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I built mine off a bighorn SR3 cut for a Wyatt's box, trigger tech diamond, proof straight taper carbon 24' McMillan adjusted game stock. Hell fire sidewinder break. 10 pounds with everything minus the atlas bipod. I'm also have a 300 PRC proof carbon shouldered prefit being chambered right now so it's a switch barrel set up.
I bought mine from a Deputy friend just recently. I remember going to the range years and years ago, with him several times shooting this custom built 280ai. He had Dan Lilja build the rifle for him, apparently they don't do that anymore. As a younger adult, I was awestruck by its beauty and accuracy. Finally after 20 years or so I convinced him to sell me... the Grail!I did exactly that with my full custom build, also with a Lilja barrel. Undecided between 26" or 28", so I went with 27".
What is the rule violation 1?
Keithcandler said it best re powder burn rate. Mean no offense but makes me chuckle every time we pose a concern over barrel length. Did Freud have it right? Base decision on terrain and brush density. If wide open, 26, if denser brush, 24". Animal won't know the difference in velocity when hit.This has been asked before and it seems that lengths went anywhere from 22"-29.5" for the .280AI. Mine wears a 26" Criterion (heavy sporter) and I'll second what keithcandler said about it concerning barrel length and the slower powders.
280AI barrel length
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...www.longrangehunting.com
Hunter won't know the difference when carrying.
I shot the 155gr TLR last year (same bullet as the Ascent but only one groove instead of two in the shank). I killed an antelope, a large mule deer(see my avatar), and an oryx with this bullet. Only recovered a bullet in the oryx. The BC was spot on to 800 yards and the terminal performance was awesome. Nice big mushroom in the front and the shank intact. I shoot these in my 22" barrel 280AI with a suppressor and am getting 1/2moa right at 3000fps. I will finish what supply of TLR and then switch over to the Terminal Ascent (I have already started stock piling). In my opinion this is the best all round design for a true long range bullet that will work at all ranges consistently. I shot the antelope at 185 yards and the oryx at just over 400 so I cannot say how terminal performance is out to 600 or 800+ yards but based on Federals claims, they have designed these to open at lower velocity than most other hunting bullets. I have always been concerned about long range bullets at closer ranges. This bullet gives me confidence at closer ranges as well as long range. I hope they catch on so others start buying them and Federal keeps making them.
