Preferred .280AI hunting bullet?

[edward hogan]

The reason you went AI was to enable near magnum velocities with Heavy Bullets.
I'd be looking at 175gr premiums for hunting. The Nosler Accubond is a great solution, but maybe you can find some Barnes Originals if you do much hunting in deep brush. Might also want to review what's available in 7mm molds. Great opportunity to learn cast boolit shooting since you're using an 06 case derivative.

Congrats on picking the AI'd .280rem.

 

[Deputy819]

I've had nothing but excellent results with Bergers

Glad to hear that! I really want to try them. I realize nothing works 100% percent of the time....just too many variables/scenarios. Noslers sure seem popular here though....

 

[Deputy819]

Congrats on picking the AI'd .280rem.

Excellent advice, Sir. And thanks! This is my first AI cartridge and I'm anxious to get started with it.

 

[L.Sherm]

I'm just not a plastic tip fan, I had a bad experience with the Nosler BT on a deer.
But I'm a huge Nosler Partition fan that's all i would shoot if they had a Good B.C for past 500 yards. I've shoot alot of deer and Elk with them and not one failure. Still shoot them in my 338 WM and 280AI. My 6.5x300wsm nothing but 140VLD's

 

[lancetkenyon]

I push a 175 Berger Elite @ 2975fps and a 160 SMK @ 2996fps in my 26" .280AI. Both loads are mid/high .1MOA @ 200, and sub .3MOA @ 900+. The 175 Berger ROCKS big game. The 160 SMK has wiped out some coyotes for me so far, but meant for deer/pronghorn sized game for my purposes.

 

[Darktimber]

My 280ai is a hunting rifle, mostly for deer. Its a 24" 9 twist and it shoots 160 gr. NABs really well. It also shoots 160 gr. partitions almost as well and thats what i shoot now for the most part. Ive never had one fail to expand and penetrate. Cannot say the same for bergers or barnes bullets. Never had an issue with the accubonds but just have tons of confidence in the partition

 

[ruby76]

145 LRX with RL22 at 3000fps. I'm going to play with some different powders for next year but my rifle loves that combo. 140 triple shocks worked great as well, killed a bunch of moose

 

[L.Sherm]

ruby try some RL23 I think you will be amazed at the difference from 22, I used to run it in mine and my brothers until 23

 

[ruby76]

ruby try some RL23 I think you will be amazed at the difference from 22, I used to run it in mine and my brothers until 23

How is it for temp stability? RL26 is apparently supposed to do well in a 280AI as well

 

[lancetkenyon]

I have shot my .280AI running a 175 Berger over 58.0gr RL23 from -4° to 110°+ with no major pressure spikes or velocity swings that could be detected by drops out to 1251 yards.

 

[Guldenator]

I'm working with the game changer now...130s in my 6.5x47 and 165 in a 280 AI...I think I might have found a bullet I like...just need to see how it will preform on game... wish they would do a 180-185 7mm game changer

What are you using for powder in your ai with the game changers? I'm trying to find a good place to start with RL 26.

 

[dixiemagnum80]

I shoot 60gr of RL26 with a 160gr AB out of a 26" Criterion 9 twist 280AI. Very accurate.

 

[Blacktail]

Sorry for late chime in but have had great luck with 143 Hammer Hunters that actually weigh 145. Best was with 62 grains of H4831sc Fed 215m primers getting 3190 fps and groups into the .3's if I do my part its a light rifle. Had excellent terminal performance on antelope last year at 400 and 250. May be my do all load for everything from deer to elk.

 

[benchracer]

Your 280 AI can do all kinds of neat things if loaded with heavy (175+) bullets and stoked with RL-26. But, that's a lot of trouble and expense to go to for something that won't show an advantage at 300 yards.

I took a buck, just this last fall, on a farm in Harrison County. A 160 Partition, launched from my 7x57 @ 2700fps and placed in the boiler room at just over 200 yards, did the trick. Terminal performance was excellent. I had my rifle zeroed dead on at 200 yards. You could probably set your 280 AI up for a MPBR that would allow a dead on hold to 300 yards. A similar weight Accubond would achieve the same result for you, too.

Given the distances at which you will be hunting, you can effectively ignore bc and choose your bullet based on what your rifle likes and the desired terminal performance.