7mm-08 or 280 ai in kimber

[ROCKWHEELER]

Ok guys thinking about filling the safe with a new rifle. I have a tikka 270 wsm and two kimbers one is a 84l select grade in 270 win the other is a Montana in 30-06. I'm looking at the mt. ascent in either 7-08 or 280 ai. I do a lot of mt. hunting and lots of road walking on the wet side. I have never shot past 350 at a animal and don't know if I need the extra reach of the 280, but I think it would be better for heavy bullets. I hunt everything in the state and I don't need the gun but I want it.

[270Shooter]

280 ackley because it's something different and cool.

[grade-creek-rd]

I shoot the 7-08 and have killed 2 elk & 1 buck with it in the two years I've used it
...pulled the trigger 4 times (the second elk took two rounds but died within 15 yards). I handload the 139grn GMX.

[Nature Boy]

Both are very efficient calibers and for deer sized game inside of 350 yards either will do just fine.  If only short range deer hunting is on the menu I'd lean toward the 7mm-08.  The 280 AI has more velocity (close runner up to a 7mm mag) and thus more possibilities as a class 3 game animal cartridge.  I have a Montana chambered in 280 AI.  A Barnes 145 grain LRX behind 57 grains of H4831 produces MOA accuracy.  Not bad for a 6 pound rig. 

[257 Wby Mag]

What's a class 3 animal?

Both will work for whatever class animal you wanna hunt. That being said I'd go with the 280...

[bobcat]

What's a class 3 animal?

   

[280ackley]

280 ackley because it's something different and cool.

[coachcw]

280 hands down. You hav e the 270 allready

[Dan-o]

7MM-08, due to ammo availability.

[ROCKWHEELER]

Nature boy how does your Montana feed the 280? I have heard of feeding problems with the 40* shoulder. Really leaning towards the Ackley since kimber came out with a new sa only rifle called the adirondack I might get in 708 later.

[ROCKWHEELER]

Oh ya forgot to mention I reload so ammo availability doesn't bother me.

[RadSav]

One of my better friends has been using the 280 AI for I think ten years.  I asked him about the rumor of feed issues.  His response was, "That rumor was probably started by the same writer who couldn't figure out how to feed a belted magnum!"  I think that means he has had no issues with the 40 degree shoulder

[257 Wby Mag]

I had feeding issues with my 6.5/06 AI, swapped the stamped follower out for a machined follower, feeds slicker than deer guts over a door knob...

[Nature Boy]

I haven't experienced any failure to feed issues with my Kimber.  Class 3 stuff includes elk, moose, caribou and some of the African plains game like Kudu.  I don't know who came up with the game classification system but I've read about in reference to a rifle calibers suitability to different types of game animals.

[257 Wby Mag]

Well hell, I've killed level 3 critters with a 85 gr Boolit from a 243.. Surely a 7 ought 8 or a 280 AI will work!!! Grin

[RadSav]

What's a class 3 animal?

   

Oh, I did not see that question.  Thankfully Chuck Hawks has it written down really well, "I think the basic idea is a good one, and it gives the novice a starting point in caliber and load selection."

http://www.chuckhawks.com/cxp.htm

[257 Wby Mag]

Who'd a thunk it? I'll have to keep that in mind... Grin

[RadSav]

Well hell, I've killed level 3 critters with a 85 gr Boolit from a 243.. Surely a 7 ought 8 or a 280 AI will work!!! Grin

One of the greatest bullet ads of all time was the Nosler Partition ad where a guy tells his story of killing the charging Kodiak with his .243!  I bought my first 6mm gun shortly after and killed a 380+ plus blackbear with it that year.  Friend of mines father borrowed it after he had an accident and couldn't shoot his magnum.  Killed a bear and an elk with it using Core-Lokt bullets!

I think my 180 grain .30's and 250 grain .33 magnums do a better job on elk for sure. But, I think with todays bullets especially, there is a lot of grey area with the classifications. A LOT!!!

One of these days I'm going to dig through some old Field & Stream magazines and find that ad.  I've search online and can not seem to find it.  If I do find it I'll post it up on H-W.  That ad cost my brother and I a lot of money

[eburgtrapper]

I have the kimber Montana in .280 ai. I love it. I did have to send it back to kimber to get the chamber ramp adjusted so the bullets would slide into the chamber smoother. Kimber did it all free of charge and I haven't any other problems.

[T Pearce]

If it were me, I would rebarrel the 06 to 35 Whelen.
Spend the money saved on other gear.
T
 

[Wanttohuntmore]

Isn't the 708 in the ascent lighter?  I'd go that route.  If equal I'd go 280.  The 708 will work fine for everything in Wa.  I want the Montana in 308 or 708.

[RadSav]

Isn't the 708 in the ascent lighter?  I'd go that route.  If equal I'd go 280.  The 708 will work fine for everything in Wa.  I want the Montana in 308 or 708.

I think there is suppose to be a difference of eight ounces and two inches of barrel length.  I like the barrel contour of the Ascent much better than the contour of the Montana.  I actually like the little heavier Montana for shooting offhand, but it is still almost too light to shoot much beyond 150 yards offhand.  If Kimber would change all their barrel contours somewhere between the Ascent and the Sako I'd probably sell all but a couple of my rifles and replace them with Kimbers!

[addicted]

If the ROT was and inch tighter on the 280 it would matter more to me. The 9.5 twist in it isn't for much over 160 which is where it could run away from the 7-08 since it would loose case capacity after 150's.

