Finally, a 280 AI!

[jmad_81]

Well I got my barrel the other day. It is a 24" Pac-Nor stainless super match #4 conture. It has six flutes, and a three groove 1:9" twist and tips the scale at 2.5 lbs. The barrel looks like Pac-Nor did a very fine job ( hope it shoots as good as it looks!), and they were great to work with. I got the factory stock (very ugly ) worked over so that the new barrel will fit until I can get a better stock for it. I did the head space work on it myself and them sent it to a smith buddy of mine to make sure I got it right and have him make sure everything is tight, as I don't have a barrel vise.

Should be picking it up tomorrow morning, and stopping by the good old boys local gun shop to pick up some higher 30mm rings, and get my VXIII 4.5-14x40 LR mounted.

I got some 120 gr. NBTs loaded over 56.5 gr IMR 4350 for the break in. Figured I'd to ten single shots and clean in between, then four three shot groups and clean in between them. After that I'm loading some 160 ABs with RL-22 and working up loads.

Until I get a new stock on it I'm not going to be putting any pics up. I'll hopefully have some targets to show off monday though!

The goal is to have it broke in and have a good load worked up, and a drop chart made before my Nov. 6th elk season starts. Would love to have a few hundred rounds down the tube by then, we'll see though.

 

[Guy Miner]

That sounds terrific!

What action did you build on? JD338 has had me interested in the .280 AI for some time now...

 

[jmad_81]

Savage 110. Cograts on the bears by the way Guy. Sorry I have been busy with harvest this summer, I havn't had alot of free time for the forum. Those 260 Ab are sure impressive bullets aren't they!

 

[SJB358]

Jake, that is great you got your rifle put together! Sounds like it is pretty nice. PacNor was very pleasant to me also, when I was inquiring about building a 257WBY. Answered all of my questions and even said I rate a military discount! I am actually pretty anxious for them to put the rifle together.

Don't be too hard on your rifle, we won't judge if you throw up a couple pictures. I wanna see what your barrel looks like. It sounds pretty awesome. Good luck with your load work. The 280AI sounds like a pretty awesome round and Jim's can almost hit dimes!!

Good luck with the rest of harvest season, hopefully you get it sorted out and you can build a good hunting load. Scotty

 

[FOTIS]

Can not wait for a field report!

 

[Scott Spencer]

Congratulations, Jake! I decided to let PacNor match my factory Ruger barrel contour so I could drop fit my 338-06 into the factory wood stock. I hope I don't regret doing that as I was just afraid of ruining my factory stock.

 

[JD338]

Jake,

Congratulations buddy!
You are going to love the 280 AI. Let me know what I can do to help you with loads. Stock up on RL 22.

JD338

 

[6mm Remington]

Congratulations on the rifle. I'd sure like to see what kind of groups you will be getting with it and what the 160 gr. bullets velocity will be.

 

[jmad_81]

Well...She didn't blow up in my face! The first five shots went into 2". The next four went into 1". I shot four and cleaned inbetween each one, then shot two and cleaned in between each one. First three shot group went .471"! with the first load I have ever tried. Going to go for a drive around the place today and shoot ten more 120 BT before I start working up the 160 AB. Maybe I'll get some yote blood on it.

My wife gave me a gift card good for one McMillan stock for my B-day, so she won't be an eye sore for to much longer! I'll try to get some pics up here monday. Just got done ordering a Timney trigger for it as well. Should be one fine rifle when I'm done.

SO EXCITED!

 

[DrMike]

First three shot group went .471"!

You're well on your way to a bragging rifle in that one!

 

[JD338]

Jake,

I think you are going to have a shooter.
Work up to 60.0 grs RL 22 1ith the 160 gr AB, this will get you around 3000 fps. Then you will be covered for everything from mice to moose.

Just don't let your bride know that you have 1 rifle to cover everything in NA out to 500 -600 yds. :wink:

Post some pictures buddy!

JD338

 

[jmad_81]

Well here she is. Did a bit of shooting today with the 160 AB. 60 gr. of RL-22 gave the best group. Going to try it again tonight with WLRM primers, and a few different seating depths.

160 AB. 60gr. RL-22 3.345" 210 primer.

 

[DrMike]

Sweet! Looking good.

 

[JD338]

Jake,

Very nice! You are almost there!

JD338

 

[jmad_81]

Well it will look better when I get a "Mcswirly" on it, and get the action Dura Coated black. The blueing job on the action, and bolt handle is lacking a bit.

Hoping to have her shooting the 160 ABs better tonight. I'll report more tomorrow.

 

[6mm Remington]

That is sure going to be a sweet rifle! Congratulations on it and the fine groups. Funny how those darn Savage' rifles just seem to shoot, especially with a fine barrel on them. When you start getting close to dialed in as to what load you are going to use, let us know what they chronograph at.

 

[nodak7mm]

Jmad,

Way to go, ya gotta love it when a plan comes together.

What color(s) McSwirly?

Rod

 

[jmad_81]

60% OD green, 30% light grey, 10% black on the savage mountain rifle stock.

Went back out this morning with some more 160 ABs, WLRM primers, 60 gr RL-22, and different seating depths. First four shots went into 3/4" and the fifth went a bit higher. Normally I only do three shot groups but the first two were foulers so I shot three more. 3.345 shot the best, 3.335 shot the worst, and 3.350 shot two touching and one about an inch and a half out.

Thinking this gun needs a bedding job, as it seems to be doing some odd groupings now and then. It also just doesn't feel right when I have to move the action around to get the screw holes to line up so I can put it in the stock. If nothing else it will just be one lese thing for me to worry about causing problems.

 

[jmad_81]

Will look like this one but with a bit more grey and a bit less black.

 

[jmad_81]

Well got it bedded lastnight. I'll let it cure for a few days then go try again. Hope she shoots a little better. Might try some 7828ssc as well.