The Great .280 Ackley Improved, with Ron Spomer

Could the .280 Ackley Improved be the most versatile western hunting cartridge? Long-time .280 Ackley man Ron Spomer joins this episode to explore it's history and capability. This discussion is full of great stories and anecdotes and lots of information on what is certainly one of the greatist hunting cartridges available. Plus, of course, we share details of our favorite .280 Ackley rifles and loads. ENJOY!

[@jimparker7778]

the .280 Ackley is such a great choice for a guy who can only afford a few rifles. So versatile.

[@johnkaraphillis754]

.280AI is very efficient, low recoil, and versatile. I have 2 rifles chambered in .280AI and love them. Also shoot a 7SAUM and 7mm-08 that are close seconds. But my .280AI’s with one pushing 143 Hammer Hunters 3200fps and the other 160AB’s 3050fps give me a great 1-2 punch. Thanks for the great video!

[@cliffordschorr]

280 ai and 7 saum are probably the most ballistically perfect cartridges ever

[@spread4me75]

6.5 prc beats out the 7saum in all categories except k-energy by just a hair, 7saum is great but 6.8 western and 6.5prc beat it

[@jfess1911]

The 7mm-6.5 PRC (sometimes called 7PRCW) that has become very popular in F-Open Class shooting has pretty much the same case capacity as the 280 AI. The shorter, fatter case gives it a little more velocity and consistency, but more importantly, it lets them load the bullet farther foreward and still fit in a standard 30-06 length action. Many match shooters prefer to keep the bullet bearing surface ahead of the neck-shoulder junction, where a tight "donut" often forms. With the popular 180 Berger, for example, doing that in a 280 AI would produce a round close to 3.5" long, too long for many standard actions (3.34")

[@spread4me75]

@@jfess1911 what u talking about? The 7prc and 6.5prc have different case capacity, I don't understand why u said 7mm-6.5prc has the same case capacity as 280ai... Doesn't make sense my man

[@jfess1911]

@@spread4me75 Erik Cortina, for example competes with a 7mm cartridge that uses a necked-up 6.5 PRC case. With 180 grain bullets it is an excellent 1000 yard cartridge. It has about the same powder capacity as the 280AI. This cartridge was originally called the 7 PRCW after Alex Wheeler, the gunsmith that popularized it. This was before Hornady released the 7mm PRC, which uses a longer case. To reduce confusion, 7 PRCW is now called the 7mm-6.5 PRC (7mm bullet, 6.5 PRC parent case). This is the same naming convention as the 6.5-284 ( 6.5mm bullet, 284 Win parent case) or 7mm-08 (7mm bullet, 308 parent case).

[@spread4me75]

@@jfess1911 6.5 prc is a short action cartridge, 7prc is not a short action cartridge, your not making any sense, are u American? The 7prc IS NOT called the 7mm-6.5 prc

[@jayssonchurch7724]

This is like when Agent K meets his younger self in MIB 3, lol. 👍🏼 Great episode.

[@sammylacks4937]

I ve got a friend that has a 280 AI built by Kenny Gerrett. He is confident this is the perfect cartridge / rifle combo for him. He's mentioned my affection for a 6.5 caliber cartridge and hope to shoot F class that I'd be more satisfied once used to it. Maybe , maybe.

[@mybackyardyukon8436]

My favorite cartridge the 280 AI and my 2 favorite podcast hosts talking about it 👍🏼. I started listening to you guys in 2020, started reloading and long story short i was gifted a 280AI couple of years ago. I have to thank the both of you for showing me this cartridge and keep up the great work.

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

Welcome aboard!

[@ricktaylor3748]

@@BackcountryHuntingPodcast My Cooper 26. inch barrel .280 AI shoots the Nosler 150 grain BT @ 3166 fps. With 57.5 grs. of H 4831. I use WMR maguum primers. Long barrels work incredibly well. My load is far from max. I get dime size groups at 155 yards. I've never had any deer move from where they were standing, they dropped stone cold dead. Do NOT ruin your expensive rifle, by fire forming regular .280 brass. Nosler makes fine .280 Al brass. But, it's insanely priced at. $119.oo with 50 per box.

