The .280 AI

[jmad_81]

388 Yards with a few 120 BT. I wasn't really intending to run into a bear, but they worked pretty well. The nut behind the gun could have done a bit better job though.


One of many yotes that have been given 280 AI dirt naps.


140 BT out the window of my truck @ 100 yards. It shoots really well!


First bull with the 280 AI. 160 AB @ 420 yards. Entered right behind the front shoulder, punched the heart, and you can see the exit.



I'm a little late to the party, but count me in as another 280 AI fan. Built mine on a Savage 110 action. It has a 24" Pac Nor stainless three groove on it. I'm getting 2950 all day long with the 160 AB and RL-22 or 7828, 3196 with the 140 AB and RL-22, and over 3200 with the 140 BT and RL-17. Mine is not the SAAMI chamber either. I am running fire formed RP brass.

This rifle has three or four more deer to it as well as another bull elk, and my wife's first elk. It is going to see some time in Idaho this year chasing a few big bucks around.

 

[Razorbacker]

I keep following this thread and I appreciate all y'alls input. Currently looking for a donor action, hopefully a controlled round feed. I've been reading where that can be a good thing in some AI chambers.
Thanks for all the input.

 

[Creedmore]

Here's my 280AI story . . . Last summer I started my 280AI project. I picked up a good deal on a 700 in .30-06 from gunbroker and sent it to McGowen to be rebarreled.

This was to be a winter project, had not figured that I would get to complete a load workup before hunting season. But she came in early October and I got to work, and boy did she turn out to be a shooter!

Rem700 action
Holland's recoil lug
McGowen 26" stainless fluted #4 contour 1-9 twist
Vortex Viper 6-20x50

I wanted to finish a quilted maple stock, but ran out of time and went with a Bell & Carlson M40

Had just enough time to do some load workup with a 140 AccuBond, and got acceptable accuracy, just over MOA at 200 yards. Went to Missouri and took 2 does and this buck, shot on the run at 225yds. Success story for sure.






After the season ended, and with more time for load development, I got bitten by the long range bug. I skim-bedded that M40 stock and then went out to a friend's range and shot a 500yd ladder test that really improved my groups ( I have pics of that if anyone would like to see). I found the magical combination of powder charge and seating depth, and shot this group at 200 yards. 140gr AccuBond at 3200fps.


We went out to our ranch in April and shot steel swingers and rocks out to 900yds, and the accuracy and repeatability was really amazing.

I'm currently working up a load with the 168gr Nosler Custom Competitions, and my 200yd groups are averaging 3/4". To say that I'm smitten with this caliber is an understatement. :grin:

.

 

[BK]

How much does that thing weigh?

 

[SJB358]

Creedmore, that is a sweet set up. Looks like a truly awesome rifle.

 

[JD338]

Creedmore,

Nice rig!

JD338

 

[Creedmore]

Thanks, fellas. Skim bedding the stock really tightened the groups. After the season, I took the Vortex off and put on a Leupold 4-14 Tactical with fine crosshairs that I've had for many years - I liked the fine crosshairs better for the long range work. But with 3 rounds left in my ladder test on the 168 Custom Competitions, the erector gave out. Went from sub-MOA to Minute-of-BarnDoor. Waiting on replacement from Leupold now.

BK - it weighs in at 10lbs. Not something you want to carry very far, that's for sure.

 

[sask boy]

Great info guys I sent my #4 contour PacNor barrel, Timney trigger along with my Remington top feed mag from my CDL up to RMR today :mrgreen: I am hoping that the Manners Stock comes in soon. I have to ask a certain Doctor if it would be all right if I send up a Leica 4.5-15X42 and he would be kinda enough too mount up the scope & test fire it a few times :mrgreen:. I am hoping that my 280AI will shoot half as well as the ones that are being talked about on this thread!!
The way this thread has gone I think that we should all just build 280AI rifles & then have our 35 Whelens and we really would not need any other calibres :shock:.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[DrMike]

Great info guys I sent my #4 contour PacNor barrel, Timney trigger along with my Remington top feed mag from my CDL up to RMR today :mrgreen: I am hoping that the Manners Stock comes in soon. I have to ask a certain Doctor if it would be all right if I sent up a Leica 4.5-15X42 and he would be kinda enough too mount up the scope & test fire it a few times :mrgreen:. I am hoping that my 280AI will shoot half as well as the ones that are being talked about on this thread!!
The way this thread has gone I think that we should all just build 280AI rifles & then have our 35 Whelens and we really would not need any other calibres :shock:.

Blessings,
Dan

If the scope is really nice, some doctors are prone to just seize them and forget where they are stowed! :shock: There are some scoundrels afoot 'round these parts, Dan. :mrgreen:

 

[sask boy]

Well this Leica can't be that good as a Doctor friend sold it to me :mrgreen:. If it was a good piece of glass I kinda figured he would have never parted with it :roll:.
I would believe that RMR must have quite a backlog not being able to pick up any stocks from their suppliers it has to break sometime you would think.

PS. I will take a chance on this gentleman & send up my scope along with the mounts! I am also looking for a set of Talley mount 1" mediums I think would work for a Zeiss scope that some guy wanted to get rid of :lol:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[DrMike]

Hmmmm. I figure that doctor must be getting senile to have allowed such scopes to escape his demented grasp. I'd reckon they'll be safe around him.

 

[FOTIS]

Truly some beautiful rifles here.

 

[sask boy]

Nope just has a good heart .
Thanks my friend!!

Blessings,
Dan

 

[EOD Diver]

Dan,
Look forward to hearing about your load development and a few pics too!
Joe