280 AI vs 30 06 in Identical Rifles HD 1080p

Re-barrelled a 30-06 Forbes 24b to 280AI. I now have matching rifles in 25-06, 280AI and the 30-06. How does the 280AI compare to the 30-06? Caution: Video contains some math, based on data going back to the Powley computer days. Some reloaders like to load the 280 AI super hot and compare to a sedately loaded 30-06.... Loaded to similar pressure levels the horsepower advantage lies with the 30-06 though the 280 has better trajectory and wind drift numbers. I like em both, but please don't push either one. If you need magnum ballistics ..simply buy a 7PRC or a 300PRC..

[@Westerner_]

I went down this rabbit hole wanting to rebarrel my 30-06 to 280ai like all the cool kids. When I actually sat down and started looking at the data the difference was so small I kinda scratched my head and wondered what all the hype was about. Inside 500 yards a little better wind drift and a little less drop is all you’re getting. Ended up going the opposite direction with 35 Whelen for extra cool points

[@north61]

35's are pretty great!

[@texpatriot8462]

I have never understood why anyone would think you couldn't load the 30-06 up to the same pressure as cartridges based on the same case in the same actions. I prefer my 280AI to my 30-06 because I like flatter trajectories.

[@greybone777]

For sure.

[@JamesM-l5g]

Very much enjoyed your numbers and the video over all! I’m a huge fan of both as well.

[@danielpray9089]

Thank you for your videos. They give some real-world info. Some videos are just people banging away with nothing of value being presented. You, among some others, actually present information. Thsnks again. I have never had a 280 ai, but had a 7mm express (280 Rem) probably 40+ years ago. Ruger had a heavy barrel model which I put aperature sights on the front and rear, then cut a slot for a stripper clip while saving the scope mount from Ruger. Could put a scope on it for load development and then remove it for practice and NRA high power which I wanted to get into. Only 3 shoots were anywhere near me. Missed the first setting up the gun. Next was on my wife's birthday so I skipped it (thought it best). The last was on our anniversary (no kidding). Due to work I couldn't drive any long distances to shoots. Finally just sold the gun, but it was an accurate gun and somewhat lighter recoiling than the 30-06. Long range wind drift was better than in the 30 calibers. Something only really of concern in competition or extremely long range hunting. Think I still have a few bullets left over if I recall correctly. Would have to look. I have kept a lot of stuff thinking some day I might have need. Have a good new year and God bless. From a yooper, internet friend.

[@cw2a]

I built a 280 on a Mauser some thirty years ago. While there was an improved cartritage around it didnt have the popularity this one has enjoyed. All things equal, Id build one today over the 280. As a boy, the first rifle, "deer rifle" I wanted was a Remington 700 in 7mm Express. Took me a while, But I built that Argentine Mauser with a Bishop Walnut stock, Shillen Barrel and Timney trigger. It has been a great rifle. I am shifting back to the 30/06. I have my Grandfathers sporterized 03/A3 30/06 as well as my Fathers kar98 sporterized 30/06. I have had a couple Remingtons as well but those went down the road. I was gifted a project rifle from my brother. Its a Winchester 70 Classic stainless claw feed rifle. In a blk plastic stock. Im still securing a few pieces and will shoot as is and decide a direction. Im not glued to the caliber and surely not this stovk. BUT, how it shoots trumps all. I did find some sweet deals on Speer bullets. So have a solid fodder shelf with good Gold Dot and Grand Slam bullets in 150, 165 & 168g weights. I picked up a nice 2.5-10 Scope and a set of Light alum one piece base and rings. (Videos to follow) Great video as always Greg!! Too many don't realize the expansion ratio effects. Your explained it very well.

[@JamesM-l5g]

I like how deep you go. I enjoy the numbers you went over. I do like a 26” barrel for these two, though. And go with heavier bullets and slower powder, and a brake so impacts can be seen.

[@north61]

Thank's mate. If I didn't have to pack it 26" would be the way to go!

[@pauldickson1495]

Good video. Helps me understand how similar they they really are . For those of us with 30-06 it’s probably not worth going to the AI .

