Loads for 280AI - is 175 too heavy?

[lancetkenyon]

RL23 & RL26 are much more temp stable than RL22 & RL25.

I have not noticed any significant temp swings with RL23 or RL26. But I did notice it with RL22 & RL25, like 1fps per 1° temp difference.

In live in AZ too, and shoot in conditions from -5° during late elk sometimes to well over 100°.
I have used these two powders in 7RM, 7 SAUM, .300WM, .25-06AI, 6.5 SAUM, .280AI, and 6.5SS.

 

[rcol317]

Good to know, thought all RL was the same, thanks for the info

 

[L.Sherm]

I have had great luck with 2-280AI using RL23 one with 140's at 3240FPS and 162 ELD-X at 3080FPS. I got speed with RL26 with the 162's but not the accuracy that i got with the RL23

 

[7magcreedmoor]

I get 3015 with 168s and 2875 with 180s from 26 inch barrels with my ackley twins.

 

[longrangehunterII]

One of the load(s) I've used since I got my 280 AI Jarrett was a 175 Nosler Partition using IMR 7828 @ 2850 and POI never moved much from 78 degrees or 19 degrees with that powder.

I'm going to test the 162 ELD-X with H4350 in the coming months after hunting season is ove

 

[Morrison]

Yes, you can use the 175's in you 280AI. I have 3 of them. Your question regarding longer ranges is the heavier bullets are better holding their own in the wind. Long Range is not about how fast you can go but more about predictability and a repeatable shot. Losing 300fps may help in accuracy and consistency. Choose your bullet based on what you are trying to accomplish. A target bullet is not your best choice for hunting. There are new technologies out all of the time. For hunting, Nosler released their ABLR in 175 and depending on your rifle you may prefer the 168's which will give you back your speed but it has a profile that flies well at range. If you would like to stay with "OLD" tried and true.. Sierra modeled the Game King after the Match King bullet and I have been smaking Antelope with it for years out to 500 yards.

 

[quigley257]

Following. I am rebarreling my Gen1 R700 Sendero to 280AI. I purchased it new when the Sendero was introduced in 1994. The original 25-06 barrel was an awesome shooter but it is shot out and I'm ready for something new. I ordered the barrel as a 8.5 twist because I plan on shooting the 175gr bullets and a few of them recommend the 8.5 twist as minimum.

 

[DR 3006]

Tagging in on this

 

[lancetkenyon]

I just have to go verify drops at distance, but I have found my hunting load for my .280AI. Right on the edge of too hot. But safe in my rifle. Do not replicate this load without slowly working up. This is a custom chamber.

Nosler .280AI brass (once fired after fire forming to my chamber and bumping .002")
58.0gr. RL23 (over book max)
Fed GM210M
175 Berger Elite Hunter
Touching lands @ 2.690" CBTO
Fast (that is all I am going to say until I verify drops at distance and fine tune the velocity)
Shoots in the low .2s

Don't mind the little .204" hole. Top is 3 shots @ .213". I need to drop about .1 or .2 MILs for my zero. Just a touch high for my tastes.

 

[284saum]

We load 168gr Barnes LRX in a friends 23" 280 Ackley with RL26. 2900 fps

 

[bpcrshooter]

Man, the more I read about this cartridge the more I want one!!

 

[rcol317]

I've had seven Ackley Improved cartridges and I'n my opinion the 280 AI is maybe the best. My 280 AI's shoot right along side of my 7mm Rem Mag with far less powder. I've never known anyone that gave a 280 AI a fair shot that didn't think it was a great cartridge.

 

[lancetkenyon]

.280AI
353 yards
175 Berger Elite Hunter
0 wind
Dial .7MIL
Cold bore shot (with some luck too, I can admit)
My witness/spotter just laughed as I put away the rifle as I said, "yep, that one is ready" (like it was no big deal).

 

[JW74]

I have had good results so far shooting heavy bullets in my 280AI. I have found IMR 7828SSC, H1000 and RL 23 all work well with 180gn Bergers and 195 Bergers.

A few loads I have worked up so far:

180 Berger Hyb
58.0gn RL 23
Fed 210M
2.821" to ogive (~0.020" off)
2923 fps, SD 3.4
0.36" x 3 shots

195 Berger EH
56.5gn RL 23
CCI BR-2
2.814" to ogive (~0.020" off)
2793 fps, SD 14.7
0.38" x 3 shots

180 Hornady ELDM
59.0gn H1000
Fed 210M
(~0.020" off)
2746 fps, SD 12.8
0.34" x 4 shots

195 Berger EH
59.7gn H1000
Fed 210M
(~0.020" off)
2762 fps, SD 17.9
0.42" x 3 shots

180 Berger Hyb
57.5gn IMR 7828SSC
Fed 210M
(~0.020" off)
2793 fps, SD 7.5
0.22" x 3 shots

195 Berger EH
57.1gn IMR 7828SSC
Fed 210M
(~0.020" off)
2759 fps, SD 15.6
0.43" x 3 shots

180 Berger Hyb
60.3gn H1000
Fed 210M
(~0.020" off)
2825 fps, SD 23.1
0.32" x 3 shots