SmallCaliberCentral

Hey guys, got a new rifle on Monday last week. It's a .280 AI with a Shilen fluted barrel, Boyd JRS stock, bedded, and the trigger reworked to 3#. Stuck a Redfield 6-18 we had laying around. I found some 145 Speer SPBT that we don't use so I just loaded a few up from 52.5-53.5 grains of H4831. 53gr. shot the best at .663, not to shabby for its first time out, shows some promise.

SWEET!!!!!!

I like it. Let us know if you get any better groups with it. I am thinking about building a rifle soon. It'll be my first one..... we'll see though. -Dan

Thanks. I'll be picking up some factory second 160 Accubonds to try in it, I think that would be a sweet elk/deer bullet. I think that with some more work that it will definately be a less than 3/4 minute gun, hopefully a 1/2 minute if I'm lucky. Not that I need that for deer and elk, but it sure makes you feel good (until you miss ) I actually bought this one used so I didn't build it. I do have a .243 AI that I put together, it sure is fun picking out all the parts.

nice

Sweet rig Verm.
I like the caliber. Seems like the 280 improved is really getting more popular and for good reason. Don't wait to long to shed some blood with it.

That ought to work real well!

Keep us updated with a range report when you can. I'll bet that thing lay's 'em in there...

Nice score there Verm2. Looks like that puppy has some great potential. Try some 140gr Accubond's for deer, and save the heavier 160's for elk. I've found that in 7mm, the 140gr is a great all-around weight, and maybe the best balanced bullet weight for the seven bore in 'standard' cases. Less recoil too, so you may shoot the 140's a bit better to boot. But I'll be the first to admit that with the 160gr Accubond having a BC of .531, it's a dynamite long range bullet. (The 140gr AB has a BC of .485....still no slouch!)

Good luck with the new piece.

Thanks guys. Count on it bullfrog

Rick: That was the main reason I chose that bullet, it has a great B.C and should perform well on elk. Would the 140gr. be alright on elk? I heard that the 162 Amax was a pretty good long range bullet (.621 ) as far as performance goes, supposed to go in and blow up. Didn't really want to take a chance on it though with so many hunting oriented bullets with a good B.C. The 154 Interbond/SST has a B.C of around .521 I think those would probably be good too. We'll have to see what shoots good I guess.