[@fedup3582]

I had two kimber Montana rifles and two kimber hunter riles, one in 280 AI. Basically I really liked the kimbers, how they were built, particularly the Montanas, but the ones I had were finicky. One day they were tack drivers and then for no reason the groups would open up to 1.5 to 3.5 inches. Back and forth. No matter what I tried, I couldn't get the consistency I wanted. To make it worse, I bought a forbes 24b at the same time as I got one of the montanas. The Forbes was about as close to a twin to the Montana as it could be, but it turned out to be as accurate as the best of the Montana but with outstanding consistency, in fact it is about the most consistent rifle I have ever fired. I still have the forbes, the kimbers are gone. If I could get a consistent kimber, I would love to have another Montana.

[@amac3660]

I have a 280 A.I.Kimber and with handloaded 140 gr accubonds, it consistently groups .500-.600”. Excellent Cartridge that can handle any game.

[@BigT27295]

Love you guys. Hats off to William he does a great job.

[@jerryschroeder1685]

Another nice light rifle option it the Weatherby Backcountry 2.0 in the 280 Ackley at about 5.2 lbs.

[@gym55rat]

And it comes in left hand!

[@Alex-uz7wd]

Iv got a backcountry in 30-378 with carbon barrel which is heavier. 6.6lbs. Under 8 scoped. Could not be happier with the rifle. We have 2 of the exact same guns and both are under half inch groups.

[@nathanhawley9599]

The barrel options stink though. 24" plus a 2" brake and a 1:9 twist. Boooo

[@gym55rat]

@@nathanhawley9599 only factory 280ai left hand rifles I could find are the Weatherby and a savage 110 ultra light. The savage has a 1-9 22" proof barrel so good but not ideal either

[@gregwhite6334]

Great show guy's thanks.

[@ziruk-king4466]

Great stuff

[@justindownes7578]

As always, loved this podcast

[@georgezink8256]

Awesome video thanks for sharing

[@Oldcoinsandstuff1]

Love the shows you guys do together. Looks like you guys have fun.

[@georgeclarke4235]

I have the Kimber hunter in 280AI. Great light rifle. Great video. Thx.

[@user-fg3qc8bf9g]

I love this channel!! Ron I ve learned so much from you!! Grew up reading balastuc charts!! Always more we can learn!!

[@jkat66]

I just recently picked up one of the Ruger Hawkeye African 280 AI. It had been on the dealers shelf since it came out in 2020. I sent in to Ruger and Lipsey's for letters of authenticity and it is listed as a 1 of 250. So I'm not sure that Ruger is still producing them as they have just released one in .35 Whelen. I think maybe they just haven't updated their website. Can't wait until this hunting season to try it out! Enjoy watching and listing to both of you guys! Keep it coming!

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

Those are both great rifles… I love the African rifle, and I recently picked up a 35 Whelen!

[@evanborgerding4223]

Weatherby chambers the Mark V in 280ai. as well. It's my new favorite bolt gun. Super light and Weatherby quality

[@ed5042]

thanks for the video, I have the Sig SHR970 in 280. Am quite please with this package!

[@nmelkhunter1]

Very good talk and a very neat cartridge. I’ve often thought a 280 AI shooting 150 Accubonds would be way good! Thank you for the video.

[@timeverett7828]

Astonishing how good 280AI is!

[@shanerhodes925]

The lrx bullet in my favorite cartridge. That sounds very nice. Iifht have to try that.

[@nathanhawley9599]

I emailed Wilson Combat. Man...I would buy a Nula 24 in 280ai in a heartbeat. My current 280ai I built is great for the range, flats and Colorado mountains, but the bare rifle is 7lbs and would love a lightweight Nula for backpack hunting.

[@edwardabrams4972]

My friend just had one built on a Interarms mark x action and I am having a couple made on a husqvarna action and a Browning A Bolt action. Can’t wait to try them out, but my Smith is so far backed up I probably won’t see them for this season of hunting but that’s ok he has 8-9 of my guns most of the time and just have him work them into his slow times which isn’t very often.

[@ericdale7086]

Great episode JVB and Ron! The 280 AI may be the most well rounded cartridge of all time.

[@davidnave4349]

Never here ya'll talk or mention T/C rifles , I own several I have an encore with a 28 inch chambered in .280 Akley . Awesome shooter won't even mention how well it shoots but the first Elk I shot OH 347 yrd. dumped one shot 140 Accubond bullet. Nice show guys .

