Then personally I'd go 7RM. 1:7 twist. 22"+ barrel. If you really want to take advantage of its ballistics then go 27". I cut mine down from 27 to 22" so it's handier in the brush when I go to Alaska and with my suppressor it's the same length as it was before I cut the barrel down. I also switched from H1000 to Retumbo and now my load uses 0.5gr less powder, shoots 20fps faster in a barrel that's 5" shorter, and I don't have to wear ear pro. That was a win, win, win in my book. If I had left it 27" I'd probably be ~3150-3200fps w/ 168gr Berger. With that bullet that extends the terminal range from 1200 to almost 1400. It's a 1:9 twist (once I shoot it out I'll go 1:7). A 1:7 27" will probably launch a 180gr ELD-M at 3050-3100fps which extends your effective range to almost 1 mile. I'd have to check my ballistic app again but it was something like 1450fps at 1760. I just don't have the opportunity to shoot that far and a 27" barrel with a can is F'ing long. So, it was absolutely worth it to me to cut it down.
Torn between the 280 ai and the 7mm rem mag
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buck8541
Active Member
I have a pair of 280 AI's with 26" barrels (1 Shilen, 1 McGowen), 1:9 twist. I have moved away from 160 Accubond's to 175gr Nosler Long Range Accubond's now. Both shoot the 175 gr bullets between 1/2 and 5/8 moa. I went with the AI's years ago when I discovered after shooting a friend of mines AI, that his was within 75 fps of my 7mm Rem Mag, used less powder, had less recoil and less blast. The following load shoots wonderfully in my rifles and has no signs of excessive pressure. This load was worked up carefully and should be approached with caution as it did show pressure signs in a factory Nosler rifle!
55.0 gr, IMR 4350, 175 LRAB, COAL 3.520", MV 2689 fps using a Labradar Chronograph
Which ever cartridge you choose, you can't lose they're both great.
55.0 gr, IMR 4350, 175 LRAB, COAL 3.520", MV 2689 fps using a Labradar Chronograph
Which ever cartridge you choose, you can't lose they're both great.
xsn10s
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If I make it back to Alaska I'll take my marlin Century Limited III there with handloaded 45-70. At 18" barrel length it's pretty handy.
Kaptoe
Well-Known Member
3.520 is a long COAL don't you think? Running my 150s at 3.185
djfriesen
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I want to say I'm at 3.425 with my 162 eldx. Have to assume the 175 LRABs are that much longer. . .
buck8541
Active Member
It is, not much bullet left in the case, but that's where they like them. As a side note, I have run 150 gr LRAB's at 3.460" with great results. Neither of these rifles likes free bore, perhaps its the reamer I used when cutting the chamber, not sure. Even my old 160 gr Accubond loads seated at 3.500".
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buck8541
Active Member
Not by much, and not much bullet left in the case. I tried the 162gr ELD-X and got my best results (3/4 MOA) at 3.460" with 55.0 grs of H4831SC.
SMK1000plus
Well-Known Member
My 1962 Remington 700 BDL 7mm Rem Mag's internal magazine MAXIMUM limit is 3.372". The rifle lands just touch at 3.484" with 162gr EDL-X bullets and slightly longer on the 168gr VLDs. I load out the 162gr ELD-X and 168gr VLD bullets to 3.368", which is as far out as will reliability feed from the magazine. The factory 410 SS barrel only has a 1:9-1/2" twist, which in cold temperatures around sea-level, pretty much limits me to the 168gr high BC pills. Fortunately, both loads are very accurate at that COAL.
VLD Pilot
Well-Known Member
A mile is quite a poke with 180s when the 195s are available. The 7RM is a good gun for most of what you may want but ideally if your shooting those 1500-1800 yard targets, the 28 Nosler is the best option in the .284 calibers. If your only shooting those ELR distances occasionally, I think you can easily work with the 7RM and the 195s. The 180s will work as well when wind isn't a factor but at a mile, wind usually is your greatest nemesis.
Resale value is something to consider, not that any of us EVER re-sell a rifle 
It is much easier to sell a 7mm Rem Mag than it is a .280 AI. Saw a guy in the Denver area that had a very nice Ruger 77 in .280 AI that sat on GunList for at least 6 months. It was priced right, but apparently not enough of the buying public knew what it was. Everyone knows what a 7mm Rem Mag is though, and it is highly thought of, making resale much easier.
One more thought - when you mention barrel wear and recoil (good things to consider) bear in mind you can always load the 7mm Rem Mag DOWN to .280 AI levels if you want (giving you barrel wear and recoil the same as the .280 AI), but you can't load the AI round UP to 7mm Rem Mag power/velocity levels. Since you are a reloader, it seems the 7mm Rem Mag gives you both worlds. The .280 AI locks you into 'one-world.'
No one should take this as .280 AI bashing. I love the round. It's awesome. But so is the 7mm Rem Mag and, for a reloader, the 7mm RM gives the OP more options.
It is much easier to sell a 7mm Rem Mag than it is a .280 AI. Saw a guy in the Denver area that had a very nice Ruger 77 in .280 AI that sat on GunList for at least 6 months. It was priced right, but apparently not enough of the buying public knew what it was. Everyone knows what a 7mm Rem Mag is though, and it is highly thought of, making resale much easier.
One more thought - when you mention barrel wear and recoil (good things to consider) bear in mind you can always load the 7mm Rem Mag DOWN to .280 AI levels if you want (giving you barrel wear and recoil the same as the .280 AI), but you can't load the AI round UP to 7mm Rem Mag power/velocity levels. Since you are a reloader, it seems the 7mm Rem Mag gives you both worlds. The .280 AI locks you into 'one-world.'
No one should take this as .280 AI bashing. I love the round. It's awesome. But so is the 7mm Rem Mag and, for a reloader, the 7mm RM gives the OP more options.
SMK1000plus
Well-Known Member
I have a few rifles that the magazine length, with some of the bullets I use, is considerably greater than the length to the lands is. That is why I always check both measurements. In the rare cases where I have more magazine room than land distance, I start my load development around 0.030" off the lands. I'll usually do my final stage of load development by loading from just touching the lands to @ 0.100" off the lands, in 0.015" to 0.020" increments, if the bullet seatting depth permits.
HTJ
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There is nothing that the 280AI can do that the 270 win can't! Put a Nosler 150 gr long range accubond in your 270 and you will have a higher B.C. and SD than the 140 gr 7mm with very little difference in drop out to 600 yards and still have roughly 1372 ft-lb of energy! Enough for any bull elk at that range with a well placed bullet. Less recoil, 24 inch Barrel much better to carry hunting than a long pipe! Just my thoughts. 280AI is beautiful dont get me wrong but I think as you research more you'll find that the good old 270 is really tough to beat and as you get older will serve you better. Good luck and safe hunting!
