Hi, joining to get some beta on a new rifle. BC based, looking to add something with enough takedown power for moose & elk at the high end and also keep recoil down. Been doing some research and hearing lots of good things about the .280 AI. I don't handload though, and will be looking here at what is available in the buy/sell. Thanks in advance for your opinions and help!
New member - considering .280 AI
- Thread starter doublegee
- Start date
Blackcats
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- North Bay . Ont
Hello and Welcome from NE Ont. ! P.S. 270 also a good option !
- Location
- Okanagan Valley B.C.
Hey hy
280 AI ! Prob One of the Very Best non “ magnum “ cartridges there is ! Cannot go wrong with one . JMO RJ
Welcome!
If you don't handload, would there be any point in getting an AI as opposed to the standard .280?
phillyblt
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- At the ridge that is maple
Welcome to CGN
Suther
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Fraser Valley
Welcome! 280AI is cool! Would be a perfect 1-gun-to-do-it-all IMO. But factory ammo is not all that common.
Does anyone make 280 rifles these days? Seems to me 280ai has largely supplanted the standard 280 in factory rifles.
Does anyone make 280 rifles these days? Seems to me 280ai has largely supplanted the standard 280 in factory rifles.
Suther
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Fraser Valley
More factory rifles in AI than standard 280 from what I've seen. Savage lists 8 products in 280ai, none in 280. Browning lists 7 AIs, 6 Regular 280s, but most of those regular ones are listed as discontinued whereas the 280ai's are not. Interestingly, the 280AI is not available in the more basic Xbolts, only more fancy Xbolt options - pro, speed, Hells canyon, etc, whereas the 280 rem is available in the Xbolt Hunter and Medallion. Neither are available in the composite stalker these days.
And ammo is similar but opposite - there is options for both, but the regular one seems to have more options (based on looking at Federal, Hornady, Winchester, and Remington).
But unless you handload I feel like 7mm Rem Mag is a better option. Or even 7mm08 if the Rem Mag is too much gun.
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Chase.adams
Regular
- Location
- Medicine Hat, AB
Welcome
Good beta - interesting to see the inverse correlation between calibre availability and ammo. Food for thought for me.
Highwind
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Bruce Peninsula, ON
The 280 AI has gained ground over the last 5 years or so and is a great choice. I'd be inclined to get one myself but I secured a 7MMRM for a good price before a 280AI surfaced.
270WSMXBolt
Regular
- Location
- Delta B.C.
Cool cartridge. I considered one myself but chose a 6.8 Western for the ability to stabilize the heavier rounds. Very similar performance when looking at the data. Very similar ammo availability as well with the edge on that in favour of the Ackley. Though I haven't seen any 170 grain or higher factory loads available for the Ackley. I think Ron Spomer does a comparison on his show and gives all the data.
With niche cartridges you could be needing to start handloading when we run into ammo shortages like we have seen recently. Save your brass.
Cheers and welcome.
With niche cartridges you could be needing to start handloading when we run into ammo shortages like we have seen recently. Save your brass.
Cheers and welcome.
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Easier to find ammo for a 280 AI then a std 280 Rem I see . RJ
This will be a GREAT around 280 AI load
https://tigerarms.ca/product/barnes-vor-tx-280-ackley-improved-152-gr-lrx-bt/
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