.280 AI Build

So is this kinda what you are leaning towards? These are my twin 280s.

I went thru 100 rounds of this ammo for break-in and for brass
1. Not impressed with POI shifts and group size variation, but was breaking it in
2. Powder residue in spent cases was difficult to remove and showed up on the first reloads as rediculous fliers (sticky bullet release). Had to polish the necks to remove and everything settled down afterwards.
3. Once you're ready to try target/hunting ammo try the better Nosler ($) ammo or if another mfr. is producing it in the bullet type you're looking at. Since you don't reload, you're at the mercy of stock on hand wherever you buy.
Reloading is the best way to go, so save all the brass and hopefully from the same manufacturer.
Factory new Nosler brass versus Nosler loaded ammo brass are different internally at the head. So you'll need to keep separate or sell the brass you don't want. Hoping a Lapua or other offering will come along soon. It's a great chambering that really responds to handloading as I have noticed.

I've looked pretty hard at building a 280AI. Looks to be a great all around cartridge. I will second what others have said about the Criterion barrels from NSS. Very high quality and exceptional service. I've attached the 280AI Match Reamer from NSS. They told me the only difference is the freebore length at .170, not sure what SAAMI is. By my calculations, 180 Bergers should be touching the lands at around 3.52 COAL. Should work out perfectly in your Savage if you start reloading. I would definitely go for the 8 twist if you plan to shoot 160+ grain bullets, as that will give you the most flexibility in the future.

7magcreedmoor said:

So is this kinda what you are leaning towards? These are my twin 280s.View attachment 152096

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7magcreedmoor,

More or less, those are some nice looking rifles.

Starting load development on my 280AI build now. Berger 175 gr elite Hunter, RL 23, Nosler brass and FGMM primers. Looks like my node will be between 2925-2950 fps.

Broke it in with Nosler factory 160 gr partition ammo and it liked it pretty well.

Savage 116 stainless action, Wilson #4 24" 1-8 twist straight fluted barrel, Hogue full aluminum bedding stock and Vortex viper HST 4-16x44.

Just added an Area 419 self timing brake and shot it for the first time yesterday. I'm not recoil sensitive and without the brake it was fine but now I can see my hits. Probably less recoil than my 6.5 Creed.

It's a great cartridge

one crazy kid said:

7magcreedmoor,

More or less, those are some nice looking rifles.

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Thanks. The one in the back now resides in an MDT HS3 chassis.

Here's another look at one. I built this a couple years ago with the same plan you had. Savage flat back, CBI 26" 280ai, NSS lug and nut, Boyd's Prairie Hunter with adjustable cheek piece(don't laugh at my custom rattle can paint job), Sav-1 trigger. One day I'll spruce it up with some cerekote.

dixiemagnum80 said:

View attachment 152244 Here's another look at one. I built this a couple years ago with the same plan you had. Savage flat back, CBI 26" 280ai, NSS lug and nut, Boyd's Prairie Hunter with adjustable cheek piece(don't laugh at my custom rattle can paint job), Sav-1 trigger. One day I'll spruce it up with some cerekote.

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Nothing wrong with Krylon, both of mine are from spray cans. The first project was some masking tape to make the stripe pattern, the second was the famous "torn sponge dapple" method.

dixiemagnum80 said:

View attachment 152244 Here's another look at one. I built this a couple years ago with the same plan you had. Savage flat back, CBI 26" 280ai, NSS lug and nut, Boyd's Prairie Hunter with adjustable cheek piece(don't laugh at my custom rattle can paint job), Sav-1 trigger. One day I'll spruce it up with some cerekote.

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dixiemagnum80,

Looks pretty cool to me, nothing wrong with adding a little character with a unique paint job.

Alright, I have almost got all the pieces collected for my project. I'm still waiting for the barrel to ship from the manufacturer. I am having trouble with the Rifle Basix SAV-2 Trigger I bought. The front of the trigger assembly is to narrow to fit on the receiver. I am not sure if the receiver is a couple thousands of an inch to wide or if the trigger assembly is a couple thousands to narrow. I am a little disappointing though I am not sure it is a manufacturing error by Rifle Basix. I m currently talking to their customer service department to see if we can rectify the issue. Do any of you have any ideas of a modification or fix that could be safely made?

one crazy kid said:

Alright, I have almost got all the pieces collected for my project. I'm still waiting for the barrel to ship from the manufacturer. I am having trouble with the Rifle Basix SAV-2 Trigger I bought. The front of the trigger assembly is to narrow to fit on the receiver. I am not sure if the receiver is a couple thousands of an inch to wide or if the trigger assembly is a couple thousands to narrow. I am a little disappointing though I am not sure it is a manufacturing error by Rifle Basix. I m currently talking to their customer service department to see if we can rectify the issue. Do any of you have any ideas of a modification or fix that could be safely made?

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I found the SAV 2 to fit quite tightly, as in I had to spring it just a bit to get it in position. From the pics it looks like a few careful strokes with a file would get you home. Don't take too much off and end up with it fitting loosely.

Well after graduating from college, getting assigned to a unit, getting slotted for flight school and COVID I finally got her finished. The ammo arrived yesterday and this weekend I'll be starting barrel break in and get the scope sighted. I will be sure to post range results later this weekend. Thank you all for the help and advise.

Good looking bangstick.

Well, I still haven't been able to access the range I frequent that has a bench, I finally broke down and went to a piece of BLM land that is decently secluded and has reasonable road access. After initial sight in and cooling I fired this 5 shot group @100 yds. I was prone in dirt shooting off a bi-pod and used my jacket for a rear bag. Pretty close to 1" on the dot, I feel good about the rifles potential given factory ammo, field shooting conditions and the the monkey pulling the trigger. I was shooting Federal Premium w/ 168gr Berger hybrid hunter at an advertised velocity of 2830fps. I am hopeful that hand loads and a more stable shooting environment will shrink group sizes by at least half.

Final specs for the rifle.

Savage 110 in 280 AI
Boyds Laminate pro varmint w/ adjustable check piece
Criterion light varmint 26" w/ blended break - 8.5 twist
Rifle Basic SAV-2 trigger adjusted to 2lbs
EGW 1 piece 20 MOA pic rail
Burris extreme tactical signature rings
Vortex Viper HS-T 4-16X44, 30mm tube

Final weight is 13lbs 4oz according to my bathroom scale.