Contributor Brad Fenson is back in the kitchen with another recipe for uplanders across the continent. There is very little difference between them ballistically inside of 200 yards. Nosler brass has always been my go-to, because its invariably near-perfect and comes weight-sorted and prepped for accuracy, meaning trimmed to length, chamfered, and deburred, and with flash holes uniformed. Velocities are average and can vary 100 fps either way depending on barrel length, chamber dimensions, powder type, etc. Several manufacturers make bolt-action rifles chambered in .338 Federal, and Federal offers several cartridge options, including MeatEaters Trophy Copper. However, there are some important differences that set them apart from each other. Impacting behind the shoulder of the quartering-away bull, the 155-grain bullet drove clean through and stopped against the hide at the point of the offside shoulder. 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. Mag. The .280 Ackley Improved is a wonderfully accurate cartridge; both factory loads and handloads will produce sub-MOA groups with a number of different bullets. Mag., and cooks along about 200 fps faster than the .308 Win. 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. If you are a handloader though, the choice is a no-brainer. I shot one with an AR-platform rifle from about 50 yards using a 110g bullet, and the double-lung shot didnt allow the doe to travel more than a few steps. However, the cartridge shoots larger diameter bullets that are generally heavier. In the U.S. the first wildly successful commercial 7mm magnum was the 7mm Remington Magnum of 1962, but it wasnt the first U.S. 7mm. Since it uses a larger diameter case derived from the .375 H&H, the 7mm Magnum has a very large powder capacity and is capable of shooting the same weight bullet faster than the .30-06. This sharper shoulder can also increase case life, which is a good thing for the handloader. Mag. Hornady Lock-N-Load Straight OAL Gauge. velocities with less recoil and muzzle blast. Great article: I have a 280 Remington Ruger Hawkeye, control feed, stainless with a Leupold in silver and I love it. However, the management at Remington gave the .280 Remington another shot and reintroduced it in 1979 as the 7mm Express Remington in a bid to piggyback off the popularity of the 7mm Remington Magnum. While reducing max cartridge pressures for cartridges that are designed for auto loading, slide, or lever action rifles may be a good safety reason, it handicaps those particular cartridges when all other factors are considered for a bolt gun. I'm going to work with a Kimber Subalpine in 280 AI this spring and will pay careful attention to any feeding issues with it, but I'm truly not concerned. I've also had superb results with Berger's 168-grain VLD Hunting. Lets pause and take a look at why the 7mm/.284 bore diameter is significant. Even then, there are still some distinct advantages that the .280 Ackley Improved can offer you. Remington never introduced a new cartridge it couldnt hurt, the .280 and now the .260Rem being the best examples. Even finding a rifle may prove to be somewhat difficult. Berger VLD Hunting 2,950 fps, CCCC 140-gr. Before we get started, I have an administrative note: Some of the links below are affiliate links. (Ret.) Handloading the 280 AI is straightforward and easy with a wide variety of medium- to slow-burning powders, but this isnt a handloading-only cartridge these days. Compare that to the 6.5mm/.264, which measures 0.528 inch across and has a surface area of 0.87. The .280 Remington is somewhat less common, but still pretty easy to find with Barnes, Federal, Hornady, Nosler, Remington, and Winchester all producing good quality .280 Remington hunting factory ammo. Saami spec on the 280ai is 3.330 coal. When P.O. Copyright 2023 Big Game Hunting Adventures LLC | All Rights Reserved. Considering that the 7RemMag came from the same .458, .338, and .264 Magnum (belted) case, when loaded to the same pressure levels and housed in a rifle of 26, it will exceed any max velocity possible with the .280AI by at least 150fps (hand loaders have proven this fact for decades). You need to carefully analyze your potential needs and choose the one(270 vs 280 Remington vs 280 Ackley Improved vs 7mm Rem Mag) that you think will fit them best. The elks out to 500 yards on a distant hillside? It could push 150-grain bullets about 2,800 fps. In a pinch, standard .280 Rem. This was due to a number of reasons, one of which was the fact that the .270 Winchester fired unusual size bullets. 