Preferred .280AI hunting bullet?

[Deputy819]

Morning Gents! Sitting here this morning next to the wood-stove looking out at the snow and pondering 7mm hunting bullet selection. I've got a .280AI being put together by my Smith and I'd like to hear from you guys which 7mm bullet you like for hunting and why. Berger? Sierra? Nosler? Hornady? Any others? Let's hear it....Thanks!

 

[Plinker147]

I would go 168 gr for 280AI. Berger's or ALBR's. I have had great success with both being accurate and great performance on game.

EDLX are a good choice but I haven't been able to get The accuracy I want out of them.

 

[cowboy]

I and one of my sons been shooting a 280AI for years - what twist will you have in your barrel and what will the intended use be for this rifle?

 

[Capt RB]

I just finished with a 140(270) game changer. After confirming my drops out to 650 I shot a sub .5" at 100. I'd look hard at the 165 gamechanger in your 280 ai. I feel that class 160-168 is the sweet spot for an AI. Yes the higher bc bullets perform but I don't feel you have quite enough velocity to capitalize on this to justify the extra recoil.
I have seen what the 162amax does also. On deer it kills well same for coyotes only 2 animals I've witnessed.

 

[KyCarl]

Will this be normal Kentucky hunting? Say 500 yards and less. I would try a Nosler 160 Gr. Partition and find the fastest it shoots good at? They work!
Did the snow hang North of you? We got some..

 

[Deputy819]

what twist will you have in your barrel and what will the intended use be for this rifle?

It's a 1-9" Criterion, heavy-sporter and will be used primarily for deer hunting.

I'd look hard at the 165 gamechanger in your 280 ai.

Was looking at those this morning, but couldnt find enough "success stories" on them to peak my interest.

 

[Deputy819]

Will this be normal Kentucky hunting? Say 500 yards and less. I would try a Nosler 160 Gr. Partition and find the fastest it shoots good at? They work!
Did the snow hang North of you? We got some..

Hey Brother! Yep, normal Ky hunting.....probably 300 or less here in my neck of the woods. We got maybe a couple inches of snow here this morning. Was considering going out for a late season bow hunt, but it's supposed to start raining....

 

[Capt RB]

It's a 1-9" Criterion, heavy-sporter and will be used primarily for deer hunting.


Was looking at those this morning, but couldnt find enough "success stories" on them to peak my interest.

They are a hunting bullet with match accuracy not the other way around. This was the 100yd group yesterday after confirming my drops to 650. My zero is @200yds so my 100yd is .5mils high(13/4" high) I had .2mils left wind dialed in I forgot to take out. The rifle is a stock vangard wby with a timney set @2#s. This is @ 3141. 4sd ES of 10 over 12 shots.

 

[J E Custom]

Most Of the guys I have built 280 AIs for have found that somewhere in the 160 grain bullets give the optimum performance at 0 to 800 yards. (Trajectory and velocity). The 160 Accubond would be my first choice because it is a bonded bullet and works well on game. I would consider the ELDX also if the rifle liked them.

For extremely long shots (800+) I would look at the 180 grain bullets.
Recoil is brisk with the 180 and a muzzle brake is recommended for these bullets unless you are not weak of heart.

Just my recommendation for what its worth

J E CUSTOM

 

[stx]

My custom 280 AI shoots Berger 168 VLDs and Barnes 145 LRXs real well....I'm working up some loads with 131 Hammer Hunters that I also have high hopes for with the way Hammers have shot in other loads.

 

[Forcedoutage]

I have shot the 145 LRX with decent accuracy as well as the 160 NAB. My rifle likes the 140 gr NAB and 150 gr ELD-X the best. Both shoot one ragged hole. I have a 1-8 twist Brux barrel on mine.

 

[okie man]

You can load 140-150 grain bullets for fast and flat trajectories too 400 yards or step up too 160+ grain bullets for long range work!. I used the sierra 140 btsp at around 3050fps in mine.

 

[L.Sherm]

If your shooting only to about 300 yards and dont have a long throat for the heavier bullets, RL 23 with 140 NP at 3200fps+ is a great combination.

 

[Deputy819]

The rifle is a stock vangard wby with a timney set @2#s. This is @ 3141. 4sd ES of 10 over 12 shots.

That's some pretty good shooting AND load developement with numbers that low!