Favorite loads for .280AI, .30-06 and .300 Win Mag

[Stadoc]

Have you taken anything with that Impact yet? I just saw it was offered and to my knowledge is fairly new.

Shot a doe at about 285 yards with it and she dropped like a stone. I actually thought I had missed because she dropped so fast and I couldn’t see in the tall grass, but when I walked over she was down right where she was standing a few minutes before. But other than that I can’t say how it would do on larger game, but hopefully it will work out for me this season. I really like the round and combination, super accurate.

 

[G19Jeeper]

I understand this. But with 3 cartridges listed and at least 15-20 bullets each cartridge along with 10 powder's each I think everything will get muffled together.
Sorry if I overstepped since it is your thread.

Fair enough but I absolutely encourage any and all input.

 

[G19Jeeper]

Shot a doe at about 285 yards with it and she dropped like a stone. I actually thought I had missed because she dropped so fast and I couldn't see in the tall grass, but when I walked over she was down right where she was standing a few minutes before. But other than that I can't say how it would do on larger game, but hopefully it will work out for me this season. I really like the round and combination, super accurate.

I've heard many good things so far, I am tempted to try some midweight 30's. It's nice that more companies are stepping in to compete in the Nosler Ballisitc Tip category since Nosler seems to have gotten money hungry in the last few years.

 

[Stadoc]

I've heard many good things so far, I am tempted to try some midweight 30's. It's nice that more companies are stepping in to compete in the Nosler Ballisitc Tip category since Nosler seems to have gotten money hungry in the last few years.

They are priced well so it can’t complain. Should give it a go

 

[bengineer]

280AI. 26” barrel. 162 SST with IMR 4831. 2902 fps avg. Has killed elk, deer, pronghorn and marmots like lightning. 55.2 grains iirc. Did a ocw test to arrive at the load. 3 seasons in the books and it still performs consistently.
I have also subbed in the 162 eldm and it shoots equally well. Havent used that on game yet. But I use the 147 eldm from a 6.5/284 that is awesome on deer sized critters.

 

[meatyrem]

Looking to see what everyone else is shooting! Share you favorite loads for .280 AI, .3006 and .300 Win Mag here.

I am currently fine tuning .280AI for 140 Nosler BT, Peterson brass, CCI200 and 60 gr of H4831 at 3.300 COAL. I will also be working a load up with 140 accubond and possibly 140 partitions as well

My current loads for 3006 are 180 gr Woodleigh RN and 54 gr IMR4350 in Rem brass and CCI200 as well as Norma Oryx in the same weight with same components. Great deer killer. I am thinking about testing some random bullets I have lying around including 150 and 165 GMX, 165 Trophy Bonded Bearclaw, and 150/165 gr Fusions.

300 Win Mag I am continuing load development but I hope to find something in the 180 class for a mountain rifle I just picked up off the classifieds.


Edited for pics. Deer killed with Tikka 3006 Hunter. Also, the Kimber Montana 280AI I have been loading for.
View attachment 579823View attachment 579824

That’s virtually my load for the 280 Rem 60gr H4831 140AB fed 210. Cloverleaf.

 

[G19Jeeper]

That's virtually my load for the 280 Rem 60gr H4831 140AB fed 210. Cloverleaf.

I need to chrono it to see how much I can push it further. At 2950 (book est), it's not hot for a 280AI. I think I could squeeze at least an extra 200 fps out of it if it still shoots good

 

[meatyrem]

I’m not over and I’m running 3030 with that combo 24”. Not AI

 

[john k]

Custom .280AI. 24”Bartlien 2B. 1) 140gr BT 60gr IMR4831 BR2 Petersen brass 3206 avg fps 2) 143gr Hammer Hunter 61.5gr RL26 BR2 Petersen brass 3236 avg fps

Christensen Ridgeline 26”. 160gr AB. 59gr RL23. BR2. Petersen brass 3028 avg fps

All loads shoot .5” - .75” moa consistently

 

[HSmithTX]

For softer animals the Speer 165 BTSP and the Hornady 168 A-Max are superb bullets and very accurate in the '06 and 300, good range bullets too because they are relatively inexpensive. The Speer 180 BTSP is also a very rapid expanding bullet, at 300WM speeds it acts a lot like a Berger. Hard to beat H4350 and H4831/SC in the '06, I don't even try anymore. For the 300 with heavy bullets RL26 is the ticket to speed if you have some, if not H1000 is my go-to. RL26 will push the 212 ELDX or the Berger 215 Hybrid over 3000 easily in my rifles, H1000 though not as fast has been superb for accuracy and consistency across all seasons.

For the 280/AI RL19 can be really good, H4350 is always good too but H4831SC is my go-to. The Speer 130 BTSP is about perfect for deer, runs way over 3000 if you want it to and they were quite inexpensive last time I bought them. The 140 Speer BTSP is also a great bullet. Not sexy with a fancy tip but every one of the Speer BTSP I have shot has been as accurate or more accurate than whatever you want to measure it against inside 400 and super easy to get them shooting well. The old Sierra 160 GameKing is a great elk bullet in a 280, the SST is too. The 162 ELD bullets have both been very accurate for me, haven't killed a lot with them but they have been very good on a few hogs shot through the lungs.

 

[Mark37082]

I’ll pitch in on 280AI loads that I continue to tinker with.
Easiest development:
HH143, Fed210, Peterson New, H4831sc, 60 grns., consistent .5 MOA, 3160 fps.
Not so easy development:
150 BD2, Peterson New, Fed 210, StaBall 6.5, 56 grns, 3013 fps. The combo spiked in .5 gr increase. 55.5 grns was 3011 fps. 56.5 grns was heavy bolt lift and ejector marks.

 

[meatyrem]

Heard when staball 6.5 spikes it spikes quickly.

 

[7mm man]

I'll pitch in on 280AI loads that I continue to tinker with.
Easiest development:
HH143, Fed210, Peterson New, H4831sc, 60 grns., consistent .5 MOA, 3160 fps.
Not so easy development:
150 BD2, Peterson New, Fed 210, StaBall 6.5, 56 grns, 3013 fps. The combo spiked in .5 gr increase. 55.5 grns was 3011 fps. 56.5 grns was heavy bolt lift and ejector marks.

So I have tried 6.5 Staball in at least 4 cartridges and none showed good accuracy with any bullet combos. Velocity was impressive in all accounts though.

 

[DustThroughaFan]

195 Berger EOL: 64.6 grains N570 Fed 215M, 2890 fps

Recommend going with 8 twist.

Holt cow batman.