At MeatEater, we get a lot of questions about where to go on a first time mule deer hunt. However, the 7mm Remington Magnum is still capable of greater velocities overall. I'm afraid I don't have encouraging . Its also easy to see why the 7mm Remington Magnum quickly pushed the .280 Remington even further out of the limelight at first. in a package that gives additional room in the magazine (as the body diameter is smaller), and makes an excellent all-around choice. Since then, its become popular among Western and big game hunters for its range, ease of use, and terminal performance. The actual performance difference between Ackley Improved cartridges and their parents varies, with some realizing a much bigger jump in velocity than others. The .280 Ackley Improved is a bit of an oddball, Ryan Callaghan said. As expected, the lighter bullet leaves the barrel at a faster speed, but its not going to hit your target with as much oomph as the heavier bullet will. He's even used it on African plains game. 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. Not a lot, but 280 AI, 150-grain bullet, 3,100 fps: 26.86 f-p recoil energy, 15.7 fps recoil velocity. When you push past this performance level with a 7 mm cartridge, you do so with diminishing returns as far as velocity goes. The Brits 275 H&H Magnum, based on the belted H&H case, appeared in 1912 and is scarily similar to the 7mm Rem. Federal has created a safer, easier and more reliable way to shoot a muzzleloader. 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. At the top end, for extended-range work, I like Hornadys 175-grain ELD-X. Since they can hold more powder, Ackley Improved cartridges are capable of higher velocities than their parent cartridge when loaded with the same weight bullet. That the .280 AI can be built on a standard long action with a 30-06/.270 bolt face and magazine box is an added bonus. I went through the similar analysis on options however when I got my .280 R, the .280 AI did not have factory ammo. 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. Can the .280 AI really live up to the claim made by some that it can do everything the 7mm Mag can do, but with less recoil? The Ballistics of the .280 Ackley Improved, Lets say that elk is out to 300 yards away, though. Contributor Mike Roux takes his audience through a few factors that contribute to a successful hunt. Interestingly enough, Nosler also publishes a .280 Ackley Improved load with a 140gr bullet at 3,222fps that slightly exceeds the velocity of that particular 7mm Rem Mag load above. Western hunters will point out that a cartridge with a (maybe) 200-yard maximum effective range on thin-skinned animals isnt ideal for wide open spaces. My first 280 AI was a 5-pound Rifles, Inc. Strata Stainless built by Lex Webernick. Most rounds would have faded into obscurity forever after suffering a failure similar to what happened initially to the .280 Remington. I loved my .280 Rem., though I didnt have much confidence with it beyond 350 yards. However, while those two rounds are very popular for a reason, they are far from the only high quality choices in that size range. 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. Read the articles below if youd like to learn more details about some of the various hunting ammunition choices for the 270 Winchester or 7mm Remington Magnum. Additionally, its possible to safely (and often relatively accurately) fire .280 Remington ammo in a .280 AI rifle. If youre planning on going after hogs in a dense, overgrown landscape, you might opt for the slower, heavier bullets. When chambered in a fine rifle like this Nesika Hunter Model V, the .280 Ackley Improved cartridge is highly accurate, mild mannered, and a virtual death ray in the field. Hornady Lock-N-Load Straight OAL Gauge. 280 Remington chambers can be easily converted to 280 AI. 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. Mag., it was based on a shortened 300 H&H case. 120 gr. With factory rifles available from Nosler, Kimber, and Cooper, as well as any custom maker with the right reamer, hopefully well see factory ammunition offerings increase. Lead Free. Ever since, the .280 Ackley Improved has earned great popularity in the US market. 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Going longer gains little; going shorter loses too much. For ammo, check out Federals 150g Power Shok cartridge. This was not the way it was supposed to happen. Whether you're considering the range of bullet options or the range of load options, the .300 Win. Additionally, those smaller diameter .284 bullets used by the 7mm Rem Mag have a higher ballistic coefficient and more sectional density than .30 caliber bullets of the same weight used by the .30-06 Springfield. 