280 AI Barrel Contour Recommendation

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29 April 2018, 22:16

Austin Hunter

280 AI Barrel Contour Recommendation

Building a 280AI for my daughter. Going with a 24" barrel. I want to balance accuracy with weight.

Thinking of a Lilja #1. Or any #2 barrel out there and then fluting it.

Thoughts? Lightest, stiffest barrel?

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29 April 2018, 23:17

ar corey

#2, no flutes.

Boyd's classic stock ground down for LOP. Limbsaver recoil pad.

29 April 2018, 23:19

ar corey

For your daughter to carry all day Lilja #1 would be nice.

29 April 2018, 23:40

Austin Hunter

Going to do two stocks - a 2.5-3 lb B&C or HS Precision with bottom metal and then 20-24 oz Carbon fiber ADL. Start with the heavier stock and first mountain hunt go light weight. I'm magnaporting the barrel.

29 April 2018, 23:41

ar corey

Yeah, magnaport is nice.

29 April 2018, 23:43

ar corey

What bullet are you going to load for the rifle?

29 April 2018, 23:47

ar corey

Don't go to lite with the rifle or it will be a rattler to shoot.
#2 contour would balance the hs precision stock nice and still manageable to carry all day.

30 April 2018, 00:36

Austin Hunter

Start with a 150 gr Scirocco and if that doesn't shoot, look at an Accubond or TTSX.

Starting with the new tem insensitive and anti-copper additives: RL-23, 26; IMR 4955 and 7977

Working the same powders and bullet for my 7 Mag right now. Will switch up on primers as well.

30 April 2018, 01:01

Atkinson

A Douglas no. 3 contour will weigh about 3 lbs. a no. 1 is too light as is a no. 2 IMO unless your want a 22" featherweight barrel. You can get your needed barrel contour and weight from the Brownells catalog..comes in real handy when figuring the weigh you need..

Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com

30 April 2018, 01:31

Austin Hunter

quote:
Originally posted by Atkinson:
A Douglas no. 3 contour will weigh about 3 lbs. a no. 1 is too light as is a no. 2 IMO unless your want a 22" featherweight barrel. You can get your needed barrel contour and weight from the Brownells catalog..comes in real handy when figuring the weigh you need..

I have 26" #2 barrel on my 7 Mag and it's perfect and shoots like the devil.

30 April 2018, 09:11

Nakihunter

I am not sure what the contours mean.

My 280 AI is on Sako L61R and is a slim 24 inch rifle. It handles and balances surprisingly well and feels lighter than the 8 lbs before scope.

I strongly recommend a 1-9" twist barrel.

I have used 140gr to 160 gr bullets on deer and now I stick to 150 gr TSX & 160 gr Accubonds.

I get 3050 fps with the 160 gr Accubonds & the Nosler book load of N560. I pulled back half a grain on that max load.

The 140 gr bullets tear up too much meat and that is a real waste of good venison.

"When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick."

01 May 2018, 03:38

ar corey

quote:
Originally posted by Nakihunter:
I am not sure what the contours mean.

My 280 AI is on Sako L61R and is a slim 24 inch rifle. It handles and balances surprisingly well and feels lighter than the 8 lbs before scope.

I strongly recommend a 1-9" twist barrel.

I have used 140gr to 160 gr bullets on deer and now I stick to 150 gr TSX & 160 gr Accubonds.

I get 3050 fps with the 160 gr Accubonds & the Nosler book load of N560. I pulled back half a grain on that max load.

The 140 gr bullets tear up too much meat and that is a real waste of good venison.

My vote goes to the 150 tsx with the option, then to break the front shoulder and lung on a bull elk. Which the 280 AI is certainly capable of doing.

01 May 2018, 04:40

ted thorn

Why a .280AI ?

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01 May 2018, 06:26

Austin Hunter

quote:
Originally posted by ted thorn:
Why a .280AI ?

Because.

Seriously, my daughter has a 7mm-08 now and I have a 7mm Mag (and many other rifles). I've always been fascinated with the 7mm cartridges and always loved the 280 Remington - it should have the spotlight, not the 270 Win. But I want a bigger step up from the 7mm-08 for my daughter - something she can use for elk, etc.

01 May 2018, 07:02

chuck375

280 AI is a really nice round. Ordinarily I'm a walnut/blued kinda guy, but we have a Rem XCR II in 375 Weatherby that weighs 7 1/4 lbs with scope. It has a 24" barrel, not sure what contour it is but it's pretty thin. With 375 H&H factory rounds it's a pussycat with 375 Weatherby it's a bit snappy. A 280 AI in a similar setup should be very manageable.

Regards,

Chuck

"There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit"

Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness"

01 May 2018, 08:17

Austin Hunter

quote:
Originally posted by ar corey:
quote:
Originally posted by Nakihunter:
I am not sure what the contours mean.

My 280 AI is on Sako L61R and is a slim 24 inch rifle. It handles and balances surprisingly well and feels lighter than the 8 lbs before scope.