[@georgezink8256]

Those 28 inch barrels are awesome, and hand loaded u can get upto 150 to 350 fps over 2:/24 inch barrel

[@TheWVgoodguy22]

Another excellent episode as is the norm especially when you and Ron get together. My brother almost bought the more economical Kimber Hunter in 280 AI. Not sure why he didn’t because he could afford it and he kept looking at it at Cabela’s. The 280 AI has been on my radar, even after I bought a 300 WSM to pair with my 270 Win. Especially in a lighter weight rifle than either of my rifles. I’m thinking about selling my 300 WSM even though I like the gun and it shoots a few loads at around MOA, because I want a left hand rifle that has a threaded barrel. I have been thinking 🤔 about either going with either the 7mm PRC, 300 WM, another 300 WSM, or your favorite in the 280 AI. This episode has me looking for a 280 AI if I can actually find one that is lefty with a threaded barrel in a more reasonable price point than either of those two custom rifles shown here. Thanks for sharing gentlemen.

[@benmiddleton3184]

I thinking of building a 7PRC, but actual velocities are coming out and the 7PRC matches the 280AI. With this new data, my next build will be a 280AI & not a 7PRC.

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

Either one would be great!

[@WillyK51]

Not quite right. The 7prc more like the 7 RM, But you can seat out very long bullets in a 7PRC(Shorter/Wider case) Std long Action. For seating out the same Long Bullets in a 7RM you need a 3.8" magnum action. The same for the 280 AI. 7PRC 75 Grns Cap, 7RM 76 Grns, 280 AI 60 grns

[@benmiddleton3184]

@@WillyK51 I understand the 7PRC was developed to handle the longer/heaver .284 bullets and it was marketed as a “more efficient than the 7 rem mag” (meaning it shoots the same bullets as the 7 rem mag but with less powder and faster velocities). Actual data is coming out and it looks like the actual velocities match more of the 280AI than the 7 rem. The 7 PRC also has more recoil (about 4-6 ft lbs) than the 7 rem mag. All I was saying is that instead of building a 7 PRC, I will be building a 2&80 AI and have the same performance as the 7 PRC with a whole lot less recoil. 😁👍🏼

[@bs2951]

P.O. Ackley was 8 years old when the 416 Rigby hit the market, (45 Degree shoulder). My first was an -06 Ackley Imp. I had a fire forming barrel just for making brass , In the end I realized it was easier just to jump up to .308 Norma and 300 win mag.

[@steveschott645]

I've been a fan of 7mm calibers and bullets for decades. I've had a 7mm Rem Mag and a 280 Rem. I still have a 7mm Mauser and a 280 AI. I've had great luck with reloading for all of them, with my 280 Rem and 280 AI getting velocities of the 7mm Rem Mag. All that with less recoil. I've taken whitetails, mule deer, antelope, and elk with my 280 AI. My 280 AI is a Kimber mountain rifle. Fully loaded, sling, and a heavier scope, it is just over 6 lbs. and shoots sub MOA with both Barnes TTSX and Hornady CX bullets.

[@30321495]

Love this episode!! Just finished putting my 280 AI together and worked through the first round of load testing with 162 gr ELD-X and Staball 6.5 powder. Achieved velocities north of 3100 fps. However, accuracy is not where I want it just yet. I think I'll try some H4831 next to see if I can tighten up the groups. Thank you for the stories!!

[@ozark_trapper]

I bought some imr 7828sc. To try with the 162 and 180 gr eld m bullet.

[@randyfix3664]

Weatherby Mark5 new Live Wild ,sharp looking rifle

[@m.a2928]

I don't own a 280ai, I have a 7mm-08 and 7mm Rem Mag, the major hold back to these are lack of reloading support for me; not readily available Brass compared to the others and the available ones are 2x the price often. To be honest, i do think the 280ai is the best of all worlds, but performance in realistic hunting terms is not much above a 270win or 30-06 for average hunting distances and the price of brass in my region being 2x that of the others has held me back.