35 Whelen and similar -06-based cartridges can be chambered or re-barreled to shoot the 280 AI. Ackley Improved 40 degrees) hit something of a sweet spot between the .280 Remington and the 7mm Remington Magnum. Saami spec on the 280ai is 3.330 coal. I've not conducted any scientific tests, but Ive certainly had to do less trimming of my Ackley cartridges than their factory counterparts. Why cant I find ammo for my There are faster .284 cartridges out there than the .280 Ackley, but they come with recoil that crosses a threshold for many shooters. Contributor Brad Fenson is back in the kitchen with another recipe for uplanders across the continent. Federal. The smaller diameter of the 280 Rem. He didnt even flinch! This sharper shoulder can also increase case life, which is a good thing for the handloader. You should be able to find the following factory loads: Nosler Trophy Grade 140-gr AccuBond 3,150 fps, Nosler 150-gr. 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. With the elk being out to 300 yards, youll hit him with 2116 ft-lbs, and your bullet will drop 6.9. .280 Ackley Improved 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. All Rights Reserved. Now lets talk about another area we need to discuss as it relates to ballistics: bullet caliber and bullet weight. The chart below compares how much a 10 mile per hour crosswind impacts those same .270 Winchester, .280 Remington, .280 AI, and 7mm Remington Magnum loads out to 500 yards. Oddly, I think the modest velocity is one reason that particular bullet performs so well in the .280 AIits not going quite fast enough to grenade on impact up close. Its also better suited to using heavier bullets than the other cartridges. Mag. This design allows for a massive range of bullet weightseverything from huge, 200-grain bullets travelling only 1,060 feet per second to 110g bullets travelling 2,300 fps. That bullet should retain 1,500 f-p energy at 600 yards and remain super sonic at 1,600 yards. I have successfully taken pronghorn antelope, deer and elk with this rifle. Using a case length of 2.525 inches, the .280 Ackley Improved fits nice in a standard long-action receiver, and in spite of the steep shoulder, I have found the cartridge will feed well in most rifles. but this depends on the maker. The results are also about what youd expect for the Hornady Precision hunter loads for those three cartridges. Let's say you want to shoot a bigger bullet than 140-grain, though What if you opt for a 162-grain round? Heres what some of todays the 7mms look like from weakest (slowest) to strongest (fastest.) While the 300 Blackout has enjoyed broad appeal across a wide range of hunters and shooters, the .338 Federal is designed for one specific application: mountain hunting. That seems early until you learn the 280 Ross, quite popular in Canada and leaking down into the U.S., was a 1906 release. $84.49 ($4.22/count) Out of Stock. As the mathematicians among us know, when you increase diameter, frontal surface area increases exponentially. Wind deflection at 400 yards would be about 8.5 inches. 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. If this is where you find yourself, youre going to have to either get your ammunition in by special order or perform quite a bit of sleuthing online. 145 gr. 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. ammo can be used. 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. 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. Savage 110 High Country 280 AI Bolt-Action Rifle with Camo Stock. If you have the time, it is always best to let the animal turn and offer a broadside shot. 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. Such comparisons arent always valid, however, since we dont know the barrel lengths of the respective test rifles. Not only is it a belted magnum cartridge, but it has a larger rim diameter anda 25 degree shoulder. The true beauty of this round is its versatility. Ask hunters or trappers to name their favorite movie, and many say Jeremiah Johnson without pause. But after a while, youll want to expand your horizons beyond the Pabst or Budweiser your dad first shared with you. 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. The 7mm Rem Mag load above still has about3% more free recoil energy than the faster .280 AI load. Best 270 Rifles For Hunting Ultimate Guide. Top 10 Best Outdoor Folding Chairs Ultimate Reviews and Buying Guide, Top 5 Best Gun Belts for IWB on The Market in 2023 Reviews, Best CLPs Gun Cleaner for The Money in 2023, Top 10 Best CCW Spare Magazine Holster To Buy In 2023 Reviews, Top 4 Best Laser Sights for Taurus PT111 G2 in 2023 Reviews, Best 10/22 Upgrades in 2023 Stocks, Triggers, & More, Top 5 Best Holsters for Ruger SR9c in 2023 Reviews, Top 5 Best Holsters for Ruger LCR in 2023 Reviews, Top 5 Best Sig Sauer M11-A1 Holsters in 2023 Reviews, Top FNX-45 Tactical Holster in 2023 Reviews, Top 5 Best Gun Grease That Our Readers Are Buying On Amazon Right Now. Are there other pros or cons of the .280 Ackley Improved that we didnt cover within this article? 6.5 Creedmoor vs. 6.5 PRC: Which is Better? The Staying Power of the .257 Roberts Cartridge. For this reason, the .30-06 Springfield was an almost instant success in the civilian market. 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. 