need Need more experienced help

[Dmagna]

I have a 3 280 AIs. I use h4831sc for lighter 140 class bullets at 3200 fps in 26 inch barrels. Maybe you are not pushing hard enough. I use RL23 with 175s at 2950 out of a 24". The 280AI likes to go fast, find a good node for SD and ES then adjust the seating depth. That will tighten the groups.

 

[Barehandlineman11]

What part of california you in. If close by i could help you out

 

[Bassnbow]

What part of california you in. If close by i could help you out

Northern Cal, Auburn area

 

[Barehandlineman11]

I live in rocklin

 

[Bassnbow]

I'm just heading out the door, if ok I'll try to figure out how to pm you when I get back and send you my phone number. It would certainly help to chat about the process. Thanks for the offer
Pat

 

[GLTaylor]

Bassnbow,
Look at Hammer Hunter load data on this Forum

 

[ButterBean]

Pick one bullet, if you stick with the Hammers scrub your tube, pull your expander ball out of your sizing die, seat to the last PDR groove and see what happens, if you have any problems just give me a call 812-264-6183

 

[Bassnbow]

Bassnbow,
Look at Hammer Hunter load data on this Forum

Thanks, that is where I got my starting loads

 

[Bassnbow]

I have a 3 280 AIs. I use h4831sc for lighter 140 class bullets at 3200 fps in 26 inch barrels. Maybe you are not pushing hard enough. I use RL23 with 175s at 2950 out of a 24". The 280AI likes to go fast, find a good node for SD and ES then adjust the seating depth. That will tighten the groups.

Thanks, I know I was seeing less velocity than others were posting with the same bullets, so maybe you are correct that I need to push more. Always a little hesitant when approaching max, but I havent seen any pressure signs to this point.

 

[Bassnbow]

Just for a reference, in a 24" 7 mag with H4831sc and ADG brass, I am running the 143 @ 3250 fps, pressure signs showed up a little over 3300 fps. The Barnes will be noticeably slower due to bearing surface design, and Nosler brass is not near as tough as ADG, however in a 26" 280ai, I would expect the 143 to run 3150ish with H4831sc, and likely a little more with rl23. However, different rifle/ammunition components could make that vary.

Assuming all possible rifle/optic issues are addressed....

I would do a primer test at a charge weight you know is safe and was accurate in the past. I would start with CCI 200, CCI 250, Federal GM210M and GM215M. Do 5 shot groups of each, in decent conditions, and I prefer to do this at a minimum of 200 yards. Check velocities while doing this. E.S. isn't necessarily important at this point, you may be outside of a charge node, however you will get an idea how the primers affect velocity.

Choose the best one, then (if you haven't already) do a rough max pressure work up (in that cartridge, I would do one shat at each charge, increasing .5 grains at a time) so you know where pressure signs start to appear, also documenting velocity, and look for flat spots. Next is either a seating depth test if accuracy isn't very good (i start coarse, .015 jumps, then if needed, fine tune with .002" adjustments), or if it's doing well, a ladder.

In that cartridge, I would do 2 rounds each at .2 grain increases, surrounding the velocity range I want to be in, and shoot them at 600-800 yards. I shoot the two rounds of the same charge as quickly as I can accurately and consistently, so they are shot in similar conditions, let the barrel cool between 2 shot groups for hunting rifles.

If I don't find a good load doing this, I switch components. But if I start with good components, I rarely have to do that. H4831sc is a great powder for consistency in my experience, so is H4350. I have heard good things about rl23, but haven't tried it myself.

Thanks, I'm definitely going to try the mag primers. I have fed215m