280 ai

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Hookturnr

X83 MONTHS
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280AI loads
10/13/2014
(1 vote)

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Since scout went live, it's time to get this going

Rem. 721 with a #5 contour Rock at 24"

Nosler Brass

Federal LR Match Primer

180gr. Berger Hunting VLD

59.0 Gr. H1000

2.740" OAL (Hornady Gauge) is .002 off the lands

2755 FPS 1/2MOA or better to 880yds 1/8 MOA at 100

Rifle was built by Kevin Cram at Montour County Rifles. It was throated for the Berger 180's to maximize case capacity and be at the lands when loading. The Dummy Round is set so the beginning of the boat tail is right at the neck/shoulder juncture of the case. I'd tell you some of the groups this thing has shot at distance but you wouldn't believe me anyways....lets just say it's a HAMMER! Kevin deserves the crdit for it though..I'm just the driver...



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hillwatcherXSergeant
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Re: 280AI loads
10/14/2014
(1 vote)

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I copied "most" of the load data from the old thread before the switch, enjoy. No particular order, but good info.

As always, use at your own discretion and work up.


.280 Ackley Load Data



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



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



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!"



168 gr SMK
0.010 off lands
57.2 gr R-22
federal 210M primers
2900 fps



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



Nosler Brass
CCI BR2
64gr R-22
139gr SST



57 Grains IMR4831
Rem Brass, CCI Magnums
162 Amax seated 15 thousand off the lands w/ same barrel
2930 fps with ZERO pressure signs



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.



Nosler 280 Ackley case
Fed 210
Berger 168 grain VLD
24 inch 1/8.7 twist barrel
59.2g H4831sc / vel = 2811.



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



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



Fireformed Remington brass
CCI Magnum primers
60.5 grains 4831sc,
162's
Getting between 3035 and 3045 fps



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



63.9gr of H-1000 / 162 Amax / Rem Brass / CCI 200
2930fps @ 2000DA.



150 Barnes TSX
Nosler brass (new box)
H4831SC gonna hit 60 grains
Switch up to a F215M primer as I have been using a 210M



160 accubond
Norma brass
Federal 215m primer
58.7 Norma mrp
.015 off lands
2970 fps out of 26" bartlein barrel



160 accubond
Norma brass
Federal 215m primer
59.3 IMR 7828 SSC
.015 off lands
3030 fps out of 26" bartlein barrel



160 accubond
Norma brass
Federal 215m primer
56 IMR 4831
.015 off lands
2886 fps out of 26" bartlein barrel



160 accubond
Norma brass
Federal 215m primer
57.2 gr h4831 sc
.015 off lands
2910 fps out of 26" bartlein barrel



180 Berger VLD
Nosler Brass
Fed. 210 match
59.0 gr. H1000
2750fps groups in the .3's



150 sift scirocco
56.5 imr 7828 ssc 2850 fps
norma brass
federal 215M
seated .020 off lands



168gr SMK
61.3 Retumbo 2745
Nosler Brass
Fed 215M
3.330" OAL



140 Accubond
59g IMR4831
3060 FPS



139 SST
63.0 R22
WLR primer
Rem brass
3270 fps from a 25" Rock Creek 5R.

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saleen62XPrivate
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Re: 280AI loads
06/20/2015 Last edited 01/05/2016 by saleen62

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168 gr Berger
Nosler brass
59 gr RL-22
CCI-250 mag. Primers
Just touching the lands
I think I am right at 2900 fps. (Have not had time to chrono
Berral is a 25 inch krieger. I will be trying to work up to 60gr and I will report back the results.All rounds used CCI -250 mag. primers.

UPDATE as of 01/02/16 168 GR berger with 59 GR of RL-22 5 shots were 2773 fps SD of 8fps

60 GR of Rl-22 5 shots were 2863 fps SD 21 fps

 

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SheldonN

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Re: 280AI loads
08/09/2015
(1 vote)

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162 amax
62.5g H1000
CCI primer
Remington fireformed brass
2.74" to ogive, touching lands
26" Obermeyer
3000fps

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danielhp89X50 MONTHS
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Re: 280AI loads
10/14/2015 Last edited 10/14/2015 by danielhp89

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140 gr Berger Hunting VLD
Nosler brass
58gr H4350
CCI-200 Primers

3150 FPS

26" Bartliein Barrel

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SheldonN

XFirst Sergeant
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Re: 280AI loads
10/19/2015

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Berger 180g Hybrid

59.7g H1000

2.775" to ogive, 10 thou off lands

CCI200 primers

Remington fireformed brass

26" Obermeyer barrel

2807fps, single digit SD's, shoots bugholes.

