280 Ackley Loads....

[Kells81]

Looked at the threads here and didn't see one for the 280. Looking at the post the other day it seems the 280AI has a decent following here so maybe it should have a thread.

Fireforming load.
50.5 H4350
140 Nosler Ballistic tip
3.365 OAL
F210M
Rem 280 brass

I have 2 280's
Both rifles cut with the same reamer by the same smith.

#1 Shilen Stainless 1x9 twist barrel, bedded wood stock, Rem action.
#2 Krieger Stainless 1x8 twist, McM pillar bedded, stiller action

The Fireforming load shoots under 1" in both rifles.

140 Nosler Ballistic tip
60.0 H4831SC
OAL 3.335
Fed 210M
Nosler 280AI brass

Many 3/4" 5 shot groups with this load on rifle #1
Rifle #2 did about 1" with it



168 Sierra Match King
50.0 H4350
F210M
Nosler 280AI brass
3.350

about 1 inch in both rifles



162 A-max
54.0 RL-22
Rem 280 firformed brass
3.475
F210M

about 1" in rifle #1 and under 1/2" in rifle #2.
Gonna play with the seating on this load to see if I can tweak it out a bit.

I have shot the 168SMK load out of rifle #1 to 500 yards and did very well with it but the optics setup would not accommodate the 1k mark.

 

[Grand]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=526213&gonew=1#UNREAD

 

[HellsCanyonArmory]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

Were you seeing any pressure signs with those loads? I'm asking because of all the .280 AI loads I've seen, it appears that most people are up in the 58-59.5 grain ranges with their powders while yours are a bit lower. What kind of speeds and barrel lengths do you have?

Mike

 

[HellsCanyonArmory]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

Figured I'd copy and paste some loads from that thread that was linked in the first reply.... Hope its alright with forum rules.

*these are not my loads but posted by other fellow hide members!*

from .257:
"Nosler 280 Ackley case
CCI Benchrest Primer
Berger 180 grain VLD
26 inch 1/8 twist barrel
56.5 grains of Rl 22 / velocity is 2860. No pressure signs, excellent accuracy!"

from TNSAF:
"Federal brass fire formed and annealled
trimmed to 2.520
flash holes lightly chamfered inside and out with deburring tool.
inside case necks polished with steel wool wrapped around a bore brush on a drill.

168 gr SMK
0.010 off lands
57.2 gr R-22
federal 210M primers
2900 fps measured 10' from muzzel
shoots 1/2 moa out to 400 yds, 5 shot groups
-as far as I've been able to shoot so far"

from: Slayer_280AI
"280AI
26" Brux barrel
Nosler brass
162 A-max seated to the lands
61 grains H4831SC
3020fps average for 10 shot string, very low E.S.
**make sure you work up in your rifle**"

From GreatGonzo:
"280 AI
Nosler Brass
CCI BR4
64gr R-22
139gr SST
This load shoots to about an inch at 200 yards. It is pretty hot as the Nosler manual says it yields 3290 ft/s. I get a little cratering on the primers when the brass is a little older and neck tension goes up, so work up to it in your rifle."

 

[HellsCanyonArmory]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

Finally got in some shooting today with a chonograph.

Fireforming Loads
Rem 280 brass
CCI Magnum primers
162 Amax seated just into the lands
52 grains IMR4832
24" rock creek barrel 1:8.7"
Averages around .3 MOA out of this gun and 2650 fps but I have shot quite a few .2" groups (3 shot)

280AI Loads
57 Grains IMR4831
Rem Brass, CCI Magnums
162 Amax seated 15 thousand off the lands w/ same barrel
2930 fps with ZERO pressure signs
best group was .22" today (3 shot)

Love this caliber and rifle!

 

[HellsCanyonArmory]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

Bringing this back up to the top... for anybody running the 162 Amax's, what bullet seating depth do your guns seem to like?

Mine really is loving the Amax's just kissing the lands with 57 grains of IMR4831 and I'm getting right around 2950 fps with ZERO pressure signs... gonna be working up here soon.