[@louiskiser9989]

Try buying 270wsm brass if you think everything else is had to obtain

[@GAlanRoss]

Hey Guys, just to mention "Hindsight": My very first 'New' rifle when I turned 18 in 1978 was a Ruger M77 1st Gen on advice from a FANTASTIC PT Gunsmith named Bob Oxley in Ohio. I insisted on ordering a 30-06 (mainly for versatility & ammo availability) for... drumroll...$187 brand new! That was Bob's point even besides the quality. Win Mod 70s & Rem Mod 700s were about $100 more at that time. To my point tho; Bob had a M77 with bases & rings in his shop someone had ordered with a deposit that they couldn't pick up... In .280 Rem. Bob offered it to me for the $140 still owed on it and I passed 😭. I'm a fan of Jack O'Connor & planned on a .270 next against Bob's advice that the .280 (original) was a better cartridge. Hindsight. Thinking about the possibilities after having that chamber reamed to 'AI' (& for a 1st Gen M77 for$140) always make me sigh....

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

Back in the good old days!

[@jaycupples4362]

Took my 06 700 and done a prefit from carbon six in 280AI 1-8 24” love it.

[@WillyK51]

Why 1-8 ? Just in case for over 180 grns Bullets? Thought Std 1-9 enough spin. For hunting I would sweetspot al 168 and max 175-180

[@martinduke4644]

I have a .280AI smithed by Jarrett Custom Rifles in their Beanfield Version. Shoots a 140gr Nosler AB at 3150 fps. I’ve Absolutely smokes White-taileds for decades!

[@montaego]

My 280ai loads with 168ABLR and N560 give me 2960fps with a 24inch...the 7mm RM with the same bullet is 75-100fps faster, but also 7 grains more powder with recoil like a 270winchester . The 7MM PRC 100fps slower than the 280ai. It's a great cartridge.

[@ozark_trapper]

I just bought a Browning. A Xbolt Hells Canyon Speed LR 280AI. 1@8 26-inch flutted barrel. I carry a 280 Rem. Now I will leave the 280 rem at home. And carry the 280AI. Savage are 1@9. I don't know about ruger. Weatherby are mostly 1@9 too. I am going to load Hornady ELD 162gr and 180 gr M. Berger 175 gr too. The nosler accubond lr 168 gr bullet. Federal 168 gr berger are hybrid hunter bullet.

[@thepracticalrifleman]

I built my first twenty years ago. Was a hammer. Ended up selling it a couple years back, but I have a rifle to rebarrel in it and still have my reamer.

[@nozrep]

when Mr. Von Benedikt said… ‘that’ll do’, my ADHD brain immediately had a weird flashback that 1990s pig movie where the pig talks and then the pig saves the day and then the farmer goes, ‘that’ll do, pig. that’ll do…’ ; but then several years later when shrek came out he referenced it and said that’ll do donkey that’ll do😂, and I am imagining Mr. Von Benedikt saying that🤔

[@scottscheuerman8714]

I have a rifle I am mostly finished with it. I re-barrel to a 280ai and I been looking at the hornady 150 grain cx to try with some reloaded 26 I put a Shilens 26” tube with a 1-8 twists I would think that it would make a good bullet for elk and mule deer if it likes it

[@nozrep]

sounds like fun! i want one😅. Btw, Mr. Spomer, I am about to buy my first .308!😎

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

I need to get one of those new fangled 308s too!

[@Spruce-Bug]

I ordered a 26" barrel 2 weeks ago in 280AI.

[@bigdghost3319]

I love my 280 AI- best round period, my first was based on a Remington 700 long action built for me by a local gunsmith some 25 years ago which I sold to buy a MRC 1999 when it came on the market.... I hunt with hand loads using the 150 or 140 grain Nosler Partition (Bang, Flop) for all game animals... Shooting Long range steel out to 1100 yards with the same Montana Rifle Company model I hunt with, the 168 grain Berger VLD's can't be beat.... The best brass for my loads is Norma, using CCI LR primers... Additionally; the 280 AI loves 4831SC or Reloader 22 for both hunting and target; of course many others will work.. The Brass will last forever, I have never needed to re-trim a case to length after fire forming and any required (rare) initial trimming, I stop reloading the cases after 15 re-loading's for safety... However, I do save the old brass should it will ever be needed on a rainy day.. When the day ever comes and a new barrel is needed it will be a 280 AI... Thank you for this Pod Cast..

[@claw1952]

Weatherby is now chambering 280 AI

[@danieltustison822]

Ron you might be able drill small hole in bottom stock and spray shoot of expanding foam help with hollow ring

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Good idea, Dan. But the "whock" sound hadn't cost me any game in 30 years, so I think I'll continue to live with it.

