The OMR barrel gives you the option of a 1:8 twist. Fierce is 1:8.5.
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Jim, What length barrel did you go with for your 280ai? My fierce is a 24”, but I’d love to go 20-22.
22 based on this thread
Oh sweet. Thanks Carter. I was looking on his build sheet and didn’t scroll through the thread. lol.
I have a fierce mtn reaper in 6.5 prc love it I don’t think you can go wrong with fierce
I really like the 280 AI build. I am left handed. Is the Bergara Premier action available in LH?
Gary-Could go this route, and rebate it? Plus there’s a $75 mail in rebate until the end of the month
https://www.scopelist.com/JRTXA318L-Tikka-Tikka-T3x-Hunter-LH-270-Win-224--barrel-MPN-.aspx
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Don’t think so, but I really haven’t researched it that much.
That’s exactly what I bought for my 280ai build
Thanks John! I will check it out.
I really like this 280 AI build, but I am lefthanded. Is the premier action available in LH? If not, is there a comparable action that I could use? Thank You
Zermatt makes LH actions.
Not cheep, but considered top tier.
Well, Jim you talked me into going with the Weatherby over the fierce.
Follow up question for you: is it worth paying $400 more for the Weatherby 307 CT over the ST? The one thing that makes me want to go with the CT is the thread on the barrel is 5/8x24 vs the ST 1/2x28. Other than that, is Weatherby’s carbon barrel that much better than the steel? Or would I be better off with the thin steel barrel?
Interesting choices.
You are correct and that one of the big benefits of the carbon Barrel is that it has 5/8 threading for suppressor use, and not having to deal with adapters, Etc. I believe that Barrel is made by BSF, which also makes the barrels for the Springfield Waypoint. They generally are very highly regarded in terms of accuracy. Plenty of good threads on multiple forums with good results. Very few threads of poor results. I’ve shot a waypoint myself and got very good accuracy out of it.
The only real downside to that Barrel is that because it’s carbon fiber it’s going to take longer to cool down, especially during the warmer months of the year.
The steel barrel will probably cool quicker. However I will have to say that my experience with thin Weatherby steel barrels is that you have to really pace yourself at the range. If you try to shoot too fast that thing will heat up and will start throwing shots.( my experience is is with vanguards) and I’m not talking about speed shooting. Just shooting, then taking the time to assess, make sure the rifle is in the rest correctly, get your breathing under control then shoot again. Somewhere between 30 to 75 seconds between shots
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I have the Weatherby 307 Alpine CT, the BSF barrel is awesome! I have friends who also have the Springfield Waypoint with the same BSF Barrels and they too shot lights out…. I’ve easily have put together long strings at the range w/my CT with 0 barrel heat issues… BSF says there design on there barrels he’ll keep the barrel cool and I’ve never really felt like it’s ever overheated.
My bitch about the 307 and the CT…
90 deg bolt throw…. If you run a bigger Objective lens scope, you don’t have a lot of clearance, I originally had Med height rings and had to go to High height rings just so the bolt would clear the scope which it barely does.
2nd is with Peak 44 stocks, there comfortable but unless your built like Adam Weatherby 5’4” you don’t have much stock to work with as they are all fixed 13.25” length of pull and “0” options to extend it out.
My CT before
MY CT currently
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Yeah, about the only complaint I’ve ever heard about that Peak stock is the LOP.
Does Jim make a recoil pad for it? Wonder if there’s any way we could convince him to make it specifically custom to not just be the recoil pad but add in some spacers in order to lengthen the stock.
Backfire does not make a recoil pad for it… I had many of emails w/Peak 44 on options and there really isn’t any except for a slip over type of stock boot…there recoil pad is glued on and if you look at there stocks there’s a slight 1/2 moon thing going on so that you can’t go aftermarket as nothing will fit flush on it. so I’m selling the stock and went with a Grayboe
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Hi all, New here just joined today.
I’ve been looking at a 280AI for about a year now. I’m a big .284 fan, I have a 7mm-08 (Sako A7 and a Rem 7mm Mag Sako 85 fin light). But want something between these two. I do load my own for both. I’m the type of hunter that won’t keep a rifle that won’t shoot .5 MOA or less.
I’ve been looking at Weatherby Mark V or the 307. Does this really need a muzzle break? I don’t have one on my 7Mag.
Do any of you have experience with either of these, Model Weatherby’s or is there another available besides Kimber.
Dennis
If you can handle a 7 Mag w/o any help, then the 280AI should be no problem. Of course your specific rifle weight and load could tip the balance in the other direction.
No experience with either of those Weatherby’s. The MKV would be considered to be a more premium rifle, whereas with the 307 you will have much better options if you should decide to change a stock, trigger, barrel, etc in the future.
I had an older Kimber Mountain Ascent. It was too light for a 280. It didn’t hurt, but man was it jumpy. Don’t know if the newer models are any better. Their newer stocks look better (also hated the older stock).
There’s been a significant decrease in factory offerings for 280AI over the past few years. It’s pretty much Weatherby or Savage, Cooper or Kimber
If you have any thoughts on building one, I just bought a Tikka t3x in .270 and ordered a barrel from Oregon Mountain Rifles, and to my surprise, just got a notification that it already shipped, 12 days after ordering. Your local gunsmith can put it on for you. I’m going to put mine in a Chassis when Jims backfire Chassis are ready.