Mike

 

[kskevin]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

tag

 

[HellsCanyonArmory]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

Tried some new loads today...
60.5 RL22
162 Amax
2950 fps
About 3/4 moa groups at 100 yds

I worked up in .5 grain increments to 63 grains and both 62.5 and 63 grains got 3150 fps with some flatening of primers but bolt lift was easy and no extractor marks. also about 3/4 MOA but they were stabilizing and grouping better the farther they went when the wind cooperated.

Mike

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

Some recent 280AI reloading info I posted.

See below.

 

[saleen63]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

tag

 

[kskevin]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

Nosler 280 Ackley case
Fed 210
Berger 168 grain VLD
24 inch 1/8.7 twist barrel
59.2g H4831sc / vel = 2811.
0.5 - 0.8" groups @ 100yds

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

I moved my other 280AI posts to this board. I'll be posting about the 162 Amax next.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowe Left</div><div class="ubbcode-body">280 Ackley Improved...

This is my first go-around with an Ackley round.
Brux, 26", 1-9 twist, Oehler Chrono 8 feet from muzzle.
1200' elevation, 97-105 degrees, about 25% humidity.

Fire-forming load, 280 rem brass, CCI 200 primer, H4381SC, Hornady 162 BTSP interlock bullet. Velocity is average of 5 rounds.

51 gr, 2472 fps, SD: 19
52 gr, 2515 fps, SD: 20
53 gr, 2591 fps, SD: 27
53.5 gr, 2604 fps, SD: 30
54 gr, 2641 fps, SD: 30
54.5 gr, 2680 fps, SD: 17

All the loads shot within 1 MOA except the 53 gr load and I had a lot of barrel mirage. I'm not happy with the SD numbers, but it is fire-forming so.....

I resized the 280 AI brass, bumped shoulder back .002" I decided, for no particular reason to try the Sierra 175 SMK. I again chose H4381SC from recommendations by others. I decided to jump these .020 and will get closer to the lands as I go. I also loaded 5 differing charge weights among the 50 rounds, but I loaded 5 rounds with a 200 primer and the other 5 with a 250 magnum primer for each charge. 1200' elevation 35%humidity, 97-103 degrees. Oehler chrono 8 ft from muzzle.

55.0gr, 200 primer, ES: 41, Vel: 2641fps, SD: 20, group: 0.679 MOA
55.0gr, 250 primer, ES: 34, Vel: 2673fps, SD: 12, group: 0.593 MOA
55.5gr, 200 primer, ES: 24, Vel: 2684fps, SD: 10, group: 0.636 MOA
55.5gr, 250 primer, ES: 51, Vel: 2693fps, SD: 20, group: 0.951 MOA
56.0gr, 200 primer, ES: 29, Vel: 2697fps, SD: 13, group: 0.468 MOA
56.0gr, 250 primer, ES: 33, Vel: 2724fps, SD: 13, group: 0.593 MOA
56.5gr, 200 primer, ES: 13, Vel: 2734fps, SD: 05, group: 0.543 MOA
56.5gr, 250 primer, ES: 71, Vel: 2770fps, SD: 27, group: 1.201 MOA
57.0gr, 200 primer, ES: 35, Vel: 2755fps, SD: 13, group: 0.784 MOA
57.0gr, 250 primer, ES: 52, Vel: 2781fps, SD: 21, group: 1.097 MOA

The 57.0gr load looks like the primer is starting to flatten, but no other signs of pressure. What velocity should I be getting with the 175SMK? I was thinking tops would be around 2875fps... Thoughts?

I was thinking of doing the same type of test, but jumping the 175SMK .010 and beginning with 56.5 and work my way up to around 58.5 or until I see some pressure signs... Thoughts?</div></div>

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowe Left</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Shot some more 280AI same weather conditions and elevation. Same shootin-rig too, of course. Oehler @ 8 feet. 5-shot groups, etc. blah, blah blah.

