Which factory 280AI rifle?

[bobcat_trapper]

I went thru resized some once fired brass. With a Lee 280AI die. My RCBS die's hadn't came in. LEE said if u have a sammi chamber. Your brass mite not fit right using the Lee. I didn't know this. Should i take my RCBS 280AI full lenth die. And redo them again?

 

[std7mag]

THAT seems odd!!

The dies should be to SAAMI specifications ever since SAAMI approved it.

Before then, and possibly still now, there were some improved designs that were not done by Ackley.
Some of those had 35° shoulders.

Since your rifle came out after SAAMI approval, i don't see why the Lee dies wouldn't work.

Try them. If you don't like them then you can sell them to me.
280AI is a cartridge i don't have yet, but want.
I'm still deciding on whether or not to send this boat paddle Ruger to @p_ham to rebarrel to 280AI, or keep it as 270 Win.

 

[nhenry]

THAT seems odd!!

The dies should be to SAAMI specifications ever since SAAMI approved it.

Before then, and possibly still now, there were some improved designs that were not done by Ackley.
Some of those had 35° shoulders.

Since your rifle came out after SAAMI approval, i don't see why the Lee dies wouldn't work.

Try them. If you don't like them then you can sell them to me.
280AI is a cartridge i don't have yet, but want.
I'm still deciding on whether or not to send this boat paddle Ruger to @p_ham to rebarrel to 280AI, or keep it as 270 Win.

The answer is always 280 AI. It’s a way of life

 

[std7mag]

The answer is always 280 AI. It’s a way of life

At work the answer is always "yes" or "chocolate".
Both are kinda interchangeable. Lol

Loading up the 270, it occurred to me that all the rifles that I have based on the 30-06 case are Ruger 77 MKIIs.
25-06, 280 Rem & 270 Win.

 

[Badlandcat]

Me and my daughter have shared a Cooper model 52 for the last 12 years.
It has a very long list of one shot kills on antelope, deer, elk and a few coyotes.
Ranges from 180 yards to 620 yards. Best factory rifle I've ever bought.

 

[bobcat_trapper]

I was going by this on Lee's website. I thought they was when i bought them.

 

[std7mag]

I was going by this on Lee's website. I thought they was when i bought them.

THAT'S nuck'n futs!!

 

[bobcat_trapper]

That was shot with my 280 Rem. With a Berger 140gr VLD hunting bullet. Wasnt very far from me.

 

[CoHunter1991]

I have a Mark V in 280 and its a hammer. I would definitely go Weatherby.

 

[kodiakisland]

My Kimber Super America is no slouch.

 

[Brpom]

Of those options you listed I would absolutely go with the Xbolt or the Mk V.


Seek and you shall find. My 280 AI:
View attachment 318370

I also have a mkV in 280AI... accurate with 160g AB or 150g ABLR. I tried several combinations but couldn't find a load that was hunting accurate with 150g Barnes TTSX or Hornady CX. ABs seem to shoot whatever rifle I put them through.
One question.... feeding issues. Two in the mag it feeds fine... three or four and it won't feed. How is yours?

 

[Brpom]

We dont have very big hills. North Arkansas is Ozark Mountains. Thats where i live. South Arkansas is paper company. Clear cut pine thickets. I work at a sand mine. Company ownes 5000 + acres. There are 18 or 20 guys that hunt it. Cost us 20.00 each a yr. Since joining it. Only thing i have done is trapped it. Done little a turkey hunting i live less 10 minutes from Ozark National Forest. In there its strait up and down. U mite get a 70 or 80 yd shot. That would be in a old logging road. Last few yrs. I have been carrying my muzzle loader. During rifle season. I just like hunting with a muzzle loader. I am planning on going on a antelope hunt. Next yr hopefully. I had a kimber 84L hunter 280AI. I fount a used Kimber 84L mountain ascent 280AI. Has a vortex 6x18x44mm on it. 1499.00 . I like the weatherby 307 280AI. Not a fan of the magazine sticking out like it does. Does the lite 280AI kick much? With a muzzle brake on it? My wife mite use it.

If it helps my braked mk5 hunter recoils similar to my Sako 7-08. My son shot that at 13yrs old without an issue.

 

[brymoore]

Kimber Montana 280ai with 160gr Accubonds at 129 yards. No tracking required.

 

[old roper 42]

Not yet. Hopefully this year.

But tell me where i'm wrong?
The person that runs THIS forum has. There's videos of him doing so.

There are also videos of a woman killing an elk at over 600 yards with a 243 Win.

.You know all about killing elk but haven't. Big difference

 

[Jnasa]

.You know all about killing elk but haven't. Big difference

I don’t understand. I haven’t killed an elk with a 300 Win Mag but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a capable elk round. I guess I’m restricted to 270 and 308 Winchester as those are what I have killed elk with.
I don’t understand why we must question and criticize what other people choose to use for themselves. There are so many rounds and we are blessed to choose what works for us. It is fun to discuss our favorite cartridges and their differences. Let’s not be rude about it though.

 

[Jnasa]

I have been looking at the factory 280AI rifle.
One's i have been looking at.
Xbolt Speed 280AI 1@8 twist
Savage ultralight 280AI 1@9
Weatherby mark hunter 5 1@9
Only one comes with a muzzle brake is the Xbolt. Most places i can't shoot 400 yds. Which one do you think would be the best choice? I will carry it in the truck alot. Because of the hog population we have. Range of bullets i will try 120 to 175 gr. I hunt out of a climbing stand alot. Midway has several different blemish .284 bullets. I seen some 150 gr jacketed soft points 13.99 for 100. Planning on buying some to break the barrel in with. I do want to work a load up for coyotes. 120 gr v max or nosler 120 gr bt. I didnt know for sure. If the 1@8 would shoot the 120 gr very good. Going to put a Timney trigger on the new gun to.

Thank you for starting this. I am considering a 280 AI also and was looking at options.

 

[old roper 42]

I don’t understand. I haven’t killed an elk with a 300 Win Mag but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a capable elk round. I guess I’m restricted to 270 and 308 Winchester as those are what I have killed elk with.
I don’t understand why we must question and criticize what other people choose to use for themselves. There are so many rounds and we are blessed to choose what works for us. It is fun to discuss our favorite cartridges and their differences. Let’s not be rude about it though.

I don’t understand. I haven’t killed an elk with a 300 Win Mag but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a capable elk round. I guess I’m restricted to 270 and 308 Winchester as those are what I have killed elk with.
I don’t understand why we must question and criticize what other people choose to use for themselves. There are so many rounds and we are blessed to choose what works for us. It is fun to discuss our favorite cartridges and their differences. Let’s not be rude about it though.

.Don't know what happen but my comment was someone else

 

[manitou1]

I am shooting 175 ELDx out of my X Bolt 280ai with great results.
My x-bolts will outshoot my custom.

 

[nhenry]

I also have a mkV in 280AI... accurate with 160g AB or 150g ABLR. I tried several combinations but couldn't find a load that was hunting accurate with 150g Barnes TTSX or Hornady CX. ABs seem to shoot whatever rifle I put them through.
One question.... feeding issues. Two in the mag it feeds fine... three or four and it won't feed. How is yours?

Mine feeds flawless with 4 down. Are your bottom rounds dipping below the mag box?

 

[Brpom]

Mine feeds flawless with 4 down. Are your bottom rounds dipping below the mag box?

To be honest I haven't pulled it apart yet to see if there's anything obvious. I'm going to load a few to SAMMI spec length and see if that changes things. Currently they sit 20thou off the lands. Where I usually end up seating ABs