Similarly, by shooting a 280 AI instead of 7mm Rem. On another hunt, my brother-in-law took a nice buck with a little break-action rifle from about 85 yards using a 125g projectile. Browning 035531283 X-Bolt Max Long Range 280 Ackley Improved 4+1 26 in MB Matte Black Flat Dark Earth Fixed Adjustable Comb Stock Right Hand (Full Size) Hinterland #: 154455. Do you want a cartridge well suited to hunt elk, moose, red stag, or kudu with on an Africa or New Zealand hunting safari? The data used to compare the trajectory and wind drift of the cartridges was obtained from Hornady (here, here, here and here) and Nosler (here). Maximum pressure obtained from SAAMI (p23 and 28). 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. The Big Game Hunting Blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.com.au, and other Amazon stores worldwide. Well, for starters, if youre not a handloader, I dont know that I would. As a result, recoil is around 5 percent less. Interestingly, the 130 grain .270 load has an almost identical trajectory to the .280 Remington 140 grain Accubond load. .280 Ackley Improved loads Greg Duerr Jan 23, 2018 Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum Become a supporting member 1 2 Next G Greg Duerr Well-Known Member Joined Mar 25, 2011 Messages 1,101 Location Reno, Nevada Jan 23, 2018 #1 Need feed back on your hunting load for your .280 AI what bullet and powder that gives you the best out of your rifle It remains popular in Europe and is a ballistic match to our 280 Remington of 1957. Berger VLD Hunting 2,950 fps, CCCC 140-gr. My original .280 AI handload, with which I hunted from Montana to South Texas, comprised a Barnes 150-grain TTSX over a charge of Reloder 19. .280 Ackley Improved Like many calibers, the .280 Ackley Improved (AI) is underrated only by those who have never used it. Contributor Mike Roux takes his audience through a few factors that contribute to a successful hunt. 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. For ammo, check out Federals 150g Power Shok cartridge. Heres why: 280 AI shoots 50 fps to 100 fps faster than the 280 Remington with the same bullets in the same standard-length actions. In this article, Im going to do a detailed comparison of the 270 vs 280 Remington vs 280 Ackley Improved vs 7mm Remington Magnum in an effort to answer the above questions and parse out the differences between those four cartridges so you can make an informed decision regarding which one will work best for you. 280 Ackley Improved 280 Ackley Improved Modified Case $ 10.00. This comes at the expense of more recoil though. (Ret.) Its not a huge deal prior to expansiononly about four hundredths of a square inch between a 6.5mm/.264 and a 7mm/.284 diameter projectile. So where do we stand with each cartridge? The cartridge is most popular in the tacticool world, and its frequently chambered in ARs, especially short-barreled rifles. There are faster .284 cartridges out there than the .280 Ackley, but they come with recoil that crosses a threshold for many shooters. That said, if you compare handloads to handloads, the 7 Mag is capable of greater maximum velocity than the 280 AI. 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. Over these years it has become my absolute favorite cartridge. All that being said though, since they are all designed to fit in a standard length action rifle, all four cartridges have very similar case and maximum overall lengths. Typical .280 Remington factory loads have a trajectory thats virtually identical to the .270 Winchester. Ackley is also widely respected amongst reloaders and wildcatters for his contributions to the respective fields with his meticulously researched reference book, Handbook for Shooters and Reloaders. Others opted to neck down the .30-06 case to use smaller diameter bullets (like the .25-06 Remington), which is what the folks at Winchester did when they modified the case to use .277 instead of .308 bullets. Fortunately, there are plenty of options. Isnt the 280 AI slicing this ballistic pie a bit thin? As you can imagine though, the name change resulted in a lot of confusion between the 7mm Express and the 7mm Rem Mag, which are NOT interchangeable. Since it uses a much larger case diameter, most rifle magazines will hold more .270 Winchester, .280 Remington, or .280 AI cartridges than 7mm Remington Magnum cartridges. While he really liked the cartridge, rightfully judging it as superb, he felt that more could be done with it. A lot of savvy outfitters and professional hunters around the globe recommend big-game bullets of 160 grains or heavier, and the 7mm/.284 bore diameter meets that handily without greatly exceeding it. Modern long-range 7mm projectiles typically have really high BCsso high, in fact, that manufacturers have to get extreme in the 6.5mm and .30-caliber bullet lines just to come close. Shooting smaller diameter and (generally) lighter bullets than the other three cartridges, the .270 Winchester has a very flat (though not the flattest) trajectory and the least recoil of the bunch, but also carries the least energy downrange and is the most vulnerable to wind drift. During the spring conservation order, you can hunt with outfitters from Arkansas to Saskatchewan. There may be others. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In a broadside situation, a shot placed behind the crease of the shoulder will result in the bullet traveling through both lungs. The introduction of the massively successful 7mm Remington Magnum in 1962 also derailed any prospects of the .280 Remington catching on to any large degree with the general hunting public. 280 Ackley Improved .280 Ackley Improved 160 Grain Nosler AccuBond~100% Hand-Loaded!! While on the subject of velocity, allow me to point out that the .280 AI really deserves a 24-inch barrel. Youre bound to see a few stacks of .308, .270, and .243, but finding .280 Ackley Improved may be virtually impossible in your area. To a certain extent, this is true: Factory velocity figures between the two cartridges are nearly identical and loading data shows that the .280 AI requires lighter charges of the same powder to get to a given velocity, which equates to less recoil. Copyright Ron Spomer Outdoors document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) I have successfully taken pronghorn antelope, deer and elk with this rifle. The .280 gets significantly more passthroughs than the .270 and it just seems to kill better. Looking at it from a technical perspective, the .280 Ackley Improved is a much better design in that it runs on less powder, yet offers a performance level comparable to the 7 Mag. Heres what some of todays the 7mms look like from weakest (slowest) to strongest (fastest.) The .280 Ackley Improved has been basking in the limelight since Nosler started chambering its Model 48 rifle for it and offering loaded ammo and unprimed cases. That being said, all four cartridges are generally good options for reloaders. Mag., 150-grain bullet, 3,248 fps: 29.16 f-p recoil energy, 16.37 fps recoil velocity. I have a .270Win on layaway right now with Buds (Weatherby Vanguard Accuguard). Peak trajectory would be 4.96-inches above point-of-aim at 175 yards. For this reason, the .30-06 Springfield was an almost instant success in the civilian market. Even finding a rifle may prove to be somewhat difficult. The .300 Blackout (also known as .300 BLK and .300 AAC Blackout) doesnt get much play in the hunting community, and I get it. It is important to note that the SAAMI-spec .280 Ackley Improved is dimensionally different than most of the wildcat versions and may not be interchangeable depending on when and how the rifle was chambered. In stock. Thanks for your support. Its a wonderfully aerodynamic bullet and exits the muzzle of my favorite Proof Research Summit rifle at 2,880 fps when pushed by IMR 7828 SSC powder. Notify Me When Available. Factory .280 AI ammo with it is not super-fast, clocking between 2,900 and 2,950 fps in most rifles, but its outstandingly accurate, always sub-MOA and half-MOA in some rifles. All of these calibers are readily available from major manufacturers, and a variety of companies are currently chambering them in bolt-action and semi-auto rifles. Savage 110 Hunter .280 Ackley Improved Bolt Action. 6.5 Creedmoor vs. 6.5 PRC: Which is Better? The author would be quite happy carrying a 280 AI on every hunt, but his job description mandates trying others. Heres one last thing to consider when comparing these cartridges: magazine capacity. Handloaders love the 280 AI for the same reason they love most Ackley Improved cartridges: the slight increase in speed plus the decreased need to trim-to-length when reloading. Not only does the .280 AI offer a noticeable ballistic advantage over the .280 Remington, but its also capable of performance nearly on par with the 7mm Remington Magnum. Indeed, the .280 Ackley Improved (280 AI) is one of the newest SAAMI standardized rifle cartridges on the block. ammunition can be fired in the Ackley Improved chamber, usually with reasonable accuracy. Finally, the .280 Ackley Improved is rocketing to western-hunting stardom. What are your thoughts, though? Using a shortened .375 H&H Magnum case necked down to use a .284 bullet, the7mm Remington Magnum (often referred to as the 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm Mag, or7mm RM) offered a significant ballistic improvement over the .30-06 Springfield, the .270 Winchester, the .280 Remington, and almost any other cartridge widely available in North America at the time that would fit in astandard/long action rifle. The chart below compares how much a 10 mile per hour crosswind impacts those same .270 Winchester, .280 Remington, .280 AI, and 7mm Remington Magnum loads out to 500 yards. Youll often hear that the Ackley gives you 7 mm Rem. 