Thank you for the kind comments and information. I was aware of the Nosler data and it will provide a starting point as Nosler use the SAMMI version of the .280 AI sadly SAMMI in their wisdom altered Ackley's design and a true Ackley Improved will not chamber in the SAMMI chamber it seems. The moved the shoulder back to 1.990" the shoulder on Ackleys version is at 2.090" and the PTG reamer I brought is made to Ackley's specs. I used a normal .280 Rem Go Gauge and not the Ackley Improved gauge as the AI go gauge is probably to the new SAMMI spec. Whay they had to mess with a proven design God only knows but it's going to cause a heck of a lot of problems.

Now a little background to the rifle. The stock is off a Majestic Featherweight. Here is the donor Monarch in it's original stock:-

It's a bit beaten about and needs some repairs as the sling loops have been ripped out. Currently it's got the Majestic Featherweight metal work sitting in it. The reason for the stock swop is that some "enlightened" owner decided to free float the barrel of the Majestic Featherweight and had not got a clue what they were doing and totally messed it up. I brought this .270 Majestic Featherweight the other month with the idea of fitting a sound moderator for stalking and am not prepared to ruin the 59 vintage Majestic Featherweight Deluxe I already have:-

That one has a Lisenfeld Jaguar 3-9x42 scope on it and makes a nice light stalking rifle.

So as the CF2 7mm barrel has a heavier breech section it was possible to clean up the mess made by the previous owner and make the stock presentable and usable or so I thought. At that time I did not realise just how much wood they had removed from the forestock is sanding off the chequering. It really is slim and probably too thin.

That is the new CF2 barrel fitted

That's the Monarchs profile. Oh that's not the same Monarch even though it's a .270

Unlike some I don't find the white line spacers upsetting and I am not sure that they can be removed without damage so they can remain. Now having made enquireis it seems a brand new walnut stock of either style can be had from John Knibbs for about Ł120 and I do like the look and feel of the slim schnable tipped stock so in the new year one of those might be brought and fitted.

The .280 Ross original ballistics were a 140 grain bullet at 3100fps of there abouts and I believe the .280 Rem AI is capable of exceeding that. A bit like a super .270 with more bullet weight choice.