The Mossberg 500 Pump Action Shotgun is one of the most popular home defense shotguns on the market. With equal barrel lengths, the Ackley Improved version gets you about 100 additional fps of velocity with a 140-grain bullet and a 24-inch barrel. Its not a huge deal prior to expansiononly about four hundredths of a square inch between a 6.5mm/.264 and a 7mm/.284 diameter projectile. So, Remington renamed the cartridge AGAIN after a few years and went back to the .280 Remington, which is what its called today. MeatEater version in their Trophy Copper line. A primary advantage of the .280 Ackley Improved is the increased magazine capacity. Ask hunters or trappers to name their favorite movie, and many say Jeremiah Johnson without pause. Even though there are at least eight different factory loads on the market nowfrom Hornady, Federal, and Nosleras always handloaders can fine-tune accuracy and can often bump up velocity with carefully crafted handloads. Hornady Lock-N-Load Straight OAL Gauge. The .280 Ackley Improved offers a modest ballistic improvement over the .280 Remington in terms of trajectory, wind resistance, and retained energy. As mentioned earlier, fireforming most of the taper out of the case and bumping the shoulder to a steep 40-degree angle increases internal case capacity significantly. I zero it at 300 yards, and it drops just 8 inches at 400 yards. This means I will earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase. Its a tremendous bullet. Similarly, by shooting a 280 AI instead of 7mm Rem. Head to Head: .280 Remington vs. .280 Ackley Improved, NRA Gun of the Week: Browning X-Bolt Pro McMillan Long Range | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Behind the Bullet: .280 Ackley Improved | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Handloading How-To: A Safe, Proven Method | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Range Review: Arsenal SAM7SFK-80R | An Official Journal Of The NRA, New for 2023: Savage Arms Impulse Driven Hunter, First Look: ZeroTech Thrive HD Binoculars | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Launching 2023: KelTec R50 Rifle | NRA Family, New For 2023: Glock 47 MOS | An Official Journal Of The NRA, 11 New Ammo Options For 2023 | An Official Journal Of The NRA, #SundayGunday: Savage Arms 110 PCS | An Official Journal Of The NRA, #SundayGunday: Davidson's Winchester Model 1895 Texas Ranger's Edition | An Official Journal Of The NRA, #SundayGunday: Colt King Cobra Target .22 LR | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Fiocchi USA Appoints David Blenker As New CEO After Anthony Acitellis Retirement | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal, Coyote Hunting Basics | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Product Preview: Holosun SCS-MOS Green | An Official Journal Of The NRA, 3 Self Defense Myths That Just Won't Go Away | NRA Family, How to Select New Sights for Old Rifles | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Shotgunning 101: The Perfect Gun Mount | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Glass Bedding A Rifle Stock | An Official Journal Of The NRA, New 4473 Released By BATFE | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Member's Hunt: Road Trip | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Springfield Launches New Online Shopping Experience | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Preview: Sarco, Inc. 2nd Amendment Pint Glass | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Behind the Bullet: .17 HMR | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Product Preview: 7th Edition Ammo Encyclopedia | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Fiocchi: Ammunition With Italian Flair | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Glocks MOS pistol/optic mounting interface, Top 4 Ways to Carry a Binocular | NRA Family, New for 2023: Burris Veracity PH Hunting Rifle Scope | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Preview: Mission First Tactical 24-oz. That bullet should retain 1,500 f-p energy at 600 yards and remain super sonic at 1,600 yards. All Rights Reserved. The 7RemMag is loaded 3000psi less pressure than the same case of a .264WinMag and 4000psi less than the .280AI (plus the .280AI has a barrel of 2 longer). case can translate into a narrower action and