Looking to add a new rifle

Savagehawg · May 16, 2022, 06:11 PM

Will be adding a new rifle to my collection this year, already decided on a Browning Xbolt Speed Ovix, I am thinking 280 Ackley Improved for a couple of reasons, #1 ballistically its real close to the 7mm Mag, #2 Can fire form 280 Rem brass if needed, and not real recoil heavy #3 I will be getting my Dads 7mm Mag in a few years so no point in getting another lol

Since this is a new caliber for me i was just wondering if any of you have had some 280 AI experience, everything i read on it, says its an awesome caliber and accuracy is good.

thanks

stagpanther · May 17, 2022, 01:19 AM

Excellent choice, you won't regret it. Don't skimp on the barrel, the better the barrel--the better you'll shoot at distance.

BornFighting88 · May 17, 2022, 07:08 AM

Brownings are nice rifles. Have only fired a sampling of them once. Was impressed. Nice trigger, smooth bolt throw, handled recoil well. Checked all the boxes. I am just too loyal to Yankee manufacturing and certain other features that I couldn't get myself buy one.

I second Stag, as the better the barrel, the better the downrange results.

Range report to follow, we assume?

GeauxTide · May 17, 2022, 09:08 AM

I had a 280Rem that I gave to my son several years ago. It had a 26" barrel, and I could duplicate the Improved loads (at Chronograph) with IMR 4831 and RL19.

Savagehawg · May 17, 2022, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BornFighting88

Brownings are nice rifles. Have only fired a sampling of them once. Was impressed. Nice trigger, smooth bolt throw, handled recoil well. Checked all the boxes. I am just too loyal to Yankee manufacturing and certain other features that I couldn't get myself buy one.

I second Stag, as the better the barrel, the better the downrange results.

Range report to follow, we assume?

I was always hesitant to buy a Browning mainly because of price and that what everyone else was buying but i pulled the trigger and bought a Xbolt hunter in 270 WSM and with my hand loads it groups at .333 inches at a hounded, The browning are very accurate and the craftsmanship is really good, the Xbolt speed has a fluted cerakoted barrel with a factory break and i believe its a 24" and it weighs 6 lb 13 oz

BornFighting88 · May 17, 2022, 06:56 PM

A hunting friend of mine swears by them. Has one in 30-06 and 300 WSM. Short mag for stand in morning, and the ought six for stalking in the afternoon.

I use my Winchester 70 Classic in 300 WSM for both, and have had sweet luck!

Miroku still the maker of the Brownings?? Or have they teamed up with Howa, as well??

taylorce1 · May 17, 2022, 07:13 PM

I have no interest in the .280 AI, but that doesn't make it not a good cartridge choice. I just prefer to stick with the .270 Win, it has been very good to me.

old roper · May 18, 2022, 05:34 AM

I have one mostly use it for bull elk tag. I've pretty much stayed with bullets above 160gr.

jmr40 · May 18, 2022, 07:15 AM

The 270, 280, 280AI, 30-06, and 7mm RM all do the same thing. Any animal one will kill, they will all kill. There might be a few inches difference in trajectory at ranges farther than most of us need to be shooting but inside of 400 yards there isn't enough difference to matter.

I'll also add that the short action equivalents such as 6.5CM, 7-08, and 308 don't give up much. And the bigger 7mm and 30 caliber magnums don't gain you much.

That said I've always thought at least on paper the 280 had a lot going for it. And I can't think of any real negatives to going with the AI version, you do pick up a little speed. In the real world it probably isn't enough to matter, but it is there.

The 280 is just enough different that you can feel like you're hunting with something a little different and unique, without any real negatives. Just don't start believing it is anything magical and far superior to any other more common cartridge.

stagpanther · May 19, 2022, 05:23 AM

Quote:

The 280 is just enough different that you can feel like you're hunting with something a little different and unique, without any real negatives. Just don't start believing it is anything magical and far superior to any other more common cartridge.

True--but it's sorta like .308 win, unremarkable yet remarkably versatile. The 280 case to me is a classic "sweet spot" of design that just works well and isn't going to bash you.

stagpanther · May 19, 2022, 05:27 AM

The main problem I have with browning guns is that they are so pretty I'm hesitant to actually use them.

BornFighting88 · May 19, 2022, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stagpanther

The main problem I have with browning guns is that they are so pretty I'm hesitant to actually use them.

