custom build, now doubting the caliber choice

MaxKW

MaxKW

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I have a stainless rem 700 LA in standard bolt face, I was going to build a light weight 280AI but I'm starting to wonder if I'd be further ahead finding a mag bolt and just making it a regular 7mm mag, more ammo, cheaper dies, less hassle.

I need some guidance before giving the project the green light.
 
If you load stay with your choice. A great cartridge and you won't notice much difference in performance. Nosler build brass that is easy to source, you can always fireform brass for cheap too. If you didn't load it might be a different story...

I had the same issue only I had the mag bolt face and wanted a 280 AI.

Instead of going for a 7mm Remmy I am going a .264 win mag.

7mm Rem mags are about as neat as vanilla ice cream....
 
7mm mag is better, but with a standard bolt face id run the 280 straight or a 6.5x284.

im done with ackleys. there are better mouse traps as a factory option.
 
7 rem is a great cartridge don't be fooled, there is a reason there are so many around. The .280AI is also a good cartridge, I think the 280ai dies are becoming quite common and easy to get. As mentioned nosler makes .280ai brass or the .280 brass is easliy fire formed. Don't let an extra $20 on dies change your mind. The 7mag will have an edge on performance but it comes with more noise, recoil and muzzle blast. The .280ai is more pleasant to shoot IMHO. You wouldn't need a magnum bolt, just have your smith open the bolt face and good to go. As far as ammo is concernd, you probably want to load for either so.......... just make sure you take your ammo with you and don't loose it!:D
 
I own and have shot the .280 Rem (not AI) and 7mm Rem mag for many years. Go with the .280 if you reload and never look back. The 7mm is impressive at long range, but for big game it won't do anything the .280 can't out to 500 yards or so. The AI may even the field even more. If you are going to go with a new 7mm bolt face, body and bolt handle, find a 'smith who knows what they're doing. Timing the bolt handle can be screwed up very easily.
 
Stay with the .280 Rem!!! Great proven caliber!!! Can't go wrong!!!

Excuse me for being blunt here, but what the hell is the big deal about picking up an extra 100 ft/sec by going AI????

Hell, buy a box of Superperformance ammo off the store shelf for the .280 Rem, and you're there, if not even better!

I just don't get it! 100 ft/sec. So what!

Sure, the 7mm is great, too...but is it worth the expense of changing up??? Extra recoil??? Maybe if one wants to hunt griz I s'pose, but sure don't need it over the .280 for moose or elk or anything else!

Just sayin'...

:)
 
Never had an AI, but the numbers I usually see are 50-75 fps higher than the parent, which is moot for hunting purposes. 280 rem or 284 win for me...

Put it in a LW stock, with a #1 22" barrel, would be just about perfect...
 
If you ever want to offload it it will be easier in 7 RM....280 AI is quite a bit more interesting....unless you really need the extra bit of FPS.....if you really need the fps then the big 700 Action will take the longer STW's as mentioned.

If you have to go out and get a mag bolt that would mike my choice easier.....nothing wrong the the 06' family.
 
7 MM Rem Mag is a fine calibre. Why go AI if you can get more velocity, more ammo availability and better brass availability by going 7mm? The recoil is similar to a 30-06 so that wouldn't appear to be a huge problem.
 
It's strange that I always hear handloaders saying "well I went with this cartridge because it's more generic and if I need to pick up a box at crappy tire I can in a pinch." Do we all just lose our stuff like that? I have never lost a box of my handloads and never planning on doing so. MaxKW, you already have the bolt face for it, once you get the AI brass it will last very long, especially if you are building a light weight gun like you say which tells me you won't be shooting it 50-100 times every weekend and as far as bullets, well you're shooting the same ones either way. A few one time purchases may be a hassle and cost a few bucks more, but probably nothing more than it would end up costing you to have a smith open up the bolt face or buy and sell one. Stick with the 280AI in my opinion. You'll love it!
 
280AI /284 win

I built mine on a 1909 action ,Doglas bbl.,and had chamber lengthened to 3.1"to loade out the 284 capcity.
Its chrono-ed at 7mm mag velocities. And very pleasant to shoot, goes MOA if I do my stuff,
284 win brass is readily available, Good Luck Jim:wave:
 
I'd be happy with any of the above. In reality I would probably do a 7mm Rem Mag, just for the sake, but the .280 AI will do 2900fps with a good 160gr bullet. I would shoot a grizz with that.
It all depends on what bullet and how fast. Don't limit yourself by pushing one cartridge to it's maximum possible all the time.
 
Check Lee Precision's website under "Very Limited Production Die Sets". .280AI sets are $42.95 or so. I have dealt with Lee directly before; they are VERY customer-oriented people.
I've never felt the urge to AI my .280, but heck, why not? I loved my .30-30 AI!
 
MaxKW said:
I have a stainless rem 700 LA in standard bolt face, I was going to build a light weight 280AI but I'm starting to wonder if I'd be further ahead finding a mag bolt and just making it a regular 7mm mag, more ammo, cheaper dies, less hassle.
Click to expand...
I'd go std 270Win (or 280 if I had to) for a lightweight long action rifle.


.
 
The cartridges are functionally interchangeable on game.

I'd go with the 280 AI, as for me, a custom rifle in a vanilla caliber seems kind of silly.

You can already buy just about any imaginable version of a 7mm rem mag anyways. If you just wanted a 7mm rem mag mountain rifle, for example, just go out and buy one, and forget all the custom stuff.
 
Over the years I've had a couple 7mm Mags and as nice as they were anything killed with them didn't seem any more dead than an animal killed with my 270s or 280 or my 280AI.....
 
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