280ai and RL23

[CTK]

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

Will do

 

[AkleyFan]

Will do

Ummm - your range report is overdue. Got anything to share after 3+ years of range time?

Reviving this older thread as I'm looking to end my relationship with RL19 in my 280AI's and RL23 is now on the top of my list - because it's temp stable and available, but at crazy prices. I believe some additional RL23 and RL16 data would be beneficial for us 280AI shooters if anyone has some to share. TIA

 

[tooth doc]

RE23 is an exceptional powder but really likes the Fed GM215M primers in the 280AI case. This load was with a 145 Hammer Hunter and Barnes 145 LRX.
A few other recipes for the 168 class bullets respond well with H4831SC, possibly neighboring powders in that same burn rate.
Sierra Tipped Match Kings in 168 gr work well for paper and hunting

I love the 143 HH my 28 nosler. top load give me 3560 and under .5 moa. I used the 196 Berger on a trip to Africa and it is similarly accurate and killed but usually no exit from medium game. I 143 HH gave me exits the next year and killed blesbok at 560. blue wildabeast at 780 and zebra at 1024. got exits even on the zebra! he went maybe 20 feet and down . I am certain the HH bullets will perform well in the 280 ai but I have not yet hand loaded for my 280 ai.

 

[sodakota]

I had my 280AI out to the range last week. I took Noslers most accurate load with 150 grain bullets.
60.5 grains H4831sc, (old) 150 grain partitions, WLR, Peterson brass, .6 MOA at ~ 3,000 fps. The rifle has a blue printed 700 action, light Kevlar stock and a 26" barrel.
The rifle weighs about the same as my factory 700's, due to lighter than normal stock and heavier than normal barrel.