168gr Barnes LRX In 280 AI

[ShooterJohn]

Hello all,
Wondering if anyone has shot 168gr Barnes in a 280 AI, and what velocities are you getting?
If you’ve got a sweet load, please share if you’re willing, including the jump you ended up with.
Shooting 145’s now, but wondering if making the change to 168’s is worth it?
Thanks

 

[bowshot2]

working on this right now....

 

[NorCal 707]

62 grains of H1000 will get you 2800. But that's spicy and might not work in all rifles. I'm sure you could get another 100 fps with Reloader 23. The hard part is finding it. A lot of bearing surface on that bullet. The 145 lrx might do better at 3100. Check out McGuire Ballistics. They have a Copper Rose 143 grainer with a G1 of .580. Could be a sweet combo for the Ackley

 

[ShooterJohn]

62 grains of H1000 will get you 2800. But that's spicy and might not work in all rifles. I'm sure you could get another 100 fps with Reloader 23. The hard part is finding it. A lot of bearing surface on that bullet. The 145 lrx might do better at 3100. Check out McGuire Ballistics. They have a Copper Rose 143 grainer with a G1 of .580. Could be a sweet combo for the Ackley

Thanks for the reply !

 

[SouthernCharm]

Did you get good long distance MOA with the 145? Working with some hammers in mine right now. Was thinking 150cx, I’ve got a 1:9 proof barrel.

 

[NorCal 707]

I really don't have confidence in Barnes, Nosler E tip or Hornady CX past 500-600 yds to expand properly when initial velocity is 2800 fps or less. Hammer BC is poor, so they'll drift pretty good in Wyoming wind. They just released the 141 Hammer HBC. BC is .550. That's something a guy can work with for 600-700 yd shots. I'm anxious to try these out. Mono metal need speed so choose something for you 280 that leaves the barrel at 3000+. I like 3200 fps with anything copper. I shoot copper by law in California and I'm using 151 Absolute Hammers in my 308 and 128 grain McGuire Copper Rose in my 270. The McGuire is very impressive. Fot the price, they better be! Both these are launched over 3000 fps. The 270 is 3300 fps. Drops deer like lightning.

 

[Torque]

I am using 160g TSX with RL16 and getting between 2950. My case capacity is much less that book data shows. When I changed the case capacity to what my cases actually hold, Quickload data indicated that the RL16 class powders were the best. Ramshot was 100fps faster and I showed no pressure signs.

 

[wind gypsy]

A 280AI with a 168 LRX has about the same ballistics as a 223 loaded with 80 ELDm.. which is to say, mediocre for that much recoil.

A 145 CEB lazer has a better BC than the 168 LRX if one wants to use monos and can be pushed faster. Expensive though..

 

[Tmac]

Did you get good long distance MOA with the 145? Working with some hammers in mine right now. Was thinking 150cx, I’ve got a 1:9 proof barrel.

I shoot the 145 LRX in my 280 Rem. in an 1:9 barrel. Avg. MV is 3,013 fps and I can hold it under 8” at 600 yards. Not gilt edge accuracy, but sufficient for hunting. That’s as far as I have tried and about the limit for that set up velocity wise.