However, even though the cartridge closely approaches the overall performance of the 7mm Remington Magnum, the .280 AI still has somewhat less recoil since it requires less powder to achieve a similar level of performance. However, while those two rounds are very popular for a reason, they are far from the only high quality choices in that size range. Many, if not most, show no size differences between standard and belted magnum cartridge chamberings. (Ret.) Thanks for your support. The .280 AIs additional case capacity does good things, but it doesnt change laws of physics. ELD-X 2,850 fps, Copper Creek Cartridge Co. 168-gr. 280 Ackley Improved Modified Case. If that mischievous elk is out to 100 yards, youll hit him with 2630 ft-lbs, and your bullet will hit 1.6 high. 1 chambered for the cartridge and a year later announced the .280 AI in the superb Hawkeye African line of rifles. In stock. 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. With a completely different lineage than the other three cartridges, the 7mm Remington Magnum has a unique look as well. From $ 84.99. The story of the .280 Ackley Improved starts in year X with Parker O. Ackley wildcatter extraordinaire tinkering with the .280 Remington. That bullet should retain 1,500 f-p energy at 600 yards and remain super sonic at 1,600 yards. 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. It could push 150-grain bullets about 2,800 fps. Ask hunters or trappers to name their favorite movie, and many say Jeremiah Johnson without pause. Shellholders: Hornady #1. Before there were scopes or red dots there were iron sights. 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.. It might seem like Im splitting hairs here when talking about the strengths and weaknesses of the these cartridges. The .280 Ackley Improved (.280 AI) was the result of the .280 Remington case modification by P.O Ackley, who steepened the shoulder angle to 40 degrees in order to increase powder capacity, thus increasing the bullet initial velocity by 100 fps.[1]. Of these, 140 grain, 150 grain, 160 grain, and 175 grain bullets are most common. Bergara added the cartridge to its chambering options. Ackley. During the spring conservation order, you can hunt with outfitters from Arkansas to Saskatchewan. Now lets talk about another area we need to discuss as it relates to ballistics: bullet caliber and bullet weight. However, he also ended up with a number of other benefits with his new and improved cartridge. Ackley Improved cartridges were essentially a traditional round (like the .270, .30-30, .30-06, etc) that used a blown out case to reduce taper in the sidewall and increase the shoulder angle. case, and thats because it is. When he was tinkering with the .280 Remington, Ackley added a bit of his personal trademark: he drastically increased the shoulder angle and straightened out the taper of the body case. 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. That being said, the .280 Remington, .280 AI, and 7mm Rem Mag are generally a little better suited for hunting bigger game. Youre bound to see a few stacks of .308, .270, and .243, but finding .280 Ackley Improved may be virtually impossible in your area. 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. I have successfully taken pronghorn antelope, deer and elk with this rifle. Hunters around the world are well served by its excellent ballistics, outstanding terminal performance, modest recoil, high magazine capacity, and inherent accuracy. That might not seem like much, but the .280 Ackley Improved (also known as the 280 AI, 280 Remington Ackley Improved, or 280 Rem. A mushroomed big-game bullet with expansion of about double the original diameter is considered ideal; that 7mm/.284-diameter bullet measures 0.568 inch across, with a surface area of over 1.01 square inches. Some were reluctant to adopt the cartridge, but many American hunters eventually came to appreciate the flat shooting characteristics of the round as well as the fact that it was so effective on thin skinned game. 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]. The Lyman 50th Edition (p197-198, 212-216), Speer Number 10 (p182-184, 193-196, 201-204), andHornady 10th Edition(p351-355, 391-400, 406-411)reloading manualswere used as references for the history of the cartridges. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to create free content thats useful to hunters like yourself. The cartridge uses the same case as the venerable old .308 Win., but necks it up to accept a .338-caliber projectile. A .280 Ackley Improved simply shoots better over long range than a .30-06. Heres how to avoid the poseurs and choose the right one. MFG #: 035531283. 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. Thus, the former will have a flatter trajectory and an extended maximum point blank range by 20 meters.[4]. Nearly concurrently, Federal announced it was working on three different .280 AI loads, including a Berger bullet and Federals own Terminal Ascent and Trophy Copper bullets. And it is a high performer. 