.280 Ackley improved vs .28 Nosler

[jrebel]

Planning my next rifle and am looking hard ar the .28 caliber rifles.  Definitely don't want anything larger than a .30 and already own a 300 win mag.  Really like the idea of the .28 nosler but don't like the cost of brass.  The .280 Ackley improved just sounds cool and would be fun. 

Any pros or cons to either of these calibers other than the obvious.....28 nosler brass cost!!!   

Any other options? 

Thanks

jrebel

[elkaholic123]

I’m partial to the 28 Nosler, cost of brass is high and sometimes hard to find. Once you get past initial costs its not a whole lot more to reload  . 180’s going 3150-3200 is 

[hogslayer]

I have had a 28 Nosler and it was fun.  If you have a 300 win mag, I would go with something smaller in the 7mm family.  The 280 AI is a very accurate round.  Very similar to the 7 saum. I REALLY like my 7 saum with 180’s about 2930-2980 with a 180.   Very easy to load for and has multiple brass companies.

[jrebel]

I have had a 28 Nosler and it was fun.  If you have a 300 win mag, I would go with something smaller in the 7mm family.  The 280 AI is a very accurate round.  Very similar to the 7 saum. I REALLY like my 7 saum with 180’s about 2930-2980 with a 180.   Very easy to load for and has multiple brass companies.

Yeah, I was considering the 7mm's.  Looking to push 160-180 grain bullets which leaves lots of options.  I have rifles that shoot 140-150's, and rifles that shoot heavies 200+ am was looking for something in the middle. 

[b23]

The 28 Nosler or any of the larger case capacity .28's really need, at least, a 28 inch tube to use all that case capacity in a .284 size bore.  If you plan to use a 28+ barrel the big 28's will show their horsepower, but if you plan on staying in the 24-26 inch length, you can sling, even the 180's, pretty much just as fast with a 7mm Rem mag or my favorite 7mm Blaser mag.

I have a 7mm Blaser mag built on a Rem 700 with a 26 inch tube and I'm shooting the 180 Bergers 3088-3100fps

[Taco280AI]

Completely different cartridges, like comparing a 30-06 to a 30 Nosler. Do you want a high velocity round or just a great performer?

I have the AI, no complaints

[yorketransport]

I'm a little surprised I'm going to say this, but the 280 AI would be a great option. You've got your basics covered pretty well and a hot rod 7mm won't do anything that your 300 WM can't already do. A 280 AI with a 168 class bullet would be a pretty good combo.

OR, I've got this idea for a 7mm/338 RUM improved that would give you the capacity of a 7mm RUM with a shorter OAL. I don't have time to build one so I need to convince somebody else to do it.

[crabcreekhunter]

I run a .280AI and absolutely love it.  Ballistically pretty comparable to a 7mm Remington mag with less powder, can't quite hang velocity wise. I'm running a 162-168 grain bullets right around 3k.  Rifle is braked but recoil is not a problem compared to magnum calibers.  If you are into longer range shooting it can keep up pretty well, but haven't ran anything over 168s.  Recently added a 6.5-06AI to my safe and it is a sweet shooter as well but will grab the 280 over it for muleys and elk.  If you haven't shot a .280 AI I'm in east wenatchee and could let ya run a few down the tube sometime.