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Best choice for long action build..280 ack??

KRM427

Private
Minuteman
Oct 15, 2011
52
0
46
Virginia
Im trying to figure out what I want, My smith recommended the 280 ackley. My other choices were 7mm mag, 6.5/06 or 30/06 ackley. Any suggestions. I want to take advantage of the heavier bullet choices.
 
Re: Best choice for long action build..280 ack??

I'm sure ya'll have seen this post a million times so my bad for that. Just curious if you had any choice in a long action what would it be.
 
Re: Best choice for long action build..280 ack??

.280 AI is an excellent choice. It can not be beaten ballistically by a .473 bolt-face round. To top it off, its an easy cartridge to load for, has great brass life, feeds well, and has a wide variety of bullet choices. I have a hunting rifle in .280 AI and absolutely love it.

Now that Nosler has standardized it, there is a spec for it and great brass available.

Remember, 7mm Magnum will require a magnum bolt face and will only have the edge on 175/180 gr bullets pushed hard.
 
Re: Best choice for long action build..280 ack??

is the .280ack decent for rapid fire tactical matches?
 
Re: Best choice for long action build..280 ack??

I'd say it's decent. But there are better cartridge choices for most tactical matches. I have a 280AI and I'm working on load development. I shoot a 260 for matches because it's a short action (faster cycling), cheaper to shoot (less powder), easier follow through (less recoil). I do plan to shoot some matches with the 280AI, but the 260 will be my go to comp-rifle. Good luck with your decision.

Edit -- sorry but I don't know what you mean by "rapid fire" so I didn't comment.
 
Re: Best choice for long action build..280 ack??

Im stuck with the savage long action I have. I plan to use a muzzle break to keep the recoil down a bit. There are a lot of used Rem700 short action rifles in my area but they want top dollar for them.
 
Re: Best choice for long action build..280 ack??

I shoot a 280 AI in "rapid fire tactical matches." It is OK for that purpose. I use a Hooper bottom metal with the 300 WM AI magazines. It feeds extremely well once you get the feed lips sized for the smaller 280 AI case. The only real problem I have with it is that it will beat you up a little after a long weekend. My gun is fairy light, though.
 
Re: Best choice for long action build..280 ack??

I was interested in building a long action 7mm (or close) round. I spoke with George Gardner at GAP about it. He recommended a 284. He said you could push the bigger 7 mm bullets faster and recommended I go that route. You might consider it.

CWJ