Kimber Montana, 7mm-08 or 280AI.

7-08 vs280AI

  • 7-08

    Votes: 25 75.8%

  • 280AI

    Votes: 8 24.2%
  • Total voters
    33
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troy fairweather said:
It's a 24" barrel and is about 5 .10lb so still light.
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The choice is easy for me cuz there’s no way I’m going to shoot a .280AI in a sub six pound rifle. The .280AI is one of those chamberings with a mystical magical magnetic allure for many but somehow I’m not one of them. There are a few cartridges with the same attraction for myself, .275 Rigby, 6.5x55 and .404 Jeffery, and to a lesser extent .257 Roberts and .300 H&H Magnum.

So I’d go 07mm-08 and believe the VX-3i 2.5-8x36 is the perfect match.
 
If I were to choose. It would be the 280AI.
If there AI isn't needed. Then I would step down to the 6.5 CM.
My order if magnitude is. 17hmr, 22-250, 6.5 cm, 280ai, then field artillery.
There are so many choices that aren't really wrong.
 
I think for me this quote from the OP clinches it:

I am really torn between the 2, the 7-08 is plenty for what I hunt and the ranges, it's lighter and read feels better in the hand over the 84L action. I'd look to put a leupold vx-3i 2.5-8x36. Both are 1-9 twist The 7-08 is a 22" barrel 5 .2lb
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I'd like the AI in the longer action IF the game and distances encountered warranted it.
 
Either caliber will be just fine. Pick the gun you like the feel of the best. Me, I would go with the 7-08 because of the shorter action. I have a Model 70 in .280. It is just fine but I would prefer the shorter action just because. Minor differences in ballistics on paper just do not impress me much at the under 300 yard range I shoot at. For instance, I see no reason to "improve" my .280. And neither did the deer.
 
WisBorn said:
Troy, if my memory is correct you have a 7x57 so 7mm-08 equivalent and a 7mm WSM or 280AI equivalent.

So I would go with 7mm -08 Kimber. It would be a great handy woods gun you could carry up a mountain!
Pick-up the Ruger in 280AI when funds allow.
Safe shooting!
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Ya my main gun is a 7x57 probably faster then a 7-08 with the loads I've shot but ya there the same.
 
Casefull said:
Troy, I have the vx3 scope you mentioned on my mountain ascent in 308 and really like it for all around hunting. I have Montana in 308
and 300 WSM so I have no recommendation for your preferred choices. Wonderful hunting rifles in any caliber.
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Do you have the 2.5-8 or the 3-10 I know 8 power is plenty but wonder if the 40mms maybe better in low light then the 36mm. We can't shoot before and after legal light so I've never had any problems seeing deer but if I'm think wood it gets darker quicker.

And do you think it's worth the extra for the mountain accent,
 
troy fairweather said:
Do you have the 2.5-8 or the 3-10 I know 8 power is plenty but wonder if the 40mms maybe better in low light then the 36mm. We can't shoot before and after legal light so I've never had any problems seeing deer but if I'm think wood it gets darker quicker.

And do you think it's worth the extra for the mountain accent,
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The VX-3i 2.5-8x36mm Leupold is a compact and light weight scope - what's on my M70 EW/SS.

Talley Extra Low .300" Lightweight Alloy scope mounts put it nice and tight to the rifle.

23% more light - might make a difference... if you hunted a stand or blind at twilight all the time.

But for a field rifle? Don't know that it would have made a difference to me.




GR
 
Bill M. said:
Either caliber will be just fine. Pick the gun you like the feel of the best. Me, I would go with the 7-08 because of the shorter action. I have a Model 70 in .280. It is just fine but I would prefer the shorter action just because. Minor differences in ballistics on paper just do not impress me much at the under 300 yard range I shoot at. For instance, I see no reason to "improve" my .280. And neither did the deer.
Click to expand...
The 280ai is just a improvement of a already great round, and does improve performance that's noticed. Even if you did not get the extra speed the case life is worth it. There many advantages to the AI. I'd like to pick up a win70 in 280 but just hate to bring it out in the woods, I'd feel better if I found a used one.
 
Garandimal said:
The VX-3i 2.5-8x36mm Leupold is a compact and light weight scope - what's on my M70 EW/SS.

