My Ultimate Hunting Rifle Build (in .280 Ackley)

[@TomL3grandsons]

Enjoyed the video, you and Ron sold me on the 280 AI I just ordered a Weatherby Mark V in it.

[@BackcountryApprentice]

That rifle sure looks good!

[@terryhenry8243]

I'm pretty fussy about my rifles and there arent many that I would prefer over my own but I will admit that one is a thing of beauty. It probably shoots as good as it looks too! Congratulations on that one, very nice indeed!

[@edburash7656]

280 Ackley is probably the best cartridge based off a 30-06 there is. Incredibly close to 7mag performance with less powder.

[@tripleflutz]

Nice rifle👍

[@michaelhendershott8604]

Just subscribed because of this cast. I've been a Dakota man. But I'm interested in a Defiance action - the Defiant Hunter.

[@QuitoQueso]

Beautiful rifle. Looks like it's a joy to carry on the mountain, especially at only 7 pounds.

[@johnkaraphillis754]

I have a similar custom rifle build. I went with Bartlein 2b in lieu of CF. .280AI is definitely my cartridge of choice with the 7mm-08 right behind. Thanks for sharing your system with us. I’m fortunate to have purchased my Defiance action prior to the sale of the company and resulting significant price increase.

[@johnganshow5536]

Significant price increase, like everything else...

[@jmc041071]

Prayers for your friend!🙏🙏🙏

[@drakeslocum2564]

I just got a Savage 110 in 7 PRC. My first 7mm, now to decide on a scope! Great video!

[@edwardabrams4972]

Leupold scope🙌 you can thank me later😳😱👏

[@tonygslc801]

Leupold

[@chriscaddle]

Burris ph with hud

[@REDNECKROOTS]

Trigacon or Leopold. Trig are alot more impact resistant. Leopold got better glass but they lose zero easier then ya think

[@zebacake4683]

I've really enjoyed my arken sh4j, they came with with gen 2 scopes as well so you might catch a deal

[@KC-7mm]

I’m wanting this exact same set up.

[@ronkay1573]

My favorite is a 7STW on a Weatherby mark V with a 26” Krieger 1:9 twist. Shoots very impressive groups past 700yds.

[@Richard-wz9uh]

Gorgeous rifle!! It sure is hard to beat .280 Ackley for everything up to and including Elk and you can make a wicked lightweight and handy rifle for the cartridge. Thanks for sharing. Please let us know what you get to harvest with it in the future!

[@joncook6331]

Beautiful! Custom builds are a little beyond my price tag at this point. Maybe someday

[@johnganshow5536]

Most of us are suffering under Bidenomics...

[@scottscheuerman8714]

I built a 280 AI this last winter I used a old 721 Remington model B with the checkered stock and I bought a Shilens 26 inch barrel and I cleaned the stock up and used Birchwood Casey true oil and I also bedded the action in the stock and then I had the caliber laser engraved on the barrel and elk scene on the floor plate and I like it I need to get it blued yet but it shoots pretty good I like it

[@brianstratton2522]

My 280AI is real similar, Remington 700, #2 Douglas barrel, Leupold VX3-3.5-10, right on seven pounds

[@troy9477]

Thanks for mentioning laminate stocks. Boyd's makes great stuff, and laminate is pretty weatherproof. I would have to go with a regular steel sporter barrel (maybe ER Shaw) and a regulat action, so it would not be terribly light, but cost a good deal less. I might have to go this route if i ever want to get a 338 Federal. Thanks for showing what is involved.

[@charlesmullins3238]

Mine is the 24” carbon waypoint in 6.5profit reaping cartridge…razor lht 4.5x22x50 in matched rings..triggertech set low as possible….handloads from 95gr v max to 153a tips…awsome rifle and cartridge

[@montaego]

Beauty rifle. 280ai is fantastic. Have a 24inch built off a Tikka action and another 20inch 7mm-08 Tikka rechambered to 280ai for a light mountain rifle.

[@JD.307]

Looks really nice, I'm currently building one off the Ruckus with the CRF bolt face. Going for a chassis build, MDT XRS, and a 26" straight taper barrel.. hopefully I can keep it under 15 pounds.

[@georgeclarke4235]

Nice video. I’ve had the Kimber 84 Hunter in 280AI for a lot of years now. For the big stuff, mauser 98 in 30-338. What the 300WM should have been id Norma didn’t beat Win to it. 25-06 for KY deer.