As much as I like the 280's, the original still has more heart to it since the 7x64's run an 8 to 8.5 twist. A case the size of 280 AI has dull teeth when you put a leash on it keeping it with boring 140 grain bullets.

[lewy]

They have had feeding issues with the ai due to steep shoulder and faulty ramp on the ascent, but it can be fixed. Its irritating to me tho, that a $2000 rig from Kimber needs work to function properly That rifle/caliber combo would make a killer mountain gun, can't say I haven't been tempted myself. Let us know what you go with and how you like it!

[RadSav]

They have had feeding issues with the ai due to steep shoulder and faulty ramp on the ascent, but it can be fixed. Its irritating to me tho, that a $2000 rig from Kimber needs work to function properly

Wow!  That is surprising.  I have had no issues with steep shoulder rounds from the Kimbers.  Though I have not yet shot an Ascent.  I have had issues with the magazine not holding cartridges tight enough to keep from damaging points.  Also problems with the magazine box not being properly fit so the tip of the next bullet bites into the box damaging the point of your #2 round.  In the 325 it was enough to break the tips completely off Accubonds.  In the 270WSM it was enough to split the tip on the Accubond from front to back.  But all was rather easy to fix with a little patience and a steady hand.  I do agree...for Kimber money these little attention to detail things should be taken care of before you buy!

[addicted]

If the ROT was and inch tighter on the 280 it would matter more to me. The 9.5 twist in it isn't for much over 160 which is where it could run away from the 7-08 since it would loose case capacity after 150's.

As much as I like the 280's, the original still has more heart to it since the 7x64's run an 8 to 8.5 twist. A case the size of 280 AI has dull teeth when you put a leash on it keeping it with boring 140 grain bullets.

I'm still not seeing a 7-08 mountain ascent on kimbers website. The other models have it with a 9 twist though. It's kinda a joke, they are playing to the speed trend everyone is after, making it in a cartridge that should be able to handle heavier bullets then put a slower twist on it. Superformance. Lol

[puyallupaul]

Killed my bull wth an  Browning X Bolt 280

[timberfaller]

  "Feeding issue"    never had a problem with it   of course most of my guns are single shot!

[bradslam]

If the ROT was and inch tighter on the 280 it would matter more to me. The 9.5 twist in it isn't for much over 160 which is where it could run away from the 7-08 since it would loose case capacity after 150's.

As much as I like the 280's, the original still has more heart to it since the 7x64's run an 8 to 8.5 twist. A case the size of 280 AI has dull teeth when you put a leash on it keeping it with boring 140 grain bullets.

I'm still not seeing a 7-08 mountain ascent on kimbers website. The other models have it with a 9 twist though. It's kinda a joke, they are playing to the speed trend everyone is after, making it in a cartridge that should be able to handle heavier bullets then put a slower twist on it. Superformance. Lol

The Mountain Ascent is not available in 7mm-08.  When I read the original post I checked the website and didn't see one, so I called Kimber.  They confirmed that they are not making them in that caliber and have no immediate plans to do so.  I did tell them that I would like to see the Mountain Ascent available in 7mm-08 and .257 Roberts.

[addicted]

If the ROT was and inch tighter on the 280 it would matter more to me. The 9.5 twist in it isn't for much over 160 which is where it could run away from the 7-08 since it would loose case capacity after 150's.

As much as I like the 280's, the original still has more heart to it since the 7x64's run an 8 to 8.5 twist. A case the size of 280 AI has dull teeth when you put a leash on it keeping it with boring 140 grain bullets.

I'm still not seeing a 7-08 mountain ascent on kimbers website. The other models have it with a 9 twist though. It's kinda a joke, they are playing to the speed trend everyone is after, making it in a cartridge that should be able to handle heavier bullets then put a slower twist on it. Superformance. Lol

The Mountain Ascent is not available in 7mm-08.  When I read the original post I checked the website and didn't see one, so I called Kimber.  They confirmed that they are not making them in that caliber and have no immediate plans to do so.  I did tell them that I would like to see the Mountain Ascent available in 7mm-08 and .257 Roberts.

Interesting.  Really playing to the reloaders crowd with that one...grafs is showing 18 products for 7-08 and 280ai is bolstering a grand total of 2.  I'm with brad.

[h2ofowlr]

A guy is selling a custom .280 AI on Skagit gun trader.

[GEARHEAD]

7mm-08........I have taken deer from about 321, 365, 404 and 458 yards with mine, and many more closer.... Low recoil, very accurate, short action. try and get a 24 inch barrel. It will shoot 139 gr bullets at 3000 fps. With the GMX and similar bullets now available, it will take Elk no problem at the ranges you stated.  My long range shots have all been with Hornady SST's, the rest with BTSP's.

[addicted]

6.5 creedmoor. Same bullet weight and powder capacity of the 7mn08, just faster flatter, and harder hitting.

[BOWHUNTER45]

I like them both but the more I mess around with the 7mm-08 the more I like it ...sweet deer rifle and it does a fine job ...

[Utah]

Everything about a 7mm-08 and a 140gr Partition around 2850fps is money.. 

[slm9s]

I would grab a "regular" montana, and skip the mountain ascent.  The MA costs hundreds more, and will be much more difficult to shoot offhand.  Just shouldering the SOB, it feels so damn muzzle light and "whippy", no thanks.  I' can't imagine a regular montana being "too heavy".   

"too much of a good thing" comes to mind.

Montana 84m 7-08 or 84L in 280ai - take your pick.  I'd pick the 280ai though, as long actions don't bother me and a little extra horsepower would be welcome when hunting elk.