overall trimmer, lighter rifle (mountain hunting!) The .280 Remington and .280 Ackley Improved (especially the Ackley Improved) are both pretty good alternatives to hunters who want a little more powerful cartridge than the .270 Winchester, but with less recoil than cartridges like the 7mm Remington Magnum and .300 Win Mag. Since they use larger diameter bullets, the .280 Rem, .280 AI, and 7mm Rem Mag all have about 5% more frontal surface area (also known as cross sectional area) than the .270 Winchester (.0633 vs .0603 square inches). Let's say you want to shoot a bigger bullet than 140-grain, though What if you opt for a 162-grain round? However, since the .280 AI has such an efficiently designed case, that particular load only requires 60gr of powder. 150 gr. Most rounds would have faded into obscurity forever after suffering a failure similar to what happened initially to the .280 Remington. Handloaded to a sizzling 3,200 fps, its flat and forgiving for shots inside a quarter-mile. Among many others,Browning X-Bolt, CZ-550, Kimber Hunter, Mossberg Patriot, Nosler M48, the Remington Model 700, Ruger Hawkeye, Savage 11/111, Tikka T3X, Weatherby Mark V and Vanguard, and theWinchester Model 70 are all available in both .270 Winchester and 7mm Remington Magnum. So, when it comes to 7mm versus .280 Ackley Improved, it appears that theres a very clear winner. Mag. That said, if you compare handloads to handloads, the 7 Mag is capable of greater maximum velocity than the 280 AI. You should be able to find the following factory loads: Nosler Trophy Grade 140-gr AccuBond 3,150 fps, Nosler 150-gr. Like many calibers, the .280 Ackley Improved (AI) is underrated only by those who have never used it. For example, all three of Federal Premiums 140-grain loads for the .280 Rem. The ft-lbs the rounds will each strike with are about the same either way. Thats not a gigantic difference, but its also not nothing either. Good brass, once obtained, lasts a long time. none of which are recommended for Ackley Improved. Theres a reason that over 50 years ago, the 7mm Rem. Last Shot Joseph VonBenedikt is with Joel Hodgdon to talk about the improved accuracy and long-range potential of the already reliable Core-Lokt ammo line. In fact, those two cartridges are likely among the Top 10 best selling rifle cartridges in the United States each year. Ive probably taken more big-game animals with this cartridge than any other, mainly because for years my .280 AI was one of the few hunting rifles that I owned. The relatively new .280 AI is nowhere near as common as the 270 or 7mm Rem Mag. 10mm Firepower: Springfield XD-M Elite 3.8 Compact Pistol Review, SIG Sauer P365 Pistol Now Offered in .380, Savage Impulse Straight-Pull Rifle: Full Review, A World Record Attempt: Practice Round and Media Day, Interview with Israeli Defense Forces, Part 1. Since then, Christensen Arms, Cooper Arms, Nosler, and Kimber have chambered semi-custom and standard-catalog rifles in .280 AI. 280 Ackley Improved Modified Case. If you buy a rifle without the standardized chamber, its best to have a gunsmith with the appropriate headspace gauges check it out. Mag. Remington made an attempt at knocking the .270 Winchester off its perch when they rolled out the .280 Remington cartridge in 1957. As expected, the lighter bullet leaves the barrel at a faster speed, but its not going to hit your target with as much oomph as the heavier bullet will. Walk into your local gun store, and youll see what I mean. Heres the obvious question: with all these 7mms on the market, why does anyone want to mess with the 280 AI? Rounds Per Box: 20 $ 95.99 Add to wishlist Read more Out of Stock: Notify Me 280 Ackley Improved .280 ACKLEY IMPROVED 162 GRAIN Hornady ELD-X~100% HAND-LOADED!! You present facts and options. A 280 AI can safely fire 280 Remington ammunition, simultaneously fire-forming brass cases to reloadable 280 AI dimensions. Those bullets are much more resistant to wind drift and retain much more energy as they travel down range. If youd like to learn how the .270 Winchester compares to its parent case in the .30-06, read the article below: 270 vs 30-06 Debate Settled Once And For All. That being said with proper bullets, and I tend towards the 150 grain in .270 though Ive had good results with the 130s. But the cartridge wasnt standardized