Jumpin' the 175's 0.010, H-4831SC, CCI 200/250 primers and 175 SMK

57.5gr, 200 primer, had previous data in chrono so no data, group: 0.716 MOA
57.5gr, 250 primer, ES: 09, Vel: 2774, SD: 04, group: 0.605 (4 in one hole last shot doubled the group size).
57.8gr, 200 primer, ES: 66, Vel: 2778, SD: 25, group: 0.548
57.8gr, 250 primer, ES: 22, Vel: 2798, SD: 08, group: 0.564
58.1gr, 200 primer, ES: 29, Vel: 2784, SD: 13, group: 0.318
58.1gr, 250 primer, ES: 29, Vel: 2814, SD: 10, group: 0.386

Looks like the recipe is getting better. But, I've decided to go with the 162 Amax, so all load data after this post will be on that bullet.
------------------------------
For the next 20 rounds, I tried Hornady's Superformance since it was next on the burn-rate chart. All I can say is... wow. Same bullet, same 0.010 jump.

55.0gr, 200 primer, ES: 115, Vel: 2782, SD: 47, group: 0.545
55.0gr, 250 primer, ES: 68, Vel: 2800, SD: 28, group: 0.761
55.5gr, 200 primer, ES: 62, Vel: 2806, SD: 30, group: 0.711
55.5gr, 250 primer, ES: 63, Vel: 2803, SD: 29, group: 0.851

No, the ES numbers are not a typo. The groups opened up initially because the firing pin began sticking/hanging a little. It felt like there was a delay from the time I pulled the trigger and the firing pin struck the primer. Had another shooter drive and he experienced it too. We disassembled the bolt, cleaned up some excess oil and it was again operating normally. Needless to say, I was impressed with the Superformance's velocity, but that was where the good impression stopped. Guess I have some fire-forming powder.

No pressure signs in any of these loads. </div></div>

 

[kskevin]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

LowLeft - I've been working up some 162 AMAXs as well. Having a hard time finding an accuracy node that also gives me stable velocities and good groups. I'm left scratching my head.

First pic below is an OCW test for the Hornady 162g AMAX. All done with Nosler brass, F210 primer. First row of 6 targets is using IMR4831, second row is H4831sc.

IMR4831: It seemed like the POI for the IMR loads kept moving up and to the right, then dropped, then jumped way up so I didn't go any further with this powder given the instability in POI (also since my Berger 168 VLD uses H4831sc powder I was hoping to use the H4831sc for both the Berger and this Hornady load).

H4831sc: I had what I thought was two ranges of POI stability with the H4831sc (59.0 - 60.5, 61.0 - 61.5). I chose to do further load work using H4831sc at 60.2g and 61.2g by loading 4 loads at each of 3 different bullet seating depths lands, -0.040", -0.070") with results shown in the second photo. However, while decent, I didn't find anything outstanding. I also had huge variations in velocities for each group of 4 loads with ESs running 30 - 65fps which worries me about repeatability going forward.

I'm kind of perplexed. At this point I think I'm going to try H4831sc at 59.3g (I had lower ES/SD for this chg wt range during OCW test) and IMR at 57.0g and repeat the varying seating depths test with these two charges.

Input?

OCW Test with IMR4831 and H4831sc

Bullet seating depth testing using H4831sc at 60.2g and 61.2g chg wts

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

KSKevin,

40 and 70 1,000ths seems like a lot of jump to me. I think I'd stay in the .010/.020 range. Have you tried magnum primers? out of my tests it seemed like the magnum primers were getting more consistent as the powder charges increased. I'm by no means and expert, mostly thinking out loud here.

I'm getting ready to begin load development on the 162Amax now. What are your barrel characteristics? You had an accurate load with different bullet prior? So you're confident in the rifle, right?

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

Got 50 rounds done for load development. 280 AI, rem brass fire-formed and shoulder bumped back .002 at
resizing. 162 Amax jumped .010. 10 different powder charges of H4831SC. Starting at 58.6 and finishing
up at 61.2. CCI 250 magnum primer. These could get a little <span style="color: red"><span style="font-weight: bold">HOT.</span></span>

 

[kskevin]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowe Left</div><div class="ubbcode-body">KSKevin,

40 and 70 1,000ths seems like a lot of jump to me. I think I'd stay in the .010/.020 range. Have you tried magnum primers? out of my tests it seemed like the magnum primers were getting more consistent as the powder charges increased. I'm by no means and expert, mostly thinking out loud here.