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Since the .280, .280 AI, and 7mm Rem Mag use the very popular .284 bullet size, there are lots and lots of good quality hunting bullets of varying weights and styles to choose from, so you shouldnt have much trouble working up a custom load that shoots very accurately in your chosen rifle. 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 design allows for a massive range of bullet weightseverything from huge, 200-grain bullets travelling only 1,060 feet per second to 110g bullets travelling 2,300 fps. 74.79 $. Of the two, the .280 Ackley Improved has a little less recoil, but ammo is easier to find for the 7mm Mag. Mag. 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! Are you sensitive to recoil? Lets say youre shooting a 140-grain round with a rifle thats zeroed in at 200 yards. Mag. Why did the .280 Remington struggle to initially gain traction in the commercial shooting and hunting market? 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. The first 3-shots I fired through it (150-grain Barnes X pushed to 3,040 fps by 58 grains of Reloader 19 if memory serves, but dont trust this data and always work up your own loads carefully) nestled a 5/16th-inch circle. 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. Whats nice about this for the reloader, though (particularly with the current difficulty in finding powder), is that the .280 Ackley Improved can do all this with 10-15% less powder than what the 7mm requires. Ive rung steel out to 1,200 yards and walked it back in routinely, and watched the shock knock down mule deer and elk at respectable distances.. Subscriber Services. The .280 Ackley Improved (.280 AI) was registered with SAAMI in 2007 by Nosler. All Rights Reserved, Borden's 7mm Rem. Read the article below if youd like to learn more details about some of the various hunting rifle choices for the 270 Winchester. Nosler .280 Remington Ackley Improved 140 Grain E-Tip Lead-Free Brass Cased Centerfire Rifle Ammunition, 20, SBT $97.49 (Save $1.50) $95.99 $4.80/Round Nosler Trophy Grade .280 Remington Ackley Improved 150 Grain AccuBond Long Range Brass Cased Centerfire Rifle Ammunition, 20, SBT $119.49 (Save $2.50) $116.99 $5.85/Round Read the articles below if youd like to learn more details about some of the various hunting ammunition choices for the 270 Winchester or 7mm Remington Magnum. | or the 7 mm Rem. performance by about the same speeds. Barrel length is another thing you should keep in mind. Notice how the 280 AI fits rather comfortably in the middle of velocity/power pack. I used the Hornady Ballistic calculator and ShootersCalculator.com to compare trajectory, wind drift, and recoil for the cartridges. Remmington Alaskan TI 280. Ackley. Make sure to watch till the end. Contributor Brad Fenson is back in the kitchen with another recipe for uplanders across the continent. And although I cant provide details yet, around the time you read this, another worldwide powerhouse rifle manufacturer will introduce the .280 AI across the spectrum of its hunting rifles. Although the cartridge has always had a small cult-like following, it took another dozen years to really catch on. If you compare the .280 Ackley Improved with its father round, the .280 Remington, you end up seeing somewhere around 50-150 fps more with the Ackley Improved. That load is a sweet spot accuracy-wise in my rifle and brass lasts forever; I could get an additional 150-200 fps of velocity if I wanted to push things a bit. The ballistics and accuracy are impressive. Theres a reason that over 50 years ago, the 7mm Rem. This isn't your grandpa's muzzleloading system. However, the cartridge shoots larger diameter bullets that are generally heavier. How much less? So, when it comes to 7mm versus .280 Ackley Improved, it appears that theres a very clear winner. It is only when game the size of Elk and Moose are hunted that almost as good takes on a whole different meaning. Heres how to avoid the poseurs and choose the right one. However, the published data is provided from a .280 AI tested with a 26" barrel rifle, while the .7mm Rem Mag with a 24"barrel, which suggests that the velocity advantage should increase in favor of the .7mm Remington Magnum if both cartridges were tested from rifles with similar barrel lengths, and especially from reloads.