[@brianperiso674]

You had me at .280 AI

[@benschildgen4994]

I had a Browning A bolt in the early 90's that shot well. I am considering the 280 AI for my next rifle. If I draw an elk tag I am torn between the 280 AI and 300 Win. Mag.

[@jfess1911]

The 300 Win Mag tends to be a bit more finicky as to what ammo it shoots well, if that matters to you.

[@jfess1911]

Do all of the larger manufacturers use the original 280 chamber or an updated one? The SAAMI 280AI uses the old cone-style chamber from the 280. As far as I know, Remington gave up on that style of chamber after the 280 and switched to the more modern "match style" design with a tight tubular section of freebore prior to the conical forcing cone through the rifling. Thanks.

[@Eggomania86]

I wish Winchester would offer the .280 AI in the model 70.

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

Don’t we all… However, you can get barrels for the M70 action.

[@sebase6577]

I just finish build my tikka 280AI and start finding the perfect load now

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

Awesome!

[@goproaz2097]

What is your build list? I'm about to start mine. I'm wanting to keep the factory stock, glass bed it. Get a AICS LA bottom metal, and a Bartlien or prefered barrel, 26" or 27" 1:8 twist, throated long. Wanting to make it specifically for shooting 160s Barnes at peak coal.

[@theblindsniper9130]

Now how the heck did you manage to get ron spomer on your channel haha i am impressed! I hate how much i agree with you folks on this topic

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

We work together often… If you are a watcher of Ron’s channel, you’ll notice that I’ve done a few videos with him.

[@ronlowney4700]

🤔 The 280 AI is an "ALL Time Great Cartridge" and I Hope That You Both Will Keep Promoting It? 👍😎

[@BollingMachineTool]

.010 taper per inch in case body for all AI cartridges, greatly reduces bolt thrust. The 40 degree great reduces powder flow down the barrel and reduces brass flow. The AI’s are great design!

[@Godfryness]

One of my favorite

[@scottschmidt7517]

i traded S&W X in 460 for a Bergara Ridge in 270 and it couldn't hit the red side of a green barn no matter what I did. Sent it back to Bergara and it still shot like el crapo and the ammunition that Bergara used was un-obtanium at the time. The 7MM PRC was coming on the marker, but supplies seemed to be only availble to gun writers and KZbin influencers. Also the bolt face would hve to be expanded. Now I'm not a shooter that goes after targets past 400 yards and wanted a 7MM due to a bad experience with the 270 Win on a cow elk. The gunsmith recommened the 7MM SAUM, but again I have a ton of 30/06 brass and no 7MM SAUM (which was as about plentiful as 7MM PRC) He recommended the 280 AI....."keep talking". He had ammo, brass and when compared to the 7MM Rem Mag I slapped down a down payment for Lilja No. 4 Fluted barrel, Mesa P2 Pure Precision-Altitude fiber stock, and the gunsmith's time. 6 months later wow, what a combo. Hits hard, lite wieght, shoots flat, and I can use 160gr Accubonds for elk. I have some load developement to do and can't wait to take it out to Montana if I pull a tag this year. Thank you for the content.

[@ultrahighgain412]

The perfect cartridge... that almost no manufacturer offers a factory chambering for.

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

You can find them, but they’re not as common as they should be!

[@awiedevilliers1288]

If I remember correctly Eric Cortina also use the 280 AI for hunting

[@chipsterb4946]

Wow - the velocity improvement over 7mm-08 is significant. Yet another cartridge that makes me wonder if the 7mm PRC really is all that.

[@mj_slender6717]

Especially since about everyone is getting 175 to 225 fps slower than advertised velocities. Think Hornaday really over inflated #s. Correction, I know they did.

[@chipsterb4946]

@@mj_slender6717 does the lower-than-advertised 7 PRC data include hand loads, or is it only factory ammo? Not that overstating the performance of your factory ammo is a good thing to do …

[@ccfdmd]

Great talk. Why the 152 LRX? Seems like the 139 or 145 LRX's would work for most situations.

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

Thank you! They would sure work, but why not have a bullet weight optimized for the cartridge?