I'm getting ready to begin load development on the 162Amax now. What are your barrel characteristics? You had an accurate load with different bullet prior? So you're confident in the rifle, right? </div></div>

Barrel is a 24" bartlein. I've got a very accurate load with 168 Bergers so I'm confident in the rifle (GAP built). Probably more issues with the shooter

Thanks for the tip on the jump. I'm going to go back and test some smaller jumps (maybe -0.010" and -0.020"). Will keep posting results.

Keep us posted on your load workup. I ran the H4831sc up to 61.5g with the 162g AMAX with no pressure issues so I'm optimistic your 61.2g may be ok (but, as you know, all rifles are different. However, the ackley chambering seems to really not show much in terms of pressure signs). Best of luck with the load.

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

KSK,

Have you tried mag primers?

I'll keep posting my findings here on my work ups.

 

[kskevin]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

I have not tried magnum primers. Was hoping to avoid going there (just that many more variables to test and components to have on hand). Are you suggesting the high variability in velocities could be caused by insufficient ignition (non magnum primer)? I know these loads are right on that borderline of 60g where magnum primers are suggested.

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

Yeah, but I'm just guessing on the mag primer.

Here's my latest range report: 280AI Rem brass fire-formed shoulder bumped .002. 162 Amax jumped .010, on top of H4381SC with CCI 250 mag primer. DA 4200ft, sunny, 95-100 degrees, light variable wind. 5-shot groups, Brux 26", 9 twist:

58.6gr, ES: 13, Vel: 2819, SD: 06, group: 1.243 (cold bore was separate form other 4)
58.8gr, ES: 59, Vel: 2837, SD: 21, group: 0.843
59.0gr, ES: 21, Vel: 2848, SD: 08, group: 0.550
59.4gr, ES: 25, Vel: 2869, SD: 09, group: 1.025
59.9gr, ES: 38, Vel: 2889, SD: 13, group: 0.999
60.2gr, ES: 44, Vel: 2913, SD: 18, group: 0.704
60.5gr, ES: 57, Vel: 2926, SD: 22, group: 1.541
60.8gr, ES: 50, Vel: 2944, SD: 20, group: 1.523
61.0gr, ES: 24, Vel: 2972, SD: 10, group: 1.189
61.2gr, ............no data.......... group: 1.056

No signs of pressure in any of these loadings. 2 shooters, so it's not just me. I guess I need to go back to 175 SMK, had two loads shoot in the 0.3s. Very frustrating, I'll soon have 1200 162 Amax's for sale if I don't figure something out.

 

[kskevin]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

LL -

Do you have pics of the targets for each load? Just wondering if you have an accuracy node within these various powder wts that may be worth pursuing further via testing various seating depths? Essentially this group of 10 various chg wts can serve as an OCW test.

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

You know, I was just disgusted and threw them out. I think I may try the opposite of what I'm telling you to do and try the non-mag CCI 200 primers. I'm off to Las Vegas tonight and Ash Fork AZ for rifle matches on Sat and Sun. I was hoping to have the 280 AI ready for Sunday, but I'll be shooting my 260 for both. Oh well. I appreciate the feedback, thank you.

 

[kskevin]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

280 AI
24" Bartlein 1/8.7
Hornady 162g AMAX
57.0g IMR4831
Nosler brass
F210
seated -0.020" off lands
2925 fps

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

Ok, I finally have the time to post my latest 280AI load development findings. Things are getting promising.

Same as last time, 280AI Rem brass fire-formed shoulder bumped .002. 162 Amax jumped .010, on top of H4381SC except I used a CCI 200 primer. DA 2700ft, sunny, 75degrees, light variable wind. 5-shot groups, Brux 26", 9 twist:

61.0gr, ES: 25, Vel: 2955, SD: 09, group: 0.491
61.2gr, ES: 16, Vel: 2986, SD: 09, group: 0.396
61.4gr, ES: 36, Vel: 2967, SD: 13, group: 0.464
61.6gr, ES: 40, Vel: 2969, SD: 15, group: 0.387
61.8gr, ES: 43, Vel: 2998, SD: 16, group: 0.836

I also tried some H4350 since I have it laying around:

58.2gr, ES: 16, Vel: 3077, SD: 06, group: 0.635
<span style="color: red">58.4gr, ES: 09, Vel: 3091, SD: 03, group: large (Pressure signs (ejector mark))
58.6gr, ES: 46, Vel: 3071, SD: 17, group: large (ejector mark)
58.8gr, **********NO DATA*************************
59.0gr, ES: 38, Vel: 3090, SD: 15, group: large (ejector mark)</span>

This test of H4350 cost me some brass life, I had about 20 of 50 cases that will be done after this next firing due to loose primer pockets. Oh well, lesson learned.

