Caliber Question

[Cajun Blake]

If I was to reload absolutely, I can’t find ammo for that caliber in anywhere.

Hornady copied the 17 Ackley Hornet (originally a Wildcat) and made very minor changes and called it the 17 Hornady Hornet. Factory ammo is produced at $15/25 rds.

Buy some reloading dies as a pound of powder will yield 636 rds.

[BrianL]

FYI, you put the bug in my head about the 17 WSM.

I bought one in a semiauto, and love it!

[Notaguide]

I would go with a 280 Remington. Then later you could make it a 280 ackley improved. My 280 ack is a tack driver. It's like shooting a 7mag without the kick. Great suggestions, good luck on your choice.

Agree^^^. 7mag fan "off the shelf" with grain choices from 130's to 180. Speed is hard to match and .284 is enough for most anything. Never seen a Rem 700 7mag that didn't shoot good.

Had a 280AI built years ago and really lost all interest in wanting another gun. Shooting 140 Accubonds at 3100fps with less recoil then a 7mm08 at 2650. Accuracy is crazy with off the shelf Noslers and can be even tighter and faster if I wish to play with loads. Next best thing would be a 7mag in my opinion.

[Balcones_Walker]

Shooting 140 Accubonds at 3100fps with less recoil then a 7mm08 at 2650.

I'm not going to tell you this isn't possible, but if it is then there's a gap in my understanding of physics, assuming the rifles had similar weight.

[TexasArchery_27]

I kinda thought the same thing...but didn't want to sound dumb, because I have no experience with the .280AI

[Notaguide]

I was comparing 7mm08 vs. 280AI which I know is apples to oranges. Would still argue recoil benefits of AI calibers though. Any .284 is great choice in my opinion with some having a edge is all I was saying.

I've always considered printed fps as parking lot horsepower talk. Chrono's often will surprise people. Can go either way depending on barrel lengths and other conditions obviously.

[bboswell]

Agree^^^. 7mag fan "off the shelf" with grain choices from 130's to 180. Speed is hard to match and .284 is enough for most anything. Never seen a Rem 700 7mag that didn't shoot good.

Had a 280AI built years ago and really lost all interest in wanting another gun. Shooting 140 Accubonds at 3100fps with less recoil then a 7mm08 at 2650. Accuracy is crazy with off the shelf Noslers and can be even tighter and faster if I wish to play with loads. Next best thing would be a 7mag in my opinion.

If your felt recoil is less than 7-08 it’s because your rifle is heavier. And 280AI is my pet round.

[30-30]

270 win.

[LWD]

My suggestion for the OP is to get a 6.5 Creedmoor and shoot the snot out of it at ranges beyond 200 yards. You'll learn a lot about shooting at longer, well longer than normal Texas hunting ranges, with relatively little recoil. The reality is that most any cartridge 7mm or bigger will kill an elk out to 400 yards with a proper bullet and placement.

LWD

[JimmyB]

I appreciate all of the input, went with the 7mag. Felt like it will be great all around and give me the flexibility for bigger game/longer shots as well. Now looking for optics.

can’t wait to shoot the gun once it comes in and I get the optics mounted.

[DuramaxDude]

What make and model rifle did you get?

[2Lazy2P]

I appreciate all of the input, went with the 7mag. Felt like it will be great all around and give me the flexibility for bigger game/longer shots as well. Now looking for optics.

can’t wait to shoot the gun once it comes in and I get the optics mounted.

I think you will be well pleased with the 7mag.

[JimmyB]

Tikka T3 forest

[DuramaxDude]

Tikka T3 forest

How do you like it? Have you shot it yet? How well does it group and with what ammo?

[JimmyB]

I have not shot it yet. It’s actually a gift to me from my groomsmen (clearly I had some input) and I get it in a few weeks.

First time I shoot it will probably be mid January or so.