[@ccfdmd]

@BackcountryHuntingPodcast Was just thinking that since the 139 and the 145 already existed they could just stick with them as they are known performers I spoke with Barnes about their 7mm LRX bullets some time ago. They said that the 139 was specifically engineer to open up at even slower velocities than most other lrx bullets. Do you know what they recommend for velocity for the 152? ( this is the first I've heard of the 152, need to learn something about it) Thanks

[@AKlover]

How does it do versus ballistic plate??? If the round is making around 3300fps how it does versus plate armor should be A question that gets answered?

[@dougchandler1248]

Ron what do you perfer and why. 284 win or 280ai?

[@nicholasbarcomb2324]

Fill the stock with expanding foam, and it won't have the hollow sound anymore.

[@francesco1945]

have you discovered hot water now to introduce rifling steps suitable for stabilizing heavy balls...? Brenneke did it more than 100 years ago..

[@craigleibbrand7761]

There is only one 7mm caliber Cartridge. That's Weatherbys magnificent 7mm Magnum.

[@travissmith-wz5nc]

Basically po Ackley was prc before it was cool

[@jasonbarnett8029]

I just tried the new Barnes 152LRX in my 280 AI yesterday. Shooting sub MOA 2950fps in 22” 😀barrel.

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

Awesome!

[@derekmcmurry4263]

Do you mind sharing your load data? I'm still pressure testing one of my 280AI with a 168 Berger VLD, H4831SC, once fired Norma brass, 210M primers, 10th off lands so far 2950 and nothing over an inch while still climbing upwards with powder.

[@jasonbarnett8029]

@@derekmcmurry4263 I’m buying factory loaded Barnes 152gr lrx ammo. It’s their brand new offering. The 152gr LRX projectiles are not available to purchase on their own. Once they are, I will hand load and see if I can get even better accuracy. I will use hogdon data from their website for 150gr nosler e-tip (similar copper bullet) and work up from there.

[@johnkaraphillis754]

@@derekmcmurry4263 H4831sc very accurate but short on velocity. I know how hard they are to come by, but if you can get RL23 or RL26 they would push the 168 VLD fast and accurate. I’m pushing the 160AB’s 3000+ fps using either powder. Good luck!

[@derekmcmurry4263]

@@johnkaraphillis754 I reached 3008fps with 62.5 gr H4831SC. I cannot find any Re23 or Re26 and I've looked for 3 years. You think Re25 would work? I have 3 pounds

[@thomasdecember3910]

I come very close to the 280al with my 280 with my reloads with a 22" my friend has a 280al so we shoot side by side with a corney 100 fps faster with 24" 280al is excellent .

[@ziruk-king4466]

Is that proof a 22 or 24 Love the Barnes lr 152 gr

[@owenschmidt8889]

You can still get quality brass for the 284! And they are simple

[@jaybailleaux630]

The plain 280 is nice. The 280AI is a tad better . Don't know if it is worth the trouble. I can't even justify leaving the 30-06 for a 280. I got plenty of 30-06 brass. It would be easier to improve my 30-06 with custom barrel and stock.

[@michaeltosser7363]

I have to laugh, as you talk about how - Now that the 280AI is a SAAMI-certified round - the companies who are putting them in production rifles are all spinning at a 1-in-8, because Hornady flatly refuses to provide load data on the 160CX for the 280AI "because it doesn't have a fast enough twist rate to stabilize the long bullets" - despite load data for the 280AI for all their 7mm ELD-family, as well as the 190gr A-Tip. I'm taking a hint from you Ron, via Jim at Backfire - I scrubbed the daylights out of my Xbolt's barrel to get the gilding metal fouling out, to play with the copper solids form Barnes and Hornady. [Edit] "A little longer" doesn't begin to describe the throat, by the way - into the lands on my Xbolt is around 3.7" and I'm running handloads at 3.557" that are able to feed from the X-bolts rotary magazine flawlessly.

[@MrRourk]

It's pretty darn good except requires a longer barrel than typically found on many riffles today. If only the 6.8 Western was not ruined by proprietary owners.

[@patrickmcmahon785]

I’m looking to replace my old 270 and you guys just might have convinced me the 280AI is the way to go. It’s definitely in my “wheelhouse “. Remember, “only accurate rifles are interesting “. 👍

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

For sure!

[@patrickmcmahon785]

@@BackcountryHuntingPodcastgot my savage a is 2, in 280 AI and I AM ABSOLUTELY IN LOVE. What a fantastic cartridge. I have 6.8WST and a 270 win, but this cartridge is beyond awesome. I believe I’d sell all the others. NOT! Keep up the good work Joe! Ron is the man. I appreciate both of you.

