.280 AI Powders

[manitou1]

I have used Re23, 7828 and 4831 SSC.
Good accuracy with all three with 168 VLDs.
The 4831 was anemic.
The 7828 and Re 23 shootalmost identical velocities and accuracy.
I chose the Re 23 due to temp stability as I hunt large temp swings.

2950 fps with Re 23 and Berger 168 VLDs... or 7828. I could likely squeeze more speed out of it, but this is fairly close to the top with my 25" barrel.

 

[The Guide]

Since the Reloader powders are discontinued and 7828 is not currently available, what is the go to 280AI heavy (175 or 180) bullet powder? The more I look around the less I want to sell the RL26 I have.

Jay

 

[SCHUNTER73]

I load mine with Ramshot Hunter for a 162 gr ELD-X. My buddy has also used Retumbo. The Hunter powder make a very accurate load for me.

 

[WestMOhunter]

Since the Reloader powders are discontinued and 7828 is not currently available, what is the go to 280AI heavy (175 or 180) bullet powder? The more I look around the less I want to sell the RL26 I have.

Jay

I would trade my new, unopened R23 for 1# of R26. Otherwise, my suggestion is grab a pound of VV N565. I’m going to once I run out of other powders. I’ve been absolutely impressed with the N555. It’s the most consistent, tight shooting, low SD powder that I’ve tried in my 6.5 CM. That doesn’t mean N565 will be for a heavy .280AI load, but I’m going to give it a go.

 

[204_ruger]

I am doing some load development with ELD X 175gr and M 180gr. With IMR 7828ssc. I have the following powder. Is the 7828ssc the best for heavier bullets. Powders i have on hand.
IMR 7828ssc, 4831, 4350
RL 19 and 22.
H4350, H4831sc, H1000
I have some Ramshot Grand ordered.

 

[WestMOhunter]

I am doing some load development with ELD X 175gr and M 180gr. With IMR 7828ssc. I have the following powder. Is the 7828ssc the best for heavier bullets. Powders i have on hand.
IMR 7828ssc, 4831, 4350
RL 19 and 22.
H4350, H4831sc, H1000
I have some Ramshot Grand ordered.

Yes, 7828 probably best. H1000 and R22 will be right in there too. R19 and H4350 are fine powders for .280/.280AI with 140s. I would not choose either for 162-168s, let alone 175-180.

H4831 just flat works, but you’ll be 50+ slower than 7828, H1000, R22/23 most likely.

 

[eyeguy]

160 accubond with n560 works well for me after trying many others.

 

[WestMOhunter]

I forgot to add…. I did end up getting some N555 and love it for the 6.5CM w/ 140s. Slightly… slower than H4350 and just not good for heavies in .280 AI. Pressured out a little over 2,800 with a 162 ELDM. Latest 168ABLR LOAD W/ R23 was 2,920.

 

[letrbuck]

Since the Reloader powders are discontinued and 7828 is not currently available, what is the go to 280AI heavy (175 or 180) bullet powder? The more I look around the less I want to sell the RL26 I have.

Jay

My tests aren't super extensive, but when I drew a bison tag a few years ago I wanted to work up a load for 175 partitions. I did Ladder tests working up to book max with rl26, rl23, 7828, and staball 6.5 looking for thr most speed. Staball 6.5 gave me the most speed.

 

[Fmuguira]

4831 to R22 is sweet spot for 280 AI. You can go slightly slower with heavier bullet weights or slightly faster (4350 range) with lighter bullets; or if you EE willing to pass on a little bit of velocity.

 

[Krumfola]

I’ve been using AA4350 with a 162 ELDX and I’m getting good velocity and accuracy but it’s a narrow range (57-60gr according to Hodgdon). I settled at 58gr @2880fps from a 22” Carbon Six. Started seeing pressure signs at 58.5gr.

 

[WestMOhunter]

Thought I’d follow up for anyone interested in finding more .280 AI powders. Knowing N555 is slightly faster than H4831 on the burn rate chart, and had mediocre (slow) results with a 162 I had no hope for it working with the 168 ABLR. For whatever reason I decided to do a pressure test to see if it would work in a pinch. I went up to max according to Capstone (who’s awesome by the way) and saw promise. Roughly 3/4” across a 2 grain pressure test. That got my attention. What’s more shocking is I got nearly the same velocity as R23. What was disappointing is higher SDs (15-20). I bumped up another .3 and switched primers and bam - 1/2” and SD of 10 in two different 5-shot groups @~2900. Primers looked good, easy bolt lift, could faintly see a slight ejector mark on 1 of 10 shots. N555 has become my favorite do-all powder for 6.5CM w/ 140s and .280AI w/ 168s. N555 seems to really shine in cases that can be loaded fairly full. Got lucky since I bought 8# of it.