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gullbertXPrivate
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Re: 280AI loads
04/14/2016 Last edited 04/14/2016 by gullbert

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My cozy, slow, low pressure load:

180 Scenar-L, COAL 3.425", touching the lands.

Norma and Nosler cases (identical in volume/weight)

CCI 200 LR primers

Viht N560, 56.5 grains (found no pressure at 58 grains, but accuracy was shite, and light pressure signs were starting to emerge).

MV: 820 meters per second, 2690 fps. (slow, I know, but kind on brass and the throat).

Extremely consistent. Last time out, banged steel within 0.3 mils, fifteen shots consecutive at 600m.

Rifle is a 700, lilja barrel, 1:8 twist, 26.4". Built by a highly esteemed smith over here in Norway. He throated it at my request for the 180 Hybrids at 90.6mm/3.567" COAL, but I have a shit ton of the Lapuas and had to see if they work, which they do. They are about 60% of the price of the Bergers, and work extremely well as practice hunting rounds, as their dopplered G7 BC is identical to the ABLR 175 and the new Hornady ELD-X, likely using the same loads.

The next thing on my list is to try Viht n570 or n170 to see if compressed loads of either will yield some more speed, sans pressure in excess. Will update then.

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TLRChadXCorporal
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Re: 280AI loads
04/19/2016

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Are you guys running CIP length mags for 280 ackley or the standard length 300 win mag magazines? I need to order up my bottom metal and don't know if the standard AICS length 300 win mag magazine will work or do I need to go to the CIP length. The heaviest bullet I plan to experiment with is either the 175grn Hornady ELD-X or 180grn Berger VLD.

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SheldonN

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Re: 280AI loads
04/20/2016

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I'm running PTG bottom metal with AICS 5 round 300 Win Mag magazines. My COAL with 180 hybrids is ~3.485" and I have about 0.1" of extra room in the magazine. A little bending of the feed lips was required to get it to feed, space between the rear section of the lips is 0.415” and the space between the front of the mag feed lips is 0.404".

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TLRChadXCorporal
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Re: 280AI loads
05/04/2016

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Thank you for info. Very much appreciated.

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gullbertXPrivate
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Re: 280AI loads
09/02/2016 Last edited 09/02/2016 by gullbert

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Update on my 280 ackley:
58.4 grains of n560 behind the scenar-l 180 yields me 870metres/second, or 2850fps, thereabouts. Superb precision at 100m, 7mm five-shot groups. This is with norma brass, same barrel as above. Reduced pressure by putting the bullet 0.5mm below the neck/shoulder junction.



n570 gave me high pressure long before I gained any advantage in MV,though the groups were still good at 64 grains. Don't do it.

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Six5riflemanXSergeant
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Re: 280AI loads
09/09/2016

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Has anyone tried the Hornady 162 ELDX in the 280 Ackley? If so what were the results as far as accuracy and velocity?

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TLRChadXCorporal
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Re: 280AI loads
10/17/2016

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Six5rifleman wrote:
Has anyone tried the Hornady 162 ELDX in the 280 Ackley? If so what were the results as far as accuracy and velocity?​

I'm actually loading that bullet now. Hoping to head to the range this week, but work always seems to get in the way. Anyway, once I get a chance to get to the range I'll post up some results.

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Six5riflemanXSergeant
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Re: 280AI loads
10/17/2016

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What powders are you using in your loads? I actually had Copper Creek Ammo Co. load me a couple of boxes for a start plus it will give me a few more pieces of brass. They have always produced very accurate ammo for me without knowing the seating depths. Thanks for the input.

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TLRChadXCorporal
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67 posts this site
Re: 280AI loads
10/18/2016

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I'm using Hodgdon H1000 powder. My barrel is 29" so I wanted to use a real slow burning powder.

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Six5riflemanXSergeant
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285 posts this site
Re: 280AI loads
10/18/2016

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I've got a 26" Douglas barrel Magnum contour for deer hunting. I have several powders just not H1000.

