I am wanting a 280 AI!!!!!

[dezmick]

I am really wanting to get a 280 AI, i know that there are not a lot of rifles out there in that caliber, but i found a Kimber Montana and would just like to know if they are a good rifle or not, and if they are chambered to nosler specs or not. Or is there another direction i should go that would not cost anymore than around 1,500.00. Thanks: Mick

 

[FOTIS]

Gunbroker is your friend....

 

[JD338]

You are going to love the 280 AI. Awesome round that offers steller accuracy.

JD338

 

[Wincheringen]

Me too, but I can't decide if I want to screw a new barrel on or have my current 280 hogged out.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Nosler is having a rifle sale right now, you might consider one of their .280 AI's. I think their lowest priced one is about $1500?

 

[sask boy]

The 280 AI is a very good cartridge & I am contemplating building one
I believe they are as close to perfection as I could own :roll:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[jmad_81]

You wont be sorry. Mine has taken two bull elk, a cow elk, a bear, two bucks, and a doe. They work pretty dang well for just about everything.

 

[BP736]

As already stated by the others... the 280 AI is awesome. Love mine. Only killed 1 animal so far, but many more in the future. I am shooting 140 Nosler ABs @ 3225 & well under an inch. Mine is built on a stainless 700 action with a Shilen barrel. I don't have much info on Kimbers...sorry.
BP

 

[BP736]

One more thing... I have way less than $1500 in mine. If you shop around for an action and find a reasonable gunsmith, it shouldn't be that much. I think my barrel was about $250ish from Brownells. I found a B&C medalist stock on-line for about $215.
BP

 

[dezmick]

I do own an old Remington Model 721 in 30-06, that i was thinking about having re barreled to a 280 AI, i would also need a new stock which seems to be the hardest thing to find for the model 721. Here is the email response i got back from Pac Nor.

Mickey: We can make you a new bbl in Chrome Moly or SS in .280 Ack,
contoured, chambered, threaded, crowned, headspaced and installed, with all
action truing work, for $560.00 (CM) and $590.00 (SS), both plus shipping.
A 50% deposit is required to start the order, and current turn around time
is running 20 weeks. Thanks for your interest, Penny

 

[SJB358]

Pretty sweet cartridge! A 140 at 3150-3200 is pure poison.

PacNor has a great deal with their builds. They are great to deal with too..

 

[gerry]

I would build as well before buying a Kimber. Then you can choose your contour, twist length etc... hopefully you can find a good stock for your old Remington, or if you don't have much sentimental value in it maybe trade it for a Rem 700 instead.

 

[JD338]

The 280 AI is an impressive round. I have enjoyed mine for a few years. It shoots flat and hits hard.

JD338

 

[nvbroncrider]

I do own an old Remington Model 721 in 30-06, that i was thinking about having re barreled to a 280 AI, i would also need a new stock which seems to be the hardest thing to find for the model 721. Here is the email response i got back from Pac Nor.

Mickey: We can make you a new bbl in Chrome Moly or SS in .280 Ack,
contoured, chambered, threaded, crowned, headspaced and installed, with all
action truing work, for $560.00 (CM) and $590.00 (SS), both plus shipping.
A 50% deposit is required to start the order, and current turn around time
is running 20 weeks. Thanks for your interest, Penny

You can use a standard 700 stock for the 721. The only difference is the bottom metal. To verify this I would call both Stockys and McMilian but from what I have seen and read that is the only difference.

 

[JD338]

dezmick

My 280 AI is a 700 action blueprinted, Hart #5 24" fluted barrel, Tubb recoil lug pillar bedded into a LSS stock.
I shot this antelope in WY this past fall at 338 yds with a 140 gr AB at 3150 fps.

Scope is a VX-3 3.5-10x40mm with a CDS dial which has proven its self out to 600 yds.

Recent group shot with a 150 gr PT at 100 yds went .265" c/c.

I hope this helps you change from wanting a 280 AI to needing a 280 AI. :mrgreen:

JD338

 

[Creedmore]

I just built a 280AI this summer - pics on the nearby thread here.

I've got $275 in the action, $600 in the 26" McGowen #4 SS barrel work and Holland's recoil lug, and $220 in the B&C M40 stock. Already had the glass, so I"m in under $1100. It can be done, and I couldn't be happier.

I'm still doing load workup, but killed 3 deer with it using a 140 AccuBond at 3330fps.

 

[HTDUCK]

I do own an old Remington Model 721 in 30-06, that i was thinking about having re barreled to a 280 AI, i would also need a new stock which seems to be the hardest thing to find for the model 721.

This isn't hard to do. Yes a 700 stock will fit your 721.
I just got through replacing the stock on a buddies 722 with a 700 stock.
I used a 700 ADL stock. Had to replace the magazine, the follower and spring as the 722 mag was taller and wouldn't allow the action to fit in the stock.
The rifle also would not feed from the mag with the 722 spring and follower.
Get an ADL stock and a ADL trigger guard and you are good to go.
The stock will need some fitting around the safety to make it work properly.
Also had to shorten the center action screw a wee bit as it would cause the bolt to bind when tightened.

With a replacement barrel that doesn't have the rear sight band like a 721 it will be a piece of cake !

Howard

 

[dezmick]

Ok, this sounds like something that i might just do, i really like Bell & Carlson stocks so i will more than likely just go with one of those, doing that, should i have the stock mounted on my current 721 then send it to pacnor for the new barrel, or just send what i have now and get the new stock fitted to the new rifle. Now as far as the new barrel goes like i said i can get a pacnor barrel at a pretty decent price, or if there is another barrel maker i should go with please make a suggestion. but i am not sure what contour i would need to choose, i do not want a heavy barrel, so is #3 a good one or something else, and should i go with just a 24" barrel or longer keeping in mind that this is going to be a hunting rifle. Thanks: Mick

 

[SJB358]

That sounds like you are on your way! A fluted #4 is about as heavy as I would want I think. Contours are hard to pick, there like shoes, everyone likes different ones.

I am also a fan of B&C Medalists. Alot of stock for the money. Good luck!

 

[dezmick]

Ok i have been looking, and i am wanting to know if this stock and trigger guard is what i would need for my build.

http://www.stockysstocks.com/servlet/th ... fle/Detail

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/tr ... 31704.aspx