OzFclass

Gents,

I'm at that point where I want to decide on a 7mm case to build from or run something different for my LR cal. I'm seriously considering the 280AI as its a bit larger case then the 284 and such should run at less pressures then the 284 Shehane to get the same MV and accuracy. My question is first, who else besides Matt P is running one and why hasn't anyone else chosen to run one? If I ran one it would be with RWS brass and I would be looking to use the new Lapua 180gr Scenar-L and the Bergers 180gr bullets. Also, have people found that the 280AI just is a consistent performer day in, day out as long as the shooter does it justice?

Cheers for all your help guys.

One bloke in my club has built one recently, but I haven't shot in a while so I haven't seen it or know any other details.

In an unrelated field of shooting I know of another bloke running a standard 280 with 21" barrel and he's shooting 140 bergers at 3400fps.

Maybe the 284s are easier to tune.

we all used to use 6.5 cal, so stats said it was the way to go.
the 280 is too early to have good stats yet, but is growing in popularity fast.
it holds a bit more powder than the shehane, and a bit less than the saum.
multi choice of brass and other issues make it very inviting.
everything about choosing a cartridge is about compromise, and the one that suits you might well be different than the one that suits your friend.
I personally have been thinking about the 7x57 Ackley, or a version of that with a 30 degree shoulder, as an interesting experiment.
good luck with your choice, they are all good in their own way.
keep safe,
bruce.

the guy who is shooting a std 280 with 140 gn bullets at 3400 might have a chronograph problem.
keep safe,
bruce.

Quick
John Peters from Cessnock and Matt Paroz both shot 280AIs at the Sydney Queens this year and either of them could have very easily taken the event out with the slightest change of luck. As it was they finished just one point behind Rod and myself in 3rd and 4th place
John dropped 6 points on the last 600 mtr range on day two, where RD had a possible, I dropped 1 and Matt dropped 2 (or it might have been the other way around.....I am senile and can't remember) and then the 90-9 that John shot the next morning at 800 mtrs with his 280AI was quite simply an extraordinary effort. That event convinced me that the 280 AI is every bit the equal of the 284 Win.

My own 284 Win goes better than i do, but the situation with Lapua brass really worries me, so I am also jumping on the 280 AI bandwagon. I have done a deal with Macguru that will see Matt rethread and rechamber Macgurus "just broken in" 280 barrel to fit a new Panda F Class action that should be in Austalia for me within a few weeks. My BAT will be mainly a 284 Win with a Broughton 6 x 47 Lap switch barrel, and the new Panda will be a Bartlein 6 x47 Lapua, with a 30" Trueflite 280 AI as a switch barrel.
For me it will be my "back up" way to send 180 gr projectiles down a 30" , 1 in 9 twist heavy barrel.
I am starting with 200 Nosler fully prepped 280 AI custom brass , made by Norma, and have joined the looooong queue with a back order in for some RWS 280 brass that will need fireforming
I keep saying that i intend to try to stick to just 2820 fps or so, but the urge to have a play with 2950 fps or so with the 280AI for very bad wind at big events could get a bit over powering
Happy Christmas young fella ! If you can find me some RWS 280 brass over there in your country, it would really make my Xmas
Tony

bruce moulds wrote:the guy who is shooting a std 280 with 140 gn bullets at 3400 might have a chronograph problem.
keep safe,
bruce.

I know it sounds high, but it seems to work just fine with his other cartridges. And no doubt he has validated it with trajectory plotting on targets at extended range so I've no doubts to his claims.

ecomeat wrote:Quick
John Peters from Cessnock and Matt Paroz both shot 280AIs at the Sydney Queens this year and either of them could have very easily taken the event out with the slightest change of luck. As it was they finished just one point behind Rod and myself in 3rd and 4th place
John dropped 6 points on the last 600 mtr range on day two, where RD had a possible, I dropped 1 and Matt dropped 2 (or it might have been the other way around.....I am senile and can't remember) and then the 90-9 that John shot the next morning at 800 mtrs with his 280AI was quite simply an extraordinary effort. That event convinced me that the 280 AI is every bit the equal of the 284 Win.

