I have a 7mag that I love. I've considered a few other 7mm rifles for hunting and cannot seem to narrow down to one choice.

The 7WSM is the middle child between the 280 and 7mag it seems. But, I've never owned an Ackley anything and brass seems to be a non-issue anymore.

What are your thoughts on the 280AI v. the 7WSM? I would likely put at 25" bbl on either using a Jim Borden action.

I have more AIs or full wildcats than factory. I even took a 280 and stepped the same barrel up through 280RCBS, AI, 7mmJRS to my own 280PDK.

Best I could measure it was 1% velocity for 4% capacity at equal pressure. The AI style case hides pressure well. So be careful I've gone from no pressure signs to a blown primer in a very short step.

I never liked the WSM case. Played with it in 300 and pulled the barrel.

If you want a 280AI go for it join the rest of us. Nosler makes the brass forming a non-issue. Just be realistic in your expectation.

The only factory WSM chambering I had an interest in was the 7mm version...

that not withstanding, the 280 in any form is the more logical answer.. brass availability etc..

The 280 is a logic choice even over a 7 Rem Mag...
I have the 7 Mag but not a 280.. but have considered replaceing the barrel with a 280 Barrel ( Savage 116)...

If you're going to use a long action, I'd go with the 280 or 280AI. Aren't the rails and bolt face too wide for an 06 size case? Lou

quote:

Originally posted by Dr. Lou:
Aren't the rails and bolt face too wide for an 06 size case? Lou

Don't know. I would go with whatever the smith suggests that will work. I would purchase the appropriate action and bottom metal once I decide on caliber.

I'm a big 7mm fan. I have a 280 & 7mmDakato. If I wanted a short action rifle, I would go 7WSM. For a long action, 280ai would be great, both w/ 24"bbls.

You won't be able to tell the difference in the field. Pick the one that turns your crank.

Well, I've never been concerned about action length, so I could take any of the 7mms. As far as being able to tell the difference in the field, olarmy, I agree. I've never been able to tell any difference in 270, 30.06, 7 Rem Mag, 308, or 300 RUM. Everything died and I ate it, (except for the yotes and occasional bear---didn't eat those).

For me, different rifles are really just that. I just want something new, not b/c it is better, or has more bullet selection, or performs better in the field. It's solely just a "want" thing. I will add that one small factor is I do want to try new barrels from different makers too.

For that heavy of a rifle the cartridge will not matter all that much. If a lighter rifle were wanted then the Kimber Montana stands out for me.

I have rifles in improved cartridges. I have them in rimless, belted and rimmed. I suppose most of us just have to try them out. I would not get another cartridge that requires fireforming however I have had my fun.

Here is an article mentioning some of the 7mm's 7mm cartridges

Good luck and tell us what you choose. I am staying with the 7mm WSM thats loaded with 168 VLD's these days. If you want to shoot the longer VLD a faster twist is necessary than what I have.

quote:

What are your thoughts on the 280AI v. the 7WSM?

I'd choose the .280 AI (or the standard .280 as well) only because Nosler standardized it and made it SAAMI standard and sells standard brass for it.....it's no longer a wildcat.

Other than that the standard .280 will do anything the others will do and then some....never was anything substandard about the standard .280 Remington.

Right now I'm 70% AI, 30% WSM.

Hey Doc

The 280AI will let others know that you are a reloader and know what you are doing, the 7 WSM might make them think that you are another hunting yuppie, not that that matters.

In all seriousness, the 280AI will take more in the mag and not have any feeding problems. Mine does 3000 fps with a 160 gr Accubond with ease, probably about the same as the 7 WSM.

I have a Hart barrel with a 1 in 8 twist and a .313" neck with a 26" barrel.

Is the Borden action a 2 lug, 3 lug or multiple lug action? The reason I ask is that my Sako 75 with 3 lugs had a little problem with the bottom lug catching on the high shoulder point of the next bullet in the mag on the 280AI when it didn't on the 270 it was converted from. Easily fixed though.

quote:

Originally posted by woods:
Is the Borden action a 2 lug, 3 lug or multiple lug action?

Jim Borden actions. Click here, then click on his "custom actions" tab. You can read all about his Alpine, Timberline, and Rimrock actions. I believe they are Remington clones but already completely blueprinted. These days, you'd be better served by starting with a custom action like his compared to buying a new Remington action and paying to blueprint it.

quote:

Hey Doc

The 280AI will let others know that you are a reloader and know what you are doing

Yea, I guess I'm needing to be the center of attention among those who hunt with me so my new rifle can elicit all the oooooooos and aaaaaahhhhhhs. I consider the 7WSM to be a very good, but very "regular" caliber, just like a 30.06. In contrast, when I'm asked, "hey, what ya shootin?" and I tell them It's a 280 ACKLEY IMPROVED and you can hold it for five bucks. Pay me ten and you can shoot it.

Those that I hang with haven't got a clue what an "Ackley Improved" is. So, it will have the "wow" factor.

I'm extremely close to ordering a barrel from Brux, Bartlein, Broughton, Rock, or Kostyshyn. Craig Kostyshyn really has his stuff together for a solo act. I'm very impressed with his bore finish. For the most part, I've observed that a lot of them tend to look the same, but his seem to have that wet look like a lake with no wind, just smooth as glass. I may have just talked myself into a decision.