Powder advise for a 280ai.

I like H4831 with Hory162 eld-x and 91/2M primers I let a friend use it last year he took a nice 7x7 elk at 400 yards with a load of H4831 and 150 gr Sierra game king and I took a good 8 point buck at 505 with H4831sc and Hory 150 eld-x 91/2m it is a browning long range have second. REM 700 with 9 twist barrel that likes H1000 and hory 162 eld-x 91/2M all loads seated to touch lands
 
I had to try multiple bullet types (Eld-X, nosler, Berger, Eld-M to name a few) multiple powders and much frustration before the H4831 w/ Eld-M's started grouping for me. Then I did something stupid and seated the bullet .005 deeper, because the bullets were hard to chamber on the previous outing. I also cleaned my gun. Now I am shooting strings that look like a pancake when before I was shooting nice groups. Is this strictly a seating depth thing? I'm still fairly young in the reloading game and haven't experienced this before
 
I had to try multiple bullet types (Eld-X, nosler, Berger, Eld-M to name a few) multiple powders and much frustration before the H4831 w/ Eld-M's started grouping for me. Then I did something stupid and seated the bullet .005 deeper, because the bullets were hard to chamber on the previous outing. I also cleaned my gun. Now I am shooting strings that look like a pancake when before I was shooting nice groups. Is this strictly a seating depth thing? I'm still fairly young in the reloading game and haven't experienced this before
I don't think it's a seating depth problem. The seating depth would not drastically change a group size. It will maybe change it by few thousands.
I don't know if your brass prep includes case length trimming.
It could be brass length is to long. With out knowing how your loading your ammo it would just be a crap shoot to diagnose. More information would be helpful to some very experienced people on this forum. Excluding me in the last sentence.
 
I had to try multiple bullet types (Eld-X, nosler, Berger, Eld-M to name a few) multiple powders and much frustration before the H4831 w/ Eld-M's started grouping for me. Then I did something stupid and seated the bullet .005 deeper, because the bullets were hard to chamber on the previous outing. I also cleaned my gun. Now I am shooting strings that look like a pancake when before I was shooting nice groups. Is this strictly a seating depth thing? I'm still fairly young in the reloading game and haven't experienced this before
I have found right to left to be a seeding depth problem. And up and down to be a powder charge.

Some guns also need to settle down after a very deep cleaning. Some of my rifles it doesn't matter then others it takes 10-15 shoots before the will group like the use to.

Next time change one thing at a time that way you know what works for you.
 
Then I did something stupid and seated the bullet .005 deeper, because the bullets were hard to chamber on the previous outing.
I highly doubt that .005 opened up your groups that much.
I don't know if your brass prep includes case length trimming.
It could be brass length is to long.
This is a good guess along with did you bump the shoulder back?
Did you check the CBTO before deciding to seat deeper? Did they chamber ok after seating deeper?
This information will help us help you.
 
Looking for some powder to try in my 280ai. With Alliant not releasing powder to the public for awhile it takes all the reloader powder off the list.

The rifle is a nanook action with a 26inch proof 1: 8.4 twist.
I'm planning on testing berger 168 ,berger 175,hornady 175 eldx and giving the barns 145 lrx another try with different powder. Being in Arizona it needs to be temp stable powder so I don't get spikes.
I've tested the lrx with staball6.5 and couldn't get it to group . My 7-08 loves the stuff.
So I've got a few pounds of powders already.
Staball6.5 r22 (not temp stable)
4831sc r15 and r17
Retumbo
I know r23 is supposed to be magic but it's not available.
H1000 is a possibility maybe n560 or n565?
The 168s will be here in a day or so then I'll be ready to load another round of test ammo.
As for brass I'm running peterson and I've got 210 215 for primers.
I've had great results with H4831 and IMR4350 with 160gn Accubonds and 162ELDX's. 2950fps with a 22" barrel.
 
A
I had to try multiple bullet types (Eld-X, nosler, Berger, Eld-M to name a few) multiple powders and much frustration before the H4831 w/ Eld-M's started grouping for me. Then I did something stupid and seated the bullet .005 deeper, because the bullets were hard to chamber on the previous outing. I also cleaned my gun. Now I am shooting strings that look like a pancake when before I was shooting nice groups. Is this strictly a seating depth thing? I'm still fairly young in the reloading game and haven't experienced this before
Lots of moving parts here. Likely that you did not shoot enough to have a good idea where you were at. .005 should not make that much difference.
 
Looking for some powder to try in my 280ai. With Alliant not releasing powder to the public for awhile it takes all the reloader powder off the list.

The rifle is a nanook action with a 26inch proof 1: 8.4 twist.
I'm planning on testing berger 168 ,berger 175,hornady 175 eldx and giving the barns 145 lrx another try with different powder. Being in Arizona it needs to be temp stable powder so I don't get spikes.
I've tested the lrx with staball6.5 and couldn't get it to group . My 7-08 loves the stuff.
So I've got a few pounds of powders already.
Staball6.5 r22 (not temp stable)
4831sc r15 and r17
Retumbo
I know r23 is supposed to be magic but it's not available.
H1000 is a possibility maybe n560 or n565?
The 168s will be here in a day or so then I'll be ready to load another round of test ammo.
As for brass I'm running peterson and I've got 210 215 for primers.
H4350 with the 145gn LRX bullet will surprise you and remember, it's just an '06 sized case regarding volume. Magnum powders don't necessarily improve velocities in this cartridge.
My rifle likes 60 grains so please drop a few grains and work up. Heavier bullets don't offer much if your rifle likes those 145's.
 
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I have found right to left to be a seeding depth problem. And up and down to be a powder charge.

Some guns also need to settle down after a very deep cleaning. Some of my rifles it doesn't matter then others it takes 10-15 shoots before the will group like the use to.

Next time change one thing at a time that way you know what works for you.
It took three rounds to get it grouping again after I cleaned it. I went to a friend for help and found that it was hard to chamber because I was right up against the lands. Glad that I didn't over pressure my gun. 😬 we started with factory specs for seating depth and then worked out with some groups of bullets. I hope to get out shooting later this week.
 
It took three rounds to get it grouping again after I cleaned it. I went to a friend for help and found that it was hard to chamber because I was right up against the lands. Glad that I didn't over pressure my gun. 😬 we started with factory specs for seating depth and then worked out with some groups of bullets. I hope to get out shooting later this week.
Hornady has a pretty cool setup to check where the lands are with the bullet you intend to use . It requires you to buy one of there modified cases for your caliber but it works like a charm and is great for figuring out things like this.
 

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