.280 AI Powders

[WestMOhunter]

Like almost everyone that reloads, I have been waiting for a couple years for R26. Probably not going to happen any time soon, so curious if there is a go-to that’s a close second? I have H4831 and R23 and both shoot well for me with several bullets. However, I’m looking for the max juice for an elk load w/ 168s so wondering if IMR7828ssc or VV560 are the ticket? Or… H1000? Retumbo? Anyone have experience with any of these in a .280 AI?

Part of the reason for my quest to find an alternative is for 6.5 Creedmoor too. Love to find a powder (besides R26) that hammers in both.

Thanks!

 

[Novahunter]

I haven't loaded for the 280AI myself, but a buddy of mine won the Allegheny sniper challenge with a 280AI twice. He used RL17 under 180's if I remember the bullet correctly.

 

[jfk69]

I only have the vanilla .280 so take my comment fwiw. I would look at Retumbo, H1000, 4831, N560, 7828 ssc, Re22, magpro, Ramshot hunter and hybrid 100v. All of them have the right burn rate for 140-168 grain bullets in the cartridge.

 

[Trogon]

You don’t see it used much but I had really good accuracy and velocity with imr4350

 

[WestMOhunter]

You don’t see it used much but I had really good accuracy and velocity with imr4350

You know, that’s a good point. It’s good and I’ve used it but not in AI. Main complaint with that powder is it’s pretty sensitive compared to H-extreme powders or R16 or R23. I shoot in stuff from very cold hunting temps to 80s with that gun. Anyway, thanks.

 

[Decker9]

I’m just doing some load stuff for a friends .280ai and R23. I tried 143gr hammers but didn’t get anything to exciting (only used R23). The rifle does seem to like the 145gr LRX’s though. I made a couple groups of 3 at the 58gr mark, .030” off and .050” off, 24” 1-8 twist barrel.

The ladder was with a magnospeed, I got fed up with it and bought a Garmin for the groups there, which shows a bit slower of a number. 59gr and 59.2 I had heavy bolt lift so stopped there.

 

[Smoke10]

I've had luck using H4350 in my .280AI. I'm shooting 160 grain accubonds and using 53.7 grains of powder. Average velocity is about 2825 FPS with a magnetospeed chrono

Couldn't find IMR 7828SSC, RL 23, or RL 26. So I figured why not try H4350, it's used in .280 Rem and what I use reloading for my .30-06.
Picture should be attached showing the groups I'm getting at 100 yds.

 

[rmarshall]

R23 and IMR 7828ssc are both very accurate in my gun. Currently shooting R26, the 7828ssc is my back up powder.
Shooting 160 AB and BTs.

 

[pbroski]

Like almost everyone that reloads, I have been waiting for a couple years for R26. Probably not going to happen any time soon, so curious if there is a go-to that’s a close second? I have H4831 and R23 and both shoot well for me with several bullets. However, I’m looking for the max juice for an elk load w/ 168s so wondering if IMR7828ssc or VV560 are the ticket? Or… H1000? Retumbo? Anyone have experience with any of these in a .280 AI?

Part of the reason for my quest to find an alternative is for 6.5 Creedmoor too. Love to find a powder (besides R26) that hammers in both.

Thanks!

No powder will match the velocities of R26 in those two cartridges, but I think the best alternative that will work well for both is N555.

 

[A382DWDZQ]

Nosler and Barnes both have 4000MR as the most accurate for 168gr. 2800 & 2900 fps respectively. Not sure what range you’re looking at, but that’s a pretty respectable speed.

 

[handwerk]

I am currently using RL 16 with good results (145 LRX) but have also been happy with RL 22 and H4831.

 

[WestMOhunter]

I’m just doing some load stuff for a friends .280ai and R23. I tried 143gr hammers but didn’t get anything to exciting (only used R23). The rifle does seem to like the 145gr LRX’s though. I made a couple groups of 3 at the 58gr mark, .030” off and .050” off, 24” 1-8 twist barrel.

The ladder was with a magnospeed, I got fed up with it and bought a Garmin for the groups there, which shows a bit slower of a number. 59gr and 59.2 I had heavy bolt lift so stopped there.

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Nice. It definitely likes the LRXs. I do love that garmin. My F2 Chrony died completely right before they came out. Was waffling on spending the jack for a Labradar and Garmin coaxed me in. Thanks.

 

[WestMOhunter]

R23 and IMR 7828ssc are both very accurate in my gun. Currently shooting R26, the 7828ssc is my back up powder.
Shooting 160 AB and BTs.

This is exactly what I was looking for. I too am happy with R23 and don’t really have a problem to solve. Just wondering about alternatives for R26 for speeding up heavies. Curious if you have ran a chronograph to know the velocity difference between the R23 and 7828? Or 7828 to R26? Thanks.

 

[WestMOhunter]

No powder will match the velocities of R26 in those two cartridges, but I think the best alternative that will work well for both is N555.

Good to know, thanks. I’ve thought about trying to get some N555, but doubt it will do anything more than R16.

 

[Scotto]

7828ssc and Berger 175 EH bullets in a 280 AI.

 

[SCHUNTER73]

Mine really likes the RAMSHOT Hunter with 162 gr eld x. I think it is 54 grains, but would need to check. When I run out of that I have retumba and h 4350 to try.

 

[kelly1]

Vv560 with 162 eldx in a 23 inch barrel 60.1 gr avg 2900,my gun runs a little slower than others in this combo,not at pressure yet ,Kelly

 

[WestMOhunter]

Vv560 with 162 eldx in a 23 inch barrel 60.1 gr avg 2900,my gun runs a little slower than others in this combo,not at pressure yet ,Kelly

Good info., thanks. I’ve gotten various opinions on the best VV powder (555, 560, or 565) for 160 class bullets for .280 AI. I’m getting ~2850 w/ R23 and 168 ABLR and ~2900 with 162 ELDM. May be that R23 is going to be about as good as I can do without going to R26.

 

[kelly1]

Good info., thanks. I’ve gotten various opinions on the best VV powder (555, 560, or 565) for 160 class bullets for .280 AI. I’m getting ~2850 w/ R23 and 168 ABLR and ~2900 with 162 ELDM. May be that R23 is going to be about as good as I can do without going to R26.

Yah the 23 is recommended for sure and temp stable compared to 26, kelly

 

[rmarshall]

This is exactly what I was looking for. I too am happy with R23 and don’t really have a problem to solve. Just wondering about alternatives for R26 for speeding up heavies. Curious if you have ran a chronograph to know the velocity difference between the R23 and 7828? Or 7828 to R26? Thanks.

I didn’t run velocities until I had my load worked, yes kinda backwards but I always have to barrow one. I only ran it when I decided on R26. I’m pushing the 160 AB or BT at 3065 with rem 9.5 mag primers and 60grs of R26.
All 3 powders shot extremely well. You can go wrong with any of them. Some guys I know swear by R23 with the 162eldx and 168 ablr.