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! Can Coolers | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Find More Great NRA Publications Perfect For Every Interest, Discover Everything That The NRA Has To Offer. ammo can be used. A .280 Remington cartridge fired from a rifle chambered in .280 Ackley Improved will result in a case formed for the latter, which may be used for reloading. Still, in the right environment, the .300 Blackout can be a sweet deer caliber, and it can do double duty on hogs as well. Bergara added the cartridge to its chambering options. There are faster .284 cartridges out there than the .280 Ackley, but they come with recoil that crosses a threshold for many shooters. Conveniently, the .280 AI tends to shoot best at pressures near maximum, so achieving excellent velocity paired with outstanding accuracy is the norm. Custom Mossberg 500 at the Range and Live Turkey!. So, Remington renamed the cartridge AGAIN after a few years and went back to the .280 Remington, which is what its called today. Additionally, the .280 Remington has the lowest maximum SAAMI pressure of the bunch at 60,000psi. Now lets talk about another area we need to discuss as it relates to ballistics: bullet caliber and bullet weight. Had it been available in .280Rem I would have got that instead but it wasnt/isnt. That said, if you compare handloads to handloads, the 7 Mag is capable of greater maximum velocity than the 280 AI. Why cant I find ammo for my For example, all three of Federal Premiums 140-grain loads for the .280 Rem. Savage 110 Hunter .280 Ackley Improved Bolt Action. See also [ edit] 7mm Weatherby Magnum 10mm Firepower: Springfield XD-M Elite 3.8 Compact Pistol Review, SIG Sauer P365 Pistol Now Offered in .380, Savage Impulse Straight-Pull Rifle: Full Review, A World Record Attempt: Practice Round and Media Day, Interview with Israeli Defense Forces, Part 1. Best 270 Rifles For Hunting Ultimate Guide. What do the .280 Remington and .280 AI have to offer hunters, particularly compared to the .270 Winchester and 7mm Rem Mag? MidwayUSA offers the Nosler M21, but youll find that there truly isnt as large of an offering available in rifles chambered in .280 Ackley Improved as youll find in other common calibers. Where things differ noticeably, though, is with the long-range ballistics. One area where the 280AI and .270Win have a decided advantage regarding velocity is their maximum operating pressure limits, which are higher than either the .280Rem or 7RemMag. PHoto shows 308 family of cartridges including 7mm-08, 260 Rem, and 243 Win. Let us know in the comments below! All other things being equal, a bigger bullet will make a bigger hole, cause more tissue damage, and result in more blood loss. For this reason, the .280 AI can nearly duplicate the performance of the 7mm Rem Mag with a little less recoil (all other things being equal of course). Any modern, strong bolt-action that can handle a 30-06, 270 Win., 25-06 Rem. Using smokeless powder and a 150 grain spitzer bullet fired at a 2,700 feet per second (2,428 ft-lbs of energy), the .30-06 Springfield was a massive leap forward in performance compared to other popular American cartridges used during that era like the.45-70 Government. and a 175g round about 2,700 fps (just 100 fps shy of the 7mm Weatherby Mag.). Hed take a typical factory-designed cartridge, reduce the amount of taper in the body of the case, and increase the shoulder angle aggressively. Subscriber Services. The cartridge uses the same case as the venerable old .308 Win., but necks it up to accept a .338-caliber projectile. The cartridge still didnt gain the popularity it deserved. Just why did the .280 Ackley Improved stick? Theres a reason that over 50 years ago, the 7mm Rem. Savage Arms has announced the newest model in its series of straight-pull rifles, the Impulse Driven Hunter. Its velocity is in great measure due to its greater power capacity over its parents case, longer barrel, and higher pressure. 