.280 ackley build

[bigairbear]

I have a Shilen #5 1:9 .284 barrel on the way(3-4 months). It will be reamed out for the .280 ackley. I am having it put on my model 70 extreme weather .30-06. I plan on having somewhere just short of the velocity of a 7mm rem mag since I have a custom built 7 mag with a 26 inch tube and don't quite need the same ballistics of that rifle. I am not familiar with the ackley but really impressed with what I've read and am excited to try it out, especially since my model 70 holds 5 in the mag vs. 3! So my question is, "at what length should I have the tube shaved off at to achieve good velocity without going too long?" I was thinking 24" would be appropriate but I just don't have any experience with this setup. I will pry be running a 160 accubond through it if that helps.

 

[MudRunner2005]

When I build mine it will have a 26" finished length barrel on it.

Not sure on the 24 vs 26 velocities....Wish I could help more. Hopefully some others can chime in to help.

 

[bigairbear]

Well that is always an option since the barrel will be shipped at 26". What kind of velocities are you getting? and what grain bullets are you shooting?

 

[MudRunner2005]

Well that is always an option since the barrel will be shipped at 26". What kind of velocities are you getting? and what grain bullets are you shooting?

I don't have one yet.....I have started my build, but this is all I've got so far...

New stainless Remington 700 action, and a stainless PTG 0.200" recoil lug.

I still have to order my barrel, stock, bottom metal, and get the cash to pay my smith for labor.

I plan on going with a Rock Creek 5R 1:9 blank, finished out to 26".

I handload, and will be mainly shooting Berger VLD 168 bullets. But I also plan on working up loads for the Berger 180 VLD's, and for the Nosler 160 Accubonds.

 

[rharfo]

It doesn't need 26 to get full burn of the powder like a RUM type cartridge. Depending on your desire to make the rifle a bit more "handy" and keep over all weight down I would go 24". I have a Dakota in 24 and a Red Hawk Rifle due to be shipped any day in a 24. Most 7 Rem mags are 24 and you should get within 100 fps of the mag.

 

[bigairbear]

Seems to me everyone is running a 1:9 so I feel pretty safe there, that's good to see. I also handload but will probably save up some nosler ackley brass from the get go by shooting factories for a while. I plan on sticking with the 160 accubond though once I get around to it. I like the accubonds and had good luck on deer with them in my 270wsm. rharfo, if you think I can get those numbers with a 24" then that's pry what I'll have it cut to. That would split the difference nice betweer a long 26" and a 22" barrel. Thanks for the info guys, and good luck with that build MudRunner.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Thanks, same with yours. Keep us posted on yours.

 

[bigairbear]

Most definitely

 

[John-Pure Precision]

This is cool, i'm having a 280 AI built for my wife this year. Should be back from the smith next month.

#3 Brux 1:9 finish at 25"
trued and blueprinted rem action
B&C Alaskan stock scim bedded
KDF sniper brake.

Planning on berger 168 but will also test 180's but don't know if they will stabilize in a 1:9.
of corse I will try to get some new accubonds but not going to hold my breath

 

[MudRunner2005]

180's will stabilize just fine in a 1:9 twist. You'll be good to go. I shoot 180's out of my Sendero SF 7mmSTW and it has a 9.25" twist 26" barrel. Shoots some very tight groups.

 

[John-Pure Precision]

sweet that is what I like to hear! will just dive in to the big dogs right off the bat thanks for the update!

 

[MudRunner2005]

Personally, I perfer the 168's in my 7mm RemMag, and will be mainly shooting 168's in my .280 AI once I get that build finished. The 180's are zinging out of my STW around 2,900 fps right now, so I think I'll keep those just for them. However, I will STILL be developing a 180 load for the .280 AI, since you never know when you might just feel the urge to load up some heavies and go long-range shooting on some whitetails.

 

[bigairbear]

Well Shilen called yesterday and it looks like my barrel is on it's way! Hopefully my gunsmith is ready for me soon. They said 3-4 months but it ended up being 3-4 weeks instead. I wasn't quite ready for it but hey. I am just excited to have a winchester action with close to 7 mag ballistics and 5 rounds in the mag. Hopefully it's a shooter. I will post pics once it's here. might take a bit though.

 

[stanley52]

I am building a 280 AI also. Blueprinted 700 action with a Bartlein M24 (.9 muzzle) 26" finish, holland .25 pinned recoil lug, timney trigger, and a manner MCS-T2A, NF scope base, badger rings, and viper vortex pst 4-16, atlas bipod.

I asked the same question the other day about barrel length, and from everything everyone said, and everything I could read, 26" is the most efficient option. I do think a 24" will definitely work, but an '06 needs about a 24-26" since its a longer cartridge and has more powder space than a .308, it takes longer to burn the powder up, since a 280 is a necked down '06, It is logical to assume it could even take more barrel length to burn all the powder efficiently.

Just my 2 cents though.