[@ryanweidner6828]

Beautiful rifle. Love the stock!

[@TheWVgoodguy22]

Absolutely stunner of a rifle that you have there Joseph. But just like you say, the only interesting rifle is an accurate one. Which that sounds like it is. Especially with the ammo that was made because of enough hand written letters. I myself would love to build or partially build an accurate lefty rifle in either a 7mm or a 30 cal that has more available ammunition than my 300 WSM. The Tikka action is up my alley and for $875 one can get one with the factory trigger installed.

[@trevorkolmatycki4042]

It is interesting to note how common it is for 280AI to be selected as the cartridge of choice for light weight mountain rifles. Why?… well 280AI is a sweet spot cartridge that possesses undeniable sufficiency whilst retaining impressive efficiency. Smaller cartridges always get questioned for sufficiency whilst larger cartridges always get questioned about whether that much recoil is justified. 280AI exists at the break point between these debates which I refer to as the versatility sweet spot. What intrigues me is the prospect of a short action 280AI… especially for light weight back country hiking applications. It occurs to me that a 6.8 Western necked up to 0.284” (7mm) calibre would precisely duplicate the ballistic performance of the 280AI in an even more compact and handy rifle. Cheers!

[@stuartphelps9407]

The 284 winchester is already pretty much their at your sweet spot, and already manufactured in super lite rifles But it is a free country and you are not wrong.

[@johnganshow5536]

7mm-08 AI...

[@biggs8729]

The 6.8 Western would be a fantastic cartridge to neck up to 284 if there was good brass option. Even better would be neck down a 300 WSM. However, the 6.5 PRC has been necked up by F Class shooters calling it the 7 PRCW. And it’s been winning a lot of 1000 yard competitions.

[@michaelhollier]

Another fantastic video

[@Freezer003]

7 saum, 7saw, 7prcw, 7wsm, 284 win, all fill that bill. Unfortunately, for some unknown reason, none of these have serious market support

[@dc2090]

I'm kinda debating between the 7PRC as a 1 rifle do all, and then a 6.5PRC mountain rifle...both would be lightweight setups.... but atm I'm leaning towards get the 7prc first and doing it all with it until i need or want that 6.5

[@wickedwagens]

Beautiful rifle!

[@leskrug9266]

I just got my turret made by Leupold for my vx5 HD 3 to 15x44 zl2. Which sits on top of Leupold rings and bases on top of a Thompson center venture, and 7mm08, using CFE 223 powder. One grain below. Max, 140 grain Barnes ttsx. 2,850 ft per second, out of a 20-in medium weight barrel, . Yes, you heard that right. 2850fps, 20-in barrel

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

Awesome!

[@Clambelly]

Shave some weight w/ Swarovski hunting scope -- otherwise great build. Love the action and barrel both Made in Montana, USA !

[@D.B_Cooper]

Freaking $1800 dollar action. Dang diamond Jim.

[@ZachHunts]

I've got a Winchester M70 EWSS in .270. The only thing I'd change is put a proper barrel twisted and throated for the 175 TGK and upgrade the VX3I 3.5-10 scope

[@petersquatch]

I might build the same rifle, but with one of the Peak 44 carbon stocks. I live 20 minutes from spring lake, ill look in to paying your friend to do it too.

[@normankaster917]

6.5 WEATHERBY RPM is my next build

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

That's a great cartridge too!

[@TODinWY]

Think about a 7mm Weatherby RPM. It'd be a .280 Imp. on steroids.

[@tombrightman9206]

It depends on the budget and what you are willing to spend on your hobby or profession. "Super light" really is a non-issue for hunting to a reasonably fit man. Model 70 300 WM, Rem 700 or Mark V composite can do it all with a broad range of ammo types. A lot of $1,000 bolt actions will do for under 600 yds. That .280 AI improved or the bigger PRCs are awesome modern upgrades and that build is super slick.

[@D.B_Cooper]

Why would you pay 1000 dollars for a rifle made in Portugal ? When you can get a much better Tikka made in sako factory for a little less.

[@edwardabrams4972]

@@D.B_Cooperyou have chosen correctly you shall be rewarded with much game🙌 The best rifle for its price range!!!! But what do I know after 60+ years of collecting rifles and at my last est. about 2,500 later😳 you could say I have an addiction 🤔😳😱 I am a rifle Porn addict trying to reform! Not really but we won’t tell my wife😳🤣

[@RCPerfectHenry]

Cool video!