I strongly recommend a 1-9" twist barrel.

I have used 140gr to 160 gr bullets on deer and now I stick to 150 gr TSX & 160 gr Accubonds.

I get 3050 fps with the 160 gr Accubonds & the Nosler book load of N560. I pulled back half a grain on that max load.

The 140 gr bullets tear up too much meat and that is a real waste of good venison.

My vote goes to the 150 tsx with the option, then to break the front shoulder and lung on a bull elk. Which the 280 AI is certainly capable of doing.

TSX or TTSX don't have the BC of a 150 gr Scirocco or AB and those will do plenty to an elk. I may try the 150 gr TTSX if the Scirocco or ABs don't shoot well.

The 160 gr AB are also an option. I am worried about the punch through of TTSX. I shot an elk last fall at 373 yards with 300 Wby 180 gr TTSX at 3,250 fps. Zipped right through behind his left should and out the center of the right with a 30 yard blood spray behind. Oh, it was a kill shot, but before he ran around for a while. I'd much rather have something open up inside and stay. Similar incident in 2016 on an Aoudad, 330 yard shot with a 308 165 gr Aframe that threaded both shoulders and lungs. Didn't even expand. The ram died after running 40 yards, not blood trail.

Now, the 200 gr Accubonds in my 8x57 Mauser? Freakin' creamed 2 red deer, an elk, and a waterbuck. Boom, down. Did not exit.

01 May 2018, 15:59

handwerk

My 280 AI has a winny fwt contour, shilen barrel cut at 23". Built on a pre 64 M70 action, williams BM and a MCM edge stock. With a swaro Z3 it weighs 7 lbs. 15 oz. and balances just right. I load 150 TTSX's for everything.

01 May 2018, 20:30

larrys

For my 7x57 I went with a Douglas #2 and then had it milled to octagon. It is mighty thin, but I like it.

Larry

"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading" -- Thomas Jefferson

02 May 2018, 04:17

Austin Hunter

Almost went with a Lilja #1, but my gunsmith and I thought that was a bit to thin and could cut into accuracy. I figure the rifle will finish under 8 lbs with a VX-2 3-9x33 and sling.

02 May 2018, 04:48

ar corey

quote:
Originally posted by Austin Hunter:
quote:
Originally posted by ar corey:
quote:
Originally posted by Nakihunter:
I am not sure what the contours mean.

My 280 AI is on Sako L61R and is a slim 24 inch rifle. It handles and balances surprisingly well and feels lighter than the 8 lbs before scope.

I strongly recommend a 1-9" twist barrel.

I have used 140gr to 160 gr bullets on deer and now I stick to 150 gr TSX & 160 gr Accubonds.

I get 3050 fps with the 160 gr Accubonds & the Nosler book load of N560. I pulled back half a grain on that max load.

The 140 gr bullets tear up too much meat and that is a real waste of good venison.

My vote goes to the 150 tsx with the option, then to break the front shoulder and lung on a bull elk. Which the 280 AI is certainly capable of doing.

TSX or TTSX don't have the BC of a 150 gr Scirocco or AB and those will do plenty to an elk. I may try the 150 gr TTSX if the Scirocco or ABs don't shoot well.

The 160 gr AB are also an option. I am worried about the punch through of TTSX. I shot an elk last fall at 373 yards with 300 Wby 180 gr TTSX at 3,250 fps. Zipped right through behind his left should and out the center of the right with a 30 yard blood spray behind. Oh, it was a kill shot, but before he ran around for a while. I'd much rather have something open up inside and stay. Similar incident in 2016 on an Aoudad, 330 yard shot with a 308 165 gr Aframe that threaded both shoulders and lungs. Didn't even expand. The ram died after running 40 yards, not blood trail.

Now, the 200 gr Accubonds in my 8x57 Mauser? Freakin' creamed 2 red deer, an elk, and a waterbuck. Boom, down. Did not exit.

How much BC do you need? 7mm TTSX out of an Ackley Improved has a BC of. 450

02 May 2018, 04:50

ar corey

Probably not going to shoot a 280 Improved past 500 yards anyway.

02 May 2018, 21:45

Snellstrom

quote:
Don't go to lite with the rifle or it will be a rattler to shoot. #2 contour would balance the hs precision stock nice and still manageable to carry all day.

Where this BS comes from I can't imagine. Spoken like someone who only repeats what they've heard about light barrels.
I have at least 5 rifles with the thinnest lightest contour you can get and every one of them are absolute tack drivers.
I've heard it on this forum so many times and have to roll my eyes "light rifles don't shoot accurately", " light rifles don't balance right" " only an expert can shoot light rifles and make them group", blah blah blah from people who have no clue.
My ultra light barreled rifles produce exceptional 3 and 5 shot groups.
Go with the lightest contour you want in a good quality barrel (there are dozens of brands out there pick one) and don't listen to the babble about light contours.
She will carry it far more than shoot it.
Never in my life have I got to the top of a mountain and wished I'd have brought my "heavier" rifle...

