Absolute Hammer 280ai Help

[ButterBean]

I'm shooting one ragged hole with a bartlein, I think the contour is 3B, 1:8.7 twist....load is 168 gr Berger VLD Hunters and 57gr of H4350. Had the rifle built and wanted to shoot 140s...not sure if the gun just didn't like em or the barrel was not broken in (although I have mixed feelings on the barrel break in topic). Either way I went up to the 168s and initially it was grouping a steady .4, then over the next 15-20 shots it tightened up consistently.
Anyway, the barrel has around 45 rounds through it and has stayed at a very steady 2950fps.
Ive never elk hunted but I lve always thought the 168 was at or close to lightest end of the spectrum for a bull elk.
I can say that I shot a fairly small whitetail Doe this yr with it and it was an ugly scene. Slightly quartering away at 295yds or so.....hit right in the center of shoulder crease and blew the entire off side shoulder off....well close to it. Literally a softball size exit.
Id love to hear everyone's opinions on that bullet on an Elk. It's a joy to shoot with little to no felt recoil.....my fav all around and all time caliber hands down.

Opinion's on what bullet?

 

[BEEMAN]

R26 is your friend in the 280AI

I'm sure it is, but the OP asked for a recommendation for the absolute Hammer. R26 would be to slow I'd think.

 

[hunter0925]

I'm shooting the 155 absolute hammer in my 280ai and using re16 (per Steve's advice for a temp stable powder) and running right at 3200fps in peterson brass with a cci250. Re16 gives great case fill and is very stable. I don't see 3200fps as anything to sneeze at.

 

[BEEMAN]

I'm shooting the 155 absolute hammer in my 280ai and using re16 (per Steve's advice for a temp stable powder) and running right at 3200fps in peterson brass with a cci250. Re16 gives great case fill and is very stable. I don't see 3200fps as anything to sneeze at.

Barrel length? I'd be happy with 3200 FPS too.

 

[MtnTrax]

I'm sure it is, but the OP asked for a recommendation for the absolute Hammer. R26 would be to slow I'd think.

It works in mine with 140 150 168s it may be too slow for you but it works great for me

 

[hunter0925]

Barrel length? I'd be happy with 3200 FPS too.

24 inch bart 8twist

 

[BEEMAN]

The Absolute Hammer is a totally different way of thinking and produces way less pressure. That's why a faster powder is needed. I use R26 with other bullets and agree it's fantastic.

 

[ButterBean]

I'm sure it is, but the OP asked for a recommendation for the absolute Hammer. R26 would be to slow I'd think.

Way to slow

 

[ButterBean]

I'm shooting the 155 absolute hammer in my 280ai and using re16 (per Steve's advice for a temp stable powder) and running right at 3200fps in peterson brass with a cci250. Re16 gives great case fill and is very stable. I don't see 3200fps as anything to sneeze at.

That's a great load and the temp stable 16 is great but the 17 will set it on fire if you want to tinker with it

 

[Blacktail]

I'm shooting one ragged hole with a bartlein, I think the contour is 3B, 1:8.7 twist....load is 168 gr Berger VLD Hunters and 57gr of H4350. Had the rifle built and wanted to shoot 140s...not sure if the gun just didn't like em or the barrel was not broken in (although I have mixed feelings on the barrel break in topic). Either way I went up to the 168s and initially it was grouping a steady .4, then over the next 15-20 shots it tightened up consistently.
Anyway, the barrel has around 45 rounds through it and has stayed at a very steady 2950fps.
Ive never elk hunted but I lve always thought the 168 was at or close to lightest end of the spectrum for a bull elk.
I can say that I shot a fairly small whitetail Doe this yr with it and it was an ugly scene. Slightly quartering away at 295yds or so.....hit right in the center of shoulder crease and blew the entire off side shoulder off....well close to it. Literally a softball size exit.
Id love to hear everyone's opinions on that bullet on an Elk. It's a joy to shoot with little to no felt recoil.....my fav all around and all time caliber hands down.

same but using H1000 but looking for powder for the AH I heard needs to be faster burning

That's a great load and the temp stable 16 is great but the 17 will set it on fire if you want to tinker with it

24 inch bart 8twist

Dam that's awesome with the 155 anyone mess with the 172 yet? Then again a 155 at 3200 which I am sure I can get in a 26" nothing to sneeze at!!

 

[GLTaylor]

Data for loading Absolute Hammers is stored on post #2 of the Absolute Hammer Load Data thread. Enjoy.

 

[hunter0925]

That's a great load and the temp stable 16 is great but the 17 will set it on fire if you want to tinker with it

Yeah, I know I can get more out of it but it's shooting .25+- and I'm happy with it. My hunting can be done anywhere from 90 degrees to the negatives so I prefer temp stability and accuracy over a little more speed.

 

[Bullmark]

Opinion's on what bullet?

I'm sorry I didn't word things very clearly...signs of fast approaching senior-itis
I was talking about the 168gr VLD Hunter, and it's performance on a big elk.
Long range for me is 500yds.....and I've always figured (or hoped) that the 168 would have me covered on anything elk size or smaller.
The rifle likes them and is so accurate, I'd be reluctant to change. If I needed more than it will deliver out to 500 or so, it would give me an excuse to buy another rifle...lol.
All the comments and suggestions are appreciated. The first 25 years of my serious hunting was done with a stick and a string.....where the idea was to see how close u can get. Age and curiosity got me more interested in this site and how far away they can be.

 

[Mike Matteson]

I'm shooting one ragged hole with a bartlein, I think the contour is 3B, 1:8.7 twist....load is 168 gr Berger VLD Hunters and 57gr of H4350. Had the rifle built and wanted to shoot 140s...not sure if the gun just didn't like em or the barrel was not broken in (although I have mixed feelings on the barrel break in topic). Either way I went up to the 168s and initially it was grouping a steady .4, then over the next 15-20 shots it tightened up consistently.
Anyway, the barrel has around 45 rounds through it and has stayed at a very steady 2950fps.
Ive never elk hunted but I lve always thought the 168 was at or close to lightest end of the spectrum for a bull elk.
I can say that I shot a fairly small whitetail Doe this yr with it and it was an ugly scene. Slightly quartering away at 295yds or so.....hit right in the center of shoulder crease and blew the entire off side shoulder off....well close to it. Literally a softball size exit.
Id love to hear everyone's opinions on that bullet on an Elk. It's a joy to shoot with little to no felt recoil.....my fav all around and all time caliber hands down.

Now I don't load for a 280AI, but I run a 308 Norma Mag with 165gr Accubond bullets, velocity @ 3300fps. Down 6 elk with that cartridge, most drop like rocks, only one I got a little back on that took a second round to put it down. The bullet did exit and broke a cows hip. A friend finish it off, because he had a cow tag. One I drove one bull from the back to the front shoulder and put the animal down. Same bullet. that was the only shot I had. No problem out to 500yds. If you are going to 1000yds, then that a different story.