280ai and RL23

[slas]

Stick with the large rifle primers, you don't need magnum primers in this caliber.

A while back I accidently bought a bunch of Federal 215's instead of 210's. I posted the question about using them in my load development as opposed to the 210's. There were quite a few who reload for the 280ai that preferred them over the 210's. I guess it's whatever you work up your load with but I've seen many more recipes with the 210's when searching online for load data.

 

[Bob Wright]

A while back I accidently bought a bunch of Federal 215's instead of 210's. I posted the question about using them in my load development as opposed to the 210's. There were quite a few who reload for the 280ai that preferred them over the 210's. I guess it's whatever you work up your load with but I've seen many more recipes with the 210's when searching online for load data.

There isn't a ton of reload data for the AI version. But through conversation with Hammer and more experienced handloaders for this new cartridge, I went from std to magnum primers in head to head testing of RE23 and 143 Hammers. Is was clear to me that the Fed GM215M won that hands down. The 3100 fps +/-2 ES on 4 rounds peaked my interest....

 

[Barstooler]

My 280 AI is in a Kimber Custom Classic and has a 23 inch barrel. Any powder like RL-22 or slower just blows a fireball out the end of the barrel. It is not burning in that 23 inch barrel

So my go to powder for that 280 AI became IMR-4955 - temp stable and anti-copper. 56.0 grains gives good case fill and 0.5 MOA accuracy with 160gr Nosler AB at 2800 FPS

Not exceptional velocity but good to 600 yards and main limiting factor is that 23 inch barrel
Barstooler

 

[Laguna Freak]

Yes on load development; you can baseline RE22 minimum powder number and work up until you see pressure.
Seating depth can be done after you see a node in a 10 shot ladder.

This is savvy

 

[Beer Baron]

I'm using 60.5g RL23 and 145 Hammer Hunters in my Kimber 84L 280 AI, 1-9 twist 24" barrel 3110. Immediately shot moa, sticky bolt at 61g and had to back it off. Gun was shooting 2-3 inch groups until I tried the Hammers. Tried a bunch of different combinations from the major manufacturers with no success.

 

[C S Fever]

My 280 AI is in a Kimber Custom Classic and has a 23 inch barrel. Any powder like RL-22 or slower just blows a fireball out the end of the barrel. It is not burning in that 23 inch barrel

So my go to powder for that 280 AI became IMR-4955 - temp stable and anti-copper. 56.0 grains gives good case fill and 0.5 MOA accuracy with 160gr Nosler AB at 2800 FPS

Not exceptional velocity but good to 600 yards and main limiting factor is that 23 inch barrel
Barstooler

That's my biggest problem with the 280AI is that most of the rifles chambered in it are sub 24" which eliminates most of the slower powders. I have been using RL 19 simply because of the efficiency of it in a 22" barrel. It can be temp sensitive but I work up my loads for Canada so an 85 degree day is on the high side of our highs. So hunting in 50 to -20 creates little problems with it. Just my $0.02. Btw shooting 168 VLD at 2950 out of a 22" proof research barrel.

 

[Raudy707]

My 280 AI Reloder 23 load ia for the Berger 168 VLD H. I'm using Nosler Brass and Fed 210 primers. 59 grains of R23 and my MV is 2995. It's grouping .338 at 100 yds and is really consistent out to 1300 yds. I have a 26" Hart barrel.

 

[DRock]

What surprised me was RL16. Running the 145gr Cutting Edge MTH. 58.5 gr for 3178fps according to QL. I haven't tested the load yet but from past experience with QL it should be well within 100fps.

I shoot 54.5 grains of RL16 with a 155 Federal TRL bullet and get 3000fps with a 22" barrel. 56grains had me at 3100fps but my bolt started taking a little pressure to open. RL16 is a great powder for 280AI if you stay 160grain bullets or less. Very temp stable.

 

[Laguna Freak]

Seems slow....

10.0 98 58.50 2853 2530 43441 11136 99.6 1.302

I don't use QL yet. Not sure what I'm looking at. But if the powder wt is 58.5 and speed is 2850, I am scratching my head.
With a 140 AB and that charge I would think it would be ~3150 +.
Hmm.....I do have a 26" barrel on mine.

Does seem slow. I get 3050 fps with 58 gr RL16 pushing 150 Accubond out of 23.6" 30-06 barrel. I do light it with WLRM primer.

 

[Blacktail]

H4831sc 143 HHs 3180 with 215m primers. Using H1000 for 168ABLR's at 2870 but scary accurate in a 26" 1:8 benchmark carbon barrel.

 

[slas]

H4831sc 143 HHs 3180 with 215m primers. Using H1000 for 168ABLR's at 2870 but scary accurate in a 26" 1:8 benchmark carbon barrel.

How many grains of H4831sc with that 143 HH

 

[Blacktail]

How many grains of H4831sc with that 143 HH

62

 

[CTK]

I am going to try RL23, 160 Accubond, and 215M primers, out of a 24" 280ai barrel this weekend. Have always wanted to try this combo. May try 210M with combo but have always wanted to try the 215M.

 

[slas]

I am going to try RL23, 160 Accubond, and 215M primers, out of a 24" 280ai barrel this weekend. Have always wanted to try this combo. May try 210M with combo but have always wanted to try the 215M.

Would be very interested in your results. Please let us know what you find.