280 AI and Hornady ELD X 175 or 180 gr M

204_ruger

Lil-Rokslider
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I am wanting to try some in mine. Is anyone using them in a 280AI? Or have u tried? Mine is 1@8 twist and a 26-inch inch barrel. I was going to try IMR 7828ssc first. I also have the ELD X and M 162 gr bullets. Using new nosler brass. Federal gold match primers.
 
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Jul 18, 2019
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No answers???

I’ve been shooting 180 ELD-M in my 1:8 7 RM, thinking of using them for bull elk hunt this fall.

Retumbo has worked well for me but I’ve got more case capacity. H1000 and H4831sc two other good options. Same with the old IMR 4350.
 
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Jul 6, 2024
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Years ago I shot a 7mm Rem Mag and found the best bullet for me was the 160gr Speer HC. Heavier bullet's upped the recoil to much and didn't do a lot more. Lighter bullet's got torn up with the velocity. Had a 760 in 280 at the time but never fooled with it a lot, I much prefer bolt action guns. Can't even remember what bullet's I used in that 280.

If I were to get a 280 today, I'd probably start right out with that 160gr Speer bullet. Then to I doubt I'd AI the thing. I'm not so sure it could catch the 7mm Rem Mag and you'd fine a situation if you were off away from home hunting and ran out of ammo or more likely didn't take enough, you couldn't find factory ammo for it. Something I have ever done only one time is take not enough ammo. Actually took enough but took a 28ga shotgun and 410 ammo. Only ever happened one time!

Anyway I think two of the best cup and core bullet's in 7mm would be the 154gr Hornady in a 7x57, had two and in 280 or bigger 160gr. I believe having a need for a 175gr bullet in 7mm simply means you need a 30 cal rifle!
 

lager

FNG
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Oct 24, 2021
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175 LRAB have killed alot of elk in my 280 Ai. Near and far ! I would use the Hornady 175 X over the 180 M for elk if choice was between those 2 . Have had poor results with the 180 M on 3 different elk. Too fragile. All needed follow up "shots". They were good on thin skinned game. 160 Acubond has always been very reliable also.
 
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204_ruger

204_ruger

Lil-Rokslider
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Apr 24, 2020
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I have some nosler Accubond LR 168gr. But I am only going to shoot whitetail coyotes and pigs. This fall here in Arkansas. I wanted try the 175 gr or 180 gr on black bear. Planning on going spring bear hunting next spring. In Idaho or Montana hopefully. I got 5 boxes of the ELD X 175gr. I have a 280 rem and 7 mm mag. But I decided to goto a 280AI. My 300 wby I am going with a ELD X 200 gr. I have always wanted a 280AI. So planning on using it this fall. Practice as much as I can with the rifle. Get ready for next spring .
 

Windigo

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Oct 15, 2018
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Browning X-bolt 280ai w/1:8 twist stabilizes the 180gr ELD-M very well, working on a load that's faster. Avg velocity w/H4831SC at Hornady book powder weights was~2550, which seemed anemic.
 
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Jul 6, 2024
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Browning X-bolt 280ai w/1:8 twist stabilizes the 180gr ELD-M very well, working on a load that's faster. Avg velocity w/H4831SC at Hornady book powder weights was~2550, which seemed anemic.
2550 anemic? Guess it depends on if your the shooter of the target!
 

NorCal 707

FNG
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Aug 18, 2021
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I tried the 175 eld x, 168 VLD and 175 Elite Hunter. My wife's 280 AI loves the 160 Accubond and it's killer deer, hogs, elk and bear very well! My sons Browning loves the 175 Nosler Accubond LR. This bullet is excellent for everything buy finicky in some rifles. Mine ended up doing the best with the Berger 175 Elite Hunter. 2930 fps with Reloder 23. I've shot right through elk shoulders with an exit the size of a golf ball at 150 yds and dropped Antelope at 610 yds. Bullet functioned well and didn't frag to nothing like the 168 vld. The bearing surface on the 175 Hornady and Nosler are longgg compared to the Berger so velocity will suffer. You'll still get 2775 to 2830ish. I wouldn't go to the 180 eld-m. The AI really does well 160 to 175 grains. I wish a 165 tipped Partition was available.
 
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In one of my 280AI I shoot 160ABs (2850fps with 4831SC). But my custom shoots the 175 Berger Elite Hunters (2890fps with H1000). I’ve got some desire to try and build up a load for the 175 ELDX mostly because they are cheap and can be found. The other two are tough to find and quite spendy for what they are. All of these bullets will be great options for whatever you choose.
 
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