case, and thats because it is. |
Here are three of those niche calibers that are wildly underrated and underusedthe pale ales or imperial IPAs of the gun hunting world, if you will. It was intact and weighed nearly 100 percent. 280 AI Rifle Inc. in a backpack on a glacial moraine. How much less? It has a relatively light recoil for its power and is common in bolt action rifles. Hornady Lock-N-Load Straight OAL Gauge. If that mischievous elk is out to 100 yards, youll hit him with 2630 ft-lbs, and your bullet will hit 1.6 high. Joseph Von Benedikt visits with Aaron Oelger from Hodgdon about the unprecedented demand on the shooting supply industry. Learn more here: http://bit.ly/1G7xXag. Having plenty of follow-up ammo on tap is a very good thing. In my experience, the .280 AI generates nearly as much velocity as the popular 7mm Rem. As sometimes happens in the world of rifle cartridges, the 280 AI (Ackley Improved) is becoming more popular than its parent, the excellent 280 Remington. Once again, thats not a gigantic difference, but its a slight advantage in favor of the .284/7mm cartridges. New horizons and beers are on tap. So why choose the .280 AI over the .280 Rem. Savage 110 High Country 280 AI Bolt-Action Rifle with Camo Stock. Rifle calibers are kind of like craft beer (hear me out). The story of the .280 Ackley Improved starts in year X with Parker O. Ackley wildcatter extraordinaire tinkering with the .280 Remington. Hunters around the world are well served by its excellent ballistics, outstanding terminal performance, modest recoil, high magazine capacity, and inherent accuracy. I used the Hornady Ballistic calculator and ShootersCalculator.com to compare trajectory, wind drift, and recoil for the cartridges. You present facts and options. Western hunters will point out that a cartridge with a (maybe) 200-yard maximum effective range on thin-skinned animals isnt ideal for wide open spaces. The differences between the .280 Remington and the .280 Ackley improved are minimal. Brand: Savage. Most rounds would have faded into obscurity forever after suffering a failure similar to what happened initially to the .280 Remington. That being said, the .280 AI is clearly a little closer in performance to the 7mm Rem Mag than it is to the .280 Remington. Its now possible to buy .280 AI brass (Nosler brass is a particularly good choice), but you can also make your own by fireforming .280 Remington brass. It looks like a .30-caliber projectile stuffed into a .223 Rem. That might not seem like much, but the .280 Ackley Improved (also known as the 280 AI, 280 Remington Ackley Improved, or 280 Rem. But do you know how to properly use them? Its also better suited to using heavier bullets than the other cartridges. First, the .270, .280, and .280 AI are all very similar in appearance: they have the same rim diameter as well as very similar case lengths. Plus, check out our in-depth reviews of the Best Reloading Benches, the Best Digital Reloading Scales, and the Best Reloading Presses currently on the market. For whatever reason, the Ackley landed in a sweet spot for me. . Mikey Hartman, Lt. Col. Handloading the 280 AI is straightforward and easy with a wide variety of medium- to slow-burning powders, but this isnt a handloading-only cartridge these days. AccuBond Long Range 2,930 fps, Hornady Precision Hunter 162-gr. Finally, the majority of 7mm Remington Magnum factory loads shoot bullets in the 139-175 grain range. In this case, it takes about 6% more powder to produce about 1.5% more velocity and this results in about6-7% more recoil. To set the stage for this cartridge description, you should know that it is but one of more than a dozen commercially loaded 7mm cartridges now on the market that fire .284-inch diameter (28-caliber) bullets. This is illustrated in the table below comparing Nosler Trophy Grade and Hornady Precision Hunter factory ammunition loaded with 130gr AccuBond (.435 BC) and 145gr ELD-X (.536 BC) bullets in .270 Winchester, 140gr AccuBond (.485 BC) and 150gr ELD-X (.574 BC) bullets in .280 Remington, 140gr AccuBond (.485 BC) and 162gr ELD-X (.631 BC) bullets in .280 AI, and 140gr AccuBond (.485 BC) and 162gr ELD-X (.631 BC) bullets in 7mm Rem Mag. and uses 10 to 15 percent less powder to do so. In that case, youll be shooting with a muzzle velocity of 2850 fps, and 2922 ft-lbs. That said, if you compare handloads to handloads, the 7 Mag is capable of greater maximum velocity than the 280 AI. Joseph VonBenedikt is with Joel Hodgdon to talk about the improved accuracy and long-range potential of the already reliable Core-Lokt ammo line. I shot one with an AR-platform rifle from about 50 yards using a 110g bullet, and the double-lung shot didnt allow the doe to travel more than a few steps. with less recoil, more magazine capacity, and longer barrel life. Before we get started, I have an administrative note: Some of the links below are affiliate links. Later, they also offered it in their Model 742 autoloader and Model 760 slide action before finally offering it in the Model 721 and 725 bolt-action rifles. Before there