280AI barrel length

[chad]

Im in the process of building another 280AI. Is there much difference in barrel lengths?

Last one I had wasa 24" Im ordering one to do a 26" this go around. BUT I have thought of splitting the difference and doing a 25".

I have heard others say that 24" to 26" isn't that big of a difference with the 280AI. So I asking here with the knowledge of you all.

I just want this go around with the 280AI to be positive instead of a huge disappointment with the last one.

Thanks. Chad

 

[MudRunner2005]

26-28" would be ideal to get the most complete burn with slower burning powders and heavier bullets. I have had quick load ran on both my .25-06 AI and .30-06 AI (both using 7828 SSC powder), and both were really close to complete burns with 26" barrels, but 28" would have been about perfect. So, when I rebarrel them later...They will be getting 28" barrels.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

According to a carefully calibrated Quick Load I'm getting complete burn in a 24".... Using Reloder 26, MRP, and 7828.

26" will get you another 60 fps... Maybe.

Not enough to fuss over in my opinion, I prefer the portability of the shortest barrel that will do the job... The 280 Ackley is an 800 yard round, it will do that in a 24" barrel.... But I don't guess 26" would ruin it either.

 

[PGJPJ]

The 280 Ackley is an 800 yard round, it will do that in a 24" barrel.... But I don't guess 26" would ruin it either.

I'm wondering why you say it's an 800 yard round. I'm probably more limited by my range finder (Nikon 1000, probably only really good out to 600 yards in the field), and my 10x max scope. So I give my 280ai 6 or 700 yards, but I thought ballistically it's capable out to 1k for targets.

Anyway, not necessarily disagreeing with you, just wondering what you are basing your opinion on.

sorry for the hijack…

 

[Ridgerunner665]

I'm wondering why you say it's an 800 yard round. I'm probably more limited by my range finder (Nikon 1000, probably only really good out to 600 yards in the field), and my 10x max scope. So I give my 280ai 6 or 700 yards, but I thought ballistically it's capable out to 1k for targets.

Anyway, not necessarily disagreeing with you, just wondering what you are basing your opinion on.

sorry for the hijack…

For deer hunting...

It won't keep a bullet above 1,800 fps past 800 yards... Most bullets need 1,800 fps to expand properly.

Targets...1,500 yards is within reason... I've made good hits at 1,400 using plain old Accubond bullets.

 

[7magcreedmoor]

Both mine are 26 inchers. 168 grain runs 3015, 180 about 2875. My 7mag was only a little faster with either weight.

 

[blacktail 8541]

Mine is a 24 inch tube. I run a 145 LRX @3050. @ 7500 ft altitude it doesn't drop below 1800 fps till a little past 900 yards @ 59 degrees.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Mine is a 24 inch tube. I run a 145 LRX @3050. @ 7500 ft altitude it doesn't drop below 1800 fps till a little past 900 yards @ 59 degrees.

True....

I always seem to forget that not everybody is at 1,300 feet like me.

 

[FEENIX]

Im in the process of building another 280AI. Is there much difference in barrel lengths?

Last one I had wasa 24" Im ordering one to do a 26" this go around. BUT I have thought of splitting the difference and doing a 25".

I have heard others say that 24" to 26" isn't that big of a difference with the 280AI. So I asking here with the knowledge of you all.

I just want this go around with the 280AI to be positive instead of a huge disappointment with the last one.

Thanks. Chad

IIWY, go with the longer option, you can always cut them shorter later, if you need/want to but not the other way around.

I have a 30" Lilja barrel on my .270 AI for that same reason but I never had the need to cut it shorter for its intended purpose. gun)

Good luck!

 

[B-P-UU]

I thought the same thing... 24" seems too short and 26" was too long for what I wanted based on experience, so went 25" and am satisfied with the results. Tiny groups are more important than FPS. If I had to pick 24 or 26, I'd take 24".

some pics:
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/ts-customs-280-ai-163123/

 

[ohiohunter]

I thought the same thing... 24" seems too short and 26" was too long for what I wanted based on experience, so went 25" and am satisfied with the results. Tiny groups are more important than FPS. If I had to pick 24 or 26, I'd take 24".

some pics:
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/ts-customs-280-ai-163123/

x2. I have a 300wm w/ a 25 incher light palma and no complaints yet. My 280 runs a 24" light varmint.

Shorter is stiffer and stiffer usually means bigger accuracy nodes.

 

[Case280AI]

Not that what I am adding to this conversation really does anyone any good, just figured i'd drop by. I run a 29.5", 1 in 8 twist Shilen. I push a 180gr ELDM right at 3000 fps. Again, just chiming in. Y'all have a blessed one.

 

[Troutslayer2]

Mine is 22" and I like it. I am shooting bullets just as fast as I did when it had a 26" barrel though I had to change powder to get there. 2900 FPS with 168.

 

[lancetkenyon]

26" 1:9" Proof for me. I get 2975fps with 175 Berger Elite. At 7000' elevation, 30*F, makes mine a 1210 yard deer round (1802fps & 1263ft/lbs), or a 1020 yard elk round (1964fps & 1500ft/lbs). Nothing to sneeze at for the areas I hunt. Usually between 6500-8500+ AMSL.