[@sha6mm]

In Nosler Reloading Manual the .280 Rem is 112FPS slower than the .280 Ackley AI with a Nosler 160gr AB. If I ever have a Custom Rifle built it would be a .280 Rem why I don’t believe there is a Deer or elk will ever notice a difference of 112FPS. The .280 Rem should be more popular but either of these Cartridges would serve you well. I will admit I have lost Magnum Fever.

[@boshoffbotha7830]

6.8 western will probably be a great contender. Honourable mention 7 saum, 7-08. Classics = 7x57 and 7x64.

[@joeromeiro3858]

I have no hunting experience I am curious about is what is difference between 280 ,280 ai ,270 ?

[@mortimerschnerd3846]

The real truth is, not much difference at all.

[@jmgates09]

If I didn't just find 5 boxes of trophy bonded tip at a ace hardware in texas I was getting ready to give up on my 7wsm for a 280

[@mj_slender6717]

Didn't know Texas was good for gold mining. Great find!

[@jmgates09]

@mj_slender6717 definitely gold told me I could have em 49.99 a box if I bought em all that they been in there for years and was marked 72 .99

[@piercer2]

Weird, the 284 Winchester was pretty close to perfect back when it came out

[@Rucksack57]

I picked up a Kimber M84 5lbs 8 oz for $1,043 out the door. My choices were 308, 280AI, 6.5 Creedmoore.. I choose the 6.5 it shoots clover leafs with off the shelf 120 gr Barnes. I didn’t want the recoil of the other two chooses. The rifle has the pencil barrel with radial break. I don’t think the action is as handy as the Remington 700. It is a light handy accurate rifle for a thousand bucks. Which could have been a 280 AI.

[@maxberry538]

Yep. You screwed up!

[@timk4502]

280 AI vs 280 Nosler? I wonder which is best? 🤔

[@wallacerose7499]

When is Hornady going to come out with a Rifle ?

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

Hornady’s only an ammunition company…

[@derekmcmurry4263]

@@BackcountryHuntingPodcast So was Nosler. Then they started making rifles

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

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[@jayheslin803]

I am wondering how much actual gain in performance the 280AI actually gives us over a properly loaded 208 Rem? Given the often repeated ballistic "rule" that velocity increases at 1/4 of the increase in case capacity. I have found this to be a generality, but a fine estimate for comparison. Now the 280AI is loaded to higher pressure than the standard 280 Rem. However, since most 280AI shooters I know , have for years fire formed AI brass from standard 280 brass, personally I have no qualms loading standard 280 brass to AI pressures. You may. I am not going to debate that. In my mind, we are stretching the standard brass to become improved. If anything, this may actually weaken the fire formed brass. I do not know, but suffice to say that both configurations of the same brass should withstand similar pressure equally well. Going by Nosler load data, the 280 AI loaded with a 160gr bullet has 65.0 grs of capacity. The standard 280 Remington loaded with the same 160gr bullet has 61.5 grs. Both measured in H2O. If we subtract these, we find the difference to be 3.5 grs. Dividing this difference by the 280's (standard) capacity we arrive at ~ .0569 difference, or ~ 5.7% difference in case capacity. If we divide this by 1/4, we arrive at an increase in velocity for the AI of ~ 1.43%. Or stated differently, the standard 280 will produce 1.43% less velocity than the AI. Give Nosler's top stated velocity of 3044 fps. The difference in maximum velocity, assuming equal pressures and barrel length, is ~ 44 fps . If we buy into the argument that the AI case burns powder marginally more efficiently, we can say at best we are looking at a 50-60 fps difference. Maybe. So, to my way of thinking, really, the only benefit of the AI is that when loaded to the same level, is that brass will flow less. So we may not have to trim necks as often, and perhaps brass may withstand an extra few reloads. If one shoots that much. Where I live, they are both not common on retail shelves. That is of little concern as brass is readily available for both. Also, easily formed from any '06 based brass with a bit of work. Both are excellent catridges that yield quite similar performances if we equal the field by handloading. In factory form, the AI does outpace the standard by quite a bit.

[@mr.mr.3301]

I’d like to see some cheap range ammo. 280 ai in a core lockt, American whitetail.