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TLRChadXCorporal
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67 posts this site
Re: 280AI loads
10/18/2016 Last edited 10/18/2016 by TLRChad

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This is my first go with H1000. I may try others when I run out just for comparison purposes. For now though, it's what I'm running. From what I've gathered in research is it may not produce the fastest muzzle velocity, but it is very resistant to temperature swings. That is important to me. The first weekend of deer season could be 50 degrees outside, the last day of the season (10 day season) could be 20 or colder. We see that big, ever greater, temp swings around here (Nebraska). Knowing the powder is stable is important to me.

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forward543XCorporal
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Re: 280AI loads
11/05/2016 Last edited 11/06/2016 by forward543

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I have been using 162 eldm and eldx. 58.5g and 60.0 grains of 4831sc 2.780" to ogive. Cci 450. Both shooting .500 to .750 3 shot, 100 yd average. Eldx was not shooting as well as eldm. 58.5 shooting roughly 1.500 at 300 yds. All prone/ bipod/ rear rest. Velocity unknown. 25.5" pac nor. Used a variation of dan newberry's ocw to find.

Update
Drop from 100 yds to 401 yds roughly 20.5" which should put velocity at 3050 fps. Eldm still shooting better than x.

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powdermonkey4XPrivate
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Re: 280AI loads
01/14/2017

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NORMA 280ai brass
Fed 210 primers
62.5gr 2213sc (h4831sc)
162gr eldx
3160fps
Es - 45
Sd - 14
Need some more work (current .8" group). Likely to drop back to around 3000fps.

Berger 168gr VLD hunting
Same component as above
60.5gr 2213sc (h4831sc)
2905 fps

 

[Forward543]

162 d m. 61.4 gr re 26. Nosler brass cci 200 gives best sd so far, wlr gives best group so far. Good groups at .500 with average around .750. 3010 fps out of a 26" barrel. Needs more verifying for accuracy.

 

[tmac5424]

Working up a load for new rifle:
26" 1:9" Shilen match barrel - varmint contour
using H4831sc and 162 eld-x's from 56.7 to 59.2 grains
had horrible ES deviations except for one load - 58.6 grains had avg velocity of 2936 and ES of 4. Every other load had ES above 40.

 

[Forward543]

Working up a load for new rifle:
26" 1:9" Shilen match barrel - varmint contour
using H4831sc and 162 eld-x's from 56.7 to 59.2 grains
had horrible ES deviations except for one load - 58.6 grains had avg velocity of 2936 and ES of 4. Every other load had ES above 40.

That was the node i found as well. 58.5 4831 sc. There was another at 46.5, but it was really slow.

 

[tmac5424]

That was the node i found as well. 58.5 4831 sc. There was another at 46.5, but it was really slow.

Thanks...that is good confirmation. I should note that my COAL was 3.4655 which was .020" off lands.

 

[LoganWatkins280ai]

Advice needed, I'm running hornady brass, federal match primers, 180 grn eldm, COAL of 3.480, .010 avg off the lands. My es stays below 20, and sd below 10. My speeds are around 3005 fps, I cannot seem to get better than .75" groups. Shillen 29.5" 1:8 twist barrel. Thanks Logan.

 

[LoganWatkins280ai]

Advice needed, I'm running hornady brass, federal match primers, 180 grn eldm, COAL of 3.480, .010 avg off the lands. My es stays below 20, and sd below 10. My speeds are around 3005 fps, I cannot seem to get better than .75" groups. Shillen 29.5" 1:8 twist barrel. Thanks Logan.

And 63.5 gr of H1000, some pressure signs, nothing crazy.

 

[Hookturnr]

And 63.5 gr of H1000, some pressure signs, nothing crazy.

Try dicking around with seating depth a bit. Maybe .005 closer and .005 further. Back off the powder charge a touch, no need to have ANY pressure signs. Is the neck tension consistent? I anneal every 2 firings on nosler brass and it definitely helped with consistency... just a few things to try

 

[LoganWatkins280ai]

The neck tension seems to be just fine, I was talking to a custom loader around here. He informed me that just because I have great es and sd doesn't mean I am on an accuracy mode. Which makes sense. Thanks for the advice Hookturnr.

 

[Paul_R]

Try different primers?

 

[KWilson]

The neck tension seems to be just fine, I was talking to a custom loader around here. He informed me that just because I have great es and sd doesn't mean I am on an accuracy mode. Which makes sense. Thanks for the advice Hookturnr.

