280 AI weird groups??

[Texis]

My cleaning regime for several years has been between 100-150 rounds depending on the round. 708 & 308 make 150, the 280 is being cleaned at 100. I keep accurate records on loads and firings. Nylon brushes using Iosso paste, 4-5 push-pull sessions with 40-60 strokes each, cloth patches in between… without going into to much detail and turning this into a cleaning thread lol. Typically takes an hour.
Although Im going to try the carbon removal only method (leaving the lead) and see how that works.
I found over the years of you take the time to clean down to bare barrel, it will take 8-12 rounds to fowl it.
I carry a 3 minute game timer to the range and typically fire a round every 3-6 minutes to keep the barrel cool.
I'm fortunate and my range is 12 minutes from the house, I work from home and a lot of my load development sessions happen during the lunch hour lol.
After the consult from this board, I've stopped switching back and forth between jacked and monos. I'm currently shooting VLDs because I know those well.. basically takes jump guess work out. Set at .010 off jam and they shoot. I've had very good luck on numerous rifles with VLDs.
Thanks!

 

[Montana'eer]

Thanks for the productive inputs. I have wanted to add 4350 to the list. I did notice listed velocities are lower with 4350, so it was last on the list.. but the temp stability is the best. I'm going to try it, as it's fantastic powder.
I do use mandrels, Century 21is great, also use Whidden bushings for measurements. I reduced tension by .002 on the most recent test. The last test was set up at .001-.001.5 (depending on spring back).
I am not cutting the neck OD, have to draw the line somewhere lol. The AI case has yet to reach max SAAMI length, hasn't really grown so I haven't had to trim yet. I had heard this about AI cartridges / brass.
I love 26" barrels, my other rifles have them, free speed! I wanted the 22" on this one for convenience of carrying and storage while hunting. 22" + 4" Apollo brake and I'm still fighting gun cases on the 4 wheeler. 26" + 4" brake wasn't working for me in the field.
I did tightened up on the shoulder bump to .002 on the most recent loads.
As I increase round count on my best loads now, it's starting to look more like a cold bore issue, throwing the first round high and to the left by .500-.750. Currently researching this.

Thanks

I tried 4350 with the 155TA bullets and velocity was much slower in my .280AI. The best groups I got were with factory Federal 155 TA. I traded the rifle for a Weatherby Backcountry 6.5CM. I can only futz with a rifle for so long then I move on. I did buy a Browning WGM x-bolt. Great figured maple, octagon barrel- .280AI. Shoots 1/2" or better with that factory ammo. I'm happy with that.

That's 2 x-bolts I own that are bug hole producers. I'm not going custom/semi custom again unless it's truly an heirloom, wood stocked beautiful rifle..

 

[manitou]

I tried 4350 with the 155TA bullets and velocity was much slower in my .280AI. The best groups I got were with factory Federal 155 TA. I traded the rifle for a Weatherby Backcountry 6.5CM. I can only futz with a rifle for so long then I move on. I did buy a Browning WGM x-bolt. Great figured maple, octagon barrel- .280AI. Shoots 1/2" or better with that factory ammo. I'm happy with that.

That's 2 x-bolts I own that are bug hole producers. I'm not going custom/semi custom again unless it's truly an heirloom, wood stocked beautiful rifle..

Yeah, my three x-bolts out shoot my customs. Not going down that road again.

 

[Texis]

Last post on this rifle before I yank this barrel off. My trip to the range today was the final straw. I expanded my best 3 shot load to 10 shot string… and ended up over 1.5". I'm not a fanatic about accuracy but hunt with a 1.5"+ rifle. I have exhausted all options, bullets, powders, primers, bedding, neck tension, etc, etc, etc. 300 rounds, countless trips to the range, hours and hours spent loading trying to make this work is my limit.
As I close the chapter on this barrel, I only have 1 question as it will help me make a decision…
"Are SAAMI 280 Ackleys finicky?"
I love the speed, ballistics, etc of a 280 AI but currently I'm burnt on this round.
Thanks for all the inputs.

 

[AussieWriter]

Last post on this rifle before I yank this barrel off. My trip to the range today was the final straw. I expanded my best 3 shot load to 10 shot string… and ended up over 1.5". I'm not a fanatic about accuracy but hunt with a 1.5"+ rifle. I have exhausted all options, bullets, powders, primers, bedding, neck tension, etc, etc, etc. 300 rounds, countless trips to the range, hours and hours spent loading trying to make this work is my limit.
As I close the chapter on this barrel, I only have 1 question as it will help me make a decision…
"Are SAAMI 280 Ackleys finicky?"
I love the speed, ballistics, etc of a 280 AI but currently I'm burnt on this round.
Thanks for all the inputs.

"I love the speed".
Reality is dissapointing sometimes, but during my tests, (extensive) the 280AI replicates the .30/06 for the same bullet weights.

That means over usual hunting distances, they are dead equal except the .30/06 seems easier to find the tiniest groups.

The best bullet overall in my .280AI is probably the 160 Accubond but there are several standputs including the 140gn TTSX, 145gn LRX, 150gn Nosler BT, 162gn ELDX but.........

The .30/06 will head shoot sparrows reliably and consistently with 150gn and 200gn Partition, 168gn TTSX, 175gn LRX, 220gn Woodleigh and 180gn Hornady BT so there are choices and everyone will take any animal in the lower 48 and all save perhaps 1 or 3 elsewhere.

There are dozens of other bullets that will slightly open these groups for accuracy but still shoot under MOA which means we, and our endless persuit of trying to make a hunting rifle a target rifle, are always the weakest link either by thaught process, or shooting skill, but it's never going to be a valid reason for pulling a barrel on a 1.5MOA rifle barrel.

My plan is to wear out the 280AI which has perhaps a few hundred rounds left in lifespan, swap the barrel out to .30/06 and give my current .30/06 to my youngest son to carry on the family tallies already accrued with that rifle.

Look, it comes down to "animals" and their "availability" to hunt. There is nothing, nothing, that either won't take cleanly in the US. A whim is for fun, but when the fun is over, a quiet thaught and review of your loads may bring on the calming effect you need.

Fond memories come from hunting, not range work.