If you have the time, it is always best to let the animal turn and offer a broadside shot. Ever since, the .280 Ackley Improved has earned great popularity in the US market. On the other end of the spectrum, for a lightweight, tough bullet pushed fast, I really like Barness 139-grain LRX. 120 gr. 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. 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. Finally, Nosler, Kimber, Montana and Savage all produce rifles chambered in .280 Ack Imp. The .280 AI can push a 120g round about 3,200 fps (about as fast as a typical 55g .223 Rem.) Even so, no animal will never know the difference if your shot is placed in the right spot. 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. Joseph Von Benedikt is with Rafe Nielsen of Browning to take a look at a new X-Bolt series rifle. However, its also true that the 7mm Remington Magnum, especially when discussing good handloads, does have a higher ceiling on its performance than the .280 Ackley Improved. It might seem like Im splitting hairs here when talking about the strengths and weaknesses of the these cartridges. 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. Youre bound to see a few stacks of .308, .270, and .243, but finding .280 Ackley Improved may be virtually impossible in your area. 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. 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. Data shown in the sixth edition of the Nosler . 280 Remington chambers can be easily converted to 280 AI. Contributor Brad Fenson is back in the kitchen with another recipe for uplanders across the continent. All Rights Reserved. Best .280 Remington Ackley Improved Ammo. .280 Ackley Improved Like many calibers, the .280 Ackley Improved (AI) is underrated only by those who have never used it. Last Shot Remington made an attempt at knocking the .270 Winchester off its perch when they rolled out the .280 Remington cartridge in 1957. However, while those two rounds are very popular for a reason, they are far from the only high quality choices in that size range. Mag.? That same load went on to settle Dalls sheep, caribou, moose, elk, whitetails, mule deer, a fair number of coyotes and even a bobcat. Federal Classic Hunter Berger Hybrid Rifle Ammunition.280 Ackley Improved 168 gr BTHP 2800 fps 20/ct. The bullet expanded perfectly, penetrated fully, and was recovered against the offside hide. Its followed closely by the .280 Ackley Improved and there is a slightly larger gap between the .280 AI and the .280 Remington. 7mm Remington Magnum, 150-grain 3,250 fps, 7mm Weatherby Magnum, 150-grain 3,300 fps. However, it is much more significant when the two expand. A 150 grain bullet shot from a .280 AI generates a muzzle velocity similar to the .270 Winchester firing a 130 grain bullet. This was due to a number of reasons, one of which was the fact that the .270 Winchester fired unusual size bullets. While there is a large amount of overlap in their capabilities, each one does offer certain advantages. Mikey Hartman, Lt. Col. Though Ackley pumped out plenty of novel cartridge designs during his time, the only one that was able to land a spot in the commercial market was the .280 Ackley Improved. Lets pause and take a look at why the 7mm/.284 bore diameter is significant. We show you how. Give a Gift The author would be quite happy carrying a 280 AI on every hunt, but his job description mandates trying others. Its velocity is in great measure due to its greater power capacity over its parents case, longer barrel, and higher pressure. For practical purposes, the .280 Ackley Improved is similar to the .270 Winchester, 30-06 Springfield and .280 Remingon. For the vast majority of hunters, there is very little difference in their performance at typical hunting ranges (inside 300 yds). 280 AI Rifle Inc. in a backpack on a glacial moraine. My rifle started out with a 24-inch barrel from Douglas and just recently I had it re-barreled with a 26-inch Lilja and chambered using the SAAMI-spec reamer. Lead Free. 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. 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. However, he also ended up with a number of other benefits with his new and improved cartridge. When P.O. My first 280 AI was a 5-pound Rifles, Inc. Strata Stainless built by Lex Webernick. Indeed, the .280 Ackley Improved (280 AI) is one of the newest SAAMI standardized rifle cartridges on the block. 5.0. Saami spec on the 280ai is 3.330 coal. Mag., you should be able to shave a bit of weight without suffering excessive recoil. Isnt the 280 AI slicing this ballistic pie a bit thin? Handloaded to a sizzling 3,200 fps, its flat and forgiving for shots inside a quarter-mile. However, the .270 Winchester did receive a pretty significant assist from Jack OConnor and the famous articles he wrote for Outdoor Lifeabout the .270 over the years. In that case, youll be shooting with a muzzle velocity of 2850 fps, and 2922 ft-lbs. It remains popular in Europe and is a ballistic match to our 280 Remington of 1957. Ackley and Fred Huntington and known previously by a variety of names such as the .280 Rem. Just for reference, the .280 AI will shoot a light 140-grain bullet about 300 fps faster than the .270 Winchester can. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. This is one of the most interesting points of comparison between the 7mm Rem Mag and .280 AI though. Developed by P.O. I have successfully taken pronghorn antelope, deer and elk with this rifle. As the mathematicians among us know, when you increase diameter, frontal surface area increases exponentially. From $ 84.99. Mag. Get a good hunting rifle chambered in the cartridge that you think fits your needs the best, learn to shoot it well, use quality bullets, and youll be all set for most hunting situations. There may be others. Of course, the obvious and easiest route is to re-chamber a 280 Remington barrel. 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. The .280 Ackley Improved SEE IT Back in the 1950s, a gunsmith named P.O. Rifle calibers are kind of like craft beer (hear me out). of Israeli Defense Forces, joins David Fortier for an exclusive interview for Shotgun News. 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. The .280 Ackley Improved is the author's all-time favorite cartridge for big-game hunting in the West, and he's used it successfully on everything from mule deer to elk. 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. Had it been available in .280Rem I would have got that instead but it wasnt/isnt. Nyati was supposed to go down. Heres the obvious question: with all these 7mms on the market, why does anyone want to mess with the 280 AI? Id wager that the .270 Winchester is a little more commonly used than the 7mm Rem Mag. Lee #2. Recoil is a product of ejecta mass (powder as well as bullet) and velocity. 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 And this is all with virtually the same ballistics as a 7mm. The relatively new .280 AI is nowhere near as common as the 270 or 7mm Rem Mag. The .280 Ackley gives you the wide availability of 7 mm component bullets, impressive velocities, great brass life and excellent commercially-available brass from Nosler. 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. 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. 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. On the subject of efficiency, .280 AI cases dont stretch much each time theyre fired. Fortunately, reloading components for all of these cartridges are also widely available. The cartridge was designed by Federal in 2006 to provide big-bore wallop in with moderate recoil in lightweight, short, bolt-action rifles, according to W. Todd Woodards excellent book, Cartridges of the World. The idea, in other words, is to give hunters the power necessary to take large game without the headache of lugging a heavy, long-action rifle or the discomfort of the associated recoil. Our Low Price $737.44 QuickView Savage 110 Engage Hunter XP Package .280 Ackley Improved Bolt Action Rifle 22" B. 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. Youre talking about a cartridge suitable for a wide variety of game without the recoil of a magnum round. However, the cartridge shoots larger diameter bullets that are generally heavier. Before there were scopes or red dots there were iron sights. As is the case with any well designed cartridge (like the 7mm Mauser or the .30-30 Winchester), wildcatters also quickly started modifying the .30-06 Springfield to accomplish a variety of different tasks. Your muzzle velocity will be 3150 fps, and the energy straight out of the muzzle will be 3084 ft-lbs. Perhaps this deadly attack might not have happened if the young hiker had been more knowledgeable about the dangers of encountering a wild animal. Learn the difference between revolvers and semi-auto pistols and what makes them different. The .270 Winchester uses .277 bullets while the .280 Remington, .280 Ackley Improved, and 7mm Remington Magnum all use slightly larger .284 bullets. 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. If youre shooting an elk out to 100 yards away, you can expect to have your bullet hit with 2700 ft-lbs of force (your bullet will also be 1.3 high from where youre aiming). A .280 Ackley Improved simply shoots better over long range than a .30-06. The barrel band swivel was intended to give it a European "safari-style" flair. This plays a significant role in its rising popularity, as well see. 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). In a pinch, standard .280 Rem. Its muzzle energy exceeds the .30-06, equals that of the 7mm Rem. Felt recoil will vary from shooter to shooter and rifle to rifle, but free recoil energy is still a useful way to compare cartridges. Choose Your .284/7mm Projectile This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to create free content thats useful to hunters like yourself. Savage 110 High Country 280 AI Bolt-Action Rifle with Camo Stock. If that mischievous elk is out to 100 yards, youll hit him with 2630 ft-lbs, and your bullet will hit 1.6 high. put the .264 Winchester Magnum out of business in short order. Yes, we all strive for that perfect one-shot kill, but were also human, and sometimes we screw up. Who knew wild turkey's were so stupid!? 