280 Rem vs 280 AI

Pat Brennan said:
The "rule of thumb" is a 4% increase in powder gets you 1% increase in speed. Whether that is worth it for the added velocity is up to the individual.
For myself, if a 280 is lacking velocity-wise I would step up significantly, which is not a 280Ai.
I "struggle" with the claim that a 280Ai gives you 200 fps over a 280, assuming pressure and barrel length are equal. It is one of the latest fad cartridges for sure!
Click to expand...
Not sure i would call it a "fad", more like a resurgence. It's been around since the 60's and has been popular with hunters ever since. Especially sheep hunters. It would seem now that people are only hearing of it because it's becoming readily available on the shelves.

If you studied cartridges in depth than most people would scratch their heads as to why the .280 Rem isn't more popular. PO Ackley knew that this was one of the best cartridges to wildcat and modernize. Thus the 280AI remains one of his most popular cartridges today. It took an already excellent cartridge and improved it by a noticeable margin.

You can hand load a 280Rem to obtain close to 280AI velocities, sure. But you can also hand load a 280AI and get close to 7mm RM velocities.
Real world experience from shooting all 3 of these cartridges is that the 280AI edges out the 280Rem in velocity while having considerably less recoil than a 7mm RM.

With proper hand loads you CAN get 150-200 fps out of a 280AI over a 280 Rem. I own both, and in 24" barrels this is the difference.
280 Rem 140gr TTSX, 3060 fps
280AI 139gr LRX, 3220 fps

To me it is a bit of a niche cartridge or cult classic if you will, but very popular for guys who want an excellent performing cartridge in a lightweight rifle that has manageable recoil.
 
Is it a niche cartridge, yes.
Is it on an upward trend, yes.
Is it a fad, yes to some, no to others.
Does it do anything in terminal performance at hunting distances that a multitude of others don’t, no.
But if all you judge a rifle by is that what a boring world we would live in…unless you’re trying to justify why you don’t need another rifle which is a fair position.
But for those of us that look forward to playing with something new and different the 280AI has a lot to offer depending on what you prioritize in your collection at the time.
I’m getting a 280AI built at the moment on a Sako 75 and I’m looking forward to seeing the outcome in my hands in spring.
Did I need it, no.
Did the 75 need a barrel, no. I think the factory barrel had about 5 rounds through it.
But I wanted a rifle a little more personalized and I’ve been a fan of the ‘06 cartridge family for sometime and without a 7 in the rack and too many ‘06’s it was fairly easy to decide what to do and if you’re going to an ‘06 LA 7mm cartridge anyway then why not a 280AI over the base 280?
I just don’t see a downside.
I reload anyway, it’s a hobby I enjoy so having a cartridge not widely available with factory ammunition isn’t a con, for me it’s a pro.
Am I expecting it to do something none of my other rifles can do, no.
But I am absolutely enjoying the process of flushing out a semi custom rifle, with an obscure cartridge that has a reputation to impress.
Could I have done that with a bunch of other cartridges, yes…but it’s this one’s turn.
And I gotta do something in winter other than motorcycle maintenance, lol.
 
Hitzy said:
I still want to build a .284Win one of these days....always liked that round.
Click to expand...
Built mine years back on a Rem 600 for mountain hunting. Extended the magazine box to allow a coal of 3.2". Ballistically it equals my Rem 725 in 280. Had a 280 AI for a while too, and a 7mm Gibbs. The Gibbs was the fastest of the lot, but you're not going to make 7 mag velocities at any sane pressures. - dan
 
According to the Nosler Reloading Manual, the 7mm Remington Magnum has higher velocities with a 24" barrel, than the 280 Remington and the 280 AI with 26" barrels. The math is quite fundamental; the 7mm Remington Magnum is much more superior than it's little cousins.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DGY
When looking for load data for my 280 I also look at the data for the same bullet in the 270 and often the 270 has a heavier load listed which I use as the maximum in my 280 along with traditional pressure signs.
 
track said:
According to the Nosler Reloading Manual, the 7mm Remington Magnum has higher velocities with a 24" barrel, than the 280 Remington and the 280 AI with 26" barrels. The math is quite fundamental; the 7mm Remington Magnum is much more superior than it's little cousins.
Click to expand...
Yes it is. I customed chambered more 7mm Remington Magnums than any other cartridge for over 50 years... an excellent cartridge back then and still today.
 
at equal pressures / barrel length, the 280AI gives about 50 fps more than the 280 Rem

It is cooler looking tho! and fun to say

AdDkQlu.jpeg
 
Last edited:
reomack said:
I am having a hard time with the 280 AI concept. I know about the cool factor but I also know that a 280 Rem loaded to 270 pressure levels isn't that far behind the 280 AI. Can one of you AI mavens splain it to me?
Click to expand...
I've owned 3 280 Rems and 1 280 AI - I still have the 280 AI - its JUST a better cartridge in respects of SPEED and brass design ! Other then that NOT much ! jmo
 
Nice necro thread but the arguments are still valid. Improved is better for the handloader due to quality brass as well as availability and case life as well. I also prefer it to the 7mm rem mag which my ackley replaced due to a bit less powder usage and better feeding. Plus I think it looks ###y.
 
Had 270s and a 280. Found myself without a small caliber deer gun, Montana in 280 AI fills that perfectly. The Nosler ammo that I bought for the brass says 3150 with a 140. Sort of a super 270. Had the Ackley books for 40 years.
 
The 7 PRC is a modern .280 AI... "potato-potahto." Back in the day, I stayed with the standard .280... today, I would go with the PRC in a 7mm cartridge.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom