280 AI barrel length and load data

[rickt300]

I traded for a 280 AI on a Springfield A3 action. Oddly it has a 27 inch barrel and I plan on shortening it to no more than 23 inches. I plan on using 150 and 160 grain bullets in it and would like to know how fast they would be going pushed by a full load of Reloder 22 or AA3100. The rifle has a really nicely done stock, beautiful blue and a 8 power Leupold on it. Along with shortening the barrel I am going to put a 3x9 power scope on it or a 2x7 even better.

[shot1]

You will loose in the ball park of 150 to 200 fps by cutting the barrel back to 23" and basically making what a standard 280 Rem. will do out of a 24" barrel. With 150 gr bullets and the powders you mentioned you should get around 2900 fps and around 2800 with 160's.  If it were mine I would not cut the barrel but it is yours so do what you want. Just my 2 cents worth.

[roper]

Nolser has reloading data for the 280AI using R-22,AA3100 also Hodgdon,Sierra has data for the 280AI.  Be nice if the previous owner gave you some loading data/velocity reading.  

Let see max load with 59gr/R-22 @ 3035fps with 24" long barrel and max load of 59gr/AA3100 @ 3013fps with 160gr bullets
 
Another good load is 61.5gr/IMR-7828 with 160gr bullet @ 3043fps.

When I decided to build my 280AI I use a SS 1/9 twist barrel 27 1/2" long also had it throated alittle long and I gained a good amount over the loads I posted with 160gr bullets

Before I cut the barrel I want to chronograph it first and then decide.  I cut one barrel from 27 1/2" down to 24 1/2" and I lost appr 200fps plus with one bullet and appr 70fps with a heavier bullet so that was no big deal as that's the bullet I want to use anyway.

Hard to say what your velocity loss be.  Well good luck

[john keyes]

I have a plain ol 280 in an old Rem 700 Mountain rifle.  the first loads I ever made for it (57.0 H4350 and speer 120 spitzer) hit 3200 fps. Quickest "load development" I ever did for my "270".   I don't think the barrel of that rifle is terribly long. 

make the rifle into what you want...how far will your longest shots be, do you like heavy or light bullets....

[Lloyd Smale]

I guess my thoughts are that the improved rounds were mostly made to make standard guns give mag ballistics in standard lenghts. If it were mine it would have a 22 inch barrel. If im going to tote around a 24 or 26 inch gun its going to be in a magnum chambering.

[rickt300]

Thanks for the load data Roper.  I am surprised that the long barrel gets the support it does because to me it wrecks the rifle's balance and is jut too tricky to get in and out of a vehicle with. I also do a lot of hunting from blinds where barrels shorter than 22 iches rule.  I am thinking about trimming my rifle collection down to 3-4 rifles and look at this one as a general purpose gun for coyotes to elk so 150-160 grain bullets are what it will be fed. I also got a set of dies, 40 pieces of fireformed brass and somme loaded ammo for it.  I don't think I'll need much more than a well shaped 160 grain bullet going near 2900 fps and I bet I can get that from a 22 inch barrel.