280 Ackley Improved vs 6.8 Western

280 Ackley Improved vs 6.8 Western

Welcome to the Ron Spomer Outdoors Podcast! In this episode, I read an article I wrote about an amazing pronghorn hunt I went on in Colorado.

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Who is Ron Spomer
For 44 years I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion – the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me – from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, to become an integral part of our ecosystem and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see, survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.

Disclaimer
All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not modify any cartridge or firearm beyond what the manufacturer recommends. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.

[highplainsdrifter]

Both are excellent choices. Pick either one, as a deer or an elk will never be able to tell the difference. There are a lot more components available for the 280 AI. The 6.8 Western is much newer, although it seems to be gaining some much needed traction. Both are unique picks that have lots of cool factor.

[henrychristy]

.280 Ackley Improved works very well on my elk

[JamesJones-cxpk]

The regular old .280 will pretty much do it.👍🤩

[nmelkhunter]

This is a good one. I would lean to the 280 AI since I’m skeptical about the longevity of the 6.8 Western.

[lastone]

Would suggest the most common caliber due to if you need ammo and your out in the middle of nowhere and come across a store that carries ammo they may not have exotic or the latest and the greatest ammo. Should consider 30:06 if they sell ammo may have this in stock

[lazydragonslayer]

I love my 280ai. No experiance with the 6.8. Im sure itll do five too.

[tristenfraser]

I’ve been going out of my mind trying to decide between a 6.8 or 280 AI in a hells canyon speed…

[ronlowney]

280 AI is the Better Cartridge, But I'll Still Take the 270 Winchester! 😜

[edwardhoward]

Personally, I would get the energy for each cartridge at 400 yards and make that be the deciding factor.

[chriscosby]

280AI because you can modify 30-06 based cases to 280AI.

[chipsterb]

The 6.8 Western is an interesting cartridge but looks like it’s headed to obscurity. 280 Ackley improved has been around for a while and has a relatively strong cult following. There’s a lot more published load data for it than 6.8 Western. Both are hand loaders cartridges.

[WheezyIsHere]

Its funny because in west tennessee if you are taking shots at 400 yards that mf is WAY out there. Most shots are within 200 around here

[keithprinn]

brass and other reloading requirements in short supply, simply not being supported as they deserve to be. for 6.8

[RyanWarrior-fosk]

6.8 western is better and better ballistics than the 280 AI. What’s funny though the old fashion 7mm rem magnum still outperforms them both.

[cargotoolshop]

Out to 400 yards I would have an 270
Out to 300 yards i would have an 243
Out to 200 yards i would have an 30-30
But for many reasons the 308 30-06 are better options because of available rounds and are everywhere you look

[TNT-gun-reviews]

Didn't answer the question. Just plugged your videos...😑

[thehoneybadger]

He needs to get at least 100 yards closer. That's why they call it hunting and not shooting.
And as Townsend Whelen said, "The .30-'06 is never a mistake."

[gregcameron]

Reload sux! 270 is the only true rifle for deer!

[halcurtis]

If you're not loading, get a 7 mag or 270 wsm. Something you can find factory ammo.

[BradyWark-kbqt]

I would suggest a 7 mm Remington Magnum! Nothing comes close as far as trajectory foot pounds on impact and Spindrift! I own a Whitworth bolt-action chambered and 7 mm Magnum! Unfortunately it weighs 12 lb with scope and only holds 3 Rounds! I also have a red field accutrack 3 by 9 which was only made for a few years! This scope is calibrated for the 7 millimeter Magnum! I've shot moose, I've shot deer and I love shooting woodchucks with it at long-range! My longest shot to date, was a coyote at 436 give or take ten or twelve yards! If you look up the ballistics at yardage the seven mm Magnum is moving way faster at 6 to 800 yards than a 300 Win Mag! Which gives you an advantage! But variables, wind humidity steep Terrain play apart! You need to know your caliber and what it's capable of and shoot it extensively! Don't plan on using a 7 mm Rem Mag on a deer under two hundred yards if you want to salvage some meat it will destroy it! You're better off with a 308 or a 243! The only reason I carry my 7 mm egg it's cuz I hunt Northern New Hampshire and you never know when you're going to run into a large bear or a super long shot at a big block! Get comfortable with what works for you! Honestly I love 308!