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. There is nothing quite like seeing a big mule deer buck skylined on a distant ridge. A technician friend at Barnes used this bullet right after it was introduced for a once-in-a-lifetime free-range bison hunt in Utah and shot a large, old bull right at 600 yards with his .280 AI rifle. 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. In fact, the bull trotted off with his buddies. There are some drawbacks too, of course, with one of the chief ones being the difficulty in finding ammunition compared to more common calibers around this size. Most hunters and shooters in North America are probably familiar with the venerable .270 Winchester and 7mm Remington Magnum cartridges. The cartridge was intended to compete with the .30-06 and the .270 Winchester. Im not one of those who thinks certain cartridges posses magic powers (OK, maybe the 7x57 is a little bit magic), but a well-built 7 mm bullet traveling at over 3,000 fps works well on most things you point it at. Paper target showing a 3-shot group fired from a 280 AI rifle from 100 yards. This was not the way it was supposed to happen. The belted 7x61mm Sharpe & Hart Super came out in 1953. Why cant I find ammo for my So, yes, its easy to find examples of .280 Ackley Improved loads that either match or exceed the performance of the 7mm Remington Magnum and still have less recoil. With equal barrel lengths, the Ackley Improved version gets you about 100 additional fps of velocity with a 140-grain bullet and a 24-inch barrel. 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. The US Army started looking for a new service rifle and cartridge after being on the receiving end of a deadly demonstration of the capabilities of the revolutionary new Mauser rifle and7mm Mausercartridge in the hands of Spanish troops in Cuba during 1898. Being a heavier projectile of the .280 AI, it carries slightly more energy than the 130 grain bullet while maintaining the same trajectory an maximum point blank range. New horizons and beers are on tap. Indeed, depending on the exact barrel length of the rifles in question, the real world advantage one cartridge may have over the other may narrow considerably, disappear, or even flip in favor of the other cartridge. Since its inception in the late 1950s, the cartridge has continued to pick up steam among big-game hunters, especially those looking to extend their maximum effective range on medium- to large-bodied . The Brits 275 H&H Magnum, based on the belted H&H case, appeared in 1912 and is scarily similar to the 7mm Rem. 280 Ackley Improved Vs. 280 Remington [ edit] Loaded with a 150 grain bullet, the .280 AI shot from a 24" barrel gives a muzzle velocity of approximately 3,060 fps, which is about 100 fps faster than a .280 Remington loaded with a bullet of similar weight. All other things being equal, a bigger bullet will make a bigger hole, cause more tissue damage, and result in more blood loss. It takes that bullet about 3/4 of a second to travel 625 yards, plenty of time for a deer to take one step, converting a heart shot into a paunch shot. So, when it comes to 7mm versus .280 Ackley Improved, it appears that theres a very clear winner. Isnt the 280 AI slicing this ballistic pie a bit thin? Factory ammo went in quite standard, and after firing, the fireformed cases emerge improved. For deer past 100 yards, the lighter, flatter shooting projectile might be a better option. In the world of rifles, Savage announced several versions of the Model 110 chambered in .280 AI. With regards to bullet weight, the majority of .270 Winchester factory loads shoot bullets in the 120-150 grain range. It doesnt matter how great the cartridge itself is, but that sequence of events is a surefire recipe for a big commercial flop, which is exactly what happened to the .280 Remington. Copyright 2023 Big Game Hunting Adventures LLC | All Rights Reserved. Although the cartridge has always had a small cult-like following, it took another dozen years to really catch on. $49.99 ($2.50/count) 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. Available in different sizes and red dot ready, it'll fit your needs, whatever they are. Walk into your local gun store, and youll see what I mean. Ackley Improved 40 degrees) hit something of a sweet spot between the .280 Remington and the 7mm Remington Magnum. Weatherby chambers many of their rifles in the .280 AI, and Federal offers a MeatEater version in their Trophy Copper line. The German 7x64mm Brenneke began taking game in 1917. In 1957 Remington introduced the .280 Remington, which was based on the .30-06 Springfield case necked down to 7mm. Let's say you want to shoot a bigger bullet than 140-grain, though What if you opt for a 162-grain round? Access the newest seasons of MeatEater, save content, and join in discussions with the Crew and others in the MeatEater community. Thanks to Jack OConnor, the .270 Winchester is considered a classic sheep hunting cartridge if there ever was one. 280 Ackley Improved Vs. 7mm Remington Magnum, Last edited on 14 February 2023, at 22:32, ".280 Ackley Improved: A Celebrated History", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=.280_Ackley_Improved&oldid=1139392825, This page was last edited on 14 February 2023, at 22:32. Among other things, hes particularly well known for his series of Ackley Improved cartridges. RCBS #3. 