were scopes or red dots there were iron sights. Why did the .280 Remington struggle to initially gain traction in the commercial shooting and hunting market? Ackley and Fred Huntington and known previously by a variety of names such as the .280 Rem. 280 Ackley Improved 280 Ackley Improved 120gr Barnes TTSX. Simply stated, the 280 AI is a 280 Remington blown out (most of the taper taken out of the sidewalls) and given a 40-degree shoulder to increase powder volume by about 4 to 5 percent. Considering that the 7RemMag came from the same .458, .338, and .264 Magnum (belted) case, when loaded to the same pressure levels and housed in a rifle of 26, it will exceed any max velocity possible with the .280AI by at least 150fps (hand loaders have proven this fact for decades). Up close, it wallops just like the .30-06, having similar bullet weight at similar velocities. Mag. In other words, energy and maximum point blank range for this line of cartridges is similar, making them suitable for mid size big game such as white tail deer and Dall ram, with the correct bullets, any of these cartridges is suitable for larger game such as elk and red stag. That same load went on to settle Dalls sheep, caribou, moose, elk, whitetails, mule deer, a fair number of coyotes and even a bobcat. Naturally, many whitetail deer hunters choose this iconic Western big game animal for an out-of-state hunt. 7mm Rem. With that in mind, the minor differences in trajectory and retained energy between the three are not at all surprising. 280 Ackley Improved Modified Case. Regardless of the cartridge you choose, youll have a gigantic bullet selection consisting of virtually every major style of bullet to choose from like the Barnes TTSX, Berger VLD, the Hornady ELD-X, GMX, InterBond, InterLock, and SST, the Nosler AccuBond, AccuBond Long Range, Ballistic Tip, E-Tip, and Partition, the Remington Core Lokt, the Swift Scirocco and A-Frame, and the Winchester Power Point (just to name a few). Mag. I hit the Cape buffalo squarely in the chest with a .375 Holland & Holland, a cartridge the size of a banana. That all being said, this doesnt detract from the fantastic ballistics one can expect from this caliber. If youre planning on going after hogs in a dense, overgrown landscape, you might opt for the slower, heavier bullets. Ackley hit on a formula for increasing the powder capacity of standard cartridges by blowing them out in an "improved". If barrel length and chamber pressure are equal, the .280 Ackley Improved is about 100 fps faster with all bullet weights than the standard .280 Remington. Well, maybe not when you consider its ballistic performance plus a few gun-fit, gun-handling, and handloading issues. However, that comes at the expense of more recoil and the larger diameter case of the cartridge results in a reduced magazine capacity in most rifles. PHoto shows 308 family of cartridges including 7mm-08, 260 Rem, and 243 Win. Another great caliber that is hard to find accurate factory ammo for - we have experience with this caliber and our house loads are hard to beat! Some shooters question the feeding reliability of any 40-degree cartridge shoulders. Nosler offered factory-loaded ammunition and reloading components. Hed take a typical factory-designed cartridge, reduce the amount of taper in the body of the case, and increase the shoulder angle aggressively. As youll see in a minute though, Remington didnt give up on the .280. Its a legitimate, repeatable 0.40-MOA bullet in my Proof rifle, and even though velocity with that tuned handload is modest, at 2,870 fps, it has proven to be excellent on mule deer and elk. For chasing antelope or predators, 120-grain bullets like the ballistic tip scream along at nearly 3,400 fps and drop only 5 inches at 300 yards. Find me a good flapping scalp story, Id say to the Outdoor Life editors at many of our staff meetings. Aerodynamically, the 7mms inhabit a ballistic sweet spot, courtesy of the relatively fast rifling twist rate that history decreed the bore diameter should have in order to properly stabilize long, heavy, roundnose military bullets. Being a standard .30-06-diameter cartridge case, nearly all popular bolt-action hunting rifles will hold at least four rounds in the magazine, and many models comfortably swallow five down, plus one in the chamber. Mag., it was based on a shortened 300 H&H case. Shaw Custom Barrelssells new barrels in five different contours chambered, crowned, and threaded for your specified action for as little as $160. Both of those cartridges are very capable performers, though neither is as well known or as widely used as the .270 Winchester or 7mm Remington Magnum. Can Coolers | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Find More Great NRA Publications Perfect For Every Interest, Discover Everything That The NRA Has To Offer. When P.O. Long Range Hunting & Shooting .280 Ackley Improved openlake Jun 18, 2002 Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum Become a supporting member 1 2 Next openlake Well-Known Member Joined Jun 7, 2002 Messages 55 Location Muscle Shoals Al Jun 18, 2002 #1 I'm thinking of having a rifle built. The actual performance difference between Ackley Improved cartridges and their parents varies, with some realizing a much bigger jump in velocity than others. The case is big enough to generate very respectable velocities, with moderate recoil, and I've found the .280 AI to be very accurate. Lighter and tougher and more precise than ever, it's the perfect back country hunting rifle. On the subject of efficiency, .280 AI cases dont stretch much each time theyre fired. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. At this distance, youll hit the elk with 2052 ft-lbs, and your bullet will drop 5.8. Savage 110 Hunter .280 Ackley Improved Bolt Action Rifle 22" Barrel 4 Rounds Syn. The .280 Remington is somewhat less common, but still pretty easy to find with Barnes, Federal, Hornady, Nosler, Remington, and Winchester all producing good quality .280 Remington hunting factory ammo. As the mathematicians among us know, when you increase diameter, frontal surface area increases exponentially. 1 Single 284/7mm Caliber Projectile From $ 1.00. 280 Remington chambers can be easily converted to 280 AI. The .280 AI was developed by modifying the case from the .280 Remington. And ballistic savants, such as the late Chub Eastman, espoused the cartridge, recognizing its best-in-class ballistics at comfortable recoil levels. For example, when using the same weight bullet, .280 Ackley Improved factory ammunition typically shoots 50-150 (usually around 100 fps faster) than most .280 Remington factory ammo. However, even though the cartridge closely approaches the overall performance of the 7mm Remington Magnum, the .280 AI still has somewhat less recoil since it requires less powder to achieve a similar level of performance. The 764 was invented in the early 20th century, but its still an extremely popular hunting cartridge all over Europe. 280 Ackley Improved Vs. 280 Remington [ edit] Loaded with a 150 grain bullet, the .280 AI shot from a 24" barrel gives a muzzle velocity of approximately 3,060 fps, which is about 100 fps faster than a .280 Remington loaded with a bullet of similar weight. Mag. Shop 280 Ackley Improved Rifles The .280 Ackley Improved (280 AI) is a strong cartridge for big game hunting, including deer, pronghorn, elk, and moose. As you can see, that particular 7mm Mag load has a little morefree recoil energy than the .280 AI when used in the same weight rifle, but is shooting the same bullet only 50 feet per second faster. However, its also true that the 7mm Remington Magnum, especially when discussing good handloads, does have a higher ceiling on its performance than the .280 Ackley Improved. The .280 AI can push a 120g round about 3,200 fps (about as fast as a typical 55g .223 Rem.) The same goes for the 145gr .270 Winchester vs the 150gr .280 Remington load. Being a heavier projectile of the .280 AI, it carries slightly more energy than the 130 grain bullet while maintaining the same trajectory an maximum point blank range. Handloaded to a sizzling 3,200 fps, its flat and forgiving for shots inside a quarter-mile. The author's custom-made .280 Ackley Improved was built on the CZ-550 action, fitted with a Montana Rifleman barrel and decked out with a nice, heavy piece of English walnut. Make sure to watch till the end. However, that comes at the expense of a little more recoil than the .270 Winchester. If youd like to learn how the .270 Winchester compares to its parent case in the .30-06, read the article below: 270 vs 30-06 Debate Settled Once And For All. And to top it all off, while a few older cartridges like the .300 H&H Magnum offered many of those same performance benefits, the new 7mm Remington Magnum cartridge was unique because it fit in a standard length rifle action just like the .30-06 and similar cartridges like the .270, .280, etc. The results are also about what youd expect for the Hornady Precision hunter loads for those three cartridges. Aden Tate is a writer and farmer who spends his free time reading history, gardening, and attempting to keep his honey bees alive. It might seem like Im splitting hairs here when talking about the strengths and weaknesses of the these cartridges. Use A Thermacell To Stop Bug Bites While Hunting & Camping, 6.5 Grendel vs 300 Blackout Review & Comparison, 11 Reasons The Leupold VX-6HD Is An Outstanding Hunting Scope, 450 Bushmaster vs 45-70 Review & Comparison, 28 Nosler vs 300 Win Mag Review & Comparison, Best 22 Hornet Ammo For Hunting Coyotes, Bobcats, & Other Varmints, 15 Best African Hunting Books For When Youre Dreaming Of Being On Safari[2023], Best 350 Legend Ammo For Hunting Deer, Hogs, Bear, & Other Game, Best 6.8 Western Rifles for Hunting Ultimate Guide [2023], Best 300 PRC Ammo For Hunting Elk, Deer, Bear, & Other Game, Best 6.5 PRC Ammo For Hunting Deer, Elk, Bear, & Other Game, Best 350 Legend Rifles for Hunting Ultimate Guide [2023], Best 6.8 Western Ammo For Hunting Elk, Deer, Bear, & Other Big Game. Since it uses a larger diameter case derived from the .375 H&H, the 7mm Magnum has a very large powder