1 Single 284/7mm Caliber Projectile From $ 1.00. Taurus has redesigned this sporting pistol for performance. Choose medium-slow burn rate powders, such as H4831SC and Reloder 19 for light- to midweight projectiles. By 2007, the .280 Ackley Improved managed to finally be registered with SAAMI by Nosler, cementing its place in the shooters gun cabinet. But do you know how to properly use them? Lee #2. In the world of rifles, Savage announced several versions of the Model 110 chambered in .280 AI. Yes, we all strive for that perfect one-shot kill, but were also human, and sometimes we screw up. It is true that certain factory loads and handloads for the .280 AI can come very close and even exceed the performance of typical 7mm Remington Magnum factory loads. Peak trajectory would be 4.96-inches above point-of-aim at 175 yards. Joseph VonBenedikt is with Joel Hodgdon to talk about the improved accuracy and long-range potential of the already reliable Core-Lokt ammo line. The Staying Power of the .257 Roberts Cartridge. In fact, though nowhere near as commonly used as the .270 or the 7mm Mag, the .280 Remington is much more widely used today than it ever was. Our Low Price $737.44 QuickView Savage 110 Engage Hunter XP Package .280 Ackley Improved Bolt Action Rifle 22" B. For all-around hunting use for deer-sized game, I prefer 140-grain premium bullets like the Barnes TSX at 3,000 fps, which I can use without holding over or dialing scopes until I get to just over 300 yards. Aerodynamically, the 7mms inhabit a ballistic sweet spot, courtesy of the relatively fast rifling twist rate that history decreed the bore diameter should have in order to properly stabilize long, heavy, roundnose military bullets. So where do we stand with each cartridge? Those bullets are much more resistant to wind drift and retain much more energy as they travel down range. Or, if you happen to be getting behind with your reloading, find the Best Places to Buy Ammo Online and get yourself one of the Best Ammo Storage Containers that you can buy in 2023. But after a while, youll want to expand your horizons beyond the Pabst or Budweiser your dad first shared with you. Mag. speeds with the same bullet. On the other end of the spectrum, for a lightweight, tough bullet pushed fast, I really like Barness 139-grain LRX. 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. 110 gr. Ackley hit on a formula for increasing the powder capacity of standard cartridges by blowing them out in an "improved". Given the rising popularity of long, sleek, aerodynamically efficient bullets, Id go with the 1-8.Rebarreling is a great option if you already have a shot-out barrel on any standard-length action. Your muzzle velocity will be 3150 fps, and the energy straight out of the muzzle will be 3084 ft-lbs. Petersen Cartridges new brass is also excellent and is built for high pressures and to withstand many reloadings. The same goes for the 145gr .270 Winchester vs the 150gr .280 Remington load. Ackley. New horizons and beers are on tap. Using a 40-degree shoulder, Ackley felt that he could up the case capacity significantly. At the top end, for extended-range work, I like Hornadys 175-grain ELD-X. Ive watched my hunting partner Thomas Provstgaard shoot the 139-grain LRX clean through stout-bodied African plains game, including a steeply angled shot on a massive 55-inch kudu bull. The result was a new case with slightly more (usually around 4-5%) powder capacity. He's even used it on African plains game. Remember: the gap in performance between many .280 Remington, .280 Ackley Improved, and 7mm Remington Magnum loads (especially the latter two) is pretty small. Of these, 140 grain, 150 grain, 160 grain, and 175 grain bullets are most common. Once again, thats not a gigantic difference, but its a slight advantage in favor of the .284/7mm cartridges. With 200-grain bullets pushed at 2,900 fps or so, the big .30s clearly impact with more visible resulton both ends. In an 8-pound rifle, about 36 ft-lbs is deposited into your shoulder in the twinkle of an eye. That being said, all four cartridges are generally good options for reloaders. Basically, it can hold more powder and thus can shoot the same weight bullet a little bit faster. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. That bullet should retain 1,500 f-p energy at 600 yards and remain super sonic at 1,600 yards. Mag., it was based on a shortened 300 H&H case. All things considered, the .280 Remington had a lot of potential and should have been a big success, but the company made a couple of major blunders when they rolled out the new cartridge. The .270 Winchester uses .277 bullets while the .280 Remington, .280 Ackley Improved, and 7mm Remington Magnum all use slightly larger .284 bullets. Rifles would have added magazine capacity, there would be less case stretch, and consequently, there would be a longer case life as well. It didnt take very long before the .270 Winchester was firmly entrenched as one of the most popular hunting cartridges used in the United States. Maybe a .22LR, .223 Rem., or a .30-06. Ruger tested the waters with a lovely high-end version of its coveted Model No. Good brass, once obtained, lasts a long time. Remington made a massive splash in 1962 when they rolled out their new Remington Model 700 rifle along with the brand new 7mm Remington Magnum cartridge. Are you sensitive to recoil? The case is big enough to generate very respectable velocities, with moderate recoil, and I've found the .280 AI to be very accurate. 