The Accurate Reloading Forums
Recommendations for barrel length 280 AI
07 February 2010, 03:39
Fish30114Recommendations for barrel length 280 AI
Have been wrapping up some projects from several years ago with a riflemaker that sold their business, and got in a barreled action that is in 280 AI. They screwed up internal communications, and the chopped the Krieger tube to 21"
I believe they will make it right, but that remains to be seen, but at any rate, I won't say just yet what length I had requested, but wonder what lengths ya'll would recommend for the 280 AI
07 February 2010, 03:51
Wayfaring StrangerChrono it first... then complain if need be.
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If the 270 won't do it the .338 will, if the 338 won't I can't afford the hunt!
07 February 2010, 04:33
Fish30114quote:
Originally posted by Wayfaring Stranger:
Chrono it first... then complain if need be.
...well, maybe worthwhile, but I doubt it--shorter stiffer barrels shoot more consistently though don't they....or is that another thread
07 February 2010, 04:45
MileHighShootercan it be set back and rechambered for 284 Win? 21" on a 280 is one thing, but on an AI...I have no personal experience, but wouldn't you just be blasting a bunch of powder for no gain at all?
If you think every possible niche has been filled already, thank a wildcatter!
07 February 2010, 05:02
JD338I have a M700 with a Hart #5 Fluted, 24" barrel chambered in 280 AI.
I am getting 3019 fps with the 160 gr AB and 3240 fps with the 140 gr AB.
JD338
07 February 2010, 05:38
Alberta CanuckIf you fire the barrel, they may not want to take it back. Then they'd have to sell it to someone else as a used barrel rather than a new one.
My country gal's just a moonshiner's daughter, but I love her still.
07 February 2010, 06:19
woodsI have been happy with my 26" Hart barrel
not an inconvenience at all but I could always cut it down to 24" if I wanted to lose velocity.
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There are those who would misteach us that to stick in a rut is consistency - and a virtue, and that to climb out of the rut is inconsistency - and a vice.
- Mark Twain |
Chinese Proverb: When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others.
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07 February 2010, 06:35
Fish30114Thanks JD and Woods, and Canuck, you could be right, I've already talked to the actual gunmaker, he isn't the trigger puller--pun intended--but he admits to cutting it to the wrong length, I had asked for 25", a length I have on other rigs I am comfortable with, and felt like it would offer the ability to get what I wanted out of my second AI. I am really reflecting on whether or not to rebarrel to a different caliber, I just wanted an 280 AI on this platform, it's a Sako 75 action....I hate to wait on another tube from Krieger, but I guess it won't matter the caliber in that regard.....damn frustrating I can tell ya!
JD, what kind of scope if that on your rig?
07 February 2010, 07:14
woodsHey Fish, you said it was a Sako 75 action. So is mine and I had a little bit of a problem. The Sako is a 3 lug bolt and the edge of the lug that is turned down during extraction would catch on the shoulder of the next case in the magazine.
The previous caliber on mine was a 270 so that was not a problem with the shape of that case but the increased width of the case at the junction of the shoulder/case body of the 280AI would catch the lug. A gunsmith put a bevel on the lug and it works OK now but I thought you should know about it.
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There are those who would misteach us that to stick in a rut is consistency - and a virtue, and that to climb out of the rut is inconsistency - and a vice.
- Mark Twain |
Chinese Proverb: When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others.
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07 February 2010, 09:42
boom stickWith that short of a tube I would cut it back about a half inch and rechamber to a 7-08 AI on a short action.
I assume you want to milk every fps out of the AI as most do so a 26" seems reasonable.
07 February 2010, 11:31
fredj338IMO, at least a 23" to get some use out of the AI. My std. 280 wears a 23" & I can get 2800fps out of a 160gr & just kiss 3000fps from a 140gr.
LIFE IS NOT A SPECTATOR'S SPORT!
07 February 2010, 20:45
ramrod340I built my 280PDK with a 23" barrel. My capacity is just slightly greater than a 7mmGibbs. At the time in the early 80s that I built it the normal factory was 22 magnums 24" so I decided to go 23". Later after building other wildcats, getting a Chrony and doing a LOT of testing I sure wish I had left the barrel at 24" or maybe even 25".
No way would I have a 280AI in a 21". To gain the benefit of the slightly larger case you need use slower powders. Which need the longer barrel.
As usual just my $.02
Paul K
07 February 2010, 20:54
Fish30114quote:
Originally posted by woods:
Hey Fish, you said it was a Sako 75 action. So is mine and I had a little bit of a problem. The Sako is a 3 lug bolt and the edge of the lug that is turned down during extraction would catch on the shoulder of the next case in the magazine.
The previous caliber on mine was a 270 so that was not a problem with the shape of that case but the increased width of the case at the junction of the shoulder/case body of the 280AI would catch the lug. A gunsmith put a bevel on the lug and it works OK now but I thought you should know about it.
