Im interested in haveing a 280 AI built for longrange not something that will be to big of a bear to carry. I got a Huskama scope for Christmas last year and dont have anything to put it on. Can I get some suggestions on components that wont break the bank but still work well. I would also entertain buying a used quality 280 AI. Thanks in advance for any help just getting started with the lomg range stuff but have always been interested in accuracy. This takes it to the next level. Thanks Keith
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280 ai
- Thread starter kbuehner
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redneckclimbing
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2012
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If you are going to have something built then go with a rem 700 or clone. The stock options as well as scope base options are numerous and can be had anywhere. I just got my first custom done, a 7mm wildcat I designed. Almost any smith has the tooling to work on a 700. If you were going to do the work I would say go with a Savage and a pre-fit barrel. (Also, not a bad option if you are wanting to save some weight.)
I went with a manners T-4 because I was really trying to squeeze all the accuracy I could out of it but I have shot a couple of really good rifles with HS Precisions on them un bedded even. Easy to take care of your gun that way (clean the trigger, or let dry) and not terribly expensive if you keep it to base models.
As for a barrel, this is where you are going to make or brake the scales. Mine is 1.4x4" then tapered to .875 @ 30". That didn't sound too heavy to me but this is going to be a 15# rifle now for sure!
If you go with a rem I would suggest probably a light palma contour. If you get crazy, build it yourself, and go with a savage, don't go any bigger than their varmint contour and it should not be too heavy.
Hope that helps, (I think that some day I will also have one of these rifles!, Good Luck!)
I went with a manners T-4 because I was really trying to squeeze all the accuracy I could out of it but I have shot a couple of really good rifles with HS Precisions on them un bedded even. Easy to take care of your gun that way (clean the trigger, or let dry) and not terribly expensive if you keep it to base models.
As for a barrel, this is where you are going to make or brake the scales. Mine is 1.4x4" then tapered to .875 @ 30". That didn't sound too heavy to me but this is going to be a 15# rifle now for sure!
If you go with a rem I would suggest probably a light palma contour. If you get crazy, build it yourself, and go with a savage, don't go any bigger than their varmint contour and it should not be too heavy.
Hope that helps, (I think that some day I will also have one of these rifles!, Good Luck!)
lhouston78
Well-Known Member
depending on what you are going to do with it this is what I have found for a good starter. My 280 AI is my pack gun.
action - remington 700
bottom metal - remington
trigger - tuned remington, timney, jard replacment parts
recoil lug- ptg .250 tapered
barrel- Kreiger, brux, rock, or any of the good cut barrels in a 8 or 9 twist number 4 to a remington varmint
stock- bell and carlson(best bang for the buck, and in stock normally)
brake- muzzle brakes and more
scope base- egw 30 moa
have your gun smith square the face of the action and bolt face, and lap the lugs done.
Mine shoots sub 1/2 moa with 168 bergers at 3020 fps with out a problem and has reached out to a mile.
action - remington 700
bottom metal - remington
trigger - tuned remington, timney, jard replacment parts
recoil lug- ptg .250 tapered
barrel- Kreiger, brux, rock, or any of the good cut barrels in a 8 or 9 twist number 4 to a remington varmint
stock- bell and carlson(best bang for the buck, and in stock normally)
brake- muzzle brakes and more
scope base- egw 30 moa
have your gun smith square the face of the action and bolt face, and lap the lugs done.
Mine shoots sub 1/2 moa with 168 bergers at 3020 fps with out a problem and has reached out to a mile.
Last edited:
wyowinchester
Well-Known Member
I shot pdogs with a guy last year. He shot a 280ai that he built. You might contact him and pick his brain or see about buying one.
JIM MAJOROS [email protected] 440-332-guns www.viktorslegacy.com
Shot a dog at over 400yds.
JIM MAJOROS [email protected] 440-332-guns www.viktorslegacy.com
Shot a dog at over 400yds.
J E Custom
Well-Known Member
I have built many 280 AIs that weighed less than 8 to 10 pounds(Depending on the stock and
scope used) using a # 5 or #6 Lilja. This contour is heavy enough to be accurate with the .284
bore. I will normally recomend a 24'' to 26" barrel and these barrels will weigh around 4 pounds.