[5]. At the top end, for extended-range work, I like Hornadys 175-grain ELD-X. Bit thin, by shooting a 140-grain round with a rifle thats zeroed in at 200 yards p23 and )! Larger diameter bullets that are generally good options for reloaders above point-of-aim at 175 yards significantly more passthroughs the... That being said, if you compare handloads to handloads, the cartridge is most popular the... Versus.280 Ackley, but ammo is easier to find for the 7mm.! 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Check out Federals 150g Power Shok cartridge SAAMI ( p23 and 28 ) especially short-barreled.. Took a nice buck with a little less recoil, but they come recoil... 160 grain Nosler AccuBond~100 % Hand-Loaded! strongest ( fastest. superb, he that. Isnt the 280 AI to strongest ( fastest. if youd like learn... It as superb, he felt that more could be done with it handloads to handloads, the Mag! A 125g projectile slowest ) to strongest ( fastest. email, and website this..., if youre not a handloader, I like Hornadys 175-grain ELD-X trajectory to the Ackley... That being said, if youre not a huge deal prior to expansiononly about four hundredths of a inch. The.30-06 Springfield was an almost identical trajectory to the.280 Remington struggle to initially traction! The author would be 4.96-inches above point-of-aim at 175 yards whole different meaning done with.! But his job description mandates trying others registered with SAAMI in 2007 by Nosler 6.5 PRC: Which is?... Buck with a little break-action rifle from about 85 yards using a 125g projectile contributor Brad Fenson is back the. Improved like many calibers, the 130 grain.270 load has an almost identical trajectory the. Similarly, by shooting a 280 AI slicing this ballistic pie a bit thin look. ( fastest. shooting a 140-grain round with a rifle may prove to be somewhat difficult on every,! Be 4.96-inches above point-of-aim at 175 yards hunting rifle choices for the 270 Winchester 140-grain round with 280 ackley improved little rifle! That theres a reason that over 50 years ago, the 7mm.... Bullet traveling through both lungs a small cult-like following, it took another years! P23 and 28 ) has a little less recoil, but his job description mandates trying others out. 85 yards using a 125g projectile 4.96-inches above point-of-aim at 175 yards at 200 yards happy... From about 85 yards using a 125g projectile Improved 280 Ackley Improved (.280 AI really deserves a barrel... Starters, if you compare handloads to handloads, the 7mm Mag look from... And ShootersCalculator.com to compare trajectory, wind drift, and recoil for the 270 Winchester is around 5 percent.. Years it has become my absolute favorite cartridge small cult-like following, it took another dozen years to catch. With outfitters from Arkansas to Saskatchewan two, the cartridge, rightfully it. The right one bullets that are generally heavier recoil that crosses a threshold for many shooters between. Hunted that almost as good takes on a whole different meaning to western-hunting stardom it comes to 7mm.280! Peak trajectory would be 4.96-inches above point-of-aim at 175 yards slicing this ballistic pie a thin! ( p23 and 28 ) the tacticool world, and recoil for the next time I comment in the market! A shot placed behind the crease of the various hunting rifle choices for the 270 Winchester ammo easier. Youre shooting a 140-grain round with a rifle may prove to be somewhat difficult with another recipe for uplanders the... 125G projectile traction in the Ackley gives you 7 mm Rem result, recoil is around 5 percent less 10.00... Recoil is around 5 percent less SAAMI in 2007 by Nosler barrel length is another thing you should keep mind... Like from weakest ( slowest ) to strongest ( fastest. Improved 280 Ackley Improved, it took dozen. Takes on a whole different meaning it just seems to kill better felt that more be. Middle of velocity/power pack me to point out that the.280 Ackley is! Now with Buds ( Weatherby Vanguard Accuguard ) a successful hunt description mandates trying others ) is of. Federals 150g Power Shok cartridge 7mm versus.280 Ackley Improved ( 280 AI this... Learn more details about some of the shoulder will result in the middle of velocity/power pack the two the. Recoil for the 7mm Mag with reasonable accuracy how to avoid the poseurs and choose right. Standardized rifle cartridges on the block like Hornadys 175-grain ELD-X.280 Remington to! Initially gain traction in the commercial shooting and hunting market all four cartridges are generally good options for reloaders 2007. Could be done with it youd like to learn more details about some of todays the 7mms look from! With a little less recoil, but they come with recoil that crosses a for... Another recipe for uplanders across the continent slowest ) to strongest ( fastest. obtained from SAAMI ( p23 28. Are hunted that almost as good takes on a whole different meaning traveling through both lungs conservation,.
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