.280Ai loads

[Espratt]

I’m running 175 eldx at 2920. RL23 Fed 205m out of a 24” barrel, nosler brass.

Trying Peterson brass tomorrow should be interesting, 1st firing on Peterson brass was a big jump in speeds but I’ll see what it does tomorrow now that it’s been shot once.

 

[MuleyFever]

Are you reaching the full potential? No. My 24 inch tube pushed 155 hammers at 3k. Will it kill anything in North America? Yes. Put your shots where they count and don’t worry about it.

What twist?

 

[CApighunter]

What twist?

8.44 twist Proof

 

[MuleyFever]

I am debating trying the 155 in a 9 twist.

 

[Unknown Munitions]

Worked up a load using Barnes 150gr TTSX and it was only running about 2875fps 60 grains H4831sc. Coal was 3.245. My barrel is 22 inches. Had 5 rounds the size of quarter. With this information, am I reaching the full potential of the .280AI. If not what powder should I be trying instead?

Thanks

 

[FCCDerek]

We are pushing 175 grain Berger Elite Hunters at 2850 out of a 22" barrel with 65 grains of IMR 8133 and Hornady Brass!

Wow, sorry to resurrect/hijack an old post but those are impressive numbers. I've got a 24" Bartlein barrel and 59.1 grains of RL26 is only sending a 175ABLR just shy of 2800fps. It's got an ES of 1 so far in testing, but I'd like some more speed out of it if possible. I've got six pounds of IMR 8133, do you think I'd get better performance out of that? I haven't tried it on anything yet. I got it for this 280AI but then scored a bunch of RL26 and figured it would be better. I've got Peterson brass instead of hornady though. Thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Breddoch]

Since it’s back up. Will, I think we are being hamstrung by the 22” barrel, which is fine by me, I prefer the length for my purposes. I have the same rifle and am starting to work up a load for it. Here is what I loaded to work up a pressure test.

280 AI
OAL 3.300
Nosler brass
BR-2 primer
160 accubond

H4350
48.0 gr - 2536 fps
49.0 - 2465
49.5 - 2526
50.1 - 2509
50.5 no reading
51.0 - 2597
51.6 - 2666
52.0 2693 Hodgdon max

H4831
55.0 no reading
56.0 - 2527
57.0 - 2631
57.5 - 2597
58.0 - 2600
58.5 - 2735
59.0 - 2707 Nosler max

Here are the average velocities I have got from factory loads.

Nosler TG 160 accubond - 2810 fps

Federal Terminal Ascent 155 - 2890 fps

Hornady PH 162 gr ELD-X - 2802 fps

Federal Premium 169 gr Berger - 2732 fps

 

[wind gypsy]

Since it’s back up. Will, I think we are being hamstrung by the 22” barrel, which is fine by me, I prefer the length for my purposes. I have the same rifle and am starting to work up a load for it. Here is what I loaded to work up a pressure test.

280 AI
OAL 3.300
Nosler brass
BR-2 primer
160 accubond

H4350
48.0 gr - 2536 fps
49.0 - 2465
49.5 - 2526
50.1 - 2509
50.5 no reading
51.0 - 2597
51.6 - 2666
52.0 2693 Hodgdon max

H4831
55.0 no reading
56.0 - 2527
57.0 - 2631
57.5 - 2597
58.0 - 2600
58.5 - 2735
59.0 - 2707 Nosler max

Here are the average velocities I have got from factory loads.

Nosler TG 160 accubond - 2810 fps

Federal Terminal Ascent 155 - 2890 fps

Hornady PH 162 gr ELD-X - 2802 fps

Federal Premium 169 gr Berger - 2732 fps

Funny how that works. Nosler factory ammo going 100 fps faster than the max charges from their book.

You should be able to get 175s to the speeds you're clocking with 160s.

 

[Espratt]

Wow, sorry to resurrect/hijack an old post but those are impressive numbers. I've got a 24" Bartlein barrel and 59.1 grains of RL26 is only sending a 175ABLR just shy of 2800fps. It's got an ES of 1 so far in testing, but I'd like some more speed out of it if possible. I've got six pounds of IMR 8133, do you think I'd get better performance out of that? I haven't tried it on anything yet. I got it for this 280AI but then scored a bunch of RL26 and figured it would be better. I've got Peterson brass instead of hornady though. Thoughts? Thanks.

I’m getting over 2900 FPS with 175 eldx over RL23

 

[FCCDerek]

I’m getting over 2900 FPS with 175 eldx over RL23

How much RL23 are you feeding it? Barrel length?

 

[Espratt]

How much RL23 are you feeding it? Barrel length?

56.9 grains and 24”

 

[HeathH]

If I recall correctly I’m getting 2944 out of a 22” Douglas barrel in my Tikka.
59.5 g of RL 22 under 160 AB.

 

[Espratt]

How much RL23 are you feeding it? Barrel length?

56.9 grains and 24”

double checked my notes this morning it’s 56.5 grains of RL23 fed 210m primers Peterson brass 2910 FPS

 

[TrailBoss66]

I like H4350 or the RL16 in my 280AI... I have used the 4831 as well and it works ok, but go with the other 2 you will be happier

 

[FCCDerek]

Right on. I'm currently feeding it 59.1 grains of RL26 with peterson brass and 210M primers. Seeing just shy of 2800FPS with a 24" Bartlein barrel. Very, very consistent speeds though. I've also got RL16, H4350 (thats my 6.5 powder), IMR8133, and StaBall 6.5 I haven't had much time to play around with it yet though. I went with RL26 off the bat cuz I figured it would be best.

 

[WinM70]

I am getting .5 and 2880 fps with 57.5 grains RL19 and 160 Accubonds in my Kimber Montana 24” barrel. I have shot 3” groups at 600 yards with this load. I would like more velocity, but this load is shooting very well for me.

 

[FCCDerek]

I am getting .5 and 2880 fps with 57.5 grains RL19 and 160 Accubonds in my Kimber Montana 24” barrel. I have shot 3” groups at 600 yards with this load. I would like more velocity, but this load is shooting very well for me.

Yeah, as much as I'd like more speed with the consistency I'm getting with this one I don't think I'm gonna mess with it a lot more. I will probably just suck it up and be happy with single digit ES.

 

[eyeguy]

Rl-22 60.5 gr 2980 fps and 160 accubonds in my weatherby 24 inch tube shoot well. Nosler brass.

 

[eoperator]

24" 1:8 proof
155 hammer hunter
re23 58gr
fed 215
2990fps
low single digit es

Sammi chamber seats the 155hh's deep in the case, wish I would have gotten a reamer to seat the bullet much longer.

 

[452b264]

I am debating trying the 155 in a 9 twist.

It wont work. I would try the 140 gr. AH I am getting 3287 at 59 gr. of H 4350 with no pressure. I am going to load up at least three more loads at 59.5/60.60.5 and see what happens but I like what I see. H 4831 gave me 3120 and .2 inch groups