Woods, very good intel, I will try and cycle some dummy rounds in just a little bit. I was disturbed to learn, that since I had the co send my project back with the stock just carved and inletted and not final sanded/checkered/finished, that they didn't event test fire the rifle--GEEZ! I appreciate the heads up, mine WAS a 270 as well.
07 February 2010, 20:57
Fish30114Boom, that may be a good option with that tube, assuming I get stuck with it...I would really prefer a stock 7-08 if I could do it though....
I appreciate the feedback Fred and ramrod, I definitely WON'T keep this rig as a 280AI, I can't believe the gunmaker himself cut it that short since it is so obvious that isn't and appropriate length for this cartridge--AND most of all I asked for 25".....may go 26 on the redo....
07 February 2010, 20:57
DMBIf it were me with that issue, I'd go for a 24' to 26" barrel.
My 7mm Mag is a 24" bbl.
I'm a long barrel guy for most rifles. That's from the old days when I got Rem 722's with long barrels. They had a 26" 222 Rem barrel on Factory 722's back then. I have two of them now. No complaints from me on the long length of the barrels.
07 February 2010, 22:49
zeeriverrat1I have two 280AI's, both are built on military Mauser actions. One has a lite contour 24" barrel,and the other is a heavier contour and 26" in length. I built the latter as a beanfield rifle..and don't carry it much other than to the stand.. Both are accurate and flat shooting..
To get the full potential out of the cartridge my preference is at least 24"... You will have fun with yours no matter what you settle on for barrel length...
Z
08 February 2010, 01:09
Fish30114Good intel DMB and zee, I did stick the barreled action into a synthetic take-off stock I had, and it cycled the ammo like silk.
I did discover that it had also not been chambered per my request, that a supplied dummy cartridge at the OAL I wanted and would function in the magazine would still allow the bullet to touch the lands--I always have custom rifles chambered similarly to this-- it's a long way from that, a cartridge witha bullet that would touch the lands was WAY longer than mag length.....what a PITA!
08 February 2010, 01:32
handwerkFish, I built mine on a pre 64 M70 fwt action,rimrock stock. I used a 24" pac-nor fwt contour, I get 3150 w/140TTSX and 3050 w/150TTSX, accuracy is between 1/2"to 1"
I'm glad I went with the 24" tube.
08 February 2010, 02:13
Fish30114Handwerk, thanks for the info. You know it makes me love my 270's so much when I learn info like this, I really like the accuracy of the one 280 AI I have, it is a rechambered 280 on a Cooper action. It has a 23" barrel, and is something around 2800 with 140 TSX's and a couple different powders. I get that out of 22" barrel 270's in 'run of the mill' loads and 140's. If I didn't have several 270's of all different types, I would seriously consider just making this a Krieger barreled 270 at 24 or 25".....I just liked the idea of a 280 AI on this action, and I do like having 5 cartridges down--don't really know why, haven't needed more than one in a long time
I am hopeful to just get this one up to speed at the 25" I wanted to begin with, and see how it does....
08 February 2010, 04:24
JD338quote:
Fish30114
Fish30114
Scope is a Leupold Mark 4 4.5x14x40mm LR. I had the Leupold Custom Shop install M1 dials.
The tube is 30mm and the obj is 40mm making it very bright and yet able to mount fairly low on the rifle. I do believe I have Leupold Med Height rings.
JD338
08 February 2010, 05:46
Fish30114Hey JD, what is custom about the dials? Are they calibrated per your specs for ranging with a certain load? Just curious, that is a damn fine scope, don't have one, but have shot rifles with them--sounds like a great rig and really well set up.
I know 'Woods' has a Kahles with the ballistic turret on his, I was planning a Conquest Z-600 in 3x9x50 on this rig....
08 February 2010, 20:19
MileHighShooterSet back and go 7x57 AI maybe?
If you think every possible niche has been filled already, thank a wildcatter!
08 February 2010, 20:40
Dr. Lou24" minimum.
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NRA Life Benefactor Member
09 February 2010, 08:27
BuliwyfMinimum 24". I like a 25".
09 February 2010, 08:38
Nakihunterquote:
Originally posted by Dr. Lou:
24" minimum.
I agree. My sako Finbear gives me 3200 fps with some 140 gr loads and 3030 fps with 160 gr Nosler Accubond & N560 powder. Good luck with your project.
"When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick."
09 February 2010, 09:49
Mike_Dettorre23 1/2
MikeLegistine actu quod scripsi?
Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.
What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
10 February 2010, 05:39
Fish30114Thanks men, I think that the 25" I originally wanted will be it, although I may go to 24"...
I am not sure if they will want the current barrel back or not, but if they don't, turning the current barrel into a 7x57 is a good idea MileHigh.
I will be interested to see how this turns out, if I was doing it again, I might just leave my Cooper as my only AI, and just turn this rig into something more vanilla....not sure what though
10 February 2010, 06:04
jeffeosso21", not AI .. use h335....
10 February 2010, 07:55
z1r650mm!
Aut vincere aut mori
10 February 2010, 22:08
Fish30114quote:
Originally posted by z1r:
650mm!
Is that 25.59" Mike?