I'm at a crossroads. I like the extra 100-120 fps extra that one can get from the Ackley Improved, but I don't like the fact I'll have to fire-form the brass for reloading.

I guess what I'm asking is it worth getting the Ackley for 100 fps?

Nosler makes formed brass that will work great as long as your chamber is cut to their specs.

I've been a .280 fan for decades, but I'd say that if you can go with a .280 AI right off the bat you oughta go for it. You'll get the extra performance and your brass will shouldn't stretch and require trimming as often...theoretically it will last longer---if you set yo0ur dies up carefully. In a pinch you can fire off-the-shelf .280 ammo too. I* just don't see a real down side.

I started off with the .280 Remington and just never found the right time to jump on over to the AI, otherwise I'd be there.

280 AI is a good one! Get the Nosler brass. It's expensive, but it's very good brass, and you don't have to fire form.

I'm personally leaning very hard at the 280 AI for my new hunting round it has been narrowed down to that 7mm rem mag and 6.5-284.

Well, I was waiting for Chad to chime in.

I was thumbing through my latest Nosler book and noticed the .280 AI and was impressed. So much so I'm selling my recently acquired 7mm Mag. to build one.

I just got a really nice 98 action I'm sending to E.R. Shaw to get barreled and blued. Then into the myrtle stock I got duplicated.

Don't get an Ackley Improved round if the velocity is the reason. AI'ing a round will yield some additional velocity, but you can't count too much on it or you might be disappointed. AI'ing does greatly improve brass life, the added velocity you might get is a bonus. AI'ing a 280 does NOT make it a magnum. But it does get it closer, in a much more efficient platform. The 7mag will still win the race, by a larger margin as bullet weight increases. Also, Nosler's numbers are surely impressive, but actually achieving those numbers safely could be problematic, their manuals are know to be optimistic.

That being said, I have a custom Encore barrel in 280AI. Love the round. Mine is a minimum SAAAMI spec chamber, and is very easy to load for. I use Nosler Brass in mine. There are recipes for fireforming using oatmeal or cream of wheat and pistol powder, without having to actually run bullets down the bore. I'll be going that route when the Nosler brass tanks, but 4&5 loadings later it's still in great shape.

If I had to make the decision again, I'd go AI'd again. Worst case, you CAN still run factory 280 rounds thru it unless you specify a tight neck or something.

that is a tough question. I would recommend the standard 280 though, i have an ai and 280 not enough of a differance to go ai.

If you are a reloaded go the AI route. Brass life eextension is the main reason butt there are others. The adds velocity gain never hurts.

Personaly if I was having a gun built I would go ackly. You will get better brass life, you will get a little more velocity, and you can still shoot regular 280 rem cases through it as well.

And if you are having one build then I would think the cost difference would be non existant.

matt

I will say, most AI versions get about 75 fps over the standard caliber. I've seen this in many AI rifle builds and ammo, and the owners be disappointed that they didn't get the speed they hoped for. It does get a little more speed.

The 280 usually yields good results when the AI route is taken. Parent case design plays a large factor in on how much velocity is gained when improved. 280 and 6mm are the two more popular large rounds that get AI'ed these days that show decent gains. Other rounds don't yield near as much but offer the loader the added bonus of longer brass life.

What about the .284 Win. What's the skinny on it?

To really shine it needs a long action so the bullet doesn't crowd into the case as much. Essentially the 284 and 280 offer identical performance since they have almost identical case capacity but in as built form the 284 isn't as near as impressive.

Makes a great parent case for the 6.5-284.

Yes, and .284 brass can be pretty hard to get your mits on. The .280 is a better choice IMO.

Well, I already have a .284 Win and a 6.5-06, and two 6.5x55 Swede so that's why I'm eyeing the .280 AI.