I felt/feel the same way about my Winchester 70. Just gorgeous with the walnut and blued steel... But it is a machine, and must be used for its purpose. Plus, it will outlast me.

stagpanther · May 20, 2022, 10:01 AM

Quote:

I felt/feel the same way about my Winchester 70. Just gorgeous with the walnut and blued steel... But it is a machine, and must be used for its purpose. Plus, it will outlast me.

Haven't met the firearm yet that can outlast me.

BornFighting88 · May 22, 2022, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stagpanther

Haven't met the firearm yet that can outlast me.

I guarantee that all of mine will be passed on to my daughter and, God willing, my future (someday) son.

stagpanther · June 5, 2022, 08:46 PM

I can break just about anything.

May 17, 2022, 09:08 AM	#4
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	I had a 280Rem that I gave to my son several years ago. It had a 26" barrel, and I could duplicate the Improved loads (at Chronograph) with IMR 4831 and RL19. __________________ Reloading For: 223R, 243W, 6.5 GR, 6.5 CM, 260R, 6.5-06, 280R, 7mmRM, 300HAM'R, 308W, 30-06, 338-06, 9mm, 357M, 41M, 44SPL, 44M, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 450BM.

May 17, 2022, 07:13 PM	#7
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,242	I have no interest in the .280 AI, but that doesn't make it not a good cartridge choice. I just prefer to stick with the .270 Win, it has been very good to me. __________________ NRA Life Member

May 18, 2022, 05:34 AM	#8
old roper Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2007 Posts: 2,155	I have one mostly use it for bull elk tag. I've pretty much stayed with bullets above 160gr. __________________ Semper Fi Vietnam 1965 VFW Life member NRA Life Member

May 18, 2022, 07:15 AM	#9
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	The 270, 280, 280AI, 30-06, and 7mm RM all do the same thing. Any animal one will kill, they will all kill. There might be a few inches difference in trajectory at ranges farther than most of us need to be shooting but inside of 400 yards there isn't enough difference to matter. I'll also add that the short action equivalents such as 6.5CM, 7-08, and 308 don't give up much. And the bigger 7mm and 30 caliber magnums don't gain you much. That said I've always thought at least on paper the 280 had a lot going for it. And I can't think of any real negatives to going with the AI version, you do pick up a little speed. In the real world it probably isn't enough to matter, but it is there. The 280 is just enough different that you can feel like you're hunting with something a little different and unique, without any real negatives. Just don't start believing it is anything magical and far superior to any other more common cartridge. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

May 19, 2022, 05:27 AM	#11
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,771	The main problem I have with browning guns is that they are so pretty I'm hesitant to actually use them. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

May 16, 2022, 06:11 PM	#1
Savagehawg Member Join Date: March 31, 2020 Posts: 45	Looking to add a new rifle Will be adding a new rifle to my collection this year, already decided on a Browning Xbolt Speed Ovix, I am thinking 280 Ackley Improved for a couple of reasons, #1 ballistically its real close to the 7mm Mag, #2 Can fire form 280 Rem brass if needed, and not real recoil heavy #3 I will be getting my Dads 7mm Mag in a few years so no point in getting another lol Since this is a new caliber for me i was just wondering if any of you have had some 280 AI experience, everything i read on it, says its an awesome caliber and accuracy is good. thanks

May 17, 2022, 01:19 AM	#2
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,771	Excellent choice, you won't regret it. Don't skimp on the barrel, the better the barrel--the better you'll shoot at distance. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

May 17, 2022, 07:08 AM	#3
BornFighting88 Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2021 Posts: 455	Brownings are nice rifles. Have only fired a sampling of them once. Was impressed. Nice trigger, smooth bolt throw, handled recoil well. Checked all the boxes. I am just too loyal to Yankee manufacturing and certain other features that I couldn't get myself buy one. I second Stag, as the better the barrel, the better the downrange results. Range report to follow, we assume?

May 17, 2022, 06:56 PM	#6
BornFighting88 Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2021 Posts: 455	A hunting friend of mine swears by them. Has one in 30-06 and 300 WSM. Short mag for stand in morning, and the ought six for stalking in the afternoon. I use my Winchester 70 Classic in 300 WSM for both, and have had sweet luck! Miroku still the maker of the Brownings?? Or have they teamed up with Howa, as well??

June 5, 2022, 08:46 PM	#15
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,771	I can break just about anything. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*