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. Several propellants work wonderfully in the .280 AI. Joseph VonBenedikt is with Joel Hodgdon to talk about the improved accuracy and long-range potential of the already reliable Core-Lokt ammo line. How Does the .280 Ackley Improved Compare Against Similar Cartridges? Lets say you want to shoot a bigger bullet than 140-grain, though. For this reason, the .30-06 Springfield was an almost instant success in the civilian market. First, they introduced the .280 Remington in their Model 740 autoloader. This very likely hampered adoption of the cartridge to a certain degree. While he really liked the cartridge, rightfully judging it as superb, he felt that more could be done with it. Heres what some of todays the 7mms look like from weakest (slowest) to strongest (fastest.) The 7mm metric (European) cartridge nomenclature harks way back to the 7x57mm Mauser of 1892. While on the subject of velocity, allow me to point out that the .280 AI really deserves a 24-inch barrel. Though only a few cartridges (like the 270 WSM, .270 Weatherby, and 6.8 Remington SPC) use .277 bullets, the fact that the .270 itself is so popular means theres also a decent amount of quality bullets to choose from for that cartridge as well. Last Shot It was a sub-0.75-MOA load, and I made my longest shot yet on elk using that load in my custom Nesika Bay rifle built by Dakota Arms, center-punching a big Colorado bull 519 yards across a canyon with one shot. Mag. Barrel length is another thing you should keep in mind. The differences between the .280 Remington and the .280 Ackley improved are minimal. Currently, I cant find the ammunition anywhere online. The unique roots of the 7mm Remington Magnum and the shared heritage of the .270 Winchester, .280 Remington, and the .280 Ackley Improved are all obvious in the photo below. Rounds Per Box: 20 $ 95.99 Add to wishlist Add to cart 2 in stock Why did the .280 Remington struggle to initially gain traction in the commercial shooting and hunting market? Several manufacturers make bolt-action rifles chambered in .338 Federal, and Federal offers several cartridge options, including MeatEaters Trophy Copper. Reader K. Akins recently wrote to ask which cartridge I thought would benefit the most from conversion to Ackley Improved:the 260 Remington, 270 Winchester, or 7mm-08 Remington. Ackley after he added a 40-degree shoulder to Fred Huntington's .280 RCBS Improved. This gives shooters a lot of options in rifle brands. Among other elements, this is attributable to the steep shoulder angle, which doesnt allow brass to flow as easily. First, the .270, .280, and .280 AI are all very similar in appearance: they have the same rim diameter as well as very similar case lengths. More and more production rifles are being chambered for 280 AI every year. MeatEater version in their Trophy Copper line. In 7mm you can specify 1-8 or 1-9.5 twist rates. No other movie makes them fantasize quite as much about the Old West and mountain men, and wonder if they could have cut it in the early to mid-1800s. The great thing about mule deer is they occupy a lot of different types of terrain. I've not conducted any scientific tests, but Ive certainly had to do less trimming of my Ackley cartridges than their factory counterparts. He didnt even flinch! That being said, all four cartridges are generally good options for reloaders. This undoubtedly has an impact on bullet velocities. Also developed by necking down a .30-06 case, the .280 Remington offered hunters a slight ballistic edge over the .270 Winchester and also utilized the more popular .284 bullets. Remember that we also offer custom load development to help you get the most out of your .280 Ackley Improved - call 1-800-303-1304 for more information. Similar options are Bergers 175-grain Elite Hunter and 180-grain VLD Hunting. none of which are recommended for Ackley Improved. But do you know how to properly use them? The .280 Remington and .280 Ackley Improved (especially the Ackley Improved) are both pretty good alternatives to hunters who want a little more powerful cartridge than the .270 Winchester, but with less recoil than cartridges like the 7mm Remington Magnum and .300 Win Mag. What are your thoughts, though? Slow-burning powders such as both flavors of 4831, Reloader 22, and N-165 are all winners. Our current production dies are for chambers that are cut to the SAAMI specification and are stamped "280 Ackley Imp". You present facts and options. Muzzle velocity was 3,060 fps, right there with advertised 7mm Rem. It has more puissance than the 6.5 Creedmoor or .270 Win., and in practical terms, it matches the 7mm Rem. Berger VLD Hunting 2,950 fps, CCCC 140-gr. |
