Considering a something new custom build. Your thoughts and opinions on the ctg will be appreciated. Looks like it's a std bolt face almost magnum.

I have a Cooper in 280 AI. Very acccurate. It seems to split the difference in velocity between the standard 280 Rem and the 7mm Rem Mag. Basically it kills slightly deader then the 280 Rem but not quite as dead as the 7 R mag.

I had a 280AI for years. Handloads meet or beat factory 7mag. Handloads and the 7mag will win.

One thing to consider is your chamber. If you plan on using Nosler 280AI brass I believe that the chamber dimensions are a touch different what the 280AI has been for years. I remember the Nosler brass being a touch shorter.

Anyway do a search here on AR and your will see it discussed several times.

I built a couple of 280AI's with the 40 degree shoulder...I don't see a lot of advantage over the standard 280...except that the brass doesn't hardly grow...and it does run a bit faster...

Accuracy has been good with both of my 280AI's, one has a 26" #2 barrel and the other one with its 24" light contour barrel is a bit less accurate...

If you like to mess around with the off beat stuff, and spend time fireforming it might be just what you are looking for...

Z

quote:

Originally posted by ramrod340:

One thing to consider is your chamber. If you plan on using Nosler 280AI brass I believe that the chamber dimensions are a touch different what the 280AI has been for years. I remember the Nosler brass being a touch shorter.

This is a good point. Some explanation here.


http://gunsmithtalk.wordpress....kley-improved-alert/

I have one set up as a long range rig. I shoot the berger 168 and the amax 162. I love mine, and will build another in a lighter weight rifle in the future. If you reload, then I say go for it, as you can really get the most out of the cartridge.

quote:

This is a good point. Some explanation here.


http://gunsmithtalk.wordpress....kley-improved-alert

Great link.

As it said using the Nosler Brass (Saami) you can use factory ammo just like a Normal AI chamber. YOu could also use the Nosler brass in an AI chamber "AFTER" it is fireformed using a false shoulder or bullet in the lands. I will admit to using a CRF extractor for headspacing during fireforming but don't openly suggest it.

I would not use the Nosler brass in an old AI even if it were fireformed. The next guy after you might skip that step.

Safest would be SAAMI chamber and SAAMI brass. You can still fire factory. If someone tried to use brass from an old AI it wouldn't chamber.

Mine is on a Sako L61R action Douglas 24" barrel and it handles like a part of my arm & shoots like a dream - even after 14 years!

At that time I spent a lot of time & money developing good safe loads. Now they are a dime a dozen and so is brass. You do not need to fire form & muck around with other bits.

Just make sure you get the right shell holder. Mine was custom ground by my gunsmith for correct headspace. The shoulder of the 280 Ackley is a bit ahead shoter than the 280 Rem. Sorry for the error - now fixed.

quote:

The shoulder of the 280 Ackley is a bit ahead of the 280 Rem.

Done correctly the old AIs used a headspace guage .004 shorter than the parent. In the case of the new SAAMI 280AI the guage would be .014" shorter than the parent. So a factory 280 case would be a CRUSH fit.

Here is that link above:::
← Prairie Dogs and Norma Components5th Annual Gunsmith’s Job Fair →
January 13, 2010 · 10:28 pm ↓ Jump to Comments280 Ackley Improved Alert
A few years back Nosler decided to bring the 280 Ackley Improved into their list of custom brass and rifles. In order to do this they wanted to take the 280 AI to SAAMI and have it standardized.

Part of the process of standardizing the cartridge was for Nosler to see if other manufacturers had worked with it. They found that Remington had been chambering the 280 in their custom shop. Now here is where the alert comes in. Remington’s Custom Shop chose to shorten the headspace on the venerable design by .014″. When Nosler sent drawings to SAAMI they picked up that number as well.

So by a vote of the members of SAAMI the commercial established specifications for the 280 Ackley were changed from the original design. The reason reported for this change is that Remington believed it was necessary in order for factory 280 Remington ammunition to be fireformed safely in an Ackley chamber. Apparently they did not know that Ackley was the single most successful wildcatter of the 20th century. While he was not the first guy to create and “improved” design, he was the first to standardize the idea and create a safe method of fireforming factory ammo in improved chambers.

Ackley’s method was simple, he simply used a headspace gauge .004″ shorter than the factory case. This shorter headspace assured that the cartridge would be held tight between the bolt face and the junction of the neck and shoulder of the chamber during fire forming. Ackley’s method worked fine for more than 50 years before these alterations to his design were made.

Bottom line for anyone who now works with the 280 Ackley Improved you must decide which version of the chamber you will use; the SAAMI or the Ackley; you cannot safely use the Nosler brass in a traditional Ackley chamber, although it would still be safe to fire form factory ammo in a SAAMI/Nosler chamber

quote:

Originally posted by 30378:
Considering a something new custom build. Your thoughts and opinions on the ctg will be appreciated. Looks like it's a std bolt face almost magnum.

If you look at Nosler data for the 160gr AB just little over 3000fps used 26" long barrel.

I'm sure most gunsmith understand the difference in the chambers least mine did.

Brass is little pricey from Nosler so no need to fireform and mine seem to be holding up got some cases with 5 firings so far. I found IMR-7828ssc used Nosler data for the 160gr AB pretty good powder also tried R-17 . I started at 53gr/R-17 worked up to 56gr/R-17 with 160gr AB was good accurate load in my rifle and I also had mine throated little longer may want to try the Berger 180gr which I'll do this spring.

My wife has switched over to bow hunting so she has retired her Forbes UL rifle 280AI.

My 280AI rem 700 Mcmillan stock Kriger barrel 24" 3x9 ziess scope 7 lbs loaded with sling sseems to shoot anything you put down the pipe under minuteof angle my pet load H4831sc 59gr fed210 150gr schricco .75" 200 yds this is a fun rifle to shoot if I need more wack I use 35 wheelen AI the 280AI is one of those you dont sell after you use it once Kevin

Had one for aeveral years. I prefer the 284 Win more.

Doug, can I ask why you prefer the .284 over the .280AI?

My 280AI is one of the most accurate rifles I own. Fire forming is a simple task so don't sweat it.

quote:

Originally posted by dwheels:
Doug, can I ask why you prefer the .284 over the .280AI?

I'm with you and should be interesting answer.

Beside the 280AI I also had 284 build gunsmith order two barrel same maker,same contour,same twist,same finished length.