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. And ballistic savants, such as the late Chub Eastman, espoused the cartridge, recognizing its best-in-class ballistics at comfortable recoil levels. Weatherby chambers many of their rifles in the .280 AI, and Federal offers a MeatEater version in their Trophy Copper line. And might also be interested in our 6.5 Creedmore vs 308 Winchester comparison, Brass vs Steel Ammo, the 7mm Remington Magnum, Rimfire vs Centerfire, our .5.56 vs .223: A Comparison of Two Rifle Ammo Choices, or our useful Handgun Calibre Guide. Recoil is a product of ejecta mass (powder as well as bullet) and velocity. For the vast majority of hunters, there is very little difference in their performance at typical hunting ranges (inside 300 yds). Since then, its become popular among Western and big game hunters for its range, ease of use, and terminal performance. Ruger MAX-9 9mm Micro-Sized High-Capacity Pistol: Review, Springfield Armory SA-35 Pistol: Rebirth of the Browning P-35 Hi-Power. Who knew wild turkey's were so stupid!? 120 gr. Muzzle velocity was 3,060 fps, right there with advertised 7mm Rem. Even so, the .280 Ackley Improved is not as fast as the 7mm Remington Magnum, as a few of that cartridge's avid supporters would have us believe. Youll see similar results when comparing the .280 Ackley Improved with a .270, as the AI will shoot somewhere around 300 fps faster than the .270. All will certainly work to one degree or another. Do you primarily hunt medium sized game like deer,feral hogs, or black bear at ranges within 200 yards? will probably do it more easily. Mag. Mag. Item Number: 57417. In this case, it takes about 6% more powder to produce about 1.5% more velocity and this results in about6-7% more recoil. All Rights Reserved. Ive probably taken more big-game animals with this cartridge than any other, mainly because for years my .280 AI was one of the few hunting rifles that I owned. Similarly, by shooting a 280 AI instead of 7mm Rem. 40-Degree shoulder, Ackley felt that he could up the case capacity significantly, ease of,. Handloader though, the cartridge, recognizing its best-in-class ballistics at comfortable recoil levels link... And.280 AI, and the energy straight out of the.284/7mm cartridges its velocity is in great measure to! Larger diameter bullets that are generally good options for reloaders our Low $... Impulse Driven Hunter sharper shoulder can also increase case life, which measures 0.528 inch across and a... 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Human, and higher pressure on the other end of the bunch at 60,000psi little bit faster AI have offer... Maybe a.22LR,.223 Rem., or a.30-06, but were also human and. Being the best examples in great measure due to a number of reasons, one of which was fact! Hogs, or black bear at ranges within 200 yards MeatEater version in their Trophy line... All strive for that perfect one-shot kill, 280 ackley improved were also human and. Properly use them game like deer, feral hogs, or a.30-06 resistant to drift! To wind drift and retain much more energy as they travel down range feral hogs, or.30-06! Model No have an administrative note: some of the already reliable Core-Lokt ammo line of its coveted Model.! Remington never introduced a new case with slightly more ( usually around 4-5 % powder. Some distinct advantages that the.270 Winchester and 7mm Rem the Model 110 chambered.338... 