.270 vs. 7mm Rem Mag vs. longer range calibers?

SuperCub said:
What does the 280AI have to offer over the 7mm Mag, trimming brass aside?
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Nothing really other than with factory loaded ammo there's hardly a difference between the 280AI and the 7mm rem mag, hand loading separates the two cartridges, I hunted with a 7mm Rem mag and a 7mm Wby mag for years and still prefer the 280AI, just a personal preference,

The OP was concerned with recoil but also liked the ballistics of the 7mm so a 280AI seems more fitting, and at the ranges he mentioned 7mm-08, 6.5 PRC, 270 win, 280/280AI. 308/30-06 will all get the job done, especially with the great options in Bullets and loaded ammo available.
 
Weatherby Fan said:
Nothing really other than with factory loaded ammo there's hardly a difference between the 280AI and the 7mm rem mag, hand loading separates the two cartridges, I hunted with a 7mm Rem mag and a 7mm Wby mag for years and still prefer the 280AI, just a personal preference,

The OP was concerned with recoil but also liked the ballistics of the 7mm so a 280AI seems more fitting, and at the ranges he mentioned 7mm-08, 6.5 PRC, 270 win, 280/280AI. 308/30-06 will all get the job done, especially with the great options in Bullets and loaded ammo available.
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Too bad that factory ammo is far less common and far more expensive compared to 270win or 7mm Rem Mag...

And considering the question, I doubt he handloads...
 
I do have experience hand-loading, have done a variety of different calibers but not ever for a belted cartridge. I was a little wary of trying to learn to headspace based off of the belt. I was also looking at the availability of brass and information in the reloading books that I currently own deciding on calibers, and there was actually nothing about the 280AI so I have some learning to do.

What model of gun do people have in 280AI?

Shopping around for different rifles I have not seen 280AI very often so I was a little wary of them. I will look into them a lot more now!

It seems like a lot of it is based on personal preference so I think shooting different guns to find what I like most will be wise.
 
Suther said:
Too bad that factory ammo is far less common and far more expensive compared to 270win or 7mm Rem Mag...

And considering the question, I doubt he handloads...
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I agree they don't have as many factory offering as the 270/7mm but Federal has 3 offerings, Nosler has 6 offering, Hornady has 2 offerings and Ive never had any issues finding 280AI ammo on the shelves in the lower mainland,

Of course finding factory rifles chambered in it is an issue, Savage, Weatherby, and the now mythical Kimbers are some of the few.

For example if you use factory ammo prices at Cabelas......so a difference of $5-20 a box is going to decide which caliber you'll choose ? most average hunter don't shoot a box of ammo a year.

Nosler Trophy Grade
270 win 130gr AB $75+tax
280AI. 140gr AB $90+tax
7mmRM 160gr AB $97+tax

Hornady Precision Hunter
270 win 145gr ELDX $65+tax
280AI 162gr ELDX $85+tax
7mm RM 162grELDX $80+tax

Federal Terminal Ascent- Reliable Gun
270 win 136gr $50+tax
280AI 155gr $63+tax
7mm RM 155gr $70+tax
 
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I find the 270 to be inherently inaccurate and boring.

Besides that flat shooting is a myth,as it's either a laser beam with zero drop or it's not.
Every bullet is gonna drop at 400 yards,so whether its 6 inches or 8 inches ,dont really matter.
The 7 will have much better knock down power.
It's a fricken magnum for christs sake.
Give your head a shake...lol
 
the.dark.knight said:
I do have experience hand-loading, have done a variety of different calibers but not ever for a belted cartridge. I was a little wary of trying to learn to headspace based off of the belt. I was also looking at the availability of brass and information in the reloading books that I currently own deciding on calibers, and there was actually nothing about the 280AI so I have some learning to do.

What model of gun do people have in 280AI?

Shopping around for different rifles I have not seen 280AI very often so I was a little wary of them. I will look into them a lot more now!

