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280 Ackley improved bullet recommendations

SamuelBerryhill308

SamuelBerryhill308

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 15, 2020
Messages
1,442
Location
Vale nc
Hello all I'm starting to buy few more supplies to start reload for my 280 Ackley improved and I'm looking for a few bullet recommendations and was wondering what yall have had success with any input would be appreciated. I have heard that 162 to 168 grain weight where good spot to look into for lead core bullets but not sure of that or what grain weight to try in copper bullets. Thanks God bless
 
I've got the ballistic twin 7mm RSAUM, and have owned two 280 AI's in the past.

I'm currently shooting the Hornady 162 ELDX, Hornady 166 A-Tip and Berger 168 VLDH with excellent accuracy.

So far I've only used the H162ELDX on a single deer. Worked very well. 72 yard shot with impact on near side shoulder and exited the off side shoulder with a quarter size exit hole. Muzzle velocity was 2830 fps with impact velocity slightly over 2700 fps. (17.5" bbl)
 
SamuelBerryhill308 said:
Hello all I'm starting to buy few more supplies to start reload for my 280 Ackley improved and I'm looking for a few bullet recommendations and was wondering what yall have had success with any input would be appreciated. I have heard that 162 to 168 grain weight where good spot to look into for lead core bullets but not sure of that or what grain weight to try in copper bullets. Thanks God bless
Click to expand...

Hi Samuel,

With copper bullets, 120gr-140gr is the sweet spot for me. I am shooting 120gr Hammers at just over 3400fps out of my 24" 280rem this year.

Copper bullets are longer per given weight, so they can require faster then 'normal' twists rates to stabilize. Just something to be aware of...

The 120gr Nosler Ballistic tip has a bit of a cult following as well - it's a tough little bullet that performs well above it's pay grade!
 
SamuelBerryhill308 said:
Hello all I'm starting to buy few more supplies to start reload for my 280 Ackley improved and I'm looking for a few bullet recommendations and was wondering what yall have had success with any input would be appreciated. I have heard that 162 to 168 grain weight where good spot to look into for lead core bullets but not sure of that or what grain weight to try in copper bullets. Thanks God bless
Click to expand...

Mono's……140 and up. If it were me, I'd be looking at the Barnes LRX in 145 or 160……leaning more toward the 140. Certainly take a look at the Hammer offerings!

The LRX's have pretty high BC's, with the 145 pushed fast should have good downrange performance. "IF" something larger than deer is on the menu, and "if" you do not have a "written guarantee" of a "surgically placed" bullet…..145 LRX offers the bone breaking penetration that many others cannot! JMO

Yes I like mono's…..only bullet used for 30 years! While they do give up some long range ballistics……they offer "huge gains" in close range performance over most cup and core bullets! memtb
 
Last edited:
Here's what I use:
145gr Barnes LRX - for anything and everything.
160gr Nosler Partition - for anything and everything.
140gr Partitions are outstanding as well.
168gr Berger VLDH for long range plinking.
160gr Speer Hot-Cor for inexpensive range/trigger time.
Someday I'll step up the the heavy weight bullets for my 8 twist barrel - but I'm in no rush. Pick a bullet and go out and have some fun.
 
AkleyFan said:
Here's what I use:
145gr Barnes LRX - for anything and everything.
160gr Nosler Partition - for anything and everything.
140gr Partitions are outstanding as well.
168gr Berger VLDH for long range plinking.
160gr Speer Hot-Cor for inexpensive range/trigger time.
Someday I'll step up the the heavy weight bullets for my 8 twist barrel - but I'm in no rush. Pick a bullet and go out and have some fun.
Click to expand...
Those are a good line up.
 
Buttermilk said:
I've got the ballistic twin 7mm RSAUM, and have owned two 280 AI's in the past.

I'm currently shooting the Hornady 162 ELDX, Hornady 166 A-Tip and Berger 168 VLDH with excellent accuracy.

So far I've only used the H162ELDX on a single deer. Worked very well. 72 yard shot with impact on near side shoulder and exited the off side shoulder with a quarter size exit hole. Muzzle velocity was 2830 fps with impact velocity slightly over 2700 fps. (17.5" bbl)
Click to expand...
How have these bullets performed on game? I've looked at both hornady bullets and the 168 classic hunters and also the 168 ablr
 
280ai is my favorite caliber. I have shot everything from 120gr ballistic tips, 140 accubond, 160 accubond, 175 Berger EH, 180 hybrid, 130 absolute hammer, one or 2 other hammer bullets and then finally settled on the 145 tipped hammer as my favorite. The 145 does everything I need and when I tested bc it was considerably higher than advertised in my rifle. For target shooting the 180 hybrid was by far and above my favorite but I didn't care for on game performance. If the 180 hybrid killed like I wanted then I would have never changed from it. For the heavy bullets RE 23 was/is the ticket. For the lighter bullets I have had good luck with RE 16, H4350 and H4831sc but the 4831 usually gives up velocity.
 

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