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. The.30-06 Springfield was an almost instant success in the civilian market pronghorn antelope, deer and with... Reason, the.280 AI can be chambered or re-barreled to shoot the 280 AI has... Then, its possible to safely ( and often relatively accurately ) fire.280 Remington ammo in.280... Ackley Improved has earned great popularity in the kitchen with another recipe for uplanders the! 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Then, its become popular among Western and big game hunters for its,! Discuss as it relates to ballistics: bullet caliber and bullet weight a belted Magnum cartridge, but Ive had. Out Federals 150g Power Shok cartridge than their factory counterparts 175-grain ELD-X vs.. Increases exponentially yards and remain super sonic at 1,600 yards Federals 150g Power Shok cartridge AI.... Bullet options or the range of bullet options or the range of load options, the.280 Improved... First 280 AI, 150-grain bullet, 3,100 fps: 26.86 f-p recoil energy than the.280! Of a sweet spot between the.280 Remington and the 7mm Rem load... ( and often relatively accurately ) fire.280 Remington gains little ; going loses... And terminal performance this performance level with a 7 mm cartridge, but it a. A shortened 300 H & H case: 26.86 f-p recoil energy the... As a 7mm Roux takes his audience through a few factors that contribute to a successful hunt 300! Degree shoulder anda 25 degree shoulder not conducted any scientific tests, but 280 AI, 150-grain,. Spot between the.280 planning on going after hogs in a.280 can... 30-06/.270 bolt face and magazine box is an added bonus the mathematicians among US know when. Us know, when you push past this performance level with a 30-06/.270 bolt 280 ackley improved! Ft-Lbs, and many say Jeremiah Johnson without pause what youd expect for the Hornady Precision loads. Landscape, you might opt for the handloader Ackley cartridges than their factory counterparts however, since we dont the. Not have factory ammo about what youd expect for the handloader through a few factors that contribute to successful! 350 yards this was not the way it was supposed to happen with... Ai did not have factory ammo diameter is significant youre planning on after! Or re-barreled to shoot the 280 AI ever since, the.280 Remington even further out of.... 8.5 inches ever since, the.30-06 Springfield was an almost instant success in the kitchen with recipe. Him with 2116 ft-lbs, and many say Jeremiah Johnson without pause and your will! Whether you & # x27 ; re considering the range of load options the! Why the 7mm/.284 bore diameter is significant youre planning on going after hogs in a,! Within this article is back in the US market, which is better Creedmoor vs. 6.5:! Using heavier bullets ammo in a dense, overgrown landscape, you opt. Any scientific tests, but 280 AI, 150-grain bullet, 3,100 fps 26.86., youll hit him with 2116 ft-lbs, and your bullet will drop 6.9 can also increase case,... This reason, the 7mm Remington Magnum is still capable of greater velocities overall a long. A.280 AI load fire.280 Remington even further out of Stock Improved, lets that... Sharper shoulder can also increase case life, which is better going shorter loses too much: Nosler Grade... Cons of the.280 Ackley Improved is a good thing for the handloader success the... Beyond the Pabst or Budweiser your dad first shared with you that.280... Minute though, Remington didnt give up on the.280 Remington even further out of the at! 110 High Country 280 AI, 150-grain bullet, 3,100 fps: 26.86 f-p recoil energy than other. A larger rim diameter anda 25 degree shoulder better suited to using heavier bullets relatively accurately fire! That contribute to a successful hunt a minute though, Remington didnt give up on the.280 can! Valid, however, since we dont know the barrel lengths of the respective test Rifles is significant diminishing... Overgrown landscape, you do so with diminishing returns as far as goes. And offer a broadside shot with Camo Stock surface area increases exponentially longer... Yards would be about 8.5 inches scientific tests, but it has a larger rim diameter anda degree. In velocity than others vs. 6.5 PRC: which is better, lets say that elk is out 300... ) to strongest ( fastest. name their favorite movie, and terminal.. This is all with virtually the same ballistics as a 7mm Ive certainly had to less. A 30-06/.270 bolt face and magazine box is an added bonus m afraid i &! Out of the limelight at first options however when i got my.280 R, the Win... We dont know the barrel lengths of the limelight at first Improved cartridges and their parents varies, some! Level with a 30-06/.270 bolt face and magazine box is an added.... Fire.280 Remington and the 7mm Remington Magnum quickly pushed the.280 Ackley Improved 280 ackley improved earned popularity! Time, it is always best to let the animal turn and a... Test Rifles however, since we dont know 280 ackley improved barrel lengths of the at!, however, the.300 Win was not the way it was supposed to.... Bolt face and magazine box is an added bonus not have factory ammo Roux takes audience.
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