280 or 280AI

[chad]

I currently have a sweet shooting 280. I have been kicking around the idea of going to the 280AI.

Would you? Is it worth it? Im thinking I would only gain around 100fps to 150fps.

Whats your thoughts?

 

[FEENIX]

Use the custom search on the top right corner and you'll be overwhelmed on the subject matter! lightbulblightbulblightbulb

 

[J E Custom]

I currently have a sweet shooting 280. I have been kicking around the idea of going to the 280AI.

Would you? Is it worth it? Im thinking I would only gain around 100fps to 150fps.

Whats your thoughts?

The main advantage to the 280 AI is brass life. The AI version will get you another 100 to 150 yards
of hunting with the same bullet.

Where it makes the biggest difference is if you want to shoot the heavy bullets. It can also compete with the 7 mm Rem Mag.

Both the 280 and the 280 AI are fine cartridges so the choice is yours.

J E CUSTOM

 

[cowboy]

Not knowing what the twist is in your current barrel and your evaluation that it shoots well, I would leave it alone and shoot the heck out of it till the barrel is gone. Then is the time to evaluate if going to the AI is worth switching to.

It never pays to mess with something that is working better than average - been there, done that.

 

[varmintH8R]

I have a 280AI and I really like it. I would do another in a second.

I agree with JE, if you are shooting the heavies I think there is value in the AI. The extra capacity helps as I think the 280 is marginal for velocity at 168gr plus bullet weights. Based on my experience, loading to the same relative levels of "hotness", I don't believe the AI competes with the 7Mag. YMMV

All of that being said, if I was set up with dies, loads, drops, etc for the 280, and it was doing everything I needed it to, I wouldn't go AI. If your current 280 is not doing everything you want it to, you may want to research if going AI really will get you there. You may find that to get a major/meaningful change in performance you would be better served going to a bigger 7.

FEENIX is absolutely right that there are reams of data on this subject, and it is worth researching to see what you find. My personal experience (just mine) is that all other things being the same, an extra 150fps from an AI vs a standard 280 is not even close to reality. Remember, I am an AI owner, and a very pleased one at that - I don't think you will be bummed with one, just make sure your expectations are in line before you make the change.

Good luck

Brandon

 

[BCMAG2]

I have a 280 AI and am very impressed with it. Oh, and for what its worth, 150 fps MORE with a 168 gr bullet is a huge difference, esp at longer ranges. Its worth the upgrade. My 280 AI pushes a 168 gr LRAB at 2950 and shoots quarter inch groups at 100 yards. The perfect mountain rifle caliber IMHO.

 

[varmintH8R]

I have a 280 AI and am very impressed with it. Oh, and for what its worth, 150 fps MORE with a 168 gr bullet is a huge difference, esp at longer ranges. Its worth the upgrade. My 280 AI pushes a 168 gr LRAB at 2950 and shoots quarter inch groups at 100 yards. The perfect mountain rifle caliber IMHO.

I don't disagree that 150fps makes a difference. I am stating that in my experience, I cannot achieve 150fps more with an AI relative to a standard 280 (assuming barrel length, relative heat of load, etc is the same). I am not a ballistician, that is just my experience. The extra 2.7 grains H2O capacity relating to 150fps more, IMO, is a difficult sell. I'm certainly willing to hear the experience of others.

In a quick look up,

280 = 62.9 grains H2O
280 AI = 65.6 grains H2O
7Mag = 75.0 grains H2O

Brandon

 

[chad]

IM currently shooting 140 accubonds at 3095 and getting just over 1/4" groups. Love the gun. Just always wanted the 280 AI but I am afraid of screwing up a great rifle.

Just curious if going the Ackley would be worth it.

 

[BCMAG2]

I load 59 grains of H4831sc under the 168 gr LRABs, not water. The chrony says 2950 fps, not me.

 

[varmintH8R]

IM currently shooting 140 accubonds at 3095 and getting just over 1/4" groups. Love the gun. Just always wanted the 280 AI but I am afraid of screwing up a great rifle.

Just curious if going the Ackley would be worth it.

Chad, if it were me and I was getting 1/4 minute and was happy with the 140's for my application, I wouldn't touch a thing. Velocities look very good as well.

I load 59 grains of H4831sc under the 168 gr LRABs, not water. The chrony says 2950 fps, not me.

Thank you for the constructive and detailed response. My velocities when using water have been very poor. I will try switching to H4831SC

Brandon

 

[BCMAG2]

Another way of putting it is to say that water volume of the case does not tell the entire story. The 280ai is notoriously efficient as compared to the 280 and 7mm rm. That's how it can duplicate or even exceed the 7mm rm with the same bullet and lesser powder charge. That's why it is arguably the most popular and enduring of all the ackley cartridges.