.280 AI Tikka build reloading

[HeathH]

Just got my .280 AI Tikka TX3 back from my gunsmith. 24” Douglas 9 twist barrel.
Dall/Grizzly combo in Brooks Range in August, so wanting to shoot 160+ gr.
Got .80” first group from factory 162 ELDX I grabbed off shelf to develop some brass.
Any suggestions on starting points on load development for Barnes, Accubond, etc. ?
Appreciate it.

 

[MuleyFever]

https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/powder-and-primer-suggestions-for-280ai.152298/

280 ackley load question

Question for you guys running a 280ai. What projectile are you using and what velocity are you getting? Also what length barrel?

www.rokslide.com

 

[HeathH]

Thanks, figured this might have been beaten to death already. Just looking for anything additional/new.

 

[DoubleBroomedMountainRifles]

I know you said 160+ but I shoot the Barnes 145gr LRX or the 140gr TTSX in most of my 7mm's from 7-08 through my 7STW's. Pounds right through all species of game available to you in the Brooks Range including interior grizzly at any reasonable distances. You will NOT be under gunned what so ever. With the nice added bonus of lighter recoil than the heavy bullets folks seem to gravitate to as of late. The lighter recoil really is nice when shots can potentially be super uphill angled which tend to bite people in the eye brow. I see it EVERY single year.

My backup rifle is a Kimber 84 Montana I rebarreled with a flutted Lilja chambered in 7-08AI. I use this bullet in it as well. Easy to shoot for clients as well.

BTW who are you hunting with in the Brooks this year? I guide up there for a well known outfitter. With guiding and personal sheep hunting in Alaska, I spend close to 40 days of our 42 day season in these mountains. The North Eastern Brooks Range of Alaska is as close to Heaven on earth you will get in my opinion. Awesome time you will have. You'll wish you could have slowed time down and enjoyed it more at the end of your hunt I guarantee it.

 

[HeathH]

Thanks DB, thats great advice and I’ll keep an open mind as to the 140 weight offerings as well. I’d be thrilled to develop a 140 weight Barnes, etc load to keep recoil down as I intend to go without a muzzlebreak.

Hunting with Jim KedrowskI. I’ve hunted with Jim before on the Peninsula and know most of his guides. Looking forward to the Brooks. Got a feeling once won’t be enough.

 

[rhusby28]

I’ve had nothing but bad luck finding a load in my 280 Rem with ELD-X bullets. I really like the Berger Elite Hunter Bullets. 7mm 175 would do mighty fine in your 1/9 twist. Berger also makes a 195 in the Elite Hunter line. I also really like the Hornady ELD-M Target bullets. They fly nothing like the ELD-X bullets. Lots of information on people using them for hunting. I harvested two deer with ELD-M this year, and they did the job just fine.

 

[HeathH]

Thanks rh, guess I’ll start experimenting with some loads as soon as my dies come in next week. At least this gun is fun to shoot. Its much more pleasant than the 5.5 lb 300 Wby that I was originally taking.

 

[unclericco]

Following. Getting my 280 AI back from the gunsmith in a couple weeks and plan to try IMR 8133 and 162 ELD-X

 

[wind gypsy]

Following. Getting my 280 AI back from the gunsmith in a couple weeks and plan to try IMR 8133 and 162 ELD-X

I have about 100% case fill with H1000 and 175 ELDx in a very long throated 7 SAUM. With a lighter bullet, slower powder, and slightly less case capacity you might end up with very compressed powder before hitting pressure unless 8133 is notably denser than H1000.

 

[unclericco]

I have about 100% case fill with H1000 and 175 ELDx in a very long throated 7 SAUM. With a lighter bullet, slower powder, and slightly less case capacity you might end up with very compressed powder before hitting pressure unless 8133 is notably denser than H1000.

I hope you are correct! From the research I’ve done so far, 8133 is giving excellent velocities in this caliber but I only have 2 lbs at the moment.

 

[HeathH]

Got under .5 groups yesterday with 140 TTSX and IMR 4831. 150 gr ELDX were around 1 MOA as were 140 TTSX with RL 19. So, I have a good start anyway. Going to shoot some 175 gr NP today and waiting to get my hands on some 150s and 160s.

Wanted to try some 168 LRX, but bullet length in the 9 twist and the Tikka mag may be unworkable.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Mine shoots the 145lrx very well, using imr7828ssc at the moment at 3130fps

 

[HeathH]

pods, you think the ssc makes that much difference over 7828?
Ive got 7828 on hand. Research shows 4831sc does well also.
I eliminated 175 NP today and will try 145, 150, 160 next.
Ive got a solid thing going with the 140s but still experimenting.
Sucks you have to buy a box or a bottle and pay hazmat to tinker.
My reloading bench is filling up. No other 7mm in my arsenal.

 

[cast10K]

I can't say enough about the 180 Scenar. With RL26 you should be able to get 2750 or so, and it's a bone crusher.

 

[HeathH]

Promising groups today with a series of RL22 loads. 145 LRX, 150 TTSX, and 160 AB all showed the ability to go .50-.75”.

Anybody know who has some H4831sc in stock? Research shows it to be a go-to in the 280AI. Would like to try it and some 7828 loads.