I will start working on bullet seating depth between 61.0 and 61.4 to see what I come up with. Finally nice to see some groups worth getting excited about.

 

[santee116]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

Tag

 

[nmsheephunter]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

280 ai load

berger 168 hunting vld
59 grains h4831sc
nosler brass
wolf magnum primers

 

[kskevin]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

NMSheepHunter - what kind of accuracy and vel you getting with the 59g H4831 and 168g VLD?

 

[saleen63]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

nmsheephunter also what kinda of speed was you getting?

 

[nmsheephunter]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

Accuracy is submoa, speed according to chrony is 2921, trajectory validation test shows over 3000 fps.

 

[HellsCanyonArmory]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

Low left, have you tried finding that pressure node and instead of playing with powder charges, play with seating depths?

My 162 Amax load out of a 24" Rock Creek Barrel looks like:

Fireformed Remington brass
CCI Magnum primers
60.5 grains 4831sc,
162's seated at 2.760" using hornady comparator (groups opened up slightly at 2.765", and majorly at 2.770")
Getting between 3035 and 3045 fps out of this load and on a clean barrel with shoot <.2MOA (three shot groups)

My rifle likes the 168 Berger VLD's at 61.5 grains 4831sc and seated at 2.770" using the magnum primers. Can get .2-.25MOA three shot groups out of this setup. FPS is around 2950.

With a quality barrel we've been able to first find what our max grains were then played with seating depth and gotten the best results out of that instead of simply playing with charge variations. If anything we back it off 1/2 grain and play with seating depths until we find a good load. Also remember that some of the hotter loads won't stabilize at 100 yds like they do downrange. A quality barrel should shoot any bullet you just gotta find what depth it likes!

I'm curious, how many rounds are you guys getting through your barrels before you notice accuracy dropping off? Mine seems to start dropping off at around 60-70 rounds (going from ~.2MOA to ~.75-1MOA).

Mike

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

Mike,

Thanks for the suggestions. I've tried different depths too. The smith thinks it's the stock (T2 w/ mini-chassis) / action/barrel (TAC300/Brux) relationship. I was debating bedding it, but that defeats the purpose of having the mini-chassis in the first place.

 

[MTETM]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

My 2 loads:

Benchmark 5 groove, 1:9, finished at 29 inches.

Remington Brass
Wolf Primers

58.5 gr 4831sc

Both of these loads have been chronoed and confirmed as follows. Due to the consistency of the vertical in these loads, I never tried to go any higher in the charge weight.

162SST at .015 off
Data states 2940 confirmed to 1000 yards

180 SMK at .015 off
Data states 2925 and confirmed to 1500 yards.
This is the load for the rifle.

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

You guys tell me, 61.2 load will shoot a 5-shot group in the .3s and the next time at the range, exact same load shoots 1.5!!

 

[MTETM]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....



Are you cleaning the barrel in between sessions. If so, try leaving it dirty. Have you changed the tension on the action screws..? Do you have a pressure point somewhere... Try backing the load off, maybe a change in temp is putting you over pressure and it is going to hell.

No insult...but have you let someone else give it a go?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowe Left</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You guys tell me, 61.2 load will shoot a 5-shot group in the .3s and the next time at the range, exact same load shoots 1.5!! </div></div>

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

I have not played with action screw tension. The action has been in/out of the stock and I've lossened a screw and watched for any rise and I'm not seeing anything. If you look through this post you can see I've shot lower pressured loads and they're all NOT good. The rifle has shown no signs of pressure other than the Superformance powder I tried.