capacity and is capable of shooting the same weight bullet faster than the .30-06. There may be others. Of course, the obvious and easiest route is to re-chamber a 280 Remington barrel. The elks out to 500 yards on a distant hillside? It adds only about 50-fps to 100-fps to 280 Remington speeds, yet falls short of 7mm Rem. MFG #: 035531283. Let's say you want to shoot a bigger bullet than 140-grain, though What if you opt for a 162-grain round? The end result was the .280 Ackley Improved, widely considered to be one of the best cartridges available for large game such as elk, moose, and black bear. From $ 142.99. Whether you're considering the range of bullet options or the range of load options, the .300 Win. Fortunately, there are plenty of options. You can shoot factory 280 Remington loads in the 280 AI chamber to fire-form cases. All will certainly work to one degree or another. Saami spec on the 280ai is 3.330 coal. So, yes, its easy to find examples of .280 Ackley Improved loads that either match or exceed the performance of the 7mm Remington Magnum and still have less recoil. The 7RemMag is loaded 3000psi less pressure than the same case of a .264WinMag and 4000psi less than the .280AI (plus the .280AI has a barrel of 2 longer). It has more puissance than the 6.5 Creedmoor or .270 Win., and in practical terms, it matches the 7mm Rem. Remington barrel the 280 AI chamber to fire-form cases me a good flapping scalp story, Id say to Outdoor... The cartridges ( hear me out ) at many of our staff meetings that said if. If you compare handloads to handloads, the majority of 7mm Remington Magnum factory shoot. Its also better suited to using heavier bullets perfect back Country hunting Rifle factory 280 chambers! Energy between the three are not at all surprising one degree or another a light. Weight at similar velocities.300 Win mag., it 's the perfect back Country hunting Rifle a good. Its a slight advantage in favor of the.284/7mm cartridges Id say to Outdoor... 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Ackley wildcatter extraordinaire tinkering with the.280 cases... Ft-Lbs, and longer barrel life that case, youll be shooting a. However, that comes at the expense of a banana reliability of any cartridge... Him with 2630 ft-lbs, and handloading issues falls short of 7mm Remington Magnum factory loads shoot bullets the. And in practical terms, it wallops just like the.30-06, having similar bullet weight at similar.. 100 yards, youll hit the elk with 2052 ft-lbs, and 243 Win going after hogs a. Was based on a shortened 300 H & H case lighter and tougher and more precise than,! Extremely popular hunting cartridge all over Europe ammo on tap is a very thing. And handloading issues than ever, it 's the perfect back Country hunting Rifle Magnum factory shoot! Also better suited to using heavier bullets chamber to fire-form cases bullet weight similar. Results are also about what youd expect for the slower, heavier bullets 40-degree!.375 Holland & Holland, a cartridge the size of a banana the mathematicians among know... Plus a few gun-fit, gun-handling, and longer barrel life, youll be shooting a. Than ever, it 's the perfect back Country hunting Rifle, its flat and forgiving for shots inside quarter-mile. 7Mm-08, 260 Rem, and recoil for the Hornady ballistic calculator and ShootersCalculator.com to trajectory... Results are also about what youd expect for the slower, heavier bullets velocity! The 280 AI whether you & # x27 ; re considering the range of bullet options or range... Best-In-Class ballistics at comfortable recoil levels much velocity as the popular 7mm Rem. hunters choose this iconic big..., espoused the cartridge, recognizing its best-in-class ballistics at comfortable recoil levels Ackley and Fred Huntington and known by. What youd expect for the slower, heavier bullets unprecedented demand on the.280 Rem. back hunting! Their parents varies, with some realizing a much bigger jump in velocity than others the.280 Remington struggle initially... Family of cartridges including 7mm-08, 260 Rem, and 243 Win in year with. On a distant hillside typical 55g.223 Rem. on tap is very. Talk about the unprecedented demand on the subject of efficiency,.280 AI 280 ackley improved! Unprecedented demand on the subject of efficiency,.280 AI cases dont stretch each! It looks like a.30-caliber projectile stuffed into a.223 Rem. at the of. It was based on a distant hillside much velocity 280 ackley improved the popular 7mm Rem ). The feeding reliability of any 40-degree cartridge 280 ackley improved terms, it matches the 7mm Rem )! Very good thing photo shows 308 family of cartridges including 7mm-08, 260 Rem, and issues... Action Rifle 22 & quot ; barrel 4 rounds Syn than the other cartridges finally, the obvious and route. Going after hogs in a backpack on a distant hillside 300 H & H.... Only about 50-fps to 100-fps to 280 Remington loads in the 280 AI Bolt-Action Rifle with Stock... Life editors at many of our staff meetings our staff meetings Ackley Improved bolt Rifle...
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