hayseed_theology
Senior Member
So a conversation from the 7-08/280 Rem thread a while back got me thinking.
Been thinking about Bullgators question. I am starting to lean toward the .280 AI. My original argument for the .280 Rem was that there were more factory offerings for it. I am going to hand load for it, so it doesn't really matter how much factory ammo is available. How many places actually stock .280 Rem after all? The increased efficiency of the AI shoulder seems to gain velocity without much more powder or recoil.
Kenny Jarrett lists the .280 AI among his pet calibers. He writes:
Anybody own a rifle in .280 AI? What's your thoughts on the cartridge?
All that said - if I had the money to build a custom rifle right now, it would be a .280 Remington.
Hayseed, are you sure you wouldn't maybe do that custom rifle in .280 Ackley?
No, I'm not sure.
Been thinking about Bullgators question. I am starting to lean toward the .280 AI. My original argument for the .280 Rem was that there were more factory offerings for it. I am going to hand load for it, so it doesn't really matter how much factory ammo is available. How many places actually stock .280 Rem after all? The increased efficiency of the AI shoulder seems to gain velocity without much more powder or recoil.
Kenny Jarrett lists the .280 AI among his pet calibers. He writes:
.280 Ackley Improved
120 gr. Nosler bullet ......... 3340 f.p.s.
140 gr. Nosler bullet ......... 3150 f.p.s.
160 gr. Nosler bullet ......... 2950 f.p.s.
If I had to lay my finger on one thing that really brought Jarrett Rifles to the dance, it would be the .280 Improved. We have made over 1100 rifles in this caliber and probably rebarrelled at least that many. For me to say I’ve had more experience with this cartridge than anyone else is a safe bet. After several long discussions with P.O. Ackley, I decided I wanted to work with this cartridge. Even though P.O. Ackley would not take credit for its creation, it bears all the markings of Ackley’s work. (Ackley also made a 7mm-06 version, which is slightly shorter and has a little less capacity than the .280 version.) Mr. Ackley was very enthusiastic about the .280 Improved and told me that he felt its capacity was the maximum useable powder for 7mm. Mr. Ackley had a lot of influence on me in the earlier days and out of respect for his help, most of my .280 Imp. rifles still bear his name. Several aspects make the .280 Imp. a wonderful cartridge: first, factory ammo can be used in the Improved chamber, second, its brass life is good, and third, its versatility created by the high degree of accuracy with bullet weights ranging from 120gr. to 160gr. One can see there is very little difference, if any, between the magnum 7mm’s and the .280 Improved. Mr. Ackley felt strongly that a belted case was not needed in 7mm. Listed are average velocities for the .280 Improved and I say “average” because rifles are individuals. In fact, the tight bore barrels, dimensionally speaking, produce the best accuracy but not the best velocity.
On the light bullet end, you have a set up that will beat a .25-06 all to pieces. Conversely, the heavy end bullets will out perform a .30-06, velocity wise. The higher ballistic co-efficient of 160 gr. 7mm bullets allow them to retain their down range velocity better compared to 160 gr. .30 caliber bullets..
If you only want one custom rifle, then versatility should be your prime consideration. The .280 Improved is totally adequate on small African game or antelope with the 120's. It’s perfect for larger deer with the 140's, and a real elk and moose buster with the 160's. The .280 Improved has been one of our best sellers because they work extremely well. Unless you are really recoil shy, a muzzle brake is not necessary on a .280 Improved. Thousands upon thousands of animals have been taken worldwide with the Jarrett Rifle in .280 Imp. That many dead animals couldn’t be wrong! For more information on the .280 Imp., refer to the Nosler No.4 reloading manual.
Anybody own a rifle in .280 AI? What's your thoughts on the cartridge?