Torn between the 280 ai and the 7mm rem mag

[Kaptoe]

I have both nosler and Hornady 280ai brass

The Hornady works just fine .is it Lapua? No. Can you shoot super small groups with it with some basic sorting and prep? Yes

 

[ragsflh]

i built a 280ai with 26 in barrel.140 gr bullets 3,054 fps.its a hammer on deer.dont shoot shoulder shots.not much left of shoulder.my vote 280ai.

 

[MudRunner2005]

My 7mag ran 168s at 3030 and 180s at 2905. My Ackley gives me 3015 and 2875 with the same bullets. All barrels are PacNor 9 twist 26 inches. If I wanted to use the new 195s I would rechamber for either 28 Nosler or 7LRM.

My 7RM runs 168's at 3,115... Most people average around 3,100 FPS with a 26" barreled 7RM and proper powders (7828, H1000, 7977). Your rifle was being severely handicapped.

I also wouldn't waste my money on a 7LRM or 7RUM... Go with a .28 Nosler or 7mm STW for 195's.

 

[7magcreedmoor]

My 7RM runs 168's at 3,115... Most people average around 3,100 FPS with a 26" barreled 7RM and proper powders (7828, H1000, 7977). Your rifle was being severely handicapped.

I also wouldn't waste my money on a 7LRM or 7RUM... Go with a .28 Nosler or 7mm STW for 195's.

 

[7magcreedmoor]

Those are the most accurate nodes I found. I had 3100 from the 7mag. Ackley was right behind it.

 

[imartin]

I'm still working up loads in a fresh 7RM build, 1:8T 26" Criterion, but hitting 3,000 fps with the 180 ELD and no pressure. I like the 280 and 280 AI, but love the 7RM and was already set up to load for it.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Those are the most accurate nodes I found. I had 3100 from the 7mag. Ackley was right behind it.

What do you consider right behind it? Unless it's inside of 75 FPS, I wouldn't call it "right behind it".

Don't get me wrong, I like both cartridges, but we gotta be realistic with our numbers here. 3,100 is considered average for a 26" 7RM with a 168, and 2,950-3,000 is conserved average for a 26" .280 AI with a 168. The difference is only 100-150 FPS, but it's still 100-150 FPS difference.

What powders were you using for each?

 

[7magcreedmoor]

What do you consider right behind it? Unless it's inside of 75 FPS, I wouldn't call it "right behind it".

Don't get me wrong, I like both cartridges, but we gotta be realistic with our numbers here. 3,100 is considered average for a 26" 7RM with a 168, and 2,950-3,000 is conserved average for a 26" .280 AI with a 168. The difference is only 100-150 FPS, but it's still 100-150 FPS difference.

What powders were you using for each?

15 to 25 fps difference. Retumbo.

 

[MudRunner2005]

15 to 25 fps difference. Retumbo.

There's no way you were getting almost 3,100 FPS from a .280 AI with a 168... That's .280 Sherman territory, which holds noticeably more powder than the .280 AI.

 

[twister]

I like my 7RM more than my 280AI. If you want a lighter gun the 280AI will get you there, but thats about the only advantage.

Both are easy to shoot rifles but all things equal the 7RM will have more support and will be faster if loaded safely. There is always the what if stuff goes wrong and you need factory ammo. Things can go wrong if traveling.

 

[Gary Hammond]

I was pretty sure I'd build a Long Range Hunter in 7mm Rem Mag ( or buy one) for shooting 180gr bullets. But now I'm starting to like the idea of a 280 AI since it can come close with a 26" barrel. It'll serve dual duty of hunting elk at probably not great distances, but possible targets out to a mile. Who's out there with set up with 24-28" barrels?

Personally I'd stay with a 7mm over 280ai , buying ammo is something to consider. 7mm ammunition is easily found anywhere, if you're in some small town with limited choices. Barrel length shouldn't be shorter than 26 inches in a 7mm ,if you want it to perform to its full potential, in my opinion.

 

[Chase723]

FWIW I have a 22" 7RM that shoots 1/4 MOA at 500 @ 3024fps. 69gr Retumbo. No pressure. I don't have and have never shot 280AI but I would think that in shorter barrels the difference between the 2 would be even less than at 26" because you can only burn so much powder, so fast. The longer the barrel gets the bigger the advantage, I would presume, goes to the 7RM, especially with heavier bullets (175+). In practicality, that's only going to matter at the terminal ballistic limits of the cartridge. I.E. for both of those with 160 class bullets somewhere beyond 1200 yards. This forum is about long range hunting, so that is a consideration, but 1200 yards is extremely far. If your talking between 500-1000 then who cares. You'll never be able to practically appreciate the difference.

 

[Chase723]

Unless you have access to a range that's 1200+ then I would make the decision based on the action and bolt face you have for a build. If you're not building and will routinely have the ability to shoot 1200-1700 then I'd go 7RM. If you don't then it's dealers choice.

 

[xsn10s]

Yes I have access to a range with 800 yards 5 miles from me and tons of BLM land 15 miles from me that I can shoot past a mile, or miles.