280 ai

[kbuehner]

Im interested in haveing a 280 AI built for longrange not something that will be to big of a bear to carry. I got a Huskama scope for Christmas last year and dont have anything to put it on. Can I get some suggestions on components that wont break the bank but still work well. I would also entertain buying a used quality 280 AI. Thanks in advance for any help just getting started with the lomg range stuff but have always been interested in accuracy. This takes it to the next level. Thanks Keith

[kbuehner]

[QUOTE=kbuehner;739165]Im interested in haveing a 280 AI built for longrange not something that will be to big of a bear to carry. I got a Huskama scope for Christmas last year and dont have anything to put it on. Can I get some suggestions on components that wont break the bank but still work well. I would also entertain buying a used quality 280 AI. Thanks in advance for any help just getting started with the lomg range stuff but have always been interested in accuracy. This takes it to the next level. Thanks Keith

[redneckclimbing]

If you are going to have something built then go with a rem 700 or clone. The stock options as well as scope base options are numerous and can be had anywhere. I just got my first custom done, a 7mm wildcat I designed. Almost any smith has the tooling to work on a 700. If you were going to do the work I would say go with a Savage and a pre-fit barrel. (Also, not a bad option if you are wanting to save some weight.)

I went with a manners T-4 because I was really trying to squeeze all the accuracy I could out of it but I have shot a couple of really good rifles with HS Precisions on them un bedded even. Easy to take care of your gun that way (clean the trigger, or let dry) and not terribly expensive if you keep it to base models.

As for a barrel, this is where you are going to make or brake the scales. Mine is 1.4x4" then tapered to .875 @ 30". That didn't sound too heavy to me but this is going to be a 15# rifle now for sure!

If you go with a rem I would suggest probably a light palma contour. If you get crazy, build it yourself, and go with a savage, don't go any bigger than their varmint contour and it should not be too heavy.

Hope that helps, (I think that some day I will also have one of these rifles!, Good Luck!)

[lhouston78]

depending on what you are going to do with it this is what I have found for a good starter. My 280 AI is my pack gun.

action - remington 700
bottom metal - remington
trigger - tuned remington, timney, jard replacment parts
recoil lug- ptg .250 tapered
barrel- Kreiger, brux, rock, or any of the good cut barrels in a 8 or 9 twist number 4 to a remington varmint
stock- bell and carlson(best bang for the buck, and in stock normally)
brake- muzzle brakes and more
scope base- egw 30 moa

have your gun smith square the face of the action and bolt face, and lap the lugs done.

Mine shoots sub 1/2 moa with 168 bergers at 3020 fps with out a problem and has reached out to a mile.

[wyowinchester]

I shot pdogs with a guy last year. He shot a 280ai that he built. You might contact him and pick his brain or see about buying one.
JIM MAJOROS jim@viktorslegacy.com 440-332-guns www.viktorslegacy.com
Shot a dog at over 400yds.

[TXshooter]

I own an ultra light in 280 AI. Made by mg arms and it is awesome whole rifle weighs under 4lbs including scope. It is basically a hopped up 7mm mag. Shoots 4 shots at a 100 at .360 inches.

[J E Custom]

I have built many 280 AIs that weighed less than 8 to 10 pounds(Depending on the stock and
scope used) using a # 5 or #6 Lilja. This contour is heavy enough to be accurate with the .284
bore. I will normally recomend a 24'' to 26" barrel and these barrels will weigh around 4 pounds.

The 280 AI is very accurate and capable beyond 1000 yards. I recomend using a standard 280 head
space gauge with the AI reamer so you can fire form standard 280 ammo while hunting with factory
brass or ammo. They are very accurate if set up this way(There is a .004 difference in head space
in the new SAMME spec 280 AI and the standard 280 Rem).

A 1 in 9 twist is perfict for bullets between 120 and 168 grains,and 3 or 6 lands is my choice.

With this combanation , no muzzle break is needed and 140 to 160 grain bullets can be pushed
as fast as a 7 Rem Mag in the 280 AI version.

J E CUSTOM