cartridge based on the '06, for medium to heavy prey, the 280 AI is a great round for any animal as long as you put the right bullet where it belongs at any reasonable distance? With that said it does depend on having the correct bullet at the proper entry in an animal the size of an Elk. There is such a thing as adequate and acceptable and ideal, and I don't mean shooting it from the rear just below is balls hoping the bullet will make it to the boiler room at those extreme distances or obscure angles! Something I have done with the 280 AI on running game with a 175 gr. Nosler Partition.... and the 150 gr. BT. on smaller game. It does have its limitations, but nothing to get overly worried about I think unless your a trophy hunter.
If you know your ability with a given cartridge and have the confidence to cleanly put the animal down it shouldn't make a difference what it's shot with as long as you've match up the cartridge /bullet combo to the task.

 

[hardcorehunter5]

No I haven't forgot about the thread. Throwing decoys out in the duck blind this weekend. Man I have to say the feedback has been good and no one has been negative, which on the internet is a surprise. I realize it would not be the ideal cartridge for such things, but I like the idea of something different too. Just was curious about its maximum effective range for bullet expansion. Obviously foot pounds good through bone and misplaced shots, but everything no is velocity for a bullet to open, which could still go through soft tissue. Well, once again I thank everyone for their input and you have me leaning more and more to the 280ai to start with then moving up the latter at later time in magnum performance.

-Hardcore

 

[Oldtrader3]

Partitions are designed to expand above 1800 fps. This is probably a good number for many bullets. Personally I add 100 fps or so to this for penetration. It doesn't do much good to expand a bullet without getting full penetration with it.