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