Personally I think you have missed your accuracy node - F-class shooters running 7SAUMs tend to run 180s, Bergers or otherwise around the 2940-2950 mark, I'd back the load off to that node. I run 180s in my 280AI at 2820 with excellent accuracy out to 800 metres. I run RL23 with CCI magnum primers and Norma brass -the Hornady stuff is ok though.

 

[LoganWatkins280ai]

Personally I think you have missed your accuracy node - F-class shooters running 7SAUMs tend to run 180s, Bergers or otherwise around the 2940-2950 mark, I'd back the load off to that node. I run 180s in my 280AI at 2820 with excellent accuracy out to 800 metres. I run RL23 with CCI magnum primers and Norma brass -the Hornady stuff is ok though.

I moved closer to the lands, about .008 out. I also backed off the powder from 63.5 gr to 62, and the groups are getting down to around 1/2 inch. I think I might drop the powder a hair more, maybe get .003 closer to the lands. Its running 2940 right now. I'd like to tighten up my groups and speeds.

 

[KWilson]

I moved closer to the lands, about .008 out. I also backed off the powder from 63.5 gr to 62, and the groups are getting down to around 1/2 inch. I think I might drop the powder a hair more, maybe get .003 closer to the lands. Its running 2940 right now. I'd like to tighten up my groups and speeds.

Good to hear that is taking you in the right direction regarding accuracy. Its certainly not always about speed with the heavy bullets but I reckon seating depth will be the thing that really tightens up your groups now. A change of primers may also help. I only use Federal Gold Match if I can't get my hands on CCI. My go to primer is CCI magnum or benchrest - you may find that helps bring down your ES/SD.

 

[LoganWatkins280ai]

Good to hear that is taking you in the right direction regarding accuracy. Its certainly not always about speed with the heavy bullets but I reckon seating depth will be the thing that really tightens up your groups now. A change of primers may also help. I only use Federal Gold Match if I can't get my hands on CCI. My go to primer is CCI magnum or benchrest - you may find that helps bring down your ES/SD.

Thank you for the advice!

 

[USMC0331]

Just got my 280 AI put together after "thinking about it" for 10 years. Looking forward to dialing it in. Unfortunately 162 Hornady ELD-X factory loads were disappointing. I have 162 and 175 ELD-X projos to load, leaning towards the 175s. Primary use will be elk hunting followed by long range plinking.

Barrel is 26" Krieger 1:8.

700 action in KRG Bravo.

Any recommendations?

 

[xsn10s]

Just got my 280 AI put together after "thinking about it" for 10 years. Looking forward to dialing it in. Unfortunately 162 Hornady ELD-X factory loads were disappointing. I have 162 and 175 ELD-X projos to load, leaning towards the 175s. Primary use will be elk hunting followed by long range plinking.

Barrel is 26" Krieger 1:8.

700 action in KRG Bravo.

Any recommendations?

You're one step closure than me. I'm pondering using a 180gr ELDM. A 175gr Berger load was suggested to me. Here's a link to it. https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/280-ackley-improved-loads-for-26-8-twist-barrel.200004/

 

[RogueTanker]

180 gr ELD-M with h1000, PP 4000MR or rl26 are all good powders. Between 2850-3000fps out of a 28" barrel.

 

[Forward543]

180 gr ELD-M with h1000, PP 4000MR or rl26 are all good powders. Between 2850-3000fps out of a 28" barrel.

What range were you seeing for r26 with 180/ 184 grn bullets?

 

[spurrnch]

Just reloaded some 180 ELD-M but haven't shot them yet. Still working on 185 RDF's and 195 Bergers. RL23, CCI 250, 2870fps 5 shot goup under .5 - think I can get more out of this with the 185's and the 28 inch barrel. Same load with the 195's was disappointing at about .9 moa @ 100 2853fps - still have some work to do.

 

[RogueTanker]

What range were you seeing for r26 with 180/ 184 grn bullets?

59-61gr. I didn't mess with it too much, because I ran out and haven't found rl26 since

 

[RogueTanker]

57.5gr MR4000
180GR ELD-M
2875-2900 depending on temperatures
Shoots real nice

 

[Scimitar]

I have had fliers with the ELDX bullets in several calibers. With the ELDM bullets in 280 AI, 7 WSM and the 6.5 cartridges I load for
I found a sweet spot around .030 off the rifling in almost every rifle I load for. 59 grs of RL23 with the 162 ELDM 30 thousandths off
just seems to work in every 280 AI we've tried ( 3 rifles here).