No offense taken, I've had other shooters take a turn with same results. Believe me, I've second guessed myself MANY times with this rifle.

I'm going to load up some ammo and try the action screw tension to see if that nets any results. Thank you for the suggestion, it's much appreciated.

**EDIT: Forgot to mention I've shot it dirty & clean - no difference.

LL

 

[HellsCanyonArmory]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

That's interesting... I know that with the Amax's my barrel fouls a lot quicker than with bergers. My friend talked with a guy that said Hornady uses a different grade of copper and they foul easier.

My gun likes to be cleaned every 40-50 rounds when the groups start opening up to .7/.8 MOA from the .2/.3 it usually shoots clean. Have you checked your seating depths on every round? I used a POS die one time and it'd only load one or two rounds consistently then would start getting long on me...

Mike

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

I cleaned it and there was a good bit of copper fouling, but even after that, nothing good. I've measured the rounds quite often and now looking back on it, stayed mostly at a .010 jump.

I took the action out of the stock again and measure the depth of the recoil lug recess and it was over a half inch. The recoil lug itself is less than a half inch in length from the action/breech so it can't be bottoming out. The mini chassis looks perfect to my old eyes, no burrs that I can see and everything looks square.

I've set the in/lbs on my front screw to 35 and back to 40 and I'm going to take my torque wrench with me to the range and adjust the torque and see what happens. I'm also going to use .005, .010, .015, and .020 for jump during the test. I'll post my findings here.

I appreciate the input from you all. If this turns out to be something simple that I've overlooked, I'm going to blow a gasket.

 

[Engine 22]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

Tag

 

[HellsCanyonArmory]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

Good luck I'm sure you'll figure it out quickly!

Mike

 

[MTETM]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....



Lowe Left,
I was out loading this evening and it occurred to me... I am shooting the 162 SST because I couldn't make the AMAX shoot consistently.
Try giving the SST a go, or better yet, buy a box of 180 SMK's and give them a go.

Hope you get things working right.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MTETM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Are you cleaning the barrel in between sessions. If so, try leaving it dirty. Have you changed the tension on the action screws..? Do you have a pressure point somewhere... Try backing the load off, maybe a change in temp is putting you over pressure and it is going to hell.

No insult...but have you let someone else give it a go?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowe Left</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You guys tell me, 61.2 load will shoot a 5-shot group in the .3s and the next time at the range, exact same load shoots 1.5!! </div></div> </div></div>

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowe Left</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I cleaned it and there was a good bit of copper fouling, but even after that, nothing good. I've measured the rounds quite often and now looking back on it, stayed mostly at a .010 jump.

I took the action out of the stock again and measure the depth of the recoil lug recess and it was over a half inch. The recoil lug itself is less than a half inch in length from the action/breech so it can't be bottoming out. The mini chassis looks perfect to my old eyes, no burrs that I can see and everything looks square.

I've set the in/lbs on my front screw to 35 and back to 40 and I'm going to take my torque wrench with me to the range and adjust the torque and see what happens. I'm also going to use .005, .010, .015, and .020 for jump during the test. I'll post my findings here.

I appreciate the input from you all. If this turns out to be something simple that I've overlooked, I'm going to blow a gasket.</div></div>

I finally have some reloads done with the 162 Amax, again. I looked through my previous data and 61.2gr of 4381-SC had the best ES/SD numbers so I'm going to stick with that load and mess with seating depths. I've been jumping the Amax .010 and have had intermittent results. Here's what I have loaded for the range:

5 rounds jumped .020 for establishing a zero.
4 rounds jumped .015
4 rounds jumped .020
4 rounds jumped .025

I also got some H1000 to try, all jumped .020:

3 rounds @ 61.5gr
3 rounds @ 61.7gr
3 rounds @ 61.9gr
3 rounds @ 62.1gr

I'm going to shoot a OCW tests with these and I'll post results. I'm hoping to get out next week to shoot.

Anybody have any other suggestions or comments? Should I load some more rounds with .030 or even .035 jump?

 

[pwc001]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigJohnson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That's interesting... I know that with the Amax's my barrel fouls a lot quicker than with bergers. My friend talked with a guy that said Hornady uses a different grade of copper and they foul easier.

