Which caliber?

[brandon327]

7mm Rem Mag, .280ai, or .284 Win? I want a long range deer rifle with the ability to kill a elk if needed. It seems the .280ai is getting close to the same velocity as the 7mm Rem Mag., Not sure on anything about to .284 win. I really don't want a muzzle brake, 26" barrel max

[4xforfun]

Well, I am a big bullet guy...not sure if the 280 AI will stay with the 7mm Rem mag with the 168-175-180 grain bullets.

On the other hand, I am an accuracy guy...but have never owned a 280 AI to compare with the bigger 7. From what I understand the 280 AI is very accurate. To be fair, ALL 280 AI's are custom, and should be accurate!!!! Most 7mm rem mags are factory.

[Derek M.]

I've had a 7mag since 1988. I ultimately customized it about 10 years ago. I just had another 7mag built about 2 years ago.

I wouldn't hesitate to get another. BUT, I'm very interested in a 7WSM. I think that is a caliber you should seriously consider for your described hunting purposes.

Gap 7wsm at 2000 yards - YouTube

7mm WSM kill shot at 701yards on Sika Hind - YouTube

[TikkaShooters]

I'm having a 284 win built right now. After reviewing the info on 6mmbr.com it is obvious the 284 is a contender.

Almost 3000 fps with a Berger 180 and rl17 sounds like a winner to me.

[TimeOnTarget]

Originally Posted by brandon327

7mm Rem Mag, .280ai, or .284 Win? I want a long range deer rifle with the ability to kill a elk if needed. It seems the .280ai is getting close to the same velocity as the 7mm Rem Mag., Not sure on anything about to .284 win. I really don't want a muzzle brake, 26" barrel max

I just went through a comparable dilema recently. I was looking for an all around cartridge capable of elk or the like someday.

I have a 280 ai on order....

A 280ai is NOT a 7mag. Yes you may be able to duplicate factory 7mag loads with a 280ai by handloading. but you can also out do the 280ai handloads with 7mag handloads.

I guess the fact i could get close to 7 mag performance in a standard case with less recoil was intriguing to me. the cool factor of the ai might also have played into it as well.

[Sully2]

Originally Posted by brandon327

7mm Rem Mag, .280ai, or .284 Win? I want a long range deer rifle with the ability to kill a elk if needed. It seems the .280ai is getting close to the same velocity as the 7mm Rem Mag., Not sure on anything about to .284 win. I really don't want a muzzle brake, 26" barrel max

From the sound of it....if I were you Id pick the 7mm Rem Magnum

[brandon327]

Originally Posted by TimeOnTarget

I just went through a comparable dilema recently. I was looking for an all around cartridge capable of elk or the like someday.

I have a 280 ai on order....

A 280ai is NOT a 7mag. Yes you may be able to duplicate factory 7mag loads with a 280ai by handloading. but you can also out do the 280ai handloads with 7mag handloads.

I guess the fact i could get close to 7 mag performance in a standard case with less recoil was intriguing to me. the cool factor of the ai might also have played into it as well.

The fact that i could get close to factory 7 mag performance in a standard case with less recoil is intriguing to me also. That is what got me to looking at the .280ai.

What would probally be the max range on deer with a .280ai be?