280 Rem vs 280 AI

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reomack

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Why is the 280 AI the hot new darling when the difference between it and the 280 Rem almost Disappears when the 280 is loaded to comparable pressures. The only reason I can figure is that you can buy the AI already loaded to the higher pressure but you have to hand load the 280 to get there. Been loading the 280 for years and don't plan to rechamber just for the convenience of factory ammo. Can anyone here give me a good reason to do so?
 
Other than that which you have already stated, the only other advantage of the AI is less case stretching (read longer brass life) for those who do not like to trim cases as often.
It is interesting when you put the numbers into QuickLoad to bring the pressures up to comparable as that of the 270 Win, there is very little gain in velocity over the pressure that the Remington ammunition is loaded to. I cannot recall right at this moment, but it was less than 100 fps!

I continue to enjoy the performance of my 280 Rem as is, for general shooting and for on-game performance.
And if I feel that I need more energy or velocity to flatten trajectories, I just take my 7MM STW along instead.

Looking forward to developing loads in my 280 Rem with the 150 gr AccuBonds and Ballistic Tips, now that I have been able to find some! Should be able to get approx. 3000 fps w/ Re-19. No animal is going to know that they were not shot with an AI. (Have decided to go to the 150s in the 280, as I am now using the 140s in my 7mm-08 and the 160s in my STW, otherwise I had always used 160s in my 280s)

I would also like to find some component Terminal Ascent 155 gr bullets to try in the 280!
(They have been performing very well accuracy wise (best group to date .291" @ 100 yards, but consistently less than 1/2", and less than 1/2" for my wife in her rifle) in the 6.5 CM, and on game ( 5 animals from 43 to 296 yards and all complete pass throughs and quick, clean kills), and are shooting sub-MOA in my 20' barreled LH Steyr Mannlicher Model M FS carbine in 270 - have yet to try the ammo I just got for the 300 WSM)
 
any differences are really is on paper only and what gun nuts want to buils, same as a hot rod. In the real World when you have a animal at 500 meters, the difference between the two will be minimal to say the least.
Anything inside that is a moot point.
Cat
 
I was shooting 280AI because thats what the rifle I wanted was chambered in (Ruger Hawkeye African). Not because of the chambering. Would have been just as happy with 280 Rem. Both are great.

Where's Spruster when we need him lol
 
I shoot both and load for both. A custom Tikka in 280 and a Kimber in 280ai. No real difference between the two when loaded properly. Its a shame the regular old 280 isnt more popular (with proper loads). Its about the perfect cartridge in my opinion!
 
Does any manufacturer still chamber a rifle in 280rem? Even if the ackley advantage is negligible its still an advantage. Doesn't give much up to the 7mm rem mag ans burns less powder and theoretically should be easier feeding in a repeating rifle. Also brass life should be longer which is a big advantage for us reloaders. There is also better brass available to the ackley crowd than the 280rem crowd.
 
No deer will know the difference when hit with the same bullet shot out of a 280 or 280AI, but overall its just a better case design for the handloader and a little more common place in the retail sector with aftermarket brass and factory ammo for the 280 Ackley, holds about 3.5grs more powder.
 
7mag said:
I shoot both and load for both. A custom Tikka in 280 and a Kimber in 280ai. No real difference between the two when loaded properly. Its a shame the regular old 280 isnt more popular (with proper loads). Its about the perfect cartridge in my opinion!
Click to expand...

I have both too ! Rem M700 MTN rifle in 280 and a custom BRNO284 Built HVA 280 AI - I find 100-150 FPS more out of the 280 AI and its not A ugly looking cartridge like the 280 Rem & 270 Win are !:dancingbanana:Laugh2 RJ
 
I wanted a new custom rifle and at the time the 280 AI was the darling.As was pointed out the deer doesn't care what it gets hit with as the ones that died previously with my Tikka 270.The AI is a great cartridge imho so that's why I ended up with it no regrets well maybe a little when the 7 PRC came out.
 
The AI advantage in velocity is about 60 fps at the same pressure. Case stretch is a function of sizing and is dependent more on the dimensions of the die in relation to the rifle chamber than anything else. Cases do not stretch when fired unless there is a headspace issue. I have tested this repeatedly by firing a case, over and over, with no sizing, with neck sizing, and with FL sizing. I have tested standard cartridges and Improved cartridges; in various rifles. If a case stretches, there is always an identifiable reason for it.
 
I think you’ve got to want one for the right reasons. On paper there is an advantage to the AI. In reality, you won’t see any meaningful difference at all I suspect.
 
I have a 280AI, had it built a few years ago. Have owned a couple standard 280 Rems in the past too. All were/are great shooters. I am going to keep my AI, its the rifle I have always wanted, chambered in the cartridge I have always wanted. No logical reason whatsoever, just what i want. Oh, and it shoots dam good too.
 
The 280 has done everything I asked of it. That said, a 7x57 is a little less but has also been a deadly cartridge. The moose at 400 won’t know the difference. As always bullet placement is more important.
 
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