It seems like a lot of it is based on personal preference so I think shooting different guns to find what I like most will be wise.
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"headspace off the belt" - many reloaders would probably prefer to headspace off the case shoulder - sort of ignore that belt - like ignoring the rim on a 303 British - maybe not as drastic as fire forming first for 303 British, or opening up the neck to create a false shoulder first, but the idea comes from same place - a closer fit to chamber shape - the odd time that actually does work out to head spacing on the belt, but not always. I have been loading mostly 338 Win Mag, since mid-1980's, in belted cases - I just go through similar process to get set up the sizing die for nice snug chambering - same as 308 Win, 30-06, 243, etc.

I have had an issue arise that I think is unique to belted cases - my die would not size down cases fired in other rifles, right in front of that belt. I had not run into that until I started with brass previously fired in another chamber. The solution at the time, that got me going, was another larger cartridge's die that I had, that was tighter right at the belt - just random tolerances from manufacturing, I am sure. The permanent solution was getting a Larry Willis die, but have not actually used it yet. I got a good deal on 150 previously fired Weatherby brand 300 Weatherby cases. Not a single one will chamber in my rifle after "normal" full length sizing with my RCBS die. Every one fails the gauge test that is built into the Larry Wilson die - that specialty die will pay for itself when I do up those brass.
 
Weatherby Fan said:
I agree they don't have as many factory offering as the 270/7mm but Federal has 3 offerings, Nosler has 6 offering, Hornady has 2 offerings and Ive never had any issues finding 280AI ammo on the shelves in the lower mainland,

Of course finding factory rifles chambered in it is an issue, Savage, Weatherby, and the now mythical Kimbers are some of the few.

For example if you use factory ammo prices at Cabelas......so a difference of $5-20 a box is going to decide which caliber you'll choose ? most average hunter don't shoot a box of ammo a year.

Nosler Trophy Grade
270 win 130gr AB $75+tax
280AI. 140gr AB $90+tax
7mmRM 160gr AB $97+tax

Hornady Precision Hunter
270 win 145gr ELDX $65+tax
280AI 162gr ELDX $85+tax
7mm RM 162grELDX $80+tax

Federal Terminal Ascent- Reliable Gun
270 win 136gr $50+tax
280AI 155gr $63+tax
7mm RM 155gr $70+tax
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I was more thinking that I can walk into Walmart or Canadian Tire and buy 270 or 7RM for $28-32 a box. You can't do that with a 280ai, if you're lucky you'll find ammo at Crappy Tire for it (never seen it at Walmart, but some CT's have a pretty good selection) but then you'll be paying $60 a box or more.

Personally, I would never buy a caliber that I couldn't buy federal Powershok or Wincherster SuperX ammo for a reasonable price for practice and plinking, at least I wouldn't have before I started reloading. Now factory ammo prices are pretty well irrelevant to my choices, but they aren't to everyone.
 
the.dark.knight said:
I do have experience hand-loading, have done a variety of different calibers but not ever for a belted cartridge. I was a little wary of trying to learn to headspace based off of the belt. I was also looking at the availability of brass and information in the reloading books that I currently own deciding on calibers, and there was actually nothing about the 280AI so I have some learning to do.

What model of gun do people have in 280AI?

Shopping around for different rifles I have not seen 280AI very often so I was a little wary of them. I will look into them a lot more now!

It seems like a lot of it is based on personal preference so I think shooting different guns to find what I like most will be wise.
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No difference loading belted mags vs non, no issues really.
If you are looking at 280AI then there is also the 7x64 available, faster twist rate, runs similar velocity, cheap ammo like PRVI/S&B, lots of higher quality used guns in that chambering that won't break the bank.
 
I would go with 30-06 and start reloading! From what I’ve see of the 270 and moose past 200 m is not great!
I really still think that 30-06 still is the best all around caliber out there today especially if you reload and you buy a solid rifle that can take “hot” loads!! And the recoil is not bad at all! Ammo are easy to find and lots of premium stuff available!
 
Hitzy said:
No difference loading belted mags vs non, no issues really.
If you are looking at 280AI then there is also the 7x64 available, faster twist rate, runs similar velocity, cheap ammo like PRVI/S&B, lots of higher quality used guns in that chambering that won't break the bank.
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There's a gorgeous Brno 21 chambered in 7x64 on EE right now ... not many like that. Edit: I think it sold fast

As above, 30-06 is probably the best all-rounder especially if you don't reload.
 
