280 Ackley

[Romero14]

What does everyone think of the new caliber 110 in 280 Ackley? I've been wanting that caliber for yrs and Savage finally offers it. I'm just skeptical of the 22" barrel. I don't want the long range version since it's a lot heavier even though it has a 26" barrel.

[Apollo117]

I've owned several .280's. Not the .280 AI. It's a great caliber. Hugely underrated IMO. The .280 AI gets really close to 7mm RM performance with less powder. If Savage would offer their model 111 Lightweight Hunter (I guess it's the 110 Storm now) I wouldn't be able to give them my money fast enough. I'm really considering getting a donor model 110 action, screwing on a pre-fit barrel in .280 AI, and bedding it into a Stockade stock. Would be a great medium weight hunting rifle.

[jpdown]

Several years ago I built a 280 AI with a LW 23" barrel on a Savage LWH action and Stockade Hunter stock. It replaced a 7mm RM Savage action and factory sporter barrel. Weight is 8.63 lbs with Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x40mm scope. Best accuracy loads with IMR 7828 gives a MV of 3045 fps with 7mm 140 gr Berger Hunting VLD bullets and 2960 fps with 162 gr Hornady ELD-X bullets. The listed MV for Hornady Precision Hunter 7mm RM factory loads with 162 gr ELD-X bullets is 2960 fps. Down range energy on average for the 280AI runs about 100 fps less than the 7mm RM without the heavier recoil. A 22" barrel in 280AI would not be a concern IMO.

[want2ride]

I have a 280 AI Kimber and I am just under what I can get with my 7mm Rem Mag in a Savage Long Range Hunter. I am about 3100 fps (50 FPS faster than my last 7mm Mag) with 162's with my 7mm Mag and just a hair under 3000 with the 280 AI. Overall I love the gun, and if Savage offered it in a lightweight hunter, I would have likely went that route instead of the Kimber.

In short, I really like the 280 AI, but it is new to me and have not yet shot game with it. I bet it will do the job nicely!

[Romero14]

I think I'll be getting the 110 storm. I can always rebarrel later to a longer one if necessary.

[quigley257]

I have a GenI Remington 700 Sendero that I rebarreled from 25-06 to 280AI. It was a fine shooter before and is proving to be an excellent shooter in 280AI. My fire forming loads are running in the .3s and .4s. It really is a 7Mag in a sensible package. I'm glad to see Savage offering it.