.280Ai loads

[williaada]

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

 

[nhyrum]

While I don't load 280, that's a lot of powder to move a 150 grain bullet at that speed. When I had a 6.5 I was getting 140's almost that fast with 20 grains less powder. But I had 6 more inches of barrel. But totally different situation. Peanuts to watermelon comparison

So really all I got is... That sure seems like a lot of powder for that speed, and that's just my thinking. I could be way off.

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[amassi]

Comparing hodgdon and barnes data your right in the ball park.
Some of the alliant powders will add some speed but could be thought to find right now.
If you are getting good groups I'd run with it. If you feel the need for speed the 139 lrx might be the ticket.

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[williaada]

Comparing hodgdon and barnes data your right in the ball park.
Some of the alliant powders will add some speed but could be thought to find right now.
If you are getting good groups I'd run with it. If you feel the need for speed the 139 lrx might be the ticket.

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Thank you!

 

[N2TRKYS]

I’ve always wanted to use H4831SC, but it’s just too dang slow for me. My 7 SAUM has 160 grain Partitions traveling @2980 fps out of a 22” barrel.

 

[CApighunter]

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.

 

[wildwilderness]

That sounds like a great accuracy node, not a speed load. My 7 SAUM which is very similar to the 280 AI case likes the 162 eldm at 2880 with 59 gr H4831. 24” barrel. Everything I’ve shot with it hasn’t

In my experience the Alliant powders are generally faster but not always as accurate, definitely worth a try. Half my loads are Hodgdon the others Alliant

 

[williaada]

That sounds like a great accuracy node, not a speed load. My 7 SAUM which is very similar to the 280 AI case likes the 162 eldm at 2880 with 59 gr H4831. 24” barrel. Everything I’ve shot with it hasn’t

In my experience the Alliant powders are generally faster but not always as accurate, definitely worth a try. Half my loads are Hodgdon the others Alliant

Thanks, is there specific Alliant I should look at?

 

[realunlucky]

You'll gain a bit with 7828. Everything I've seen about RL26 was impressive but i can't find any to give it a try myself

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[6mm Remington]

I'm loading IMR7828SSC in my 280AI with 140 gr. Nosler Partitions and 140 gr. Accubonds. Both shoot great using the same load and sure work on game. I took a big old cow elk at 450 yards one shot with the Partition, a whitetail buck at 200 yards one shot, and an antelope doe at 300 yards one shot. I switched to the 140 gr. Accubond and used that on my grizzly bear last fall. One shot at 158 yards. Also shot a nice mule deer buck. One shot at 300 yards. I have a 24" barrel on my rifle and the Partition chronographs at 3230 fps and the Accubond 3186 fps.

 

[Ingo]

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

I bet you have a heck of a fireball with that cartridge, powder, and 22" barrel. I'd be fine with a 150 at 2900 with good accuracy. I was getting about that with a 7mm-08, though. That was with RL-17, 22" barrel.

Edit: I was getting right at 2800 with a 150 in 7mm-08/22" barrel with RL-17 near max.

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[wildwilderness]

Thanks, is there specific Alliant I should look at?

That will depend on what you can find . Look at that Barnes data again. Personally I would shoot the 145 LRX over the 150 because it will be faster AND higher BC!

RL 17 and 19 are listed. You can also try RL 16 it’s new and not listed but very similar to RL 17. Here is off the Alliant page for reg 280 so you can go higher


Now if you go to the heavier 160s you can go to RL 22 or the new RL 23. And for the 170-180 s RL 26 is the one but I’ve never see it since last year

 

[Avonac]

It seems like you should be getting more velocity. I shot 168 Bergers out of mine but I was in the mid 2800’s with Retumbo and low 2900’s with RL 26

 

[homebru.trout]

If I put 5 shots in a quarter I'm turning off the chrono and not worrying about it.

That powder is Nosler's most accuracte powder listed for 150's in the AI. Looks like there are some others that would push you a little faster. I load Viht N165 in the 140s to great effect but if that is a consistent grouping for you I'm not sure I'd fret too much.

 

[williaada]

QUOTE="homebru.trout, post: 1799247, member: 15667"]
If I put 5 shots in a quarter I'm turning off the chrono and not worrying about it.

That powder is Nosler's most accuracte powder listed for 150's in the AI. Looks like there are some others that would push you a little faster. I load Viht N165 in the 140s to great effect but if that is a consistent grouping for you I'm not sure I'd fret too much.
[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the advice. Being new to reloading I wanted to get some feedback on it.

 

[wind gypsy]

Are you maximizing it, no, but I’m not sure it matters. Seems you could load a little longer and have more breathing room for pressure.

RL26 is close to 4831 burn rate and will get faster velocities. I have 10# of it but can’t seem to find an application I like it in better than h4831 or h1000. You could get a little faster with rl16 (h4350 or rl17 alternative) and rl23 (h4831 alternative) which have great temp stability.

 

[blacktail sniper]

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

I wsa running 59 grains of H4831sc over 143 grain hammers to 3180 but then wanted to work up sthing with heavier bullets and when with H1000 and 168 ablrs. Only 2860 fps but wiht the higher BC catch the hammes at around 450 and pass them beyond and were shooting in the .3's if i do my part. i am not a fan of barnes bullets. Accurate but the ttsx in my kids 7-08ai 120s at 3160 were pin holing thin skinned game. If I have to go copper im loading hammers

 

[1shotgear]

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

 

[codym]

My favorite 280 AI loads are:
175 gn Berger EOL's
RL23
GMM 210 primer and Nosler brass- 2950

168 gn Berger VLD
H4831SC
GMM 210 and Nosler brass- 3000

This is out of a 24' proof carbon 9 twist

 

[codym]

I've had good luck with Sierra game changers and H-1000. I've heard very good things about N565 but I'm saving all mine for my 300 PRC.