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280 Ackley Improved

wapiti16b

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 16, 2014
726
144
New Mexico
Please share your loads for 280AI , I'm looking for a long range target load and a hunting load and would like information on what bullet weight and manufacturer for each .
What powders do you use for each and what kind of barrel life are you getting from your 280 AI ?
Thanks !
 
I've had good luck with 140 Nosler Ballistic Tips, 140 E-Tips, and 150 E-Tips all over IMR 4831 for hunting loads. I didn't care for the way the BTs worked on my elk last fall, so am transitioning to the 150 E-Tips as an all-around hunting bullet (muleys and elk). I don't have the details handy, but I recall a couple of accuracy nodes with the BTs and for the E-tips I simply picked a mid-range powder charge per Nosler's recommendations at the time and both shoot 3 rounds into about 0.6" at 100 yards out of my Nosler Trophy Grade with the lighter barrel contour. I've shot the BTs out to 575 yards. I only have a couple of hundred rounds through the rifle so I can't comment on barrel life.
 
I've also had very good luck with the Nosler 140 bal. tip with IMR 4350 and IMR 4831, 60 - 62 gr. at 3200 - 3250fps. I used the 4350 because I got more velocity, same accuracy.
 
"If you're looking for long range performance, steer away from the 140s and think heavier---> like 162, 168, or 180gr bullets."

I agree! I use the 140's up to 600. Over 600 I like the 168 Berger hunting vld's. They've been consistently very accurate out of several 7 mags, 280AI and 7-08 that we've built and lots more energy on target than the 140's from 600yds and up.
 
I just built up a 280 AI for my long range F-class gun, i used the original 280 AI design for the reamer and gauges so my shoulder is about 0.100" forward of the SAAMI rounds, so do not apply this data to your 280 AI unless you are certain that your chamber is of the original type.

My load is 58.5 g H4831SC underneath a 180g Berger Hybrid ahd that has worked out well. With only about 500 rounds down the barrel so life is hard to estimate.
 
You might consider Norma mrp with 180's I have 2 and buddies have 3 280 ai's that love Norma mrp with heavy bullets and the speed is much better than 4831


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