03 May 2018, 00:19

ar corey

quote:
Originally posted by Snellstrom:
quote:
Don't go to lite with the rifle or it will be a rattler to shoot. #2 contour would balance the hs precision stock nice and still manageable to carry all day.

Where this BS comes from I can't imagine. Spoken like someone who only repeats what they've heard about light barrels.
I have at least 5 rifles with the thinnest lightest contour you can get and every one of them are absolute tack drivers.
I've heard it on this forum so many times and have to roll my eyes "light rifles don't shoot accurately", " light rifles don't balance right" " only an expert can shoot light rifles and make them group", blah blah blah from people who have no clue.
My ultra light barreled rifles produce exceptional 3 and 5 shot groups.
Go with the lightest contour you want in a good quality barrel (there are dozens of brands out there pick one) and don't listen to the babble about light contours.
She will carry it far more than shoot it.
Never in my life have I got to the top of a mountain and wished I'd have brought my "heavier" rifle...

I was talking about the holding and aiming of a lite rifle. They shake. I once owned a Stevens 200 in 7mm Remington Magnum and I had to put sand in the stock to weight it down.

03 May 2018, 03:30

Snellstrom

quote:
I was talking about the holding and aiming of a lite rifle. They shake. I once owned a Stevens 200 in 7mm Remington Magnum and I had to put sand in the stock to weight it down

The light rifle doesn't shake, you are shaking the rifle. It is an inanimate object incapable of any action on its own.
If it is shaking that is operator error.
For some magical reason I don't have any trouble with it or my kids (?)...

03 May 2018, 23:29

larrys

I agree completely with Dave on this one. If someone can't hold and aim a light rifle, then by all means don't buy one, but don't blame it on the rifle. Will they heat quicker, sure, but how many animals sit around waiting for you to take shots 4 or 5?

I have the aforementioned 7x57 with the #2 octagon, a Browning Micro-Medallion and a Colt Light Rifle. No problems.

Someone go try to tell Melvin Forbes that light rifles don't shoot. See how far that BS gets.

Larry

"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading" -- Thomas Jefferson

04 May 2018, 04:04

Palladin8

My 280AI wears a sendero contoured barrel. It's a 1:8 twist so I can shoot the long VLD high BC bullets. Yes it's muzzle heavy but it's certainly not my heaviest rifle in my safe. If it were a dedicated hunting rifle I would go with a thinner barrel but stick with the same twist rate.

04 May 2018, 06:10

Nakihunter

I am no expert.

My Kimber Montana 7mm08 is 6 lbs with 2-8X Leupold. 5 lbs 3 oz bare.

It is a very accurate rifle and balances well. I have taken snap shots with it and even a crazy running shot at about 70 meters in a rocky gully on a galloping wallaby chased by a dog - which I may never repeat again in my life.

quote:
Originally posted by Snellstrom:
quote:
Don't go to lite with the rifle or it will be a rattler to shoot. #2 contour would balance the hs precision stock nice and still manageable to carry all day.

Where this BS comes from I can't imagine. Spoken like someone who only repeats what they've heard about light barrels.
I have at least 5 rifles with the thinnest lightest contour you can get and every one of them are absolute tack drivers.
I've heard it on this forum so many times and have to roll my eyes "light rifles don't shoot accurately", " light rifles don't balance right" " only an expert can shoot light rifles and make them group", blah blah blah from people who have no clue.
My ultra light barreled rifles produce exceptional 3 and 5 shot groups.
Go with the lightest contour you want in a good quality barrel (there are dozens of brands out there pick one) and don't listen to the babble about light contours.
She will carry it far more than shoot it.
Never in my life have I got to the top of a mountain and wished I'd have brought my "heavier" rifle...

"When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick."

05 May 2018, 03:46

Atkinson

Austin,
My suggestion was in regards to recoil, but then I have no idea the size or age of his daughter..for myself I would opt for a 1 or 2 Douglas contour at 22 inches..

I think the 7-08 is a great choice for most females, its a good killer, and recoil is ok most cases...I would hunt any NA animal with it, even the big bears with a 175 gr. nosler if I had too..

If she ever wounds and animal, you will lose your female hunting companion in most cases..

Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com

09 May 2018, 04:18

lawndart

quote:
280 AI is a really nice round. Ordinarily I'm a walnut/blued kinda guy, but we have a Rem XCR II in 375 Weatherby that weighs 7 1/4 lbs with scope. It has a 24" barrel, not sure what contour it is but it's pretty thin. With 375 H&H factory rounds it's a pussycat with 375 Weatherby it's a bit snappy. A 280 AI in a similar setup should be very manageable.

Regards,

Chuck

Chuck, you have great taste.

I recommend a #2 contour; no fluting

11 May 2018, 06:55

muygrande

quote:
ar corey
one of us
posted 29 April 2018 23:43 Hide Post
What bullet are you going to load for the rifle?

Posts: 1224 | Location: Saskatchewan, Canada. | Registered: 22 August 2006

I suggest giving the Barnes 145 LRX a shot.