.280AI Build

[Jpistolero02]

I am having a .280AI built right now. This will be my primary rifle for western states hunting including elk, pronghorn and mule deer. I am waffling right now on barrel length. The barrel is a Brux #3 contour. I am torn between 24" or 26". Would I be limiting the caliber too much by going with a 24" barrel? I plan on loading 160gr Accubonds to start.

 

[snookntarpon]

just make it 25"....

 

[MtnTrax]

24 is plenty for 280AI

 

[JMW67]

I am having a .280AI built right now. This will be my primary rifle for western states hunting including elk, pronghorn and mule deer. I am waffling right now on barrel length. The barrel is a Brux #3 contour. I am torn between 24" or 26". Would I be limiting the caliber too much by going with a 24" barrel? I plan on loading 160gr Accubonds to start.

I have owned one each way for the heavy bullets 175-195 I preferred the 26 shooting 168 and less out of the shorter

 

[MtnTrax]

I presently own 3, and I wouldn't own a 26 on a hunting rifle. The gain in performance is moot for killing critters.

 

[manitou]

I prefer 26". I cannot tell a difference when carrying 26 or 24". Why handicap a cartridge? I mean people go to the ai cartridges, then handicap their performance to standard caliber performance by shooting a shorter barrel. Go figure. I hunt woodlands, brush, open prairie and honestly can't tell a diference between 24" and 26". Now, if your going to hang 7" of suppressor off the end (or a big break) you may realize a difference.

 

[MtnTrax]

I can see a 26 if it is a 7mag or larger but a 24 on a 280ai is no handicap..

 

[adk hunter]

Powder, bullet choices and handier barrels are my choices to get the "best" out of the .280AI. Lots of ways to skin the cat...

 

[keithcandler]

Depends on how slow the powder is you are shooting. The 280 AI excels with IMR 7828 with 175's and with 180g, R#26 is unbelievable. 4" of barrel length weighs less than 6 oz, so 27" barrels out of a 28" barrel blank makes sense. You can always cut them off later at a minimal cost.

 

[JIsbell40]

I went with a 24" I shoot 150s @ 3115fps rl16. Zero pressure.

 

[Mram10us]

Do you plan on a brake or suppressor?

 

[Deputy819]

This has been asked before and it seems that lengths went anywhere from 22"-29.5" for the .280AI. Mine wears a 26" Criterion (heavy sporter) and I'll second what keithcandler said about it concerning barrel length and the slower powders.

280AI barrel length

Im in the process of building another 280AI. Is there much difference in barrel lengths? Last one I had wasa 24" Im ordering one to do a 26" this go around. BUT I have thought of splitting the difference and doing a 25". I have heard others say that 24" to 26" isn't that big of a...

www.longrangehunting.com

 

[TOM H]

I have 27" on one of my 280AI other is 26 1/2". They both balance good and I do like longer barrels. Most of my hunting is above timberline here in Co. You should build what you like.

 

[Buddro]

Hunting elk and deer in New Mexico and Arizona I feel like I notice the extra 2 inches on the end of my gun moving through trees and brush a lot more than animals would notice 2 inches fewer when I shoot them. But then I love to hike when I hunt and not in the easy stuff.

I will say I agree with Manitous logic l, I see a lot of people using cartridge barrel combinations that just dont make sense. I Wont guess if there are any 7mm cartridges that would make more sense than a .280 ai in a 24 inch barrel.