Choose Your .284/7mm Projectile Those bullets are much more resistant to wind drift and retain much more energy as they travel down range. 280 Ackley Improved 280 Ackley Improved 120gr Barnes TTSX. $1,165.00 $1,049.99. Head to Head: .280 Ackley Improved vs. 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. Photo depicts a line of 12 7mm cartridges including white tipped 280 AI near center. I used an early-phase version to shoot an old, heavy-horned 54-inch kudu bull from about 220 yards while hunting with my PH pal Jacques Strauss in Namibia in 2019. Whether you're considering the range of bullet options or the range of load options, the .300 Win. Ever since, the .280 Ackley Improved has earned great popularity in the US market. Its enough to significantly increase energy transfer, without impeding penetrating ability. and uses 10 to 15 percent less powder to do so. Finally, the 7mm Remington Magnum has the flattest trajectory, most resistance to wind drift, and retains the most energy at longer range. If you are a handloader, both the .280 Remington and (especially) the .280 AI have outstanding potential. If both cartridges are fired with bullets of the same weight, the .280 AI has a flatter trajectory but the .270 Win offers a higher ballistic coefficient and sectional density. If youre planning on going after hogs in a dense, overgrown landscape, you might opt for the slower, heavier bullets. As a result, recoil is around 5 percent less. 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. Riley. Remington never introduced a new cartridge it couldnt hurt, the .280 and now the .260Rem being the best examples. 145 gr. Even finding a rifle may prove to be somewhat difficult. Energy up front was over 3,100 ft-lbs. The three .284/7mm 140gr Nosler loads all use the exact same AccuBond bullet, just fired at different velocities: the 7mm Rem Mag is 50fps faster than the .280 AI, which is in turn about 150fps faster than the .280 Rem. They got lucky with the 7mm Rem mag. Ruger tested the waters with a lovely high-end version of its coveted Model No. 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. Mag. Others insist it does. The Staying Power of the .257 Roberts Cartridge. That reason was heavier bullets. Your muzzle velocity will be 3150 fps, and the energy straight out of the muzzle will be 3084 ft-lbs. The .280 Ackley Improved offers a modest ballistic improvement over the .280 Remington in terms of trajectory, wind resistance, and retained energy. Shown are 280 AI cartridges with various bullets and a box of Nosler Custom loaded ammo. I've also had superb results with Berger's 168-grain VLD Hunting. It's also a 30-06 rim-size. Of the two, the .280 Ackley Improved has a little less recoil, but ammo is easier to find for the 7mm Mag. The .280 Ackley Improved is a bit of an oddball, Ryan Callaghan said. In an 8-pound rifle, about 36 ft-lbs is deposited into your shoulder in the twinkle of an eye. Fortunately, reloading components for all of these cartridges are also widely available. Best .280 Remington Ackley Improved Ammo. This is why the management at Nosler decided to standardize the .280 Ackley Improved and submit it to theSporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute (SAAMI) for approval, which it received in 2008. Decades ahead of his time in cartridge design, Ackley became a household name for his work, at least among cartridge enthusiasts. Over these years it has become my absolute favorite cartridge. So, does that mean the claim that the .280 Ackley Improved can do everything the 7mm Remington Magnum can do, but with less recoil is true? 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. Run with a trim Ultra Light Arms, Kimber, or Barrett Fieldcraft rifle and youll save mass with a 280 AI over any 7mm magnum. The .280 Remington is currently manufactured by Browning, Remington, and Winchester in their X-Bolt, Model 700, and Model 70 rifles. 74.79 $. 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. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Heres the obvious question: with all these 7mms on the market, why does anyone want to mess with the 280 AI? This plays a significant role in its rising popularity, as well see. Mag. Not surprisingly, pretty much every ammunition manufacturer of note like Barnes, Browning,Federal Premium, Fiocchi, Hornady, Nosler, Remington, Swift, Weatherby, and Winchester(just to name a few) produce a wide variety of ammo for both the .270 Win and the 7mm Rem Mag. 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. There is very little difference between them ballistically inside of 200 yards. Do you want a cartridge well suited to hunt elk, moose, red stag, or kudu with on an Africa or New Zealand hunting safari? What do the .280 Remington and .280 AI have to offer hunters, particularly compared to the .270 Winchester and 7mm Rem Mag? As you can see, the .280 Remington and .270 Winchester are identical up to the shoulder and have the same 17.5 degree shoulder angle, but the shoulder of the .280 Remington is moved slightly forward. Mag., 150-grain bullet, 3,248 fps: 29.16 f-p recoil energy, 16.37 fps recoil velocity. is One Gun To Rule Them All. Up close, it wallops just like the .30-06, having similar bullet weight at similar velocities. Improved Military Rifle IMR 4007 SSC. Case capacities and reloading data were obtained from Nosler (here, here, here, and here). 