[@shauntailby4377]

So nice 👍

[@drakeslocum2564]

With that 1:8 twist, do you load the heavy, high B.C. bullets in the 280 ai?

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

Absolutely!

[@lefty574]

Just remember, having an ultralight rifle is still cheaper than a horse atleast thats what i told myself when i got a weatherby backcountry 338rpm

[@orthokinematicsvideo3557]

What scope is that? Love how it fits the long action without needing a base that hangs over the port.

[@Blair338RUM]

Mine is not super light weight (built for African hunting) action is an IBI , Krieger barrel, bedded into a Richards Microfit Thumbhole stock, with an inletted arca rail, Near Alpha Mount and a Nightforce ATACR scope and chambered in 300 PRC.

[@Hunting_Grt_whiteNorth]

What twist is best for 175 - 190 grain bullets? 1-8 or 1-8.5 I'm looking to have a tikki t3x done up to be a 280 ai & want to be able to shoot the 175 , 180 & 190 grain bullets. Possibly going with a Highlandarms HAMAR set up. Or Carbon six.

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

Both will work great, but I'm personally partial to the 1:8.

[@Accuracy1st]

Great looking rifle with excellent components. Both of my finished 280AIs are a bit heavier but I'm working on a 3rd with multiple barrels Defiance Tenacity TT Diamond at 1 pound 24" #3 Barlein barrel 5R 9 twist RHR bottom floorplate kit Factory wood Rem 700 BDL stock pillar and skim bedded 139 Barnes LRX, Superformance powder, Norma brass, 210 match primer, 3300fps Trued Rem 700 action with tactical knob TT Diamond at 1 pound 24" Brux #3 4 groove 9 twist RHR bottom floorplate kit HS Precision stock pillar and skim bedded Terminus Zeus QC barrel option TT Diamond at 1 pound 26" Brux #3 4 groove 9 twist, 24" K&P #3 4 groove 9 twist, 24" Benchmark #3 5R 9 twist Hawkins Hunter DMB McMillan Game Warden LR

[@randyfix3664]

I like my Weatherby Backcountry.

[@Accuracy1st]

@@randyfix3664 I've seen those. I looked at a Backcountry 2.0 but I think it was over $2000 and the Titanium even more in left hand. The Weatherbys I've seen in 280AI had 26" barrels

[@adamgregor105]

Another great episode. Looking at getting a 280AI for myself. I just can't decide if I have to have one with a 1/8 twist or 1/9 twist. Can the 1/9 twist stabilize the larger 180 and 190 grain bullets, or is the 1/8 twist the only one that can stabilize the highest for caliber bullets? Keep up the amazing work! Thanks

[@Paul-pp4jp]

Awesome rifle Joseph. Is there a difference between the proof research elevation stock and the glacier stock? Thank you Sir.

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

Thank you! I believe the Elevation and the Glacier have the same stock. However as far as I know the Elevation rifle isn't glass bedded and the Glacier is.

[@gabrielcantu3772]

Awesome video and sweet rifle. I've been shooting/hunting with a 7MM-08 since I was a kid and it has served me well. Thought about moving up to a 7 Rem Mag, but have heard nothing but great things about the 280 AI. Which factory rifle would you suggest/recommend chambered in 280 AI? Appreciate the input! Keep up the great content!

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

Thanks! I'd look real hard at a Weatherby Model 307 Alpine CT in .280 Ackley

[@edwardabrams4972]

Or you could look at the Tikka T3X in 7 rem mag for 1/2 the price of the others and shoot just as good if not better

[@johnganshow5536]

@@edwardabrams4972 You might want a heavier rifle in that caliber...

[@cliffclark9249]

284 winchester 280 Ackley

[@bretthensley8420]

If you weren’t running a suppressor, what length barrel would you want for your 280 ackley? I’m looking at one gun that is 24 inches (22 in barrel and 2 in muzzle brake) and one that is 26 in (24 in barrel with a 2 in brake)

[@grandpassge]

Beautiful rifle, but will it shoot any better than a Savage or Ruger American?

[@westernhunter6244]

Beautiful gun! What’s the barrel dimensions?

