I am working on a .280 AI build. Below are my current thoughts on the parts. This is my first time, so any input you may have would be greatly appreciated. What am I missing?
Action: Defiance anTi Long, Right Hand, 75° Bolt Throw, Straight Tear Drop Bolt Handle, Full Nitride, 2-Piece 20 MOA Aluminum Rail, BDL, Action Bedded
Barrel: CRB 3.5 Light Palma Contour, 22”, Chamber/Length 280 AI, Twist 1:8, Muzzle Threaded 5/8 x 24, Cerakote finish, color H-236 OD Green
Trigger Tech Special, Curved Trigger, Set at 2 pounds.
McMillan Game Hunter Stock, Black Carbon Fiber (color/pattern TBD)
All this 280 AI talk lately is making me want one. Overall a really solid build, what parts have you already bought?
One note* The Hawkins M5 BDL-style trigger guard and Wyatt’s box magazine kit don’t naturally play together. BDL = hinged floorplate, internal magazine. Wyatt’s Box = extended internal mag (usually for COAL gain), but requires compatible bottom metal. M5 footprint is typically for detachable box magazines (AICS pattern), not classic BDL. So I’m not sure if you are trying to have a hinged floor plate or detachable magazine.
So far, I have not purchased any of the parts other than the Zeiss scope. Since this is my first time down this rabbit hole, I am moving cautiously and trying to ensure the parts work well together. Your comments about the floorplate and internal magazine are exactly the kind of insights I am looking for and help me double-check reality against my understanding. Yes, I am planning on a BDL hinged floorplate and internal magazine. My understandings are: 1) The Wyatts Box Magazine Kit is designed to allow the use of longer bullets with COAL gain. 2) The Hawkins M5 Oberndorf BDL is designed to also accommodate COAL gain by using the larger M5 inlet geometry (predominantly used for detachable box magazine systems) while supporting BDL/internal-magazine feeding. 3) McMillan can cut the stock for an M5 inlet. Those are my understandings, which is why I appreciate input and critique from those who are more experienced and knowledgeable than I am.
Looks like a winner to me! I might skip the 20 moa rail. And go to a flat rail. Your Zeiss will get you plenty far out there, and it’s better to be in the optical center of the scope in my opinion.
Thank you for your response, Jim. I have been back and forth on this. I like the idea of the convivence of a rail; unfortunately, the anTi is not available with a flat 0 moa rail, so the alternative is to mount the rings are mounted directly on the action. Not the end of the world.
The frustrating thing is that Defiance makes several flat o moa rails. Apparently, they use to do a lot of custom adjustments to all of their actions but have been limiting the more custom work to the Deviant and Ruckus actions. I originally thought to go with the Ruckus, but the weight savings of using the anTi is considerable. That being said, I will still ask for a modification when ordering.
If you shop hard for a little more money you can get the trigger Tech Diamond, which I think is a better option. As your already into this build $$$$, what’s another $20-30$$