I have a tikka super varmit in 22-250 that i never shoot and am thinking about a switching to a 280 AI build. I know there is a lot of information on here about components, but what I would like to get your opinion on is how short of a barrel I can use. I hunt in louisiana over ag fields but my maximum range I would feel comfortable shooting would be between 300-400 yards. I would say on average 250 and in. I have a 6.5 PRC with a 20inch and it is great but I have always loved the 280 AI. I actually have one in the nosler custom they came out with about 20 years ago but it does not shoot great unfortunately. Thanks for the help!!
JVB did the podcast earlier this year where he said that for the 270/280/ 30-06 class of cartridges he would never go below 22 in because you Rob them of too much performance.
Are you going to shoot suppressed? That certainly would push you towards shorter barrels.
The ultimate, more scientific way to figure it out would be to figure out what your absolute max range is, what bullet velocity you need at that range for the bullet to work correctly, then work backwards to see what length of barrel will get you that performance.
I’m doing a 280ai build as well and I’m doing a 22inch barrel but I’m also gonna be suppressed aswell. You can still get 2900 to 3000fps with custom hand loads
I went down this same rabbit hole and am building a 280ai on a tikka 270 action with an Oregon mountain rifle barrel. From everything I read, below 22” was where it really loses a lot. Theres a few guys on rockslide who have gone to 20” and aren’t pushing much over 2800 w hand loads. . I too have a short 6.5prc in an 18” barrel and found 18 to be the shortest you can go, without getting smoked. My buddy runs a 6.5prc on a 16” barrel and he drop another 150fps w the same factory loads as me, going from 18-16, so I was ok w a 22” barrel as to not completely neuter this niche cartridge. It’s really not that long with a 6” can, if you decide to throw it in a folding chassis.
I have an OMR barrel on a 7prc. It’s the first and so far only Barrel that’s ever shot the 175 eldx well for me. I have another one in 300 super WSM. I haven’t cracked the code for the super WSM yet (212LRX), but it absolutely hammers Barnes 180 ttsx as well as a Norma load.
Best of luck with your decision making. I discovered the 280 Ackley about 3 years ago now. It is absolutely my most favorite, if I had to pick only one round forever cartridge. Primarily around here we shoot with 308 and it’s children; 7mm-08 and 243. I’ve killed a ton of deer with the 7mm-08. It works because we’re shooting typically at 100 yards over bait.
The 280 gives me a bit more velocity which can help with my mono bullets up close as they open up better, and also helps me extend my range just in case I do get put on that stand that’s on a power line or large field. Yet, it’s still extremely shootable.
Would love to hear more about your 300 super WSM. My 300 WSM is also doing great with the 180 ttsx. I have been interested in the super WSM, but think I would have to switch to a faster twist barrel.
Maybe I’ll write up a post about it sometime so I don’t clutter up this thread on the 280. But I would have to say the two words I would use to describe it are frustrating and inconsistent.
Well, the Tikka 22-250 is still sitting in my safe. I live in Louisiana and really only hunt whitetails and pigs and I really have fallen in love with shooting suppressed. I currently have a begara carbon crest 6.5 PRC with a 20” barrel and while I love shooting that gun, it is still a little long with my suppressor attached. I do a lot of set up hunts along with box stand hunting and I really wanted something shorter overall.
So, I decided to buy a New tikka 16” ranch rifle in .308. I also put it in a Woox superleggera stock and shoot it with a banish back country suppressor. With suppressor it is a half inch shorter than my winchester 22” barrel 308. I have been shooting the 130 gr barnes TTSX. I am getting an avg of right at 2900FPS and have rung steel out to about 450 yards. It is truly my most favorite rifle I have ever put together. It is short, light recoil (suppressed), and will shoot past my comfortable killing range. I am in love with this setup. Super fun to shoot.