280 ai

[crabo]

Anyone shooting one? I have a SS 700 and thought about rechambering it and putting a different stock on it. Not exactly sure why, other than I am always messing with my stuff.

[felix]

Put a 7BR in it first, and then expand the case size if warrented for hunting. ... felix

[shotman]

dont know why but your avatre says most of it TX has to be problem LOL
280 is good size but hard to load for . But some dont like it because its a remington

[280Ackley]

My handle says it all. I have a 721 that I converted 10 years ago. It's been my go to rifle every since.

[white eagle]

I re-barreled my model 70 for it a few years back
I like it very much a very versatile round for sure
here is what Kenny Jarret says about it

If I had to lay my finger on one thing that really brought Jarrett Rifles to the dance, it would be the .280 Improved. We have made over 700 rifles in this caliber and probably rebarreled at least that many. For me to say I’ve had more experience with this cartridge than anyone else is a safe bet. After several long discussions with P.O. Ackley, I decided I wanted to work with this cartridge. Even though P.O. Ackley would not take credit for its creation, it bears all the markings of Ackley’s work. (Ackley also made a 7mm-06 version, which is slightly shorter and has a little less capacity than the .280 version.) Mr. Ackley was very enthusiastic about the .280 Improved and told me that he felt its capacity was the maximum useable powder for 7mm. Mr. Ackley had a lot of influence on me in the earlier days and out of respect for his help, most of my .280 Imp. rifles still bear his name. Several aspects make the .280 Imp. a wonderful cartridge: first, factory ammo can be used in the Improved chamber, second, its brass life is good, and third, its versatility created by the high degree of accuracy with bullet weights ranging from 120gr. to 160gr. One can see there is very little difference, if any, between the magnum 7mm’s and the .280 Improved. Mr. Ackley felt strongly that a belted case was not needed in 7mm. Listed are average velocities for the .280 Improved and I say “average” because rifles are individuals. In fact, the tight bore barrels, dimensionally speaking, produce the best accuracy but not the best velocity.

On the light bullet end, you have a set up that will beat a .25-06 all to pieces. Conversely, the heavy end bullets will out perform a .30-06, velocity wise. The higher ballistic co-efficient of 160 gr. 7mm bullets allow them to retain their down range velocity better compared to 160 gr. .30 caliber bullets.

If you only want one custom rifle, then versatility should be your prime consideration. The .280 Improved is totally adequate on small African game or antelope with the 120’s. It’s perfect for larger deer with the 140’s, and a real elk and moose buster with the 160’s. The .280 Improved has been one of our best sellers because it works extremely well. Unless you are really recoil shy, a muzzle brake is not necessary on a .280 Improved. Thousands upon thousands of animals have been taken worldwide with the Jarrett Rifle in .280 Imp

[crabo]

Thanks White Eagle

[bearstopper]

I made the best buy of any rifle in my arsenal when a gentleman needed some money. He had a Win 70 Featherweight SS classic rifle and added a Timney trigger, HS Precision hand lapped octagon barrel, a Lone Wolf carbon kevlar stock, and had it all bedded to both the original walnut stock and the Lone wolf. I believe he put it all together in the 1990's and when he lost his job a couple years ago, he put it up for sale. He dropped the price rapidly and when it got to $800.00, I couldn't help myself. He included brass, dies, bullets and load data and it shoots incredibly. I ran out of the original Barnes bullets he gave me and loaded up some of the TTSX this year and it shoots even better with those...literally shot a 3/8" 3 shot group off my shaky varmint bench. It is truly a masterpiece and I often feel guilty of taking advantage of his hardship[smilie=1:.

[429421Cowboy]

I have longed for a gun in .280 AI for a long time, the 7mm rem mag is one of my favorites but the AI has always seemed to make up for the 7mag's shortcomings and still use less powder to do it. I wonder what happens as bullet weight increases how the performence holds up?

[raingauge]

I started shooting a .280 in the late seventies, I liked it so well I never bothered to go AI. I was shooting a Ruger 77V, using some of Jim Carmichals load data, I was pushing 160 grn bullets in the 3000 fps range. Sierra gamekings would group 2 1/2 inch at 250 yards. I traded the rifle to a brother ( big mistake) he got to shooting matchking bullets, and the groups shrunk. Standard or AI, . I think the .280 is a great cartridge!

[white eagle]

just an added note on the recoil of the 280 ai
it just doesn't seem as sharp as even a 280 Rem.
more of a push

[crabo]

I keep thinking about this will probably get the Bell and Carlson Medalist stock, then the rechamber. I will pay attention to the chamber reamer used.

[snowwolfe]

Just ordered a left hand Zastava mauser rifle with a double trigger in 7x57 with the hopes of removing the magazine block (if any) and having it rechambered to 280 improved. Just to many happy owners to ignore getting one of these.

[376Steyr]

snowwolfe, take a hard look at comparing chamber dimensions before you re-chamber. The 7x57 is supposed to have a tapered neck. You might get a funny looking, two-step "shoulder" on your 280's neck after firing. Just something to think about.

[snowwolfe]

Easy fix:) Just have the smith set the barrel back one turn before rechambering.

[376Steyr]

That should work. Glad you weren't planning to just grab a reamer and start hogging out metal. Sounds like you have the makings of a keeper there.

[scrapcan]

crabo,

I have some experience with the 7mm-06 AI and I like it a lot. My 7mm-06AI shoots as well with fire forming loads as it does with formed reloads. Mine really likes IMR 7828 and 168 SMK. I have a lb of 7828sc and 7828ssc to try with jacketed but have not got it done yet. I am also still working on good cast loadings.

You might do a search for Boom Boom and 7mm as he has way more experience with this cartridge than I do and he put up good info in the thread he started.

My cousin has a 280 AI and it shoots well with factory, fire forming reloads, and formed reloads.

[wyoduster]

I've hunted and killed most all big game animals with my 280.. Its like an extension of my arm... Never had any problem with knock down.
But as a newbie in the cast boolit world.... I'm anxious to try some cast in it.

[softpoint]

I have a .280 AI It is a Rem 700, Lilja barrel, jewel trigger and HS stock. Mine has a "snug neck" chamber,action and bolt trued. It is a very good shooter, but I haven't killed any game with it. I've had it out hunting, but the deer didn't cooperate those days.:razz:

[scrapcan]

crabo,

Just reading through some old issues of Precision Shooter and there is an article on the 280 AI by Kenny Jarrett in the April 1996 issue pg 58. In it he says that at that time that he had built 463e rifles in that caliber, that in itself says a heap about the cartridge. He also says in the article that the case capacity is perfect for the 7mm bore. There is some data at the end of the article also.

[o6Patient]

The 280 is a fine and much under appreciated cartridge all by it self.
The 280 AI should be just a little more of an already good thing that
in actuality doesn't need improving on.

[UBER7MM]

The 280 is a fine and much under appreciated cartridge all by it self.
The 280 AI should be just a little more of an already good thing that
in actuality doesn't need improving on.

I agree with o6Patient.

[JHeath]

I agree with o6Patient.

+1. At age 16 I bought myself a .280 after careful consideration. That was 1979 and I haven't done anything as sensible since.

[Jim Flinchbaugh]

I've hunted and killed most all big game animals with my 280.. Its like an extension of my arm... Never had any problem with knock down.
But as a newbie in the cast boolit world.... I'm anxious to try some cast in it.

Me too, and do try some cast, I just started with cast in mine the last month or so
loving it!

[MJR007]

My big nose likes the 7mm-08 types better...

[o6Patient]

Me think the 7mm-08 is under appreciated also, probably not to the degree the 280 is.