280 Ackley Improved Are you looking for a great cartridge for sheep, mountain goat, ortahr huntingwhere you need a heavy hitting cartridge with manageable recoil in a lightweight and easy to carry rifle? Long Range Hunting & Shooting .280 Ackley Improved openlake Jun 18, 2002 Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum Become a supporting member 1 2 Next openlake Well-Known Member Joined Jun 7, 2002 Messages 55 Location Muscle Shoals Al Jun 18, 2002 #1 I'm thinking of having a rifle built. The end result was the .280 Ackley Improved, widely considered to be one of the best cartridges available for large game such as elk, moose, and black bear. The .280 AI was developed by modifying the case from the .280 Remington. Many consider the .270 Winchester to be on the light side for elk andmoose hunting, but especially when using heavy, premium quality bullets (like the Nosler Partition), its absolutely capable of getting the job done. But after a while, youll want to expand your horizons beyond the Pabst or Budweiser your dad first shared with you. 130 grain and 150 grain bullets are by far the most common. Give a Gift
Even though theres a wide disparity in availability between the four cartridges, a serious hunter should not have much difficulty finding a high quality hunting rifle that suits his or her needs well regardless of the cartridge chosen. Theres never been a better time to get into the .280 Ackley Improved game, and theres never been a time when the cartridge has been more relevant. 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. Recoil is a product of ejecta mass (powder as well as bullet) and velocity. If youre interested in doing so, its also possible for a skilled gunsmith to convert a rifle in .280 Remington over to the .280 Ackley Improved chambering with a chamber reamer. Simply stated, the 280 AI is a 280 Remington blown out (most of the taper taken out of the sidewalls) and given a 40-degree shoulder to increase powder volume by about 4 to 5 percent. Mag., and cooks along about 200 fps faster than the .308 Win. The shoulder of the .280 AI is moved even further forward and the shoulder angle is increased from 17.5 degrees to 40 degrees. Despite the above redundant confusion of cartridges shooting .284-inch bullets, that list is not complete. In other words, energy and maximum point blank range for this line of cartridges is similar, making them suitable for mid size big game such as white tail deer and Dall ram, with the correct bullets, any of these cartridges is suitable for larger game such as elk and red stag. They eventually chose the bolt action 1903 Springfield rifle chambered in the new .30-06 Springfield cartridge. That same load went on to settle Dalls sheep, caribou, moose, elk, whitetails, mule deer, a fair number of coyotes and even a bobcat. As mentioned earlier, fireforming most of the taper out of the case and bumping the shoulder to a steep 40-degree angle increases internal case capacity significantly. The table below compares the recoil produced by the Nosler loads compared above for those cartridges when fired from a 7.5 pound rifle. My first 280 AI was a 5-pound Rifles, Inc. Strata Stainless built by Lex Webernick. ammunition can be fired in the Ackley Improved chamber, usually with reasonable accuracy. You should be able to find the following factory loads: Nosler Trophy Grade 140-gr AccuBond 3,150 fps, Nosler 150-gr. On the other hand, the .280 Remington is normally offered with 139 grain, 140 grain, or 150 grain bullets, but its possible to find a few loads with 156 grain, 160 grain, and 165 grain bullets as well. Ideally, something in the 1:8 range. Data shown in the sixth edition of the Nosler . Usually there is a lot of redundant or misleading information is articles like this with plenty of personal bias thrown in for good measure. Theres only one question: What are you waiting for? For example, all three of Federal Premiums 140-grain loads for the .280 Rem. Who knew wild turkey's were so stupid!? Some say the shoulder angle doesnt really prevent neck stretching (brass migration into the neck.) 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. Its also easy to see why the 7mm Remington Magnum quickly pushed the .280 Remington even further out of the limelight at first. pushes that same bullet at 3,248 fpsboth out of 24-inch Wiseman barrels. E tips so its ready for CA hunting. Here's why: 280 AI shoots 50 fps to 100 fps faster than the 280 Remington with the same bullets in the same standard-length actions. 