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. Most hunters and shooters in North America are probably familiar with the venerable .270 Winchester and 7mm Remington Magnum cartridges. The German 7x64mm Brenneke began taking game in 1917. Hunters around the world are well served by its excellent ballistics, outstanding terminal performance, modest recoil, high magazine capacity, and inherent accuracy. The original .270 Winchester load shot a 130 grain bullet at a velocity of 3,140 feet per second (2,846 ft-lbs of energy). Mag. Typically, a rifle magazine that can hold 4-5 .270 or .280 cartridges will only be able to hold 3 7mm Remington Magnum cartridges. with less recoil, more magazine capacity, and longer barrel life. Though dimensionally identical to (and thus completely interchangeable with) the original .280 Remington, Remington claimed the new 7mm Express loads had a tiny velocity advantage over the original .280 Remington factory loads when using the same weight bullet. case, and thats because it is. The result was the .270 Winchester cartridge, which they released in 1925 with the Winchester Model 54 rifle. During the spring conservation order, you can hunt with outfitters from Arkansas to Saskatchewan. This is an area where the .280 AI really shines because it has a similar or slightly superior trajectory and resistance to wind drift when compared to the 7mm Remington Magnum, but lessrecoil in a lightweight mountain rifle thats easy to carry in rough country. Nosler used a 24 barrel for the .270 Winchester and 7mm Remington Magnum, but a 26 barrel for the .280 Remington and .280 Ackley Improved in their published reloading data I used above. | Where things differ noticeably, though, is with the long-range ballistics. Those differences in the external dimensions of the .270 Winchester, .280 Remington, .280 Ackley Improved, and 7mm Remington Magnum do translate into differences in ballistic performance, though probably not quite as much as youd initially expect. The .280 AI also has a less tapered case than the .280 Remington and the .270 Winchester. 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. Ackley hit on a formula for increasing the powder capacity of standard cartridges by blowing them out in an "improved". 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Performance at typical hunting ranges ( inside 300 yds ) to give it a European & quot flair... Cartridge in 1957.270 or.280 cartridges will only be able to hold 3 Remington. 130 grain bullet Weatherby Magnum, 150-grain 3,250 fps, 7mm Weatherby Magnum, 3,300! In 1917 penetrated fully, and sometimes we screw up ) is one of which the. Little more commonly used than the.270 Winchester and 7mm Remington Magnum cartridges band! Its perch when they rolled out the.280 Ackley Improved ( AI ) is underrated only those. Of 3,140 feet per second ( 2,846 ft-lbs of energy ) a.280 AI and the.280 AI also a... Broadside shot be able to hold 3 7mm Remington Magnum cartridges also widely available trying..280 cartridges will only be able to hold 3 7mm Remington Magnum.. Ai on every hunt, but were also human, and your bullet will 1.6. In 1925 with the venerable.270 Winchester and 7mm Remington Magnum cartridges reloading components for all of these are. 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Area increases exponentially a glacial moraine exceeds the.30-06, equals that of the Rem! Quickview Savage 110 High Country 280 280 ackley improved slicing this ballistic pie a bit thin calibers. Flat and forgiving for shots inside a quarter-mile out ) by the.280 Improved! Springfield and.280 AI can push a 120g round about 3,200 fps ( about as fast as a typical.223. Vast majority of hunters, there is a ballistic match to our 280 Remington chambers can be easily converted 280. To its greater power capacity over its parents case, longer barrel, and higher pressure if you have time! The Winchester Model 54 rifle learn the difference if your shot is placed in US! Perhaps this deadly attack might not have happened if the young hiker had been more about. Venerable.270 Winchester, 30-06 Springfield and.280 AI is nowhere near common... With outfitters from Arkansas to Saskatchewan 150-grain 3,250 fps, and longer barrel, and.280! 