Thread: 280AI - pros & cons?

I have an itch that needs to be scratched (and not in a "just spent a weekend in Hamilton and should now see a GP kind of way....) - I'm weighing up getting a new rifle and have been looking into the 280AI. I'm trying to be objective, so this isn't a "which calibre is best" battle, although I will kick a few 270 owners and rule out this calibre as it is for cavemen. Intended use is tops hunting in the Ruahines. Thoughts gentlemen? (Cavemen need not apply )

You have got Nosler Custom brass now, not cheap but at least you won't need to fireform. Check the price of dies though. It is really close to the 7mm mag in performance. Could be cheaper to get a 7mm mag, brass and dies being cheaper. But if the 280AI is the itch that needs scratching then go for it.

Saum


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I had one. They are a calibre that can do it all. From 120 & 140 TTSX to 162 amax. I shot boars at 10m to deer at 350m. Easy. Never tested it out to put it plainly.
They need a long barrel that's why mine is gone. They don't but if they don't then they're basically a caveman's walking stick.
...if I had to put my caveman hat on I'd have to agree with Brads. Saum.
I've had 7RMag, Saum, 708, 250, amongst others and I'm simply still sitting on my .308W. they're the best.

Originally Posted by Danny

I had one. They are a calibre that can do it all. From 120 & 140 TTSX to 162 amax. I shot boars at 10m to deer at 350m. Easy. Never tested it out to put it plainly.
They need a long barrel that's why mine is gone. They don't but if they don't then they're basically a caveman's walking stick.
...if I had to put my caveman hat on I'd have to agree with Brads. Saum.
I've had 7RMag, Saum, 708, 250, amongst others and I'm simply still sitting on my .308W. they're the best.

I will always have a 308 in the safe.

Originally Posted by Nickoli

I will always have a 308 in the safe.

That's the boy
280 is cool, I ran into difficulties with the powders I was running; some of the Reloader powders are very temp sensitive and on day like today I clocked a 140AB at 3280fps. That was not nice out of the light mountain rifle. I pulled them all and started again.
I'd do it mate. There is nothing to loose and they hold their value.
Barrel length no problem to you?

Originally Posted by Danny

That's the boy
280 is cool, I ran into difficulties with the powders I was running; some of the Reloader powders are very temp sensitive and on day like today I clocked a 140AB at 3280fps. That was not nice out of the light mountain rifle. I pulled them all and started again.
I'd do it mate. There is nothing to loose and they hold their value.
Barrel length no problem to you?

Barrel length no issue - I'm not intending to be using the next toy in the thick shit.
Just looking at a welcome addition to the safe - some people spend heaps on motocross and other pursuits, I wouldn't be the only one here who likes to carry a shooting stick that they enjoy shooting as well.

Which rifle are you looking at getting ?

Some are a little short in the magazine length.

I am waiting for sneeze to offer me his Cooper in .280 Ack for cheap of course😆

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Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

Which rifle are you looking at getting ?

Some are a little short in the magazine length.

There was a Kimber Mountain Ascent on the other forum I had a think about, and it planted the seed: it's not so much the rifle as the calibre I'm looking at (nothing decided).

Originally Posted by Nickoli

There was a Kimber Mountain Ascent on the other forum I had a think about, and it planted the seed: it's not so much the rifle as the calibre I'm looking at (nothing decided).

I may have one available in the next few weeks.

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

I may have one available in the next few weeks.

Will keep an eye out...

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

I may have one available in the next few weeks.

Kimber or a custom? The Kimbers tend to have shorter Magazine capacity, fair point?
Wouldn't worry me but would do some.

Originally Posted by Danny

Kimber or a custom? The Kimbers tend to have shorter Magazine capacity, fair point?
Wouldn't worry me but would do some.

Kimber Mountain Ascent, having the muzzle rethreaded at the moment.

Here’s mine.



I had it built for an open country rifle as I’ve just moved to Christchurch. Shoots 162 AMAX and 160 Accubonds really well although I haven’t had a chance to stretch its legs yet. Performance wise it’s on par with a friend’s 7mmSAUM but lagging behind the 7mm Rem Mag by a few 100 fps.

The only con I’ve found so far with the 280AI is the Nosler Custom brass is so expensive that while looking for an ejected shell a few weeks ago I missed an opportunity at a second Stag. It was a long walk so I guess it may have been a blessing in disguise.