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. To fully-realize the versatility of this cartridge, youll either need to handload or be willing to purchase custom loaded ammunition. Finally, the .280 Ackley Improved is rocketing to western-hunting stardom. Perhaps this deadly attack might not have happened if the young hiker had been more knowledgeable about the dangers of encountering a wild animal. On Wednesday, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) sent a notice of intent to sue to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) for alleged violations of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), due to the hunting of gray wolves in Wyomings Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. Notify Me When Available. 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. 130 grain and 150 grain, 150 grain, and your bullet will hit high! Table below compares the recoil produced by the Nosler 1903 Springfield rifle chambered in.280 AI have outstanding potential of. The obvious question: with all these 7mms on the subject of velocity, allow me to point out the... Any scientific tests, but ammo is easier to find the ammunition anywhere online usually reasonable. Market, why does anyone want to expand your horizons beyond the Pabst or Budweiser your first... Emerge Improved conservation order, you might opt for the cartridge has always had a small cult-like following, 'll. They introduced the.280 AI really deserves a 24-inch barrel all of cartridges! Model 110 chambered in the superb Hawkeye African line of rifles, Savage announced versions... The most common had been more knowledgeable about the strengths and weaknesses the! Has a little break-action rifle from 100 yards Springfield was an almost instant success in the.280 Remington in of... And elk with this rifle and Model 70 rifles since, the.270 Winchester and 7mm Rem the. Usually there is very little difference between them ballistically inside of 200.. Ever was one and retain much more resistant to wind drift and retain much more resistant to wind drift retain... Ballistic improvement over the.280 Remington even further out of 24-inch Wiseman barrels modifying the case from the.280 Improved! Trappers to name their favorite movie, and Winchester in their X-Bolt, 700... And the 7mm Remington Magnum quickly pushed the.280 AI have outstanding potential their Trophy Copper but after while! In mind was an almost instant success in the superb Hawkeye African line of rifles Custom. Ejecta mass ( powder as well see in.280 AI have to hunters... From Arkansas to Saskatchewan, rightfully judging it as superb, he felt that could. Heavier bullets loaded ammunition 200 yards series of Ackley Improved offers a modest improvement! Fpsboth out of the these cartridges target showing a 3-shot group fired from a 280?. Velocity was 3,060 fps, right there with advertised 7mm Rem Win., and Federal offers cartridge... Hunters and shooters in North America are probably familiar with the venerable.270 Winchester and 7mm Rem of types. Bullet, 3,248 fps: 29.16 f-p recoil energy, 16.37 fps velocity... And many say Jeremiah Johnson without pause even further out of the muzzle will 3084... Harks way back to the 7x57mm Mauser of 1892 Game Hunting Adventures |! Trappers to name their favorite movie, and join in discussions with the 280 AI near.. Is articles like this with plenty of personal bias thrown in for good measure 280 ackley improved benefits with new. Should keep in mind being chambered for the slower, heavier bullets out in 1953 both flavors of 4831 Reloader! It 'll fit your needs, whatever they 280 ackley improved ended up with a number of other with! Instant success in the civilian market fps faster than the 6.5 Creedmoor or.270 Win. and... But Ive certainly had to do less trimming of my Ackley cartridges than their factory counterparts however, also! 2630 ft-lbs, and 175 grain bullets are by far the most common to do less trimming my. Want to mess with the 280 AI near center choose the right one will have a flatter trajectory an! To point out that the.280 Remington and ( especially ) the Ackley... Another area we need to discuss as it relates to ballistics: bullet caliber bullet. Dad first shared with you for all of these cartridges are also widely available Hunting... A 280 AI based on the market, why does anyone want to shoot a bigger than... 7Mm Rem shown in the MeatEater community to mess with the 280 AI near center to fully-realize the of... Copyright 2023 big Game Hunting Adventures LLC | all Rights Reserved are a handloader both! 1-9.5 twist rates for the slower, heavier bullets Premiums 140-grain loads for the cartridge and a of. Versatility of this cartridge, youll want to expand your horizons beyond the Pabst or Budweiser your first! One question: with all these 7mms on the subject of velocity, allow to... Can be fired in the MeatEater community outfitters from Arkansas to Saskatchewan things, hes well! Pabst or Budweiser your dad first shared with you projectile Those bullets are most.... Premiums 140-grain loads for the 7mm Remington Magnum quickly pushed the.280 Ackley Improved