One rifle to do it all?

Slam-O said:

Another vote for 280AI.... One rifle?.... Is it possible?...

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It was my only rifle for 17 years, did it all for me. Only recently had an itch for building another rifle bigger, and NOT because it was "needed". My 280 AI will never leave my safe and will get passed down to my boy.

If I were starting from scratch and wanted a do it all rifle I'd be looking at a 280 Sherman or 7mm Sherman short. They about maximize their respective cases capacity and effiency, while getting great speeds considering the relatively low powder charge. I did not want to go big case capacity, but did want to extend the range and do something different on my latest build, which drew me to the Sherman lineup.

7mm Rem Mag or 300 Win Mag.
Brass is plentiful and cheap, bullet choices galore, and you can find ammo for either round at anywhere. Either round can take a moose and put a thumping on prairie dogs.

@Timnterra I know your feelings with a growing family. I'm in the same boat. BUT I've sold a lot of rifles, and ,me personally, I regret it. I would just hold onto your current inventory and tinker with those. I don't think I would ever be happy with one rifle.

Definitely not criticizing... but I am legitimately curious what the draw of the 280 AI is. I have a 260 AI, but I was looking to squeeze a little more out of a short action. Other than the novelty why not just go 7 RM? The difference on performance isn't that much. Is it just for guys who like to tinker with something different (I can relate to that) or is there some other advantage I'm missing?

If you want to be a one-gun man, I would stay with the 300 WM. and yes, use it on prairie dogs. When I was a one-gun man, I used to walk around and thru PD towns with my 35 Whelen AI. It was a great way to learn range estimation and position shooting. It will give you a lot of familiarization with the gun and your capabilities with it. If you are not totally happy with your current rifle, put your money into upgrading it. True up the receiver, match bbl, new stock, or new glass.

I've had my Whelen since 1976, and have shot everything from PDs to elk and caribou with it. My longest shot was over 425 yds, taking the heart out of an antelope. Three people were telling me it was too far, and not to take the shot. You will have one gun, and know your limitations with it, and also know what you can do with it.

For one gun 7mmRM. But two would be better. 22-250 and 300WM would cover it.

For a one rifle safe It's hard not to like the 280AI, it's a very practical cartridge, manageable recoil, more factory ammo options now and more companies chambering Rifles in it, bullet options for the reloader coming out the ying yang,

If your going 6.5 look at the 6.5-284 or the new 6.5 PRC, very sensible cartridges.

I'm having a 6.5 PRC built as we speak,
Defiance Rebel Action
Benchmark Barrel
Timney Calvin Elite Trigger
Wildcat Stock !

Seems I build a new rifle every year or two in a different caliber thinking this one will be the ticket for the next hunting season and when it comes time to load up, I throw the 270 WSM in my pickup and head out. Shot 140gr Accubonds for years but when the 170gr EOLs came out I rebarreled it to 1:8 twist and can't be happier with the results. It has been so reliable in delivering one-shot kills on deer/elk from 100 to 1000 yards that I can't leave it home. My kids use the newer rifles with equally good results but the 270 WSM has been my go-to. Had to use the 300 WM last season since the scope gave up on the WSM at the last minute and it did great. May take a 6.5 this year?

I started with a 30-06 to try to do everything. I signed up for a bull elk hunt this fall and the outfitter advised something larger for 300-500 yd shots. Plus it gave me an excuse to buy a new gun.

I went with a 28 Nosler, and had been thinking about a SA for my 8 yr old son....so I got him (us ) a custom 6.5 creemor with a short LOP. Now I wonder how often I will use my 30-06...although the 28 Nosler May be overkill on whitetail unless long shots or really big bucks - so I may take it to Kansas next fall where I will be after a big buck.

I've got an AIAT in 308 with a 20" 12 twist barrel. I can shoot 110 VMAX at prairie dogs around 3000 FPS without the barrel heating up too quick and then switch to a 180 grain Berger at about 2550 FPS and ring steel at 1k pretty consistently. Not a 1k yard elk gun but inside 500 yards we're good on just about anything in the lower 48, further for certain game.

You're gonna get frustrated shooting a magnum at prairie dogs cause you're gonna cook barrels. No caliber is perfect for everything, but IMO the 308 is hard to beat as a do it all.

Timnterra said:

I picked up a benchmark 8 twist .270 barrel a couple years back and have been debating what to build with it. Your 270wsm seems pretty nice! What velocity are you getting from the 170s?​

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My get the best accuracy at 3050. I generally use Retumbo around 67.3gr but will vary slightly depending non the batch and if using HBN coating. Very dependable combination. It has gone through 8 boxes of 170 EOLs and is still a consistent 1/2 MOA shooter. Thought it was giving up on me a while back but turned out to be a scope issue. Had the scope warrenteed and it is back where it has always been. It has a 30 MOA scope rail and regularly performs on steel out to 2000 yards.

The one rifle question is a tough one if it needs to cover the range from varmints to moose. I favor smaller sizes for this category. 6mm only works on large animals if you are close and use the proper bullets. I recommend a 6.5 or .270 for caliber. Defiantly get a cartridge that gets your heavy end bullets over 3000 fps. 6.5 SAUM is great and .270 WSM is a bit faster and has factory loadings. 6.5x284 has some factory loads as well.

I would recommend two guns if possible. I like the idea of customs over factory when limiting the overall number of guns.