[@rockie307]

280 ai is a neat cartridge but the 30-06 has over 100 factory ammunition choices. More energy weight and size. The 280 barely shoots flatter at hunting ranges. Honestly, at the distance the 280 trajectory advantage starts to matter there's choices a good bit better then either out at that distance. Ill give up the slight trajectory loss for the extra killing power on big game of the 30 cal. Especially in grizzly country 30 cal makes me feel a little better.

[@luvtahandload7692]

Thanks, now my head is spinning. Pardon me while I go load some 220gr Partitions in 30-06 for my next foray into grizz country. 😊

[@north61]

That's one heck of a bullet!

[@cw2a]

Happy New Year Greg!! ❤

[@aaronwilcox6417]

If I lived in the Yukon I would have a 30-06 with Barnes 130gr TSX monos for your sheep and caribou and 200-220gr Partitions for everything else.

[@luvtahandload7692]

@@aaronwilcox6417 I like that plan! 🤠

[@northforkbullet]

Really good video!

[@north61]

Appreciate it!

[@33journeyman]

Greg, please don't ever worry about your subscribers as we all come to your channel for your critical thinking skills. The 280 AI's success has come from many KZbinrs looking for new content and perpetuated their platforms. I truly enjoy you calling a Spade a Spade. Myself as an avid Rifleman and Hunter I really encourage people to avoid all of the nuances of AI chamberings and cartridge availability if you don't reload. The 06 is time tested with proven results and if you want a bit flatter shooting round the plain Jane 280 Remington is extremely excellent as well and should never be over looked. Us Riflemen are truly a fickle bunch just as drag racers work tireisly and relentlessly on gaining a quarter tenth of a second at the drag strip. Truth be told we all have fun wether going slow or fast. In short summation most of the ballisticians had it right on the original chamberings from a hundred years ago and we're just chasing our tails in regards to diminishing returns. Keep up the great work and thank you for keeping it humbly honest.

[@oldgravely]

now go up to the 35 Whelen and the 35 whelen AI from a reloader's prospective?

[@north61]

The 35AI is like the 9.3x62.... a lot of energy for big ugly stuff.

[@45-70Guy]

@@north61I like the regular 35 whelen over the AI since the advantage is so slight to the AI version and then your fire forming all your brass, for very minimal velocity increase. But one of my favorites regardless, anything that uses a 30/06 case is great

[@luvtahandload7692]

@@45-70Guy yup, the 35 Whelen AI could just as well have never been born. Almost a complete waste of money, money that could have been spent on better boots, stouter pack-frame and more Partitions!

[@45-70Guy]

@ true story, not a fan of the AI version, especially with the powders we have these days we nip 338 win mag velocities

[@luvtahandload7692]

@@45-70Guy yup, and gain .020" frontal diameter. It all adds up.

[@Accuracy1st]

I bought six Tikka T3x Hunter 30-06 rifles, new. Plan, as always, shoot them as is to see how they do before changing them. If they are really impressive, leave them as is. They all shot fine but none made me say WOW. One is now a 6.5-284 Norma, Brux barrel. Three will be 280AIs, one with an ACE barrel, one with a Bartlein barrel, one with a K&P barrel. One will be a 7mm08. I'm considering a second 7mm08 or possibly a 7mm08AI. Another consideration is a 270AI. The AI versions are not necessarily to gain a lot more speed but instead, just to have something a little different and in my experience, the AI modification does improve case life. That still leaves me with 2 stainless Tikka T3x 30-06 rifles and one I had built on a Rem 700 action, first with a PacNor barrel but it now has a Brux. I enjoy 30-06 and have had excellent success with them. The 280AI is newer to me and I LOVE it. One of current 3 in this chambering has a Defiance action and a 24" Bartlein bbl shooting 139 LRX over a full case of Superformance at 3300 fps. Any game animal in NA hit by that just ended any compatibility with life.

[@north61]

That is quite a load!

[@jeffreywilson690]

I like my 338/06 with 200 grain @2900 fps

[@gerry6.8]

When I got my 6.8 Western done I used a KS Arms barrel too, a stainless 8 twist that shoots quite well. Looks like your 280 AI is going to be accurate. Nice to see some good quality Canadian barrels available here. It would be neat to see how your gun would shoot the 165-175 gr bullets like the Sierra TGK or Nosler ABLR.

