280 A.I or 7mm rem mag barrel

Remingtonman

Remingtonman

New member
Im looking at the .280 ai and the 7mm rem mag for my t/c encore pro hunter. My question is which one is the better of the two? Ive read a decent amount on both of them but I wanted to hear from hunters who have used both. My main use will be for elk in the future. Also will I get more consistency with my groups and accuracy from the .280 A.I?
 
I have had many of the 7RM, and only one of the 280 AI. All rifles were very accurate.

As bullet weight goes up, you will see the 7RM really shine. Last two bulls I killed with with 140g Nosler BT at 3200 fps out of the 7RM.

140g triple shock will shoot holes through elk like they were made of swiss cheese!!!

In my experience, elk are NOT hard to kill. I shot many cows with a 243 and 95g partitions.
 
My 280 ai has great accuracy. Up to 168 gr bullets in can run neck an neck with the mag. But I have a 25" bbl. I'm pushing 160 sierra gk with 55 gr of 4831sc at 2790fps.that's about 10-15 gr less powder than the mag. I love my 280ai.best choice I have made in a long time with guns.I've had 7mags.IMHO the 280ai is a better choice.
Jim
 
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I have a new 280 Remington that I have been working loads for and settled on a 162 Hornady running 2930fps and for a factory rifle with no improvements it shoots well.
 
I've got some brass in my 7mag with 18+ loads on it. I was thinking the same thing. Another 7 mag or a 280ai. It was brought to my attention if I had a 7 I didn't need a 280. Ya you can get close to the same velocity but mine I run 63.5gr h4831 with a 162 and I get an average 3010fps. It's not a hot load. Same goes with my 140s. I get just over 3200 with 64gr. I thing one or the other you won't go wrong.
 
With a ai once its fire formed you get very little case stretch. Not much case trimming and yes great case life,and way less recoil than the magnum.
Jim
 
The 7RM is an idiot proof case.

160-162g at 3100+ with extreme accuracy with Retumbo and Fed 215's

150-154g With max load of R#25, Win mag primer at 3200+ on a 26" barrel.

I also shot a std 280 Rem factory with max load of R#19 and 160g Sierra at a tad over 2900 fps, load right out of the Nosler manual for their 160g bullet.

You should be concerned about the range you are shooting and down range ballistics you will be needing for the distances you are shooing.

For a standard run of the mill bullet, the 162g SST is a Tough accurate bullet, I highly recommend it, and it will love to be touching or a slight jam on the lands for best accuracy.

If you want to compare a custom 280 to a custom 7 Mag(I have), then the 7RM will accurately shoot the the 162g A max at 3200 fps out of a 28" barrel with Retumbo and Fed 215's....that is STRONG!!!

Make it fun for you and Good luck
 
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