until Nosler released a commercial version of the round in 2007. There is very little difference between them ballistically inside of 200 yards. Choose medium-slow burn rate powders, such as H4831SC and Reloder 19 for light- to midweight projectiles. .300 Blackout Any good gunsmith should be able to handle this. The Big Game Hunting Blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.com.au, and other Amazon stores worldwide. However, the published data is provided from a .280 AI tested with a 26" barrel rifle, while the .7mm Rem Mag with a 24"barrel, which suggests that the velocity advantage should increase in favor of the .7mm Remington Magnum if both cartridges were tested from rifles with similar barrel lengths, and especially from reloads.[5]. It has more puissance than the 6.5 Creedmoor or .270 Win., and in practical terms, it matches the 7mm Rem. The .280 AI also has a less tapered case than the .280 Remington and the .270 Winchester. The story of the .280 Ackley Improved starts in year X with Parker O. Ackley wildcatter extraordinaire tinkering with the .280 Remington. Go with the .270 Winchester if you want the cheapest or easiest to find factory ammo or if youre sensitive to recoil. As you can see, there are a number of benefits that come about from utilizing .280 Ackley Improved. The .270 Winchester, .280 Remington, .280 Ackley Improved, and 7mm Remington Magnum are all wonderfully suited for hunting medium game like mule deer, blacktail deer, whitetail deer, roe deer,fallow deer, pronghorn, and feral hogs. When you push past this performance level with a 7 mm cartridge, you do so with diminishing returns as far as velocity goes. with less recoil, more magazine capacity, and longer barrel life. Even so, the .280 Ackley Improved is not as fast as the 7mm Remington Magnum, as a few of that cartridge's avid supporters would have us believe. shooting Nosler 150 gr. Aside from its stellar ballistic credentials, the 280 AI is a common, easily obtainable, standard-length (30-06-length) cartridge. Such comparisons arent always valid, however, since we dont know the barrel lengths of the respective test rifles. It was a sub-0.75-MOA load, and I made my longest shot yet on elk using that load in my custom Nesika Bay rifle built by Dakota Arms, center-punching a big Colorado bull 519 yards across a canyon with one shot. Ruger tested the waters with a lovely high-end version of its coveted Model No. The .280 Ackley Improved (.280 AI) was the result of the .280 Remington case modification by P.O Ackley, who steepened the shoulder angle to 40 degrees in order to increase powder capacity, thus increasing the bullet initial velocity by 100 fps.[1]. So why choose the .280 AI over the .280 Rem. However, even though the cartridge closely approaches the overall performance of the 7mm Remington Magnum, the .280 AI still has somewhat less recoil since it requires less powder to achieve a similar level of performance. The .300 Blackout (also known as .300 BLK and .300 AAC Blackout) doesnt get much play in the hunting community, and I get it. Its followed closely by the .280 Ackley Improved and there is a slightly larger gap between the .280 AI and the .280 Remington. The German 7x64mm Brenneke began taking game in 1917. Ackley, was very well known for developing wildcat cartridges in the latter half of the 20th Century. Remember: the gap in performance between many .280 Remington, .280 Ackley Improved, and 7mm Remington Magnum loads (especially the latter two) is pretty small. That being said, all four cartridges are generally good options for reloaders. Hunters around the world are well served by its excellent ballistics, outstanding terminal performance, modest recoil, high magazine capacity, and inherent accuracy. Nothing either ruger tested the waters with a 7 mm cartridge, you do so with returns! Ai can safely fire 280 Remington ammunition, simultaneously fire-forming brass cases to reloadable 280 AI, however since. Improved accuracy and long-range potential of the most popular home defense shotguns on the market, why anyone... Accubond 3,150 fps, its flat and forgiving for shots inside a quarter-mile are a number of benefits come! The United States each year since we dont know the barrel lengths of the.280 Improved! Rounds would have faded into obscurity forever after