[@jkeverline1]

You are incorrect about the head spacing of the 280 REM vs the 280 A.I. At the neck solder junction the length of the 280 REM measures 2.199”. The 280 A.I. measures 2.180”. See SAAMI specs. In order to properly fire form 280 REM brass in a 280 A.I. chamber you need to.015” to.020” of crush to firmly hold the cartridge when fired. Otherwise the firing pin strike can push the cartridge forward and result in a miss fire. I have this issue with a 25-06 A.I. I own.

[@chipsterb4946]

I am not sure which statement in the video you are referring to. However, thank you - I learned something new today. If you look at most modern cartridges, the *cartridge* spec for case head to the shoulder-neck junction is longer than the *chamber* spec. That really surprised me, but it means that compressing that area of the case is intentional. .270 Winchester Δ 0.0055” 280 Ackley Improved Δ 0.0053” 280 Remington Δ 0.0069” So the spec for the 280 Remington *case* dimension for base to neck-shoulder junction is 2.1993”. The 280 Ackley Improved *chamber* spec is 2.1742”. Therefore, closing the bolt on a 280 Remington cartridge in a 280 AI chamber compresses the case-neck junction by 0.0251”. That seems significant to me. However, this is hardly the only source telling me that I could shoot 280 Remington ammo in a 280 Ackley Improved rifle.

[@scottstruif3939]

@4:50 How is 55K psi better than 58K psi?

[@chriscosby2459]

The 280 Remington is a great cartridge -- the 280AI is just a slightly better version of the 280 Rem.

[@abowhand]

What? Never saw a 1 in 8 twist in a factory 280 AI rifle !

[@arthurshingler2025]

It's not the best...but certainly not the worst! I prefer the standard 280.

[@ronlowney4700]

🤠 You Can "Improve" Your 280 Ackley Improved, By Turning It Into a 7 Sherman (Which Will Add Several Additional Grains of Powder Capacity)! You Can Use Either 280 or 280 AI Brass and FireForm This Wildcat and Handload to Get Additional Velocity! 🔥

[@billbennett9537]

Do go on...and on...and on...and on...

[@ronlowney4700]

@@billbennett9537 Ok, I Will Then! 🤭 If You Take The 7x64 And "Improve It" (By "Shermanizing" It), You Can Get a Cartridge With 5 Grains More Powder Than the 280 AI, Still Get 5 Rounds in the Magazine, and Get Velocities That "Match" The 7mm Remington Magnum and 7mm prc! So, Their, Satisfied Yet? 😂

[@billbennett9537]

@@ronlowney4700 ...and on... and on.....could you sprinkle in more emogies

[@ronlowney4700]

@@billbennett9537 And, Knowledge...To Answer The Question As To Whether or Not the 280 AI is The "Best Cartridge Ever", Which Was The Question Asked! The Answer is NO! 😉

[@ronlowney4700]

🙄 Or, I Could Have Asked The "Obvious and Retorical Question"...Best For What? 🤪

[@jeffreywilson690]

It's easy to make 280 rem ai from 30/06

[@aaronwilcox6417]

Have one myself and the reality 280 Ackley is only great if you reload. You can geek out and podcast away on the 280 Ackley but in the reality contest the average person or factory ammo user is far better off with an 270win or 30-06. There's just something to be said of common ammo and easy to find components.

[@spread4me75]

But but but the 6.5 prc is much shorter and a bit fatter than the 7prc, the 7prc is not just a slightly longer neck, it's a long action and narrower, it can not be the same case

[@rickperry185]

IS THE 280 ACKLEY IMPROVED BETTER THAN THE 300 WEATHERBY MAGNUM

[@josephboisvert8213]

So, if the .280 Ackley improved is such a game changer…. How come it’s not available on the street??? Or am I confused???

[@BackcountryHuntingPodcast]

It is available, but it isn’t as prevelant as the .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, 30-06, etc.

[@bneaclab1]

280 AI doesn't suffer from all the weak actions out there holding back the 280 Rem. Loaded to its potential the 280 is not far behind the AI version.

[@rossrosseland7427]

Lose some action weight with a mid length 7 WSM.

[@thedirtygot9570]

If tikka doesn’t make it, I don’t buy it!

[@patrickhenry236]

280 AI, can confirm.