Suther said:
I was more thinking that I can walk into Walmart or Canadian Tire and buy 270 or 7RM for $28-32 a box. You can't do that with a 280ai, if you're lucky you'll find ammo at Crappy Tire for it (never seen it at Walmart, but some CT's have a pretty good selection) but then you'll be paying $60 a box or more.

Personally, I would never buy a caliber that I couldn't buy federal Powershok or Wincherster SuperX ammo for a reasonable price for practice and plinking, at least I wouldn't have before I started reloading. Now factory ammo prices are pretty well irrelevant to my choices, but they aren't to everyone.
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If I have to rely on buying ammo at Wallmart or Canadian Tire to go Hunting Im going Vegan Laugh2

I will say the CT in Kamloops has a huge hunting section and one of the better stocked stores Ive seen.
 
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a good friend of mine hunted deer,bear and moose for many years with a 270. he is a hunter not a shooter and he is quite good. he had a moose run a few yards instead of dropping on the spot so he needed as he said a big gun a 7rem mag. his hunting remains the same but he thinks the upgrade made a difference. both worked the same in the hands of a good hunter. me i use a lot of different rifles but tend to grab the 7 more often than not. i see little difference when i use a 308 or 7 08 or even my 33 06. a good hit means get your knife out the work is just beginning. a poor shot start looking. confidence in what your shooting means more than the difference between a 270 and a 7 mag.
 
Combine the two and you have the new and fantastic, but largely unavailable 6.8 Western. Seems like the best of both worlds. Uses heavy bullets, 7RM velocities (within reason), and it’s a magnum without a belt, short mag at that! Yippee! A Bob’s your uncle cartridge! LOL
 
FreedomIsn'tFree said:
I would never be without a 7mm mag for hunting here in the prairies.
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;)Good choice. 2014 I was successful on a Non-Resident Antelope Special Licence hunt in Alberta. My choice for that trip was my model 68DL Schultz & Larsen in 7x61 S&H, with 7x61 Super handloads. :)The wide open spaces you have there are quite a contrast to the often thicker and close quarters situations we run into here on the 'wet coast' on Vancouver Island.
 
Johnn Peterson said:
;)Good choice. 2014 I was successful on a Non-Resident Antelope Special Licence hunt in Alberta. My choice for that trip was my model 68DL Schultz & Larsen in 7x61 S&H, with 7x61 Super handloads. :)The wide open spaces you have there are quite a contrast to the often thicker and close quarters situations we run into here on the 'wet coast' on Vancouver Island.
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I have the same rifle but no ammo for it. I did find 80 new super brass and 20 re brass but I don't reload so that doesn't do me any good at this point.
 
FreedomIsn'tFree said:
I have the same rifle but no ammo for it. I did find 80 new super brass and 20 re brass but I don't reload so that doesn't do me any good at this point.
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Quite a while back I purchased a 'quantity' of roughly 12"x9"x6" stackable plastic trays for brass storage.;) Brass is usually a quest of mine at gunshows. I had quite a quantity of both 7x61 Re and 7x61 Super brass. A friend of my Sons in the B.C. central interior was on the search for 7x61 brass so I sorted the brass out, kept the Super brass and sold him the stuff headstamped Re. On a gun show 'deal' a few years ago,:d I lucked into a sizeable quantity of Super brass, enough to keep me and my Grandkids supplied for years to come.
 
Go with 30-06 if you don’t want a magnum. I’d totally choose 30-06 if you wanna buy factory ammo but if you reload I’d still go either 30-06 or 280 ai.
 
Leeper said:
As you are undoubtedly aware, AI cartridges produce magnum velocities with very little powder and no recoil. As if this wasn't enough, they also prevent hair loss and curb erectile dysfunction. I'm surprised you had to ask.
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LOL ..... Now that gets me thinking about getting my 280 opened up to the mythical AI esp given the couple benefits you mention. :)
 
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