280AI build on 110 staggerfeed

[Cornbread]

Got an ancient 110 30/06. Circa 1980’s. Thinking about rebuilding in 280 or 280 AI. I see mixed results on feeding issues with the AI version. Anyone done this? Will the AI feed in the 06 blind magazine?

[Blue Avenger]

Worked for me. So long ago I do not remember doing anything with the feed lips. Pretty sure I run .35 whelen and .257AI through the same one.

[Dave Hoback]

You either will or will not have issues with AI. However, I assure you there is a fix. There is always a fix.

[Cornbread]

You either will or will not have issues with AI. However, I assure you there is a fix. There is always a fix.

Yeah I guess so. Just with this setup other than tweaking the feed lips not sure what the options are. The AI version is not much faster but with a 22” barrel it might be worth it.

[Dave Hoback]

Oh, I’d go 280AI no doubt! I haven’t heard many who did it end up regretting it. It’s an awesome cartridge! I’ve run 260Rem now the last 5-6 years I guess. I wish I had gone 260AI from the start! Regardless, it will be on my next re-barrel. The fact that standard 280 can be fired from the 280AI chambered rifle, and the same for 260AI/260Rem, is pretty much a Deal Sealer for me brohiem. Catchin’ what I’m throwin’ partner? I mean, you smellin’ what I’m steppin’ in.. Are you pickin’ up what I’m puttin’ down moneme!?:biggrin-new:

[Robinhood]

I always liked the 280, and the AI is better. Most of the deer will never notice but on paper you have more mojo. And cool factor. A 175 would be lights out

[Cornbread]

I always liked the 280, and the AI is better. Most of the dear will never notice but on paper you have more mojo. And cool factor. A 175 would be lights out

That’s true. Surprisingly AI brass is available. 280 not so much. It does pain me to repurpose an 06 but the ballistics are much better down range. Not so much inside 300.

[Blue Avenger]

That’s true. Surprisingly AI brass is available. 280 not so much. It does pain me to repurpose an 06 but the ballistics are much better down range. Not so much inside 300.
doing it your self, it's only minuets to swap back.

[Cornbread]

doing it your self, it's only minuets to swap back.

well the old 06 is about minute of deer and needs upgrading to something.

[Blue Avenger]

AIs have shot very well for me, even in there original form in AI chamber. So I wind up not getting in a hurry to form all my brass at one time.

[Cornbread]

AIs have shot very well for me, even in there original form in AI chamber. So I wind up not getting in a hurry to form all my brass at one time.

Nosler makes AI brass for the saami AI chamber. So no fire forming. It’s actual a little different spec than the old AI chambers. It can still shoot 280 brass. If you have an old pre saami AI I dont think you can use nosler saami brass. You have to fire form 280 brass. At least I think lol. Lots of confusion on the google fu.

[Blue Avenger]

friend ran into that 2 different spec problem years ago. 6.5x55 also had a mild change years ago.

[Cornbread]

The one thing holding me up on this is the lack of light stock options for the old 110’s. I already have a 9# 7 mag. The Bell Carlson is one of the only synthetics available and it’s heavy. Was really trying to keep it under 8# or thereabouts. Might just need to go buy an ultralite haha.

[Robinhood]

It might take a while but a call to Stockade may net you a lightweight stock.

[prdatr]

The one thing holding me up on this is the lack of light stock options for the old 110’s. I already have a 9# 7 mag. The Bell Carlson is one of the only synthetics available and it’s heavy. Was really trying to keep it under 8# or thereabouts. Might just need to go buy an ultralite haha.

Manners, McMillan or HS Precision doesn't have one?

[Cornbread]

Manners, McMillan or HS Precision doesn't have one?

To my knowledge no.

[Dave Hoback]

Lighten the stock yourself. Hollow the butt, drill 1/2” holes along the forend inside channel, etc. Or skeletonize it.

[bootsmcguire]

FWIW I have had quite a few AI cartridges and I will opt for the AI version of almost any cartridge for a bolt gun when possible. The increased velocity is nice, but the extended brass life and nearly eliminated need for trimming brass is worth it to me. Also I often ran virgin brass with my worked up AI load when hunting. I like to set headspace to a minimum when possible and the AI chamber using virgin cases gives a very easy bolt closure in the field, eliminates the chances of a tight brass giving any difficulty towards bolt closure. The accuracy difference is minimal in a hunting environment (YMMV) so the added reliability is a nice perk.

But again the added brass life is worth it to me. For example: I have a 243AI that I run the 58gr Vmax thru at about 4100fps, always loaded with Lee Collet Die for sizing. As an experiment I started with virgin Winchester brass and kept reloading the same 50 brass, keeping tally on the firing count. They are currently at 32 firings, zero cracked cases, trimming was needed twice, annealed the necks at firing #26, and after #31 the primer pockets got loose and I had to swage them in my RCBS primer pocket swage dies. Still going strong. Its a real money saver. Take all that FWIW.