I far as hunting ELK, I found a great load with the new Federal Edge TLR 7mm 155 gr in 280 AI. The bullet builds pressure different than a cup/core bullet so take that into account. It behaves like a Barnes more. The rear of the bullet is solid copper and that's probably the reason. I could not get the velocity I was with the 162 ELDM but it was close. The bullet liked .050 to .060 jump and it came alive.
I was getting 1 1/4 to 3/4 groups ( 3 shot) with hunting weight rigs until I hit that sweet spot with the seating depth. 2 rifles with Saami spec chambers, one a Christensen Arms with a carbon fiber barrel and the other was a Savage with a Broughton 5c installed shot the exact same load. 58 gr RL23 CCI Br2 primers, Hornady Brass, 155 EDGE TLR seated aprox .050 off the lands at 3.300 COL. Shoots around
3/8 to 1/2 in both guns. The other was a Sako rebarreled to a 280 AI 40Degree, older reamer . It was same load just at .060 off the lands.
Shot .214 CTC with a pencil barrel for 3 shots. Sako was slowest at 2940 FPS the Christensen was around 3004 FPS avg.

I really didn't expect that bullet to perform like that but it does. I got nothing to write home about up close to the lands, but .050 to .060 off really made them shine in all 3 rifles.

 

[nickw]

Article / review of the Federal TLR 155gr .284 bullet loaded in a 280ai and used on multiple game during a African hunt.

New Federal .284/7mm 155 Grain Edge TLR Bullet Review

Bullet design and performance is a favored (and occasionally heated) discussion wherever hunters gather. Debates rage, stories are told, and facts presented. Which brings us to the question: What is good bullet performance?

www.gunsamerica.com

 

[oldnmkid]

New 280AI
Brux finished at 26"
140 gr Accubond
61.5 grs. of H-4831SC
CCI BR primers
Norma 280 brass
Today I put 6 shots into a group that looks promising. No pressure signs in my rifle. Also, 56.0 grs. of IMR 4350 shot even better. Day after tomorrow I will take some more of the same powder charges and go out again. I shot 50 rounds today and was a little rummy toward the end. LOL.

 

[verdugo60]

I just bought a 270 Tikka for my 280AI build I have been thinking about a long time. Seems like people are doing longer barrels? I'm considering a carbon six Pre-Fit maybe at 24-26".

Thinking Nosler Accubond Long LR bullets might be the perfect do all bullet, from close range elk to long range mule deer/steel.

I have Varget, H1000 and H4350, interested in load recommendations and bullets for hunting. ELD-X seems pretty ideal except on heavy bone up close with high velocities?

 

[codym]

I’ve loaded a couple 280 AI’s currently have one with a proof 24’ carbon fiber running the 175 EH and reloader 23 around 2930, had it up to 2975 but not super accurate.

ive had luck with4831 sc either the 162 eldm and 168 Berger’s at 57.7 above 2900 FPS, have to check my book for exact numbers.
I played with h1000 and the 165 Sierra game changers to fireform this batch of brass. 61.5 shot pretty decent I believe right around 3k

 

[verdugo60]

I’ve loaded a couple 280 AI’s currently have one with a proof 24’ carbon fiber running the 175 EH and reloader 23 around 2930, had it up to 2975 but not super accurate.

ive had luck with4831 sc either the 162 eldm and 168 Berger’s at 57.7 above 2900 FPS, have to check my book for exact numbers.
I played with h1000 and the 165 Sierra game changers to fireform this batch of brass. 61.5 shot pretty decent I believe right around 3kView attachment 7182538

Great, thanks for the info! What brass are you fireforming?

 

[codym]

It was nosler 280 AI brass so not much fireform but I like to work with at least once fired brass for load workup

 

[verdugo60]

Anyone know the status on ADG picking up 280 ai?