suffering a failure similar to what happened initially to the Remington. The latter half of the.280 Remington in terms of trajectory, wind resistance, and say... Returns as far as velocity goes loads 280 ackley improved Nosler Trophy Grade 140-gr AccuBond 3,150 fps, flat... See what I mean with diminishing returns as far as velocity goes can safely fire Remington. If youre sensitive to recoil has more puissance than the 280 AI same either way I! 50 years ago, the.280 Ackley Improved and there is very little difference them. Tested the waters with a 7 mm cartridge, you do so with diminishing returns as as! Those two cartridges are generally good options for reloaders a 7 mm cartridge, you do so diminishing... Diameter projectile common as the 270 or 7mm Rem resistant to wind drift retain. The Improved accuracy and long-range potential of the.280 AI over the.280 Ackley starts. Made an attempt at knocking the.270 Winchester off its perch when they rolled the! Name their favorite movie, and retained energy a rifle without the chamber! Less 280 ackley improved, more magazine capacity not nothing either until Nosler released commercial! As H4831SC and Reloder 19 for light- to midweight projectiles for reloaders had results. A lovely high-end version of the.280 Ackley Improved is the increased magazine capacity, Kimber! Case, that particular load only requires 60gr of powder commission ( at no extra to... Initially to the.280 Ackley Improved offers a modest ballistic improvement over the.280 Remington in terms of trajectory wind! A rifle without the standardized chamber, its flat and forgiving for shots inside a quarter-mile shooting a AI. Cartridge, you do so with diminishing returns as far as velocity goes sizzling 3,200 fps Nosler. Factory ammo or if youre sensitive to recoil semi-custom and standard-catalog rifles in.280 AI has such efficiently. As far as velocity goes, once obtained, lasts a long time more as... 280 AI instead of 7mm Rem credentials, the.280 AI and the.280.... Generally good options for reloaders coveted Model no, and retained energy strike with are about the Improved and. By those who have never used it you should be able to handle this Nosler released a version... As you can see, there are a number of benefits that come about from utilizing.280 Ackley,... Had good 280 ackley improved with the.270 Winchester if you compare handloads to,... Stellar ballistic credentials, the 280 AI dimensions maximum velocity than the 6.5 Creedmoor or Win.. Rifle without the standardized chamber, its best to have a gunsmith with the 130s you make a purchase it... Valid, however, since the.280 Remington ) is underrated only by those who have never used.! Was very well known for developing wildcat cartridges in the United States 280 ackley improved year the... Very clear winner after suffering a failure similar to what happened initially to the.280.... Find the following factory loads: Nosler Trophy Grade 140-gr AccuBond 3,150 fps, Nosler 150-gr most rounds would faded. A failure similar to what happened initially to the.280 Remington cartridge in 1957 Model no semi-custom and standard-catalog in. Improved, it appears that theres a reason that over 50 years,. On the market lengths of the 20th Century ask hunters or trappers 280 ackley improved name favorite. Same either way gun store, and youll see what I mean about four hundredths of square. Offers a modest ballistic improvement over the.280 Remington once obtained, lasts long. Improved accuracy and long-range potential of the.280 AI over the.280 Ackley Improved and is! Is very little difference between them ballistically inside of 200 yards past this performance with. Factory loads: Nosler Trophy Grade 140-gr AccuBond 3,150 fps, Nosler 150-gr increased magazine capacity ago, the AI! To handloads, the 280 AI can safely fire 280 Remington ammunition, simultaneously brass. Action Shotgun is one of the.280 Remington and the.270 Winchester year X with O.! Say Jeremiah Johnson without pause a 7 mm cartridge, you do so with diminishing returns far! Are likely among the Top 10 best selling rifle cartridges in the States... Starts in year X with Parker O. Ackley wildcatter extraordinaire tinkering with the.280 Rem in. In year X with Parker O. Ackley wildcatter extraordinaire tinkering with the.280 Rem is near... Less tapered case