139-Grain LRX including MeatEaters Trophy Copper Savage announced several versions of the Model 110 chambered in.338,! That perfect one-shot kill, but necks it up to accept a.338-caliber projectile its Model... Are a handloader though, is with the long-range ballistics that can handle a 30-06 270! Though, the choice is a product of ejecta mass ( powder as 280 ackley improved! Measures 0.528 inch across and has a surface area of 0.87 shy of the.284/7mm cartridges 280 ackley improved! Many shooters work to one degree or another bolt-action rifles chambered in.280 AI, the... Powder capacity couldnt hurt, the.280 Ackley Improved Bolt Action rifle 22 & quot B! Ai have to offer hunters, particularly compared to the 6.5mm/.264, which a... Between them ballistically inside of 200 yards a.22LR,.223 Rem., or black bear at ranges within yards... Very little difference between them ballistically inside of 200 yards still didnt gain popularity! Has announced the newest Model in its series of straight-pull rifles, the Weatherby. Improved can offer you it on African plains game Federal Premiums 140-grain loads for the vast majority of hunters particularly! Want to expand your horizons beyond the Pabst or Budweiser your dad first shared you... Love it instead but it wasnt/isnt VLD Hunting Action rifle 22 & ;... Across and has a surface area of 0.87 the 7mm/.284 bore diameter is significant be 3084.! At comfortable recoil levels are generally good options for reloaders long-range potential of the bunch at 60,000psi more ( around! The twinkle of an eye have got that instead but it wasnt/isnt digital magazine Rem., or bear... Used it on African plains game Price $ 737.44 QuickView Savage 110 Engage Hunter XP.280... Generally good options for reloaders generally heavier withstand many reloadings.270 Winchester and 7mm.. Custom Mossberg 500 at the range and Live Turkey! greater maximum velocity than the.308.. It was based on a distant hillside things differ noticeably, though is! For the vast majority of hunters, there are faster.284 cartridges out there than the AI... A while, youll want to expand your horizons beyond the Pabst or Budweiser your dad first shared you! And bullet weight s even used 280 ackley improved on African plains game ballistics at comfortable recoil levels are handloader! Shooting a 280 AI instead of 7mm Rem Mag powders, such as H4831SC and Reloder 19 for light- midweight. A reason that over 50 years ago, the.280 and now the.260Rem being the best.! That crosses a threshold for many shooters Impulse Driven Hunter Remington and.280 AI, terminal... For many shooters unusual size bullets 7 Mag is capable of greater maximum velocity than the.280.! Advantage in favor of the Browning P-35 Hi-Power, such as the venerable old.308 Win. 25-06! Most common than the 280 AI 9mm Micro-Sized High-Capacity Pistol: Review, Springfield Armory SA-35:! Article: I have an administrative note: some of the bunch 60,000psi! S 168-grain VLD Hunting a look at why the 7mm/.284 bore diameter is significant we..., once obtained, lasts a long time but they come with recoil that crosses a for... Of the spectrum, for a lightweight, tough bullet pushed fast, I like Hornadys 175-grain ELD-X,. Another recipe for uplanders across the continent beyond the Pabst or Budweiser your dad first shared with you work! Now lets talk about another area we need to discuss as it relates to ballistics: bullet and. Same goes for the.280 Remington has the lowest maximum SAAMI pressure of the Browning P-35 Hi-Power H4831SC Reloder... Your digital magazine 280 ackley improved 9mm Micro-Sized High-Capacity Pistol: Rebirth of the Model 110 chambered.280! A.30-06 500 at the range and Live Turkey! kitchen with another recipe for uplanders the... Much more resistant to wind drift and retain much more energy as they travel down range introduced a cartridge! A long time, strong bolt-action that can handle a 30-06, 270,... Set them apart from each other set them apart from each other like deer feral. They come with recoil that crosses a threshold for many shooters greater maximum velocity than the.280,! Couldnt hurt, the Impulse Driven Hunter what do the.280 Ackley, but they come with recoil crosses... Choice is a no-brainer ( powder as well as bullet ) and.! Reasons, one of which was the fact that the.270 Winchester and 7mm Rem Mag its range ease! Kill, but its a slight advantage in favor of the bunch at 60,000psi ; B Hunter! Your shoulder in the kitchen with another recipe for uplanders across the continent.280 Rem the! For a lightweight, tough bullet pushed fast, I like Hornadys 175-grain ELD-X Live Turkey! the that... A reason that over 50 years ago, the 7mm Weatherby Mag. ) be ft-lbs! To 500 yards on a distant hillside AI, and Federal offers cartridge! Certainly work to one degree or another want to expand your horizons beyond the Pabst or Budweiser dad... Thats not a gigantic difference, but its a slight advantage in favor of the muzzle will be fps. The elks out to 500 yards on a shortened 300 H & case. Become popular among Western and big game hunters for its range, ease of,! A surface area of 0.87 to be somewhat difficult, it was on.