[@brado647]

What a beautiful rifle build. I would like your advice if you have the time? Could you please do a comparison (or a message reply) explaining what you think I should do for my new rifle purchase? I’m really considering/ wanting the 280ai or the 7mm PRC in something like the new Weatherby 307 Alpine CT. Like the new one you just got in the 7mm PRC. As of right now I am not doing any reloading & I plan to shoot factory ammo but i am not against starting to do some reloading if I need to. Currently I own a .270 win & 7mm rem mag. Both of these rifles are Husqvarna H5000’s. I don’t want to ever sell the Husky’s but i am thinking it’s time that I upgrade to a newer rifle and potentially get an updated caliber. I have owned a .300 Weatherby Mark v Ultralight but I sold it because as I have got a bit older I definitely realized I don’t need the big boomer calibers that recoils that much. This new rifle will be my main hunting rifle for Whitetail, mule deer, elk & moose. I have a new Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm with the firedot reticle already purchased and waiting for the new rifle to put it on. Or is there a different rifle that you would suggest other than the Weatherby? I definitely don’t need the lightest rifle around. Just saw the new release of that model 307 Alpine 307 CT and it looks amazing. I live in Western Canada/ province called Saskatchewan. Thanks Brad.

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

If you're planning to mostly shoot factory ammo, the 7 PRC is the way to go. It is way more available than the .280 Ackley in most places. Also, the 7 PRC may perform better on game at extended distances (past about 450 yards) due to better aerodynamics. All in all, it's your choice... The .280 is classier, and the difference in lethality won't be much different out to 500 yards, but the 7 PRC is probably your best bet for factory ammo and if you're planning to shoot game at longer ranges. -Joseph

[@brado647]

Thanks Joseph I appreciate it.

[@eliasher6528]

Love these vids, but only at 1.25-1.5 speed.

[@dougrybarczyk4449]

Is a Fierce carbon fiber barrel in the same category as proof research?

[@davidbrizzi6.7]

Why did you choose that spartan adapter over the Flush mounted one?

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

I prefer the Spartan style bipods, and the ones I like won’t work with the mounted ones.

[@henrymorgan6087]

Nice rifle…not my style as I do t need a light wt rifle for my southern deer hunting…the little Ruger American Predator in 6.5cm topped w a 3x9x40 Zeiss is light enough/recoil resistant enough/accurate enough and comparatively inexpensive for my needs. Again your rifle is VERY nice

[@johnganshow5536]

Yes, We can all accomplish the same end goal when out hunting with much less expensive rifles..

[@joshuagarner5638]

Exactly what model is that stock ? Color etc. ?

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

Like and Subscribe! What's your favorite all-around hunting rifle?

[@johnmoore5544]

My favorite right now is a Christensen ridgeline fft in 280 ackley with a VX5HD 3-15x scope. Removed the muzzle brake, worked up some hand loads, and love carrying it when I get out of state hunting.

[@CDinNC]

Christensen Ridgeline. One in 308 and one in 300 Winchester. One wears a Leupold 4.5 x 14 and the other a Leupold 3 x 15.

[@johnmoore5544]

@@CDinNC I have a Mesa in 300 win . It had the vx5 on it but now may put the vx3 4.5-14 that was on the 280 on it if I decide I like the vx5 on the Ridgeline fft. I’ve been debating about getting a 308 Ridgeline but keep telling myself I can do everything with the 280 ai

[@Optimusprime-ys3kb]

Sig cross

[@longstar550]

Personally wouldn't go with a carbon barrel. I have my doubts how they will take scrapes and bumps.

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

I've used them for a long time and haven't had any troubles... They're sturdier than you may think!

[@longstar550]

@@BackcountryHuntingPodcast used them a ton in competat8ve paintball. One chip in the resin there done

[@brianmccormack84]

Freebore?

[@birddog3]

Fudd lore

[@jaybailleaux630]

Shooting game a 5000 yards with a 223 is what we should strive for. It proves how manly a sportsman and shooter we are.

[@edwardabrams4972]

Or you could just buy a Fierce rifle for about 1/2 the price that shoots as good if not better🙌 skip the middle man spend it on buying the Leupold VX 5 in the 3x15 power and you will have a semi custom build at half the price👏👊 60+ year gun collector and hundreds of guns over the years and I have bought 2 of my sons this combo and they have taken a lot of game and ❤ their rifles without breaking the bank😳