My gun likes to be cleaned every 40-50 rounds when the groups start opening up to .7/.8 MOA from the .2/.3 it usually shoots clean.

Mike </div></div>

Very strange, I have not noticed this at all, and I shoot a lot of Amaxs, factory and custom barrels. They go a long time without needing to be cleaned, my 280AI has just under 500 rounds on it, all Amaxs and has not needed cleaning. Same results with 308's and 7-08's. YMMV

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

Well,

From all the testing I did, I could confirm that my Brux barreled Stiller TAC300 liked the 162Amaxes jumped .025". The best powder/primer combo was 4831-SC 61.2gr on top of a CCI 200 primer. I shot several 3-shot groups that averaged just over a half inch @ 100yds. I informed the gunsmith of my findings and he said, "that's not good enough" and he asked me to ship the B/A back. Shipped it last Friday, now the wait commences...

P.S. I tried the H1000 and saw some good ES SD numbers, but the groups were on par with 4831-SC.

 

[HellsCanyonArmory]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pwc001</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigJohnson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That's interesting... I know that with the Amax's my barrel fouls a lot quicker than with bergers. My friend talked with a guy that said Hornady uses a different grade of copper and they foul easier.

My gun likes to be cleaned every 40-50 rounds when the groups start opening up to .7/.8 MOA from the .2/.3 it usually shoots clean.

Mike </div></div>

Very strange, I have not noticed this at all, and I shoot a lot of Amaxs, factory and custom barrels. They go a long time without needing to be cleaned, my 280AI has just under 500 rounds on it, all Amaxs and has not needed cleaning. Same results with 308's and 7-08's. YMMV </div></div>

That is wierd... I was very frustrated with my initial load development trials. I was getting .1 and .2 MOA groups out of my fireforming Amax loads and couldn't get anything under .7-.8 MOA with my full capacity loads. Had probably 150 rounds down the tube before I cleaned my rifle and the gun started to shoot like I expected it to. The gun has shot great ever since as long as its clean with < 100 rounds down the tube. This is with an M24 contour heavy fluted Rock Creek barrel.

I'm not much of a believer in "barrel breakin" from reading on here, but I'm curious if that had anything to do with it or what. I just loaded up and started shooting!

Mike

 

[kskevin]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

LL

What kind of velocities were you getting with the H1000 compared to the H4831sc? Very curious as I bought some H1000 and Retumbo to see if I could work up a load with the 168 Bergers or 162 Amax with better velocity than my current loads of H4831sc but still great accuracy.

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

Sorry KSK, I've been busy:

H-1000 5-shot groups:

62.5gr / ES 30 / SD 16 / VEL 2851
62.8gr / ES 37 / SD 18 / VEL 2882
63.1gr / ES 8 / SD 4 / VEL 2891
63.4gr / ES 14 / SD 9 / VEL 2887

I have since returned the barreled action to the smith. He inspected it and the chamber, crown, bolt face and lock up are perfect. He took it out and shot it.... Can you guess?
.
.
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.
.
.
.
Yep, same issues I'm having. He believes the Brux has stress in it and they're supplying him with another barrel. I'm having an Obermeyer screwed on now and anxiously awaiting its return.

 

[kskevin]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

frustrating to say the least. At least your smith is actively engaged on making it work.

 

[kskevin]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

Has anyone worked up a load with Nosler 160g ABs using any of the following powders? Getting ready to work up a load for this bullet. Would like to find an accurate load that I can push ~3000fps or so.

H 4831sc
H 1000
Retumbo
IMR 4831

 

[kskevin]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

where have all the 280AI posters been the last few months?

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

KSK,

Had the new Obermeyer screwed on. The load that is pretty forgiving is:

63.9gr of H-1000 / 162 Amax / Rem Brass / CCI 200

2930fps @ 2000DA.

Jumping .025", and haven't messed with seating depth - that's next. Consistent 0.5 MOA.

 

[HellsCanyonArmory]

Re: 280 Ackley Loads....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KSKevin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">where have all the 280AI posters been the last few months? </div></div>

They all shoot so good nobody is looking for more load info....