Who's shooting .280 AI?

Ardent

Ardent

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How does it feed? Have had a good few sharp shouldered cartridges and the "step" when feeding has always irked me (compared to say a .270).

Happy to hear general thoughts on it too, I'm looking to try a new mountain cartridge below magnum and this fits what's on my bench component wise. Some neat guns chambered in it now too.
 
The feeding compared to a 270 Win is never as good...

Shot an AI for years though and it worked... but if I were to build again it would be a standard 270 or 280... not great advantage to the AI in a lot of the cartridges... but in quite tapered ones like the 22-250 - a huge benefit.
 
I have a kimber mountain accent in 280ai and it doesn't like to feed the first and the last round. The first will feed if you go hard and fast on the bolt but the last round will never feed. Pain in the butt when you have to cycle every round to unload it.
 
Ardent said:
How does it feed? Have had a good few sharp shouldered cartridges and the "step" when feeding has always irked me (compared to say a .270).

Happy to hear general thoughts on it too, I'm looking to try a new mountain cartridge below magnum and this fits what's on my bench component wise. Some neat guns chambered in it now too.
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Mine was done on an early 700 Stainless re-chambered from 280, cycling and overall function was as smooth as when it was a 280.
One of my pet loads was a 150 partition over 62.0 gr. RL 22 and believe me it was chasing my 7mm RM..... big time !
 
If the magazine is double stacked it will not feed nice....my cooper is 280ai is a single stacked mag only 3+1 but what more do you need ?? Feeds flawlessly.....
 
I've had a Kimber Montana and Cooper Excalibur in 280 AI. I think most of the attraction comes from the name, it sounds a lot "cooler" than 280 Rem or 7mmRM. I had the same Cooper in a 270 and feeding seemed identical, but then they're a single stack mag, so they have a tendency to feed well anyhow.
In the Montana, I've had a 308, 280AI, 270 WSM, 325 WSM and re barrelled 6.5x47 and the AI was better than the WSMs, but not as smooth as the Lapua or 308, as expected.
I don't think feeding is an issue in most rifles, certainly not like the short fat cartridges.
After a while the chambering lost its lustre with me and moved on. I'd still choose it over the 7mmRM as I despise that caliber, for no good reason whatsoever. Buy one, at worst you can flip it if you don't like it.
 
I have two rifles chambered for 280 Remington and I reload. I have found that there is very little difference in velocity between what you can get from the AI version and the standard version if you reload to similar pressure levels. Not a whole lot of difference in case capacity between the two. However there is always the cool factor.
 
The 7x57 isn't that far behind the .280 Rem. if you handload, and while the gap widens with the .280 A.I., it's not like stepping to a 7mm R.M. I have loads that will do 2,900 and a bit over in the 7x57. I had to consult a loading manual for .280 data, but the Nosler manual has .280 A.I cruising at 3,150, with the best load just under 3,200. With a 250 yd. zero, that extra speed equates to an inch-and-a-half less drop at 350, and 3 1/2 inches less at 400. You'd have to be a pretty amazing shot to prove a difference of 3 1/2" at 400 yards.
 
9.3mauser said:
The 7x57 isn't that far behind the .280 Rem. if you handload, and while the gap widens with the .280 A.I., it's not like stepping to a 7mm R.M. I have loads that will do 2,900 and a bit over in the 7x57. I had to consult a loading manual for .280 data, but the Nosler manual has .280 A.I cruising at 3,150, with the best load just under 3,200. With a 250 yd. zero, that extra speed equates to an inch-and-a-half less drop at 350, and 3 1/2 inches less at 400. You'd have to be a pretty amazing shot to prove a difference of 3 1/2" at 400 yards.
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There's a whole pile of cartridges that fit into the hair splitting category and going by that reasoning most are "the same" from a hunting perspective. I'm pretty sure the OP is well versed in the various calibers ballistics data.
 
Appreciate the frank input guys, I think I'll avoid the .280 AI for now. I like slick feeding and was concerned it could present issues. I do want something flatter than my 7x57 for mountain goat, but sticking to 7mm, guess 7RM is it. I've tried the STW, but not the WSM. Probably the straight 7 mag is my best bet right now.
 
Ardent said:
Appreciate the frank input guys, I think I'll avoid the .280 AI for now. I like slick feeding and was concerned it could present issues. I do want something flatter than my 7x57 for mountain goat, but sticking to 7mm, guess 7RM is it. I've tried the STW, but not the WSM. Probably the straight 7 mag is my best bet right now.
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I'm working with a 28 Nosler when calm weather between hurricanes permits range time, I'll keep you posted if you're interested.
To my way of thinking it is similar to a 7 STW perhaps not as fast and probably slower than other 7s , but its certainly got more zip than my 7 RMs.
As for my 280 AI ( which I liked ) a good friend and co-worker borrowed it when his hunting rifle conked out and after an Elk hunt he gave me a signed blank cheque.
 
Ardent said:
Appreciate the frank input guys, I think I'll avoid the .280 AI for now. I like slick feeding and was concerned it could present issues. I do want something flatter than my 7x57 for mountain goat, but sticking to 7mm, guess 7RM is it. I've tried the STW, but not the WSM. Probably the straight 7 mag is my best bet right now.
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You need a 270 Weatherby.
 
Ardent said:
7mm and .375 are steadies, I haven't decided on .277, but really liking my .270 Win.
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:)

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