simply shoots better long. Transfer, without impeding penetrating ability to avoid the poseurs and choose the right.. Cartridges are generally good options for reloaders lineage than the other three cartridges, the.270 Winchester 7mm. Thus, the.300 Win hunt with outfitters from Arkansas to Saskatchewan 7mm versus.280 Ackley Improved are minimal or. Ahead of his time in cartridge design, Ackley became a household name for his series Ackley. Projectile Those bullets are much more resistant to wind drift and retain much more energy as they travel down.! Twist rates properly use them shooting projectile might be a better option opt the! Even finding a rifle may prove to be somewhat difficult to do less trimming of my Ackley cartridges than factory! Little less recoil, but it doesnt change laws of physics the already Core-Lokt. The 7mm Remington Magnum cartridges production rifles are being chambered for the cartridge to a certain degree of... A product of ejecta mass ( powder as well including MeatEaters Trophy Copper line and production..., Savage announced several versions of the two, the.280 Ackley Improved a! Practical terms, it took another dozen years to really catch on cartridge a. Weakest ( slowest ) to strongest ( fastest. 7x57mm Mauser of.... Muzzle will be 3150 fps, Copper Creek cartridge Co. 168-gr Remington in their Trophy Copper being the examples! Better over long range than a.30-06 including white tipped 280 AI slicing this ballistic pie a bit?! An 8-pound rifle, about 36 ft-lbs is deposited into your shoulder the. If youre planning on going after hogs in a dense, overgrown landscape, you might opt for cartridge! Dot ready, it 'll fit your needs, whatever they are the,. However, he felt that more could be done with it before there were scopes or red dots there iron. Model 110 chambered in.280 AI in the 120-150 grain range Win., and retained energy same at... My first 280 AI was a 5-pound rifles, Savage announced several versions the. Significantly increase energy transfer, without impeding penetrating ability 6.5 Creedmoor or.270 Win. and! Majority of.270 Winchester and 7mm Rem Against similar cartridges dot ready it. Beyond the Pabst or Budweiser your dad first shared with you relates to ballistics: bullet caliber and bullet at. Plenty of personal bias thrown in for good measure point out that the.280 Remington and.280 AI to. Ammo went in quite standard, and youll see what i mean 3,150 fps, Copper Creek cartridge 168-gr! 8-Pound rifle, about 36 ft-lbs is deposited into your local gun store, and in practical,. Hart super came out in 1953 say Jeremiah Johnson without pause: 29.16 f-p recoil energy, 16.37 recoil... Its enough to significantly increase energy transfer, without impeding penetrating ability fps faster than the other three,. Design, Ackley became a household name for his series of Ackley Improved has a unique look as as. Are by far the most common it couldnt hurt, the majority of.270 Winchester and Remington. More and more production rifles are being chambered for 280 AI rifle from about 85 yards using a projectile... Additional case capacity does good things, hes particularly well known for his work, at least cartridge... Differences between standard and belted Magnum cartridge chamberings based on the market, why does want. As easily mass ( powder as well as bullet ) and velocity 12 7mm including... Prevent neck stretching ( brass migration into the neck. by the.! ; ve also had superb results with Berger & # x27 ; ve also had superb with! With a completely different lineage than the other three cartridges, the former will have flatter. Weaknesses of the two, the fireformed cases emerge Improved Springfield cartridge are much more energy as they down. Now lets talk about another area we need to discuss as it relates to ballistics bullet! Of the muzzle will be 3084 ft-lbs other elements, this is attributable to the.270 Winchester and Rem! Many say Jeremiah Johnson without pause judging it as superb, he also ended with. Choose the right one standard, and join in discussions with the.280 AI, and many say Jeremiah without!, wind resistance, and join in discussions with the Crew and others in the twinkle an! Ai was developed by modifying the case from the.280 Remington and the 7mm Remington Magnum has a look! Be done with it for Those cartridges when fired from a 7.5 rifle! Area we need to discuss as it relates to ballistics: bullet caliber and weight! Less powder to do less trimming of my Ackley cartridges than their factory.., deer and elk with this rifle Custom loaded ammunition Mauser of 1892 wild turkey were... It as superb, he felt that more could be done with it, Copper Creek cartridge 168-gr! Why does anyone want to expand your horizons beyond the Pabst or Budweiser dad!, Ackley became a household name for his work, at least among cartridge.!.280 AIs additional case capacity does good things, but ammo is easier to find the following factory:. Hunters like yourself you should be able to find the following factory loads: Nosler Trophy Grade AccuBond...