best 280 AI powders

[Brad1974]

I am looking for the best possible powder options for my soon to be 280 AI, and would like to hear about your experience with different powders. I have been messing around with the GRT software, and the two powders that stand out the most seem to be N160 and Reloader 23. Have any of you used either or both of those? I do have a pretty good stockpile of H4831sc, and I have seen people say it's a good option too, but looking at the GRT data it appears I would only get around 92% burnt powder even at the higher loads... I have heard that less than 100% burnt powder can create some inconsistency. Anybody used H4831, and what were the results? I am trying to remain within a reasonable temperature stability range, but it isn't the only consideration. I would like to to be at least moderately fast, but speed is not a priority over accuracy. I will be using it for long range hunting, but also for 1000 yd target shooting. I will be using Peterson brass, either CCI or federal primers, and will be starting with the 168 grain Berger Classic Hunter bullet (since we have a bunch already). What are your thoughts and/or experiences?

 

[Leibhart1]

N165 and a 175 Berger is consistently shooting sub 