My own 284 Win goes better than i do, but the situation with Lapua brass really worries me, so I am also jumping on the 280 AI bandwagon. I have done a deal with Macguru that will see Matt rethread and rechamber Macgurus "just broken in" 280 barrel to fit a new Panda F Class action that should be in Austalia for me within a few weeks. My BAT will be mainly a 284 Win with a Broughton 6 x 47 Lap switch barrel, and the new Panda will be a Bartlein 6 x47 Lapua, with a 30" Trueflite 280 AI as a switch barrel.
For me it will be my "back up" way to send 180 gr projectiles down a 30" , 1 in 9 twist heavy barrel.
I am starting with 200 Nosler fully prepped 280 AI custom brass , made by Norma, and have joined the looooong queue with a back order in for some RWS 280 brass that will need fireforming
I keep saying that i intend to try to stick to just 2820 fps or so, but the urge to have a play with 2950 fps or so with the 280AI for very bad wind at big events could get a bit over powering
Happy Christmas young fella ! If you can find me some RWS 280 brass over there in your country, it would really make my Xmas
Tony

Tony

You're part of the true FO club now. You have really and truely got the bug.


Merry Christmas
Cam

outaammo,
if it is true, I would hate to die and come back in another life as one of his cases.
keep safe,
bruce.

To me, the 284/shehane is proven. The case issues seem to be with previously softer batches of cases. No bad reports about the new lots and the new box I have fireformed seem just as tight. The key here is both calibres are going to shoot around the 2850fps mark accurately with good case and barrel life. As soon as you try to crank a non magnum up to 2950 your going to lose barrel and case life. There is so much information worldwide on getting 284's to shoot its pretty much common knowledge. At this point Im going to admit Im biased by running a 284S but its really was a no brainer choice. Not trying to be rude and he is a very well established shooter who's results speak for themselves, but Matt Paroz is the only one I know of running one successfully in Aus. And he has the know how and gear to constantly tweak it to get it working and keep it working. The 284, every second bloke and his dog has one so its easy to get it right. You dont win shoots just by being different from everyone else. Shaun in your position and still fairly new to FO relatively speaking (like alot of us younger guys in FO too) I would strongly urge you to do a 284 or shehane like I did and rely on the experience of the people on here to get it shooting, rather than start from almost scratch.

Just my usually strong, one sided opinion....

I truly think anything in this range is going to be good- 7-08 ai, 7*57AI 7-7.5*55Swiss(or improved), 284, 284Sh, 280AI, 7mm SAUM etc etc etc etc.

Do you like to experiment or lay down and shoot???

I am a sucker for both so all the above look interesting to me but if I was going to recommend a single one to people it would still be the 284 (or Shehane) based on combined knowledge (as Brad said), availabiltiy of brass and dies but also proven track record. It is a sweetheart to shoot and load develop for. There is nothing bad to be said here except expect to shoot it at 2800+ not 2950+ or your brass will go south.

Matts 60.10 in Brisbane nearly made me change my mind until I saw Cameron did one too with his Shehane!!

The 7-08AI has me thinking a bit. Easy to get brass should be easy to load and tune. To many options!!!!

Btw Dave, I sent you a PM.

If anyone is thinking of a 280Ai please note that I still have the competition Dies and brass for sale in the For Sale section .....

Andrew

I have a 7mm stw with a 26" barrel.
it will give 3400 to a 140 gn bullet,3300 to a 150, and 3200 to a 160, with 80+ gns powder.
a great hunting rifle for long range shots where distance is hard to judge, due to flat trajectory and corresponding long point blank range. also good energy delivery at distance.
conventional hunting bullets tend to self destruct on game at normal hunting ranges at these speeds, and it requires controlled expansion bullets to have any penetration.
energy figures are not different to a 375 h&h.
this gun is hard an barrels, but this is not an issue for hunting. fclass use would cost a lot for barrels.
I also have a 280 rem hunting rifle. it is a wonderful all rounder for medium game, outperforming the 270 for power while sharing its trajectory, and shooting flatter than a 30/06 with less recoil.
any 140 gn bullet at 3050 is a warm load, 2950 being a more sensible goal for general use, in a 24" barrel.
this cartridge with its std shoulder angle feeds well from a magazine in controlled round feed actions, and would itself make a good fclass cartridge.
keep safe,
bruce.

Dave you hit the nail smack bang on the head.

In my opinion we can all jump around and build calibers that will essentially do the same thing. Every now and then someone will win with a non mainstream cal and people might think rushing to it is a good idea. WA has quite a few upcoming FO shooters and I consider myself and Shaun in that category. Both still under 30, havent had exposure to national level competition yet and while both passionate about the sport, have much to learn. Staying with proven calibers and learning to shoot better as individuals and team mates I think should be priority, without having to struggle our way through learning new calibers.