 

[Scimitar]

I think the Accubond LR is great for deer, not so much for ELK. My cousin shot 2 Accubond LR 142 gr 6.5s into a 5x5 Elk last year and both of them came apart at 500 yds. It killed it but the bullet is too soft. We won't use them anymore. Here is a pic of a TLR that went from left front shoulder to right hip and stuck under hide on a 6x6
Bull this season. 7mm 155 Edge TLR 280 AI muzzle velocity about 3000 impact at aprox 250 yds on 750-800 lb animal. My brother took this one and my cousin took a cow broadside with same load and bullet was complete pass through.

 

[Scimitar]

Pic of ELK

 

[verdugo60]

Pic of ELKView attachment 7183729

Thanks for sharing and nice elk! How was accuracy with those TLR's?

I'm bummed to hear those Accubond LR's are breaking up. That has been the complaint of the ELD-X too, I was hoping the bonded Noslers would be better.

I have heard those TLR's are performing well on animals but the article I read says they aren't a match bullet and average about 1 moa.

 

[verdugo60]

Thanks for sharing and nice elk! How was accuracy with those TLR's?

I'm bummed to hear those Accubond LR's are breaking up. That has been the complaint of the ELD-X too, I was hoping the bonded Noslers would be better.

I have heard those TLR's are performing well on animals but the article I read says they aren't a match bullet and average about 1 moa.

Disregard, I see your post above now on those. Sounds like they are shooting good! Is the RL23 temp sensitive much?

 

[MSshooter66]

I think the Accubond LR is great for deer, not so much for ELK. My cousin shot 2 Accubond LR 142 gr 6.5s into a 5x5 Elk last year and both of them came apart at 500 yds. It killed it but the bullet is too soft. We won't use them anymore. Here is a pic of a TLR that went from left front shoulder to right hip and stuck under hide on a 6x6
Bull this season. 7mm 155 Edge TLR 280 AI muzzle velocity about 3000 impact at aprox 250 yds on 750-800 lb animal. My brother took this one and my cousin took a cow broadside with same load and bullet was complete pass through.
View attachment 7183721

What is your load for the 280AI using this bullet?

 

[Scimitar]

58 grains of RL23 50 TO 60 THOUSANDTHS off lands in 3 different rifles. CCIBR2 primers. All 3 rifles shoot it under 1/2 for 3 shots and they are hunting rifles. Nice ones but still hunting rifles. That bullet shoots awesome when you hit that sweet spot in seating depth.

 

[Scimitar]

By the way, one of those guns has a Broughton 4.1 taper chambered by Moon at Crescent Customs and another is a Christensen Arms carbon fiber barrel. They must have used the same print reamer because the load is exactly the same for both rifles. Our third rifle was a non saami spec 280 40 degree improved. I have to fire form brass for it. It wanted it .060 off lands. Powder charge same.

 

[cjs88]

Hookturnr

X83 MONTHS
Premium Member
Sergeant
Rating: 3.1/5 this site
338 posts this site
280AI loads
10/13/2014
(1 vote)

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Since scout went live, it's time to get this going

Rem. 721 with a #5 contour Rock at 24"

Nosler Brass

Federal LR Match Primer

180gr. Berger Hunting VLD

59.0 Gr. H1000

2.740" OAL (Hornady Gauge) is .002 off the lands

2755 FPS 1/2MOA or better to 880yds 1/8 MOA at 100

Rifle was built by Kevin Cram at Montour County Rifles. It was throated for the Berger 180's to maximize case capacity and be at the lands when loading. The Dummy Round is set so the beginning of the boat tail is right at the neck/shoulder juncture of the case. I'd tell you some of the groups this thing has shot at distance but you wouldn't believe me anyways....lets just say it's a HAMMER! Kevin deserves the crdit for it though..I'm just the driver...

What do you mean throated? What is throated? The rifle or the brass?

 

[ChadL]

The chamber is what he means. You can have a chamber cut with a long throat which allows you to seat bullets out longer. This is advantageous with the longer higher bc bullets because it allows you to maintain as much case capacity as you can. If you didn't have the chambered throated for a long bullet it will be seated deep in the case eating up precious case capacity. Less case capacity can cost you velocity. One of the advantages of the Ackley case design is the increase in case capacity. It would be a waste to not have the chamber throat cut accordingly to take full advantage of the case design. My 280 ackley barrel is also cut for the 180 bergers.

 

[cjs88]

Does it affect short bullets as well? Or does it all stay the same but just allows you to maximize performance for the longer bullets? I don't reload yet nor do I have my rifle built. I plan on getting in to reloading for the 280AI in the future. All this information is helpful so I can tell GAP to extend the chamber.

