Building a 280AI

[wtrfwlhunter]

Building a 280 AI of a savage 111 action with a criterion heavy sporter contour 1:9 barrel. Will have a VX-5 on top of it.

Would appreciate stock suggestions that will match with this contour. Or any suggestions that you guys who have built rifles have for me as this will be my first go at building.

 

[marksjeep]

What action?

 

[Jbotto]

My brother put one together with a Criterion heavy sporter on a savage action with a Boyd’s stock and a Leupold VX3i. Came together at a few ounces shy of 10lbs. It’s chunky.

 

[wtrfwlhunter]

What action?

Savage 111

 

[wtrfwlhunter]

My brother put one together with a Criterion heavy sporter on a savage action with a Boyd’s stock and a Leupold VX3i. Came together at a few ounces shy of 10lbs. It’s chunky.

Do you have any photos? The heavy sporter is only 8 oz heavier than the sporter. I am curious how that pencils out on his rifle.

Heavy sporter Barrel: 3.5 pounds
Boyd’s Stock: 3 pounds
Action: 1 pound (approximate guess)
Scope+rings: 1 pound

Total: 8.5

 

[Jbotto]

Do you have any photos? The heavy sporter is only 8 oz heavier than the sporter. I am curious how that pencils out on his rifle.

Heavy sporter Barrel: 3.5 pounds
Boyd’s Stock: 3 pounds
Action: 1 pound (approximate guess)
Scope+rings: 1 pound

Total: 8.5

I’ll have to look back and find a few details when I get a minute but I have some pictures. It’s closer to 9.5lbs than 10 as I first said.

 

[wtrfwlhunter]

I’ll have to look back and find a few details when I get a minute but I have some pictures. It’s closer to 9.5lbs than 10 as I first said.

Thanks for the pictures! The rifle looks good, what caliber is it? How does it shoot? Does he wish he went with the sporter?

 

[Jbotto]

Thanks for the pictures! The rifle looks good, what caliber is it? How does it shoot? Does he wish he went with the sporter?

It’s a 24” barreled .280AI. The criterion barrel is nice. Easy to clean and pretty accurate with a little load development. Shooting a 150gr Barnes TTSX.

I think he wishes the rifle was lighter. I did one similar in a different chambering and mine is right over 10lbs with similar features. I for sure wish mine were lighter. He hunts out of deer stands mainly in the Midwest so it’s not as big of a deal to him right now.

 

[AckleyHunter]

I would go 1:8 just in case.

 

[mtmuley]

I don't know why, but this cartridge is interesting to me. mtmuley

 

[wtrfwlhunter]

I would go 1:8 just in case.

Even for 160-170 grain loads?

 

[perma]

I don't know why, but this cartridge is interesting to me. mtmuley

It was a toss up between .280 ackley or the 7 mag when I built mine. My dad went to school in the same place PO made that cartridge, I believe.

 

[bobcat_trapper]

Mine has a 1@8 26-inch barrel. I ended up putting a Leupold scope on it. A VX6 HD 4x24x52mm TMOA reticle scope.

 

[nhenry]

I don't know why, but this cartridge is interesting to me. mtmuley

Because it’s just a darn good cartridge. Hard to beat for an all-around hunting round.
That, and it looks nice.

 

[Salmonchaser]

I don’t own one, might rebarrel one of my number ones into one, but I think the 280Ai is the most under appreciated cartridges out there.

 

[BAKPAKR]

Do you have any photos? The heavy sporter is only 8 oz heavier than the sporter. I am curious how that pencils out on his rifle.

Heavy sporter Barrel: 3.5 pounds
Boyd’s Stock: 3 pounds
Action: 1 pound (approximate guess)
Scope+rings: 1 pound

Total: 8.5

I bet your action/trigger/bottom metal is over 2 pounds. I think you could save some weight with a different stock.

Just an FYI, I have a Bartlein 3 on a 30 Nosler and it made my rifle heavier than I like to carry through the woods. I think that contour is very similar to the Criterion Heavy Hunter.

 

[AckleyHunter]

Even for 160-170 grain loads?

The higher grain, higher bc bullets need more twist. 1:9 is fine for most 140-160 grain bullets. I have had a hard time getting the 155 gr terminal ascents to group well with a 1:9, but shoot fine in a 1:8. Might be the twist, might be that particular rifle. And if norma ever releases their 165gr bondstrikes.

 

[kiwi hunter]

I bet your action/trigger/bottom metal is over 2 pounds. I think you could save some weight with a different stock.

Just an FYI, I have a Bartlein 3 on a 30 Nosler and it made my rifle heavier than I like to carry through the woods. I think that contour is very similar to the Criterion Heavy Hunter.

Yes a light stock should only be 1 to 1 1/2 lb.

 

[std7mag]

The higher grain, higher bc bullets need more twist. 1:9 is fine for most 140-160 grain bullets. I have had a hard time getting the 155 gr terminal ascents to group well with a 1:9, but shoot fine in a 1:8. Might be the twist, might be that particular rifle. And if norma ever releases their 165gr bondstrikes.

A 1:9 will stabilize all but the heaviest of 7mm bullets, or the middle weight mono bullets.

Heck even my 1:10 twist 7mm Weatherby stabilizes the 175gr ABLR.

If the Terminal Ascent is a mono, at 155gr, it will need a faster twist.

For the OP's stated 160-170gr bullets, the 1:9 will be fine.

 

[mtmuley]

Because it’s just a darn good cartridge. Hard to beat for an all-around hunting round.
That, and it looks nice.
View attachment 334977

And it ain't a Creed or PRC. The 6.5-06 always creeps into my mind also. Takes two cartridges to sway away from a RUM. mtmuley