CRITERION 280 AI MATCH REMAGE BUILD

280 AI Remage

Kaden S. of Washington sent us some photos of his 280 AI Match RemAge build using a Criterion barrel he purchased from Northland Shooters Supply.

Here are his barrel specs and some of the parts used on his build:

Here is what Kaden had to say about his build:
“Thought I’d share the results of my RemAge build with you. This rifle started out life as a Remington 700 SPS chambered in 30/06. My dad bought it for me for my first deer/elk gun. It did the job, but always left something to be desired in the accuracy department. 

I like to build and tinker, so I decided to go for a barrel swap as opposed to buying a new gun. Though everything but the action, bolt, and bottom metal is new. I went with a Criterion 22″ light varmint RemAge pre-fit barrel chambered in .280 AI Match. I went a little shorter on the barrel to accommodate a suppressor. I have an Aero Precision Lahar 30 that bounces around a few guns. The stock is an AG composites CAT fiberglass stock, and I topped it with a Vortex Vipper 4-16 HST. 

Scoped, it comes out to 10lbs 1oz, with the can it comes out to 11lbs 2oz. On the heavy end for a hunting gun but not enough that it is unmanageable. 

Removing the factory barrel was the hardest part. The NSS action wrench made the job a lot easier. Though I did end up needing to use a pipe wrench on the old barrel to keep it from spinning in the barrel vice I was using. The install went great. Instructions were easy to follow. It was nice to get everything I needed tool wise for this from NSS.  

Accuracy wise the barrel shoots great. After some load development and playing with seating depth the best load has been with the Barns 145 LRX, 53.5gr of IMR 4350 seated at 0.050 off the lands. C.O.A.L is at 3.422 to account for the longer throat of the match chambering. Attached is a 5 shot group from load development.”