 

[ChadL]

The jump to lands (the distance a bullet travels before engaging the lands) will be greater with shorter bullets than longer bullets. For example, 140 grain berger VLD Hunting bullets will have a greater jump than a berger 180 grain VLD hunting bullet if your chamber is cut for the 180 bullets. This may or may not be an issue. Some bullets are jump sensitive, some are not. You have to reload to find out for yourself. What I mean by jump sensitive is a specific bullet may have a very narrow window of the jump to lands distance before accuracy degrades. A jump of .015-.020" for example may be where a particular bullet really performs. However, anything greater than that and accuracy falls off. I'm speaking in generalities to give you an example.

To give you a real world example. I tried and tried to get the berger 180s to work in my 280 ackley. I just couldn't get them to group consistently no matter what I tried. I then switched to 175 eld-x bullets (hornady). I was in a time crunch and literally took the seating depth for the bergers and increased it by .030" for the eld-x bullets (seated .030 deeper than the bergers). I figured that was a big enough safety factor that I wasn't jamming the bullet into the lands. Went to the range and the first bullet was a bullseye. Seriously, dead center. It would seem the 175s were not sensitive to the jump distance at all. I say that because later I took the time to find the distance to lands and modified my seating depth accordingly and accuracy did not change (was still excellent). I since switched to the 162 eld-x for different reasons and they too were easy to develop.

Part of the joy of reloading is discovering all the nuances of your particular rifle. It can also be all the frustration too

 

[XTREM HTR16]

Sorry, I know this is a 280AI thread, but I have other experience with the ABLR.
My hunting pards killed two bulls last year with 6.5x284’s and the 142 ABLR . Loaded with 53.2 grains of R23., muzzle velocity of 3,075.
First bull was at 360 yards, quartering to, through shoulder and into heart/lungs. 30 yard downhill death plunge and he was done.
Second bull was at 300, first shot spined him and second was in the boiler room, he dropped at the first shot and second did him in.
None of the bullets passed through, we found the second bullet from the second bull and it was a nice mushroom.

 

[Sirshredalot]

Anyone loading rl25 or rl23 in 280ai?

I'm loading either a 168gr nobler custom comp or a 150gr Lapa scenar out of a 26" shilen.

I've done a little work up but am curious if anyone else has tried these powders.

Please and thank you
Shred

 

[Scimitar]

I have had excellent results with rl23 with the 162 epdm and 155 edge tlr in 280 ai

 

[Krob95]

What chambering of 280ai are people running? Noslers saami spec or the original ackley improved 40 degree? Which one is recommended as I’lol be hand loading and will need to fireform.

 

[ChadL]

What chambering of 280ai are people running? Noslers saami spec or the original ackley improved 40 degree? Which one is recommended as I’lol be hand loading and will need to fireform.

I had mine reamed with the Nosler saami spec. According to the gunsmith this allowed me to run either Nosler brass (no one else was making 280ai brass at the time) or I could fire form. If I chose the OG ai chamber I could only fire form, nosler brass wasn't an option. I never looked into if that was true or not, but went with the Nosler saami reamer.

 

[Clark]

a) 1949 Win M70 280AI Bartlein barrel, McMillan stock
b) ~1980 Sav110 280AI Bartlein barrel, Bell and Carlson stock Timney
c) 2018 Kimber84L 280AI unmodified

Nosler 280AI brass 56.2 gr IMR-4166, 140 gr. Nosler Accubond 3.34", 3110 fps

 

[codym]

Looking to try some n565 with 168-180 gr bullets, does anyone with quickload have a good starting point?

 

[Legionnaire]

Looking to try some n565 with 168-180 gr bullets, does anyone with quickload have a good starting point?

QL projects 2,637 fps at 47,393 psi with 100% case fill (62.4 grains) under a 168 grain SMK with a 3.33 COAL from a 22-inch barrel.
QL projects 2,646 fps at 52,815 psi with 100% case fill (61.1 grains) under a 180 grain SMK with a 3.33 COAL from a 22-inch barrel.

N560 might be a better choice.

 

[codym]

Yea I think your right, I was hearing somewhere (can’t recall now) of some guys having pretty good luck with it in the 280AI. I think I will save it for my 300 prc and stick with RL23 and h1k for now. Thank you