280AI Loads

[cabelasken]

your reloader 17 should produce good velocities with medium weight bullets. I have been using the Barnes TTSX and TSX bullets on Elk and deer for the past 12 or 13 years with good results. I have gotten my best accuracy with IMR 4350 tho.

 

[Huntsman66]

I've had great luck with: 150ELDX, fed210, 56.3gn of Reloader 16, 3.320 COAL, 3070fps

Light factory rifle

 

[Gregt9146]

I user Reloder 26 and Federal 210s in my 280 AI. I load them behind Berger 180-grain VLDHs to just over 3,000 fps.

How many grains of RL26 are you using with this load as i have Berger 180gr VLD's that i could load for it?

 

[Gregt9146]

I have used RL26 and H100v with good success but have settled on H4350 as the best in mine. Even with a 1/9 twist I top out at 162gr eldx as heaviest I can stabilize. 150gr accubonds shoot great as well. awesome caliber, probably my favorite

How many grains for the RL26

 

[john k]

H100V has worked well in my 280 AI 140 AB's at max and a little beyond. IMR 7828ssc worked well for the 160 AB but testing was limited due to having a small supply of the bullets. I'm in the SE and 140's coming out of my AI at well over 3K is plenty lethal. When the 160's are available I will get some. I did pick up some 162 ELD-X to try out. I have 1:9 twist so not trying anything heavier.

 

[longgun505]

I just bought my son a 280AI and want to reload the rounds that we are going to be shooting. I have just any of the primers from CCI 200, and 250, Fed 210, and 210M and 215M's and Winchester WLRM. I want to use either IMR 4955, RL17, IMR4350, IMR4155, or RL26. For bullets i have 140 accubond, and eventually will be going to 160gr accubonds

I'm just not seeing much for loads that i'm liking, Anybody using any for these components and have a good load that they are willing to share.

If you look at the pics of load data you'll notice a pattern in powders recommend by the Nosler #9 manual. I also included the Richard Lee second edition modern reloading manual, and Sierra. We shoot a lot of 280AI, our guns seem to like H4831, IMR4831, R19, and R22. I don't generally give out loads just to avoid problems or conversational concerns from others about my thermal nuclear loading program. I will say however, start within a grain of max, ladder test a few loads to find a sweet spot for your particular barrel config. And eliminate as many component factors as possible and have fun!! The 280AI is one of my favorite cartridges, and my wife LOVES her MK V Ultralight. Great sheep thru elk gun, and with the right projectile I would not feel under-gunned in the Rockies either.

 

[Murtfree]

I have 2 Kimber MA's and a Bergara Premier and they all shoot the same load fairly well. I actually worked up the load in one of the Kimbers and was very impressed so tried it in the other rifles. Fed 210M primer, Nosler Brass, RL26 62 grains and topped off with a 160 gr Accubond. In the gun I worked it up in it will constantly shoot .5 to .6 inch groups which is better than I ever expected in such a light rifle. The other Kimber will shoot around the .75 inch area and the Bergara will stay just under an inch Which is good enough for my style of hunting. Velocity runs anywhere from about 3085 to 3110 depending on the day and conditions with single digit SD's. This load is hot and should NOT be used in any other gun with out working up to this load. I will get 3 to 4 loading before the brass is trash.

 

[Huntfly]

I just bought my son a 280AI and want to reload the rounds that we are going to be shooting. I have just any of the primers from CCI 200, and 250, Fed 210, and 210M and 215M's and Winchester WLRM. I want to use either IMR 4955, RL17, IMR4350, IMR4155, or RL26. For bullets i have 140 accubond, and eventually will be going to 160gr accubonds

I'm just not seeing much for loads that i'm liking, Anybody using any for these components and have a good load that they are willing to share.

I have a 280 AI custom but use 62 grains 4831 with good success. I would love to try RL26 but having no luck finding any. I am using 140 grain Sierras, CCI 200. This particular rifle will shoot just about anything you put in it.

 

[lancetkenyon]

RL23
Fed GM210M, CCI200, CCI BR2
160 NAB
3000-3100+FPS from a 26" 1:9"
Crushes pronghorn, deer, bear, and elk

 

[L.Sherm]

Theres not a 280AI that i know of that hasn't shot RL23 really well and speed wise. Some extremely well.
RL26 has matched speed but not accuracy in my testing.

 

[dougduey]

Theres not a 280AI that i know of that hasn't shot RL23 really well and speed wise. Some extremely well.
RL26 has matched speed but not accuracy in my testing.

This is spot on and Sherm guided me with load development and RL23 when I got my 280 AI.
H4831 is the gold standard powder for this cartridge, so look for alternatives in its burn rate if you can't get any RL23.

 

[Raudy707]

55 to 56 grains of Rldr 17, Nosler Brass, CCI250 will get you 3000 fps with a 160 Nosler Accubond. If you need temp insensitive powder Rldr 23 is your huckleberry.

 

[L.Sherm]

RL23 checks all the boxs.

 

[Sneuses]

I just bought my son a 280AI and want to reload the rounds that we are going to be shooting. I have just any of the primers from CCI 200, and 250, Fed 210, and 210M and 215M's and Winchester WLRM. I want to use either IMR 4955, RL17, IMR4350, IMR4155, or RL26. For bullets i have 140 accubond, and eventually will be going to 160gr accubonds

I'm just not seeing much for loads that i'm liking, Anybody using any for these components and have a good load that they are willing to share.

Fresh off Nosler page.

Nosler Load Data

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