[@north61]

looking hard at some longer Bergers but the 150 BTIP is really shooting well.

[@yukon4545]

😅😅 Whee! Ballistics fun. Thanks bud Been discussing 280 vs. the world for almost 50 years.

[@HyperManArchery]

great video thanks🤠

[@STMwoodturning]

Your thoughts & comments on this comparison are very interesting. Both are very close based on the numbers but I would like to see hunting performance for the 280 AI. Is a .308 bullet really that much more on big game, especially grizzlies, than a .284 of similar weight at the same velocity?

[@north61]

It's with the 220 Nosler Partition at 2500+fps that the 30-06 begins to act a bit like a medium bore. For close range bear defense that's a very good thing.

[@STMwoodturning]

@ I’ve only loaded 220 grain pills in my 30-06 once & they were Sierra RN. They were accurate enough for the factory iron sights I used at the time but overkill for the coastal black tail deer I hunted. Do you have much experience with the Nosler 200 grain partition?

[@north61]

@@STMwoodturning Never tried them but should be a great all round choice!

[@WayStedYou]

8% seems like it would be far more than reality just looking at the size of the case

[@greybone777]

I haven't found even a 280 remington cartridge anywhere. Let alone a 280 ai. I have 30-06 and 30-30 in my little local hardware store. I talked to an Alaska hunter who used 220 gr remington core loct on grizzlies until one of them ran over a hundred yards with its heart blown out. 338 mag minimum.

[@albertaoutdoors9220]

280 and the AI version both suffer from lack of factory rifles and factory loadings. Don’t matter to those of us who custom build and reload … but that’s one big reason the 280 isn’t more popular If I was elk and caribou hunting with possible 400 yard + shots then I’d go 280 AI. Anything and everything else a nice 30/06 in a well balanced 24” barrel is hard to beat.

[@montaego]

If you compare the downrange energy of both cartridges, you will find that one has significant advantages over the other, and it's not the 30cal.

[@jamiehurtt3530]

A deer or elk is never gonna know the difference between the two so

[@chief1193]

You should also use 30-06 AI, it will smoke the 280AI.

[@bx7993]

I agree ! I always take my 30-6 browning bar for grizzly defence I def would rather have that then a 280 ai. And ya I’m done drinking the kool aid . all the hype on 7/300 prc these days . Comparing them to 300wm/7mm There’s not enough to make a difference in my opinion to change and get a new caliber . Also try finding 280 ai components or factory ammo . Idk about you but wher I live there ain’t no 280ai at Canadian tire 🤣 there’s always 30-06 that’s for sure . Cheers 🎉

[@dannyf100]

At 300 yrds or less, does it really matter ? What hasn't the 30-06 killed ALREADY ? Are there NEW animals in the world it hasn't killed ? I have many guns too, and many can all similar things, but you get into these just a little TOO DEEP ! Your mind with as many guns as you own must never stop thinking ? Do you sleep ? And your PM is trying to take away many of your guns, that;s what I'd be thinking about !

[@Ramboy2007]

Now go AI on the 06 😎

[@north61]

is the 40-50 FPS worth the bother? Maybe when it is time to re-barrel. Have so many rounds down the 30-06 Forbes that I am at about 50% barrel life left.

[@greencement8248]

Not worth it. Way too versatile of a cartridge to mess with. The different opportunities of loading from very heavy, high BC to low weight

[@greencement8248]

A couple feet per second doesn’t really matter. All you have to do is adjust your powder charge accordingly or if you’re more conservative adjust your dope

[@Ramboy2007]

@@north61 Case life at max loads would be the reason I would. But in reality I just grab my 300 WinMag.

[@chrischiampo7647]

I’d Give The Edge to the 280 AI

[@montaego]

It's a little bit wider than an edge😉

[@TODinWY]

No practical difference between these calibers concerning killing power regardless of the game being shot. A grizzly would NOT know which one he was being shot with, and the shooter better be very good with his gun.

[@eskimoreloader]

30-06 was my government issued equipment tool. It works and old. I'm not a hater on them. But there are better calibers than that. Old but works LOL boring 😅

[@greybone777]

Define " better".