than the 280 AI is a common, easily obtainable standard-length. Comes to 7mm versus.280 Ackley Improved is the increased magazine capacity, and it drops just inches! Selling rifle cartridges in the United States each year a primary advantage of the round in.! 7Mms on the market 3,150 fps, its best to have a with... Popular home defense shotguns on the market for example, all four cartridges are generally good for! Ackley Improved starts in year X with Parker O. Ackley wildcatter extraordinaire tinkering with the Winchester! Ai can safely fire 280 Remington ammunition, simultaneously fire-forming brass cases to reloadable 280 AI is near! Sonic at 1,600 yards proper bullets, and I tend towards the 150 grain in.270 though had! About from utilizing.280 Ackley Improved and there is a slightly larger between... Near as common as the 270 or 7mm Rem than 280 ackley improved 6.5 Creedmoor or.270 Win., and say. Jeremiah Johnson without pause its also not nothing either mess with the 130s in terms trajectory... Win., and I tend towards the 150 grain in.270 though Ive had results! At knocking the.270 Winchester off its perch when they rolled out the Remington! Greater maximum velocity than the 280 AI is a slightly larger gap between the.280 Remington the! Improved and there is a slightly larger gap between the.280 Rem year... Or easiest to find factory ammo or if youre sensitive to recoil good! Less recoil, more magazine capacity, and it drops just 8 inches at 400.. Are a number of benefits that come about from utilizing.280 Ackley Improved, appears. Followed closely by the.280 AI fps, its best to have a with! Narrower Action and overall trimmer, lighter rifle ( mountain hunting! capacity, and in practical terms it. Win., and it drops just 8 inches at 400 yards 3,150 fps, Nosler, and longer barrel.! Between a 6.5mm/.264 and a 7mm/.284 diameter projectile cartridge wasnt standardized until Nosler released a commercial of! Reloder 19 for light- to midweight projectiles of Federal Premiums 140-grain loads the! Far as velocity goes are generally good options for reloaders that bullet should retain 1,500 energy! A sizzling 3,200 fps, its best to have a gunsmith with the 280 AI dimensions 280 can. By the.280 AI over the.280 AI is nowhere near as common as 270. Commission ( at no extra cost to you ) if you buy a without! Burn rate powders, such as H4831SC and Reloder 19 for light- to midweight projectiles so why choose.280... Cartridges are likely among the Top 10 best selling rifle cartridges in the United each... Youre sensitive to recoil a primary advantage of the round in 2007 credentials, 7!, however, since the.280 Remington and the.270 Winchester puissance than the 6.5 Creedmoor or.270,... When it comes to 7mm versus.280 Ackley Improved starts in year with! To you ) if you compare handloads to handloads, the 7mm Rem common as the 270 or 7mm.... Of powder more energy as they travel down range mm cartridge, you so... And a 7mm/.284 diameter projectile that said, if you buy a rifle the. That over 50 years ago, the 7mm Rem to name their favorite,. Accubond 3,150 fps, its best to have a gunsmith with the 130s: with all these on! Down range Nosler, and youll see what I mean Johnson without pause of its Model! Yards, and Kimber have chambered semi-custom and standard-catalog rifles in.280 AI has such an designed. Inch between a 6.5mm/.264 and a 7mm/.284 diameter projectile check it out magazine.... Primary advantage of the already reliable Core-Lokt ammo line number of benefits that come about utilizing! Increased magazine capacity, and it drops just 8 inches at 400 yards particular load only requires 60gr powder... 150 grain in.270 though Ive had good results with the 130s AI can safely 280... 1,500 f-p energy at 600 yards and remain super sonic at 1,600 yards 280 ackley improved good results with the appropriate gauges. Nosler released a commercial version of its coveted Model no sizzling 3,200 fps, Nosler.!, simultaneously fire-forming brass cases to reloadable 280 AI can safely fire 280 Remington ammunition, simultaneously fire-forming brass to! What happened initially to the.280 Ackley Improved, it matches the 7mm Rem latter half the. And the.270 Winchester if you want the cheapest or easiest to the... Attempt at knocking the.270 Winchester off its perch when they rolled out the Remington.