280 AI pros n cons for a 7mm

Camoman1 said:
I went through this same debacle for a while too. Sure you can get some good velocity’s from the 280ai, but you have to push this cartridge to the limits to get there. Not what I am comfort with, a little bit of rain and you have a locked up bolt. Why not go for the 7RM with some more reasonable loads and still get more velocity. Plus there is loaded ammunition around every corner if you need.
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But 280AI is cool and 7RM isn't.
 
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Glad to see the love.
Just got my first 280 AI and was a little hesitant to begin with.
Having several hundred new 280 Remington cases swayed the decision in it's favor.
 
leonk05 said:
Loaded hot and a little rain will lock your bolt? Why?
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If you are loaded around max pressure and your ammo gets wet it can put you over pressure. Given that some of the 280ai guys load hot to keep up with the 7rem mag guys etc... i think you can see where this is going. In my experience temperature has been what puts me over pressure. A load developed in the long cold winter has come back to bite me on a hot summer day a couple of times.
 
Anyone have any experience with the Berger 168 grain Classic Hunter in the 280AI? I have parts on order for a new build, and just found 500 pcs of this bullet in my reloading room. Any info would be appreciated.
 
I shoot the 168gr Berger CH in my 280 Ackley. Very good accuracy, half moa 5 shot isn't uncommon, and that's in a 8lb scoped hunting rifle
 
todbartell said:
I shoot the 168gr Berger CH in my 280 Ackley. Very good accuracy, half moa 5 shot isn't uncommon, and that's in a 8lb scoped hunting rifle
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What powder are you using in that load? I have H4831SC and H4350 currently, but will pick up something else if it warrants it. And what is your thoughts on that bullet for relatively close range hits on big game? Thinking 300 yards and in on moose, bear and deer.
 
rugbydave said:
What is the benefit of going 280AI over a 7SAUM (other than not needing a magnum bolt face)?
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If you can run the 7SAUM in a short action and get same or higher velocity then the 280AI, the SAUM would be the better rifle option.
I got no dog in this, but I shoot a 7RM for long range fun (it's braked, so like shooting a 243win), and for what it can do load wise (single digit ES with a 162gr ELDM at 3000fps under loaded), I wouldn't swap it for any other 7mm.
 
Hitzy said:
If you can run the 7SAUM in a short action and get same or higher velocity then the 280AI, the SAUM would be the better rifle option.
I got no dog in this, but I shoot a 7RM for long range fun (it's braked, so like shooting a 243win), and for what it can do load wise (single digit ES with a 162gr ELDM at 3000fps under loaded), I wouldn't swap it for any other 7mm.
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I figure since the 7SAUM has more case capacity and is also a shorter case, it should be able to get more speed and run heavies like 180s while still fitting in a mag much better than a 280AI? I'm having one built but I never even thought of the 280AI when I was deciding on a short action mag fed 7mm for long range so this post had me curious.
 
Crashman said:
What powder are you using in that load? I have H4831SC and H4350 currently, but will pick up something else if it warrants it. And what is your thoughts on that bullet for relatively close range hits on big game? Thinking 300 yards and in on moose, bear and deer.
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I used RL26 and RL22 mainly, but had good results with RL19, H4831sc, RL23 and Magpro. The Berger will kill well, might be messy if you hit bone. Very fast expanding bullet that will fragment

rugbydave said:
I never even thought of the 280AI when I was deciding on a short action mag fed 7mm for long range so this post had me curious.
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280AI isn't a short action round, OAL will be 3.34 or longer
 
Suther said:
Why do you figure that is? I know the 284 can be built on a long action, which allows you to seat bullets farther out and still fit in the mag, but I'm not sure if that's the primary reason to pick it over 280ai or not? I would figure 7mm has probably lost market share in the last decade with all the 6mm and 6.5mm options that seem so popular these days?

I want a lightweight 7mm rifle, but I think I'm going to go with a 7mm08, as a hunting rifle I don't see the need for more power in most situations, and if I did need more from a 7mm the Rem mag is a good step up in performance. If you're only interested in having one 7mm in your locker then the 280ai seems like a good middle ground.
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The continued theme is case design shorter faster is more accurate then longer thinner

6br vs 243win
284- 280ai
300wsm vs 300 Win mag
338 norma vs 338 lapua

in each case the shorter fatter case has proven to be more accurate while giving up little velocity.

YMMV but it comes down to igniting the powder charge, with shorter fatter cases there seems to be a more consistent and complete burning of powder using the same ignition (primer)

All the best
Trevor
 
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