280 AI bullet selection

[Torque]

If your chamber will allow it to be seated correctly, mine loves 160g Barnes TSX. Excellent velocity and accuracy.

 

[SCHUNTER73]

162 gr ELD-X with 54 gr of RAMSHOT Hunter. Shoots better than I can.

 

[peaceful_ruler]

My dream load for my 280 AI tikka build is the 170 Terminal Ascents at 2800 fps. Great BC and terminal performance at all hunting distances 0-600 meters. The 155 Terminal Ascents at 2900+ FPS would be my load of choice in my light weight 280 AI. If only TA’s were available!!

 

[Brock63]

I have sent a couple hundred rounds down range with the new XBolt Pro Carbon in 280 AI......enjoyed reading all the comments here. I tested the 155g TA, the 150gr ABLR, the 150gr TTSX, and the 152gr LRX.
By far the XBolt Pro Carbon liked the 152gr LRX the best...... .4-.6 MOA and consistent out to 450 yds so far on steel.

I think I am good on most anything with the 152 LRX...shot two nice deer this past year...one at 75 yds and one at 200. Lungs on close one and was worried about performance that close...but found deer 50 yds inside pine plantation piled up. The other dropped from high shoulder shot...so no tracking necassary.
I may try some 160 LRX just for grins...and hope they shoot good as well.

I have never hunted elk but hope to in next year or two...and I know the 152g is more than enough on good shots....but how will that solid copper perform on a quartering toward or from shot on a big bull? Anybody got any first hand experience on larger animals with less than optimal shot angles?

 

[peaceful_ruler]

The Barnes factory 152 LRX load is the most accurate I’ve found in my 280 AI so far.

I’ve been eyeing the 141 Hammer HBC. The BC to weight ratio is very impressive. 3200+ fps MV(likely 3300 is possible) seems very attainable in the 280 AI and if I’m doing my math right that HBC would still be over 2400 fps at 500 yards.

Anyone hand load these in their ai?

 

[63-88]

I had LRI build my Defiance Anti with a Shilen 1-9 chambered in 280 AI SAAMI. I've shot about 150 rounds of the 145gr LRXs with H4350 and Nosler brass. I've killed a couple bulls, had great groups with single digit SDs. I like to tinker but I can't find a good reason to with this combination. Velocity isn't anything to write home about, just under 3000FPS , but I like the temp stability of H4350.

 

[Brock63]

I had LRI build my Defiance Anti with a Shilen 1-9 chambered in 280 AI SAAMI. I've shot about 150 rounds of the 145gr LRXs with H4350 and Nosler brass. I've killed a couple bulls, had great groups with single digit SDs. I like to tinker but I can't find a good reason to with this combination. Velocity isn't anything to write home about, just under 3000FPS , but I like the temp stability of H4350.

My factory 152 LRX loads for mine are averaging 2974...but I have 26" barrel on my XBOLT Pro Carbon with the Recoil Hawg brake on it. I like speed but take accuracy first as long as fast enough out to my usual max ranges hunting to perform well....that would be about 400 yds now for me.

 

[sneaky]

My dream load for my 280 AI tikka build is the 170 Terminal Ascents at 2800 fps. Great BC and terminal performance at all hunting distances 0-600 meters. The 155 Terminal Ascents at 2900+ FPS would be my load of choice in my light weight 280 AI. If only TA’s were available!!

Ammo or bullets only? Ammo is easy to find, and Scheels has the bullets. They're super expensive though, $79.99/50.

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[sneaky]

I've killed several elk and deer with the 155 TAs, and the 145LRX. Prefer the TA between those two, but neither touch the accuracy of the 140 GKs, or the 168VLDHs out of it. It shoots everything pretty dang good, some are just a touch better.

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