Roughneck018
Well-Known Member
Seen the new savage axis ll overwatch is chambered in 280ai but has a 20" barrel. Was wondering everybody's thoughts on this thx.
280ai barrel length?
- Thread starter Roughneck018
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lancetkenyon
Well-Known Member
If you plan to run a suppressor, would be OK.
My opinion, 24" minimum on a .280AI. Mine is a 26" to wring out the performance.
My opinion, 24" minimum on a .280AI. Mine is a 26" to wring out the performance.
Roughneck018
Well-Known Member
Looks to come from factory nonthreaded but I guess I could always have it threaded. Figured it would be a light, accurate, fast handling rifle for hiking.
BallisticsGuy
Well-Known Member
at 20" it's a blast accentuation device as much as it is a rifle. yeah, bullets will get out of it and they'll be going faster than a 7mm-08 but personally I'd be looking for at least 24" if for no other reason than to put the loud stuff just a little further away. Keep in mind I run 26" barrels on almost everything from .223 to 7mag.
Roughneck018
Well-Known Member
I have a semi custom 7mm08 with 23" barrel an muzzle break on it. So guess I'm not really gaining anything wit a 20" 280ai then?
You'll gain a little velocity and a much more compact package. Getting the same or slightly better performance in a shorter gun is always a win to me.
A 20" 280 AI without a brake won't be nearly as loud as a 7-08 with a brake.
Hand Skills
Well-Known Member
Why not play to their strengths, cut the barrel on on the 7-08 back to 20" and go 24" - 26" on the 280AI?
lancetkenyon
Well-Known Member
Genius answer.
Roughneck018
Well-Known Member
Because I'm just going to buy a 280ai at sum point an seen the axis. The 7mm08 is complete an I wanted the 23" barrel on it
lancetkenyon
Well-Known Member
Maybe I don't hunt in thick enough stuff, but I have never seen a place where a 24" barreled rifle would not pass through that a 20" barrel would. Maybe breaching a room through a narrow doorway for those elk bunkered down in a bombed out building?
The 7-08 (or AI version) isn't "better" in a short barrel than a 280 (or AI version). The 280ai will have close to a 100+ fps advantage over the 7-08ai with the same length barrel regardless of how long that barrel is.
As far as the 20" barrel being more maneuverable, that just depends on where and how you hunt. I hunt some areas where even a 20" barrel feels too long. The trick is to find a combo that gives you a compact rifle, but still allow for good 5-600 yard performance on critters.
Roughneck018
Well-Known Member
Take a 24" barrel an screw on a 7" suppressor your up to 31". 31" barrel is not very handy where I'm ar thx
lancetkenyon
Well-Known Member
I get that for sure! But, is a 27" overall really much different than a 31"? Does 4" make a big difference? Neither one is for fast swinging shots on running game in super thick timber.
I have certain rifles that have shorter barrels. But I don't think an extra 2-4" would hurt the shorter ones.
6.5SLR w. 22"
.223 w. 24"
6CM w. 24"
6.5SS w. 25.5"
6.5SS w. 26"
.280AI w. 26"
7RM w. 26"
.300RUM w. 28"
Roughneck018
Well-Known Member
Not that much room in the cab of a tractor so like to save as much as possible. Usually see the biggest bucks in the winter when feeding cattle
