280 ai

USAF Ret said:

Starting my 280AI journey next weekend. I purchased a custom HOWA 1500 from a rifle builder I know. It has a 26" heavy profile barrel set into a B&C stock. He let me know that he was getting SUB MOA from 175 Berger Elite Hunters with RL-21. Well, cannot find that powder anywhere. I reached out to Berger and got their load info and I have some N-565 in my stash. So, I am ladder testing with that powder. I also have some 160 Nosler ABs that I will be trying with RL-19. Been doing a lot of reading here and I am thinking I need to snatch up some H4831SC.

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kskevin said:

I suspect he meant RL23 as it works great in the 280ai as I have several loads worked up with that powder. H4831sc works great as well but will give up some speed vs RL23

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varmit_master said:

Alot of good information on here. I have a new Browning rifle. A Xbolt Hells Canyon Speed Long Range 280AI. It has a 1@8 twist 26-inch flutted barrel. I have bought up several different bullets to try. Hoping it will like the ELD X 175gr. Or the ELD M 180 gr. Powders i have on hand.

Imr 7828ssc
Imr 4831
H4831 sc
RL 22
RL19
Ramshot magnum
Hopefully have some H1000 coming.

Using new nosler 280AI brass. And Federal 210 M primers. Any suggestion?

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FuhQ said:

7828 SSC will probably net you the best case fill, velocity, and stability. Just from my experiences.

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FuhQ said:

@christensenarms Ridgeline 24" .280 Ackley Improved with Berger 175 Elite Hunters, IMR 7977, Nosler .280 AI brass, and CCI 200 primers... Chrono'ing at a multi-session average today of 2,741.5 FPS muzzle velocity. Quieted down with my newly released from NFA-jail TBAC Magnus-HUB w/ an Otter Creek Labs ZR0-DTA mount.


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FuhQ said:

Finally went to the range today, and put the first shots through my new Christensen Arms Ridgeline .280 Ackley. I was shooting through my OCL Hydrogen-L 7.62 suppressor with the new OCL ZR0-DTA 5/8-24 direct thread mount. It’s a ridiculously lightweight setup for a 9” can. You really don’t even notice it on the end, as far as weight goes. It also sounds excellent!

So far still working on load development, so no results to post yet. I did notice that Christensen really cuts the chamber throats short on these. As a handloader, I’m not a fan. They are seated pretty deep into the case neck, even with Berger 168 VLDs. There’s plenty of room left in the magazine well, so I wish they would cut them a little bit longer (more normal). At almost 2 grains less than book load max, I’m already seeing pressure signs and ejector swipes. I hope it shoots good. But that kind of pissed me off seeing as to how much this rifle costs. I might have to have a gunsmith cut (extend) the throat some, so I can seat the bullets farther out, and they won’t be taking up much needed case capacity to help relieve some chamber pressure.

On top sits an older Zeiss Conquest MC 3-12x56 30mm FFP scope. I’ve had this scope for nearly 15 years. It’s been on quite a few different rifles. It’s sitting in a set of Seekins Precision rings, on an EGW HD base.

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7mm-08 Freak said:

Have the same gun in Olive Drab. Have not started looking for a load. What does yours like?

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FuhQ said:

Give IMR 7828 SSC and CCI 200 primers a go. You should be able to find a good load with that. It works well in all my other '06 sized cases, with excellent velocities.

Mine likes 7977, but I also have about 8 lbs of it left, and I use it in all my magnums and .280 Ackley. However, I'm probably going to start trying to work up loads in my bigger magnums with StaBall HD.

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7mm-08 Freak said:

I just looked I have 3 lbs of 7977 and 3lbs of 8133. My last 280 AI LOVED 8133 with 175s.
what bullet does that CA like. I hate the short throat so VLDs and ELDXs are most likely out IMO

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FuhQ said:

I'm running Berger 175 Elite Hunters seated pretty long. I think I'm only jumping them 0.010", and they still fit and feed from the internal magazine box without issue.

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7mm-08 Freak said:

I have a lot of 175s of various mfg. Do you see bolt wiping and flat primers at book starting loads. I have 4 of those CA Ridge lines and every one of em are tight chambered and show pressure sings at modest or starting book loads. Speed it there but but in no way can you go mid book or book max on any of them

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