280 Ackley or 7x64 with fast twist

[SimonDodsworth]

I’m looking for a 7mm with reach, that will stabilise long bullets. My instinctive choice is 280ai but rifle choice is very limited. Does anyone have experience of Savage 110s? That’s an option. Alternatively, it looks like I’m looking for a German made 7x64 to get the twist rate

 

[sparky9]

Just had a 280 ai built for me, 1 in 7.5 twist to handle the longer copper bullets. Lovely shooting gun, low recoil, really pleased with it.
Like you say not a lot about and silly money to have one bought in, hence the new build.

 

[Iamtheferryman]

280 ack fan boy here.

I use a sierra 165 tgk at 2910fps. Hits with authority and the recoil is very manageable.

You have to reload yourself and in the UK brass is not great. I am making my brass from 3006 lapua slowly.

My rifle I bought off here for a bargain and was built off a sako 85 action.

Be patient and they do crop up for sale. If you want easy then 7mm rem mag is a good off the shelf option.

 

[SimonDodsworth]

Maybe I need to find a cheap donor. Sako or Sauer, perhaps

 

[JamesH]

I picked up a Sauer 7x64 with a similar aim in mind (but less planned out than you). With 8.7” twist it should do heavy target bullets and long non-toxic bullets well but I’m yet to try it in anger yet.
Having bought this rifle I realise it may have been better just to get a donor and have a new barrel done to my specs.

 

[Iamtheferryman]

One thing to note with my rifle is that I have to seat to magazine length not ogg the lands. Luck would have it the thk like a jump

 

[SimonDodsworth]

Just had a 280 ai built for me, 1 in 7.5 twist to handle the longer copper bullets. Lovely shooting gun, low recoil, really pleased with it.
Like you say not a lot about and silly money to have one bought in, hence the new build.

Who did you have build it?

 

[SimonDodsworth]

I picked up a Sauer 7x64 with a similar aim in mind (but less planned out than you). With 8.7” twist it should do heavy target bullets and long non-toxic bullets well but I’m yet to try it in anger yet.
Having bought this rifle I realise it may have been better just to get a donor and have a new barrel done to my specs.

That’s one of the options I’m considering. I would love to hear how it goes

 

[scotch_egg]

Tikka will be making the T3x available in 7mm PRC.

The main thing you need to make sure regarding any cartridge you choose is brass availability.

 

[sparky9]

Who did you have build it?

Jr rifles did the build, really high quality work

 

[Heym SR20]

7x64 is a superb cartridge and has always used long heavy for calibre bullets. It’s popular on the continent for good reason.

If you want to use factory ammo it is the better choice. It also feeds very well from magazines - helps with rapid reloads etc.

280 AI is a specialist cartridge that will need reloading.

Terminal effect on either will be pretty much dependent on the bullet choice, but no deer will notice the difference.

The other long range factory option has been the 7mm Rem Mag. Very popular in the US and they shoot 162gn bullets well. They have though always been a 1 in 10” twist. There are some in the UK. Only issue is the word “magnum” which can hissy fits in some quarters.

 

[SimonDodsworth]

Tikka will be making the T3x available in 7mm PRC.

The main thing you need to make sure regarding any cartridge you choose is brass availability.

I keep looking for any suggestion of 7PRC launch in Europe but can’t even find any suggestion that it has been submitted to CIP yet

 

[scotch_egg]

I keep looking for any suggestion of 7PRC launch in Europe but can’t even find any suggestion that it has been submitted to CIP yet

A member of snipershide spoke with Tikka at shot show who confirmed it has been submitted.

 

[SimonDodsworth]

A member of snipershide spoke with Tikka at shot show who confirmed it has been submitted.

Might be worth waiting then. Thanks

 

[sparky9]

Tikka will be making the T3x available in 7mm PRC.

The main thing you need to make sure regarding any cartridge you choose is brass availability.

Managed to buy 100 nosler factory ammo, then on to reloading them once fired.

 

[scotch_egg]

Managed to buy 100 nosler factory ammo, then on to reloading them once fired.

I did that with my 7-08. I bought 200 Remington factory ammunition for the brass. Shot a load of rabbits before realising just how good they were and that reloading wasn’t the cheapest way to go

 

[Kalahari]

Predictably, I would say go for the 7 x 64, getting it right for the last century and a bit.

David.

 

[JamesH]

I’ve been getting thoughts about 7PRC lately. It seems to just break into HME levels which is an extra consideration if shooting on ranges like Bisley. I’m no expert on it though and would love someone to say it squeezes under the limit.

 

[scotch_egg]

I’ve been getting thoughts about 7PRC lately. It seems to just break into HME levels which is an extra consideration if shooting on ranges like Bisley. I’m no expert on it though and would love someone to say it squeezes under the limit.

I have just looked at a chart and any 7mm launching a 180gr bullet above 2850fps will be reaching HME requirements. Which is most of the cartridges mentioned previously.

 

[sparky9]

280 AI has been standardised, you can buy factory ammo but may have to order it in. I have just bought 100 nosler, 140g ballistic tip, they are pushing 3200 fps at the muzzle. Not too shabby, hoping the reloads will be even better. Shot 2 does today with it, excellent rifle and round.