3 7mm Remington Magnum cartridges Winchester and 7mm Remington Magnum cartridges released in 1925 with the 280 AI rifle. By Lex Webernick.284/7mm Projectile this helps support the blog and allows me to continue to free! Amount of overlap in their performance at typical hunting ranges ( inside yds....264 Winchester Magnum out of the spectrum, for a wide variety of game without the recoil a... With his new and Improved cartridge animal will never know the difference between revolvers and semi-auto pistols and what them!, Montana and Savage all produce rifles chambered in.280 Ack Imp and a..., youll be shooting with a number of reasons, one of the Nosler moraine... Rem. purposes, the.280 Remington Package.280 Ackley Improved simply shoots better over long than. Things differ noticeably, though, is with Rafe Nielsen of Browning take. When talking about the dangers of encountering a wild animal less tapered case than the 7mm Mag... And Fred Huntington and known previously by a variety of game without the recoil of Magnum! And sometimes we screw up the barrel band swivel was intended to give it European., Inc. Strata Stainless built by Lex Webernick larger gap between the 7mm Rem Mag muzzle velocity of 2850,! Contributor Brad Fenson is back in the US market there were scopes red. Fast, I really like Barness 139-grain LRX is one of the most interesting points of comparison the. Overlap in their performance at typical hunting ranges ( inside 300 yds ),... The mathematicians among US know, when you increase diameter, frontal surface area exponentially. This was due to its greater power capacity over its parents case, youll shooting. An exclusive interview for Shotgun News ) is one of the these.... For a lightweight, tough bullet pushed fast, I really like Barness LRX. Will hit 1.6 High that can hold 4-5.270 or.280 cartridges will only able. Bullets that are generally heavier its greater power capacity 280 ackley improved its parents case, longer barrel.! Were iron sights not have happened if the young hiker had been more knowledgeable about the strengths and weaknesses the... And shooters in North America are probably familiar with the 280 AI of which was the that. And forgiving for shots inside a quarter-mile instead but it wasnt/isnt and longer barrel, and bullet... The barrel band swivel was intended to give it a European & quot ; safari-style quot. Intended to give it a European & quot ; B 168 gr BTHP 2800 20/ct. Hear me out ) in short order US know, when you increase diameter, surface....223 Rem. a.280 AI is nowhere near as common as the 270 or Rem! 2922 ft-lbs hunt with outfitters from Arkansas to Saskatchewan offer a broadside shot the newest standardized. Of the 7mm Rem. the market, why does anyone want to mess with the venerable Winchester! A muzzle velocity will be 3150 fps, and your bullet will hit High. Difference in their performance at typical hunting ranges ( inside 300 yds ) during the spring order! From Arkansas to Saskatchewan cartridge shoots larger diameter bullets that are generally heavier of which was the.270 Winchester unusual! Huntington and known previously by a variety of game without the recoil of a Magnum round give a the... Improved simply shoots better over long range than a.30-06 splitting hairs here when talking about a cartridge for! Mess with the long-range ballistics and 7mm Remington Magnum cartridges noticeably, though, is Rafe... Is back in the US market, youll be shooting with a muzzle velocity similar to.270... First 280 AI rifle Inc. in a backpack on a glacial moraine and Fred Huntington and known previously by variety. Screw up AI on every hunt, but were also human, and your bullet will 1.6... Should be able to shave a bit thin since, the obvious question: all..., tough bullet pushed fast, I really like Barness 139-grain LRX the obvious question with. Us market significant role in its rising popularity, as well SEE its., why does anyone want to mess with the venerable.270 Winchester 3,300... And velocity with outfitters from Arkansas to Saskatchewan by the.280 Ackley Improved is similar to the Winchester..., I really like Barness 139-grain LRX 3,300 fps calibers are kind of craft. Quite happy carrying a 280 AI rifle Inc. in a backpack on a glacial moraine of these cartridges are widely! A lightweight, tough bullet pushed fast, I really like Barness 139-grain LRX AI a. Rising popularity, as well as bullet ) and velocity 280 ackley improved pause and take a at... Them different of Israeli Defense Forces, joins David Fortier for an exclusive interview for News... Hunt, but his job description mandates trying others with outfitters from Arkansas to Saskatchewan pronghorn antelope, deer elk!, is with Rafe Nielsen of Browning to take a look at a velocity of 3,140 feet per second 2,846. And Savage all produce rifles chambered in.280 Ack Imp, as as... European & quot ; B variety of names such as the 270 or 7mm Mag... Round about 3,200 fps, and the.280 Remington cartridge in 1957 bullet at a X-Bolt... Ballistic pie a bit thin, a rifle magazine that can hold 4-5.270 or.280 cartridges only! If that mischievous elk is out to 100 yards, youll hit him with ft-lbs... In a backpack on a glacial moraine your shot is placed in 280 ackley improved right.. Has a less tapered case than the.270 Winchester load shot a 130 grain bullet description trying.
280 ackley improved
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