I'm in a quandry and need some help.

[HTDUCK]

Ok I'm 47 and I have always shot outa the box rifles.
Partial to Rem 700s.
Have nine thirty cals from 300 Savage to 300 Bee.

I'm very partial to my 700 280 though and want to have a rifle built in another 7MM round.


My delimma is caliber.
280 Ackley or 7MM STW.One of the two.I know a 7Rem Mag would be a good compromise,but I don't really want one.
Either way it's gonna have a 26 inch tube.

Which one would you choose and why?
Thanks,
Howard

 

[Powerstroke]

I see your delima..... :lol:
Both cartridges have the "cool" factor going on for them. The std. 7mag would only split the difference between the std. .280 however. The AI will give the 7mag a run for its money.

Personally I'm not a recoil fan... the AI will do 99% of what I entend to hunt..... your intentions ? you already have the 30 cals covered....

These are good delimas :wink:

 

[rick smith]

Get the Nosler in 280AI and never look back. My 280AI, not a Nosler, will shoot 160gr bullets in the 2990fps range. Now that brass is available from Nosler for the AI no more fireforming.Rick.

 

[Desert Fox]

I like efficiency! so I'll vote for the 280AI although 7WSM would be my choice since I already own a 280. I'll build it in a long action and have the it throated to shoot Berger 180 grain VLD. At .659 B.C, it would be an ultimate longrange killer.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

The .280 AI is a great general purpose hunting rifle. Considering that you already have 9 .30 cals, I bet you already have that covered??

Maybe it's time for a true, reach out and touch someoune rifle. I build mine on a fully blue printed Winchester Model 70 action. 30' Lawton rifle cut barrel in a #5 countour. H&S percistion stock. Stock trigger, with a light pull spring kit, mounted with a Leupold VXIII 30mm sidefocus Mildot scope in 6.5x20 power. It's a great rifle for open country.

Ok, so it burns 98 grains of powder everytime I pull the trigger, but it pushes a 160gr AB over 3400fps in the process. Yes, a good recoil pad and muzzle break are a necessity with that load.

On additional point of interest. If you go with the STW, have you smith build it with a short throat. The standard SAAMI throat is about .25" too long.

 

[DrMike]

I have a .280, a 7mm WSM and a 7mm RM. I had, though I no longer have, a 7 X 57. I have loaded extensively for the 7mm STW and the 7mm-08, either of which I would gladly own. I do love the 7mm calibre. Yours is a delightful dilemma, and you really can't go wrong with either of the two you list. Brass from Nosler for the .280 AI is less expensive, as it comes in boxes of 50 verses 25 for the 7mm STW. Let us know what you choose.

 

[JD338]

HTDUCK

What is the intended purpose of the "new" 7mm?

The 280 AI with a long throat will be right on the heals of the 7mm RM. I am getting 3000 fps with the 160 gr AB and 3240 fps with the 140 gr AB out of a 24" barrel.
The 280 AI will do anything a 7mm RM can do up to the 160 gr loads.
If you want more bullet weight or want to shoot big game beyond 600 yds, go with the 7mm STW. It will give you flat trajectory and plenty of energy both near and far. The down side to the 7mm STW is shorter barrel life.

JD338

 

[bullet]

Ditto on what JD338 said - If you are going to really reach out and don't want a lot of wind drift go with the 7mmSTW and the 160gr or 170gr bullet. If you don't want to make long shots the 7mmSTW is devastating on game and is highly accurate. My savage was under a 1/4".

 

[old #7]

I like the 280ai.
I am getting pretty close to 400 rounds down the tube. Still shoots like new and I am on the same lot of Nosler brass.

 

[HTDUCK]

Well the rifle is gonna be used as for sitting in a stand,hunting deer at ranges out to 600 yards.I might have to carry it a mile or so to get to some of the stands so I'm thinking of a loaded weight of less than 10 lbs with glass.

Either caliber should be more than capable.
It's simply a matter of do I rebarrel a spare 06 I have (if I go 280AI) or buy another rifle as a donor and build the STW????

Decision,decisions decisions?

:wink:

 

[jmad_81]

I'm in the middle of building a 280 AI as we speak. As far as the 280 AI, 7 Mag, and 7 WSM go, its about a half dozen of one and six of the other until you get into the STW and BEE ranges. I like the 280 AI because I can fit an extra one in the mag if I need it, it fits all my shell plates and holders, not everybody has one, and I got burnt out on the WSMs. Mostly just wnated something different.

The rifle I'm building will have a 25" #3 SS Pac-nor. I should be able to get 3200 with the 140 AB and 3000 with the 160 AB pretty easy. Both are good enough for my style of hunting, and will be able to take anything from speed goats up to elk if I need it to.

 

[JD338]

HTDUCK

280 AI primer....
M700 blue printed, Tubb recoil lug, Hart #5 Fluted 24", Pillar bedded in a LSS stock.

160 gr AB

140 gr AB

120 gr BT

JD338

 

[HTDUCK]

JD338 I think you have my dream rifle right there.
That is pretty much what I'm looking for and holy mackerel what groups!
How much does that weigh?

Howard

 

[JD338]

HTDUCK

As shown, 9 lbs even.

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

Go for the king of 7mm . And since you "know" it will have a 26" barrel, go for the 7mm RUM. If you go custom go for a 28" barrel.

140 bt at 3600 fps and 160 AccuBond at 3400 fps (with a 28-30 tube)

 

[chet]

JD, I'll never get sick of seeing that rifle 8)

 

[JD338]

Thank you Chet.
She is a shooter for sure.
This rifle also likes the 150 gr E-Tip too.

JD338

 

[6mm Remington]

280 Ackley :grin:

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Since you will be shooting 600+ yards, go for the STW, with a 28+" barrel.