The 280 AI is very accurate and capable beyond 1000 yards. I recomend using a standard 280 head
space gauge with the AI reamer so you can fire form standard 280 ammo while hunting with factory
brass or ammo. They are very accurate if set up this way(There is a .004 difference in head space
in the new SAMME spec 280 AI and the standard 280 Rem).
A 1 in 9 twist is perfict for bullets between 120 and 168 grains,and 3 or 6 lands is my choice.
With this combanation , no muzzle break is needed and 140 to 160 grain bullets can be pushed
as fast as a 7 Rem Mag in the 280 AI version.
J E CUSTOM
scope used) using a # 5 or #6 Lilja. This contour is heavy enough to be accurate with the .284
bore. I will normally recomend a 24'' to 26" barrel and these barrels will weigh around 4 pounds.
The 280 AI is very accurate and capable beyond 1000 yards. I recomend using a standard 280 head
space gauge with the AI reamer so you can fire form standard 280 ammo while hunting with factory
brass or ammo. They are very accurate if set up this way(There is a .004 difference in head space
in the new SAMME spec 280 AI and the standard 280 Rem).
A 1 in 9 twist is perfict for bullets between 120 and 168 grains,and 3 or 6 lands is my choice.
With this combanation , no muzzle break is needed and 140 to 160 grain bullets can be pushed
as fast as a 7 Rem Mag in the 280 AI version.
J E CUSTOM
J E Custom
Well-Known Member
It is an interesting round.
The history of the round has been interesting and at one time it almost died.
In the 50s it was called a 280 REMINGTON. In 1962 Remington came out with the 7mm Remington
magnum and almost killed the 280 Rem. The word "Magnum" seemed to be what everyone wanted
and the 7mm Mag almost killed the 280.
In 1979 Remington changed the 280s name to the 7mm Express in hopes of keeping it alive, but
there was to much confusion between the two , so they went back to the 280 Remington name.
Fortunately the people that knew it was a fine round kept it alive and with the AI version found it to
a match for the 7mm rem mag with all but the heaviest bullets.
The 280 Rem and the 280 AI have found a place with the F class shooters and the long range hunting
guys and appears to be on the comeback trail and is hear to stay.
There has always be a debate on the 280 and the 270 as to which was the best. With all of the 7mm
bullet choices and the longer case of the 280 (.050 to prevent the 270 from being chambered in the 280) I would have to give the advantage to the 280 Rem. and with the AI version it is heads above
the 270.(Which I am a big fan of).
The 280 and the 280 AI have no bad habits if chambered correctly and are capable of fine long
range accuracy and knock down power and should never be underestimated.
J E CUSTOM
I've just started thinking about what to have built for myself, and I think the 280AI is what I will have built to replace my 7mag.
I just can't find a reason NOT to do it, then my 7mag will get redone into a ???
i'm new to the thought of long range and reloading, so I figured good bullet selection in the 280, enough power for groundhogs at a distance, and deer to bear at reasonable distances. I know it will work farther than I will ever try it on big game just my disclamer on that note.
I just can't find a reason NOT to do it, then my 7mag will get redone into a ???
i'm new to the thought of long range and reloading, so I figured good bullet selection in the 280, enough power for groundhogs at a distance, and deer to bear at reasonable distances. I know it will work farther than I will ever try it on big game just my disclamer on that note.
HellsCanyon
Well-Known Member
I've been shooting a 280AI for 3+ years and love the round. I'm using a factory Rem 700LA and bolt (Untrued), Rock Creek M24 contoured fluted barrel finished at 24", Seekins Recoil Lug and muzzle break, HS Precision Stock, Tuned Rem 700 trigger.
The gun typically shoots 1/4 MOA. I'm shooting the 162 Amax's at 3035 fps and the 168 Bergers at 2950 using 4831SC. Loads have been easy to develop and the gun has gone out to 1250 with great success.
Mike
The gun typically shoots 1/4 MOA. I'm shooting the 162 Amax's at 3035 fps and the 168 Bergers at 2950 using 4831SC. Loads have been easy to develop and the gun has gone out to 1250 with great success.
Mike
SuperJetr333
Active Member
Very interesting thread. I appreciate that these old posts are still available to view, as I'm very interested in building a 280ai currently