Talley Extra Low .300" Lightweight Alloy scope mounts put it nice and tight to the rifle.

23% more light - might make a difference... if you hunted a stand or blind at twilight all the time.

But for a field rifle? Don't know that it would have made a difference to me.
I really wish leupold made the 4x think they make the x but there same price as the vx3. I do like the simplicity of a fixed scope.



GR
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the 3-10x40 is not to much more weight but is heavier and bigger. The its still lighter then most scopes.
 
troy fairweather said:
The 280ai is just a improvement of a already great round, and does improve performance that's noticed. Even if you did not get the extra speed the case life is worth it. There many advantages to the AI. I'd like to pick up a win70 in 280 but just hate to bring it out in the woods, I'd feel better if I found a used one.
Click to expand...

It brings the tired ole .280... up to .270 WCF performance.

:D




GR
 
troy fairweather said:
well the old 280 will surpass the 270 tho the sammi spec is lower. The 280 will out perform the 270, then really leave the 270 out when the high bc is a big beal. Loaded to the same pressure ofcorse.

The 280ai is a good step up from a 270.
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Of course... rollin' yer own.

But then, even the stately ole .270 WCF is a bunch of cartridge for a featherweight rifle.

All that extra powder/heat/fuss is no friend to follow-up shots given the foil Bbl's they use.

The fluted EW/SS Bbl was one of the selling points for a Std. length action cartridge in a lightweight rifle.




GR
 
Garandimal said:
It brings the tired ole .280... up to .270 WCF performance.

:D




GR
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Your .270 wishes it was a .280!!!:p

Think I got the spirit of that argument right ..........

Anyway, I've got the vx-3i 3.5-10x40, and it's a surprisingly small scope for what it is. I've also got that 2-7x33 vx-f and the 3-9x40 mark-ar, and honestly it's gotta be pretty bloody dark for the 40s to really matter when all are set at max. If your comfortable with 8x I'd say you won't really gain much from going to the 3.5-10, except I seen them cheaper every now and then.
 
Garandimal said:
Of course... rollin' yer own.

But then, even the stately ole .270 WCF is a bunch of cartridge for a featherweight rifle.

All that extra powder/heat/fuss is no friend to follow-up shots given the foil Bbl's they use.

The fluted EW/SS Bbl was one of the selling points for a Std. length action cartridge in a lightweight rifle.




GR
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I'd like ew 70 but the stock just seems to heavy. And 3 shots is all that's needed, I've never had a problem with follow up shots even with big magnums.
 
troy fairweather said:
I'd like ew 70 but the stock just seems to heavy. And 3 shots is all that's needed, I've never had a problem with follow up shots even with big magnums.
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Agree - and the Montana is calling a Sporter contour as well - so you should be fine either way.

...and a pound-and-a-half lighter.


Mine gets shot more often on range trips - so the extra stability is appreciated, especially in the hot weather where cooling can be a problem.

As is, it still gets cycled through w/ an M1 and .22 LR.


So ya know - The current M70's and Montana's share the same Talley Lightweight Alloy scope mounts. (actually ordered "Montana" - because M70 was OOS)

So a VX-3i 2.5-8x36mm Leupold in the Extra Low .300" (SKU: 920702) UPC: 876430000251 should be the same snug fit.

WP-20190419-15-14-11-Pro-50.jpg ​




GR
 
Last edited:
Garandimal said:
Agree - and the Montana is calling a Sporter contour as well - so you should be fine either way.

...and a pound-and-a-half lighter.


Mine gets shot more often on range trips - so the extra stability is appreciated, especially in the hot weather where cooling can be a problem.

As is, it still gets cycled through w/ an M1 and .22 LR.


So ya know - The current M70's and Montana's share the same Talley Lightweight Alloy scope mounts. (actually ordered "Montana" - because M70 was OOS)

So a VX-3i 2.5-8x36mm Leupold in the Extra Low .300" (SKU: 920702) UPC: 876430000251 should be the same snug fit.





GR
Click to expand...
I like the Talley, I've always liked leupold std rings and bases but loonwulf have me some Talley for my browning and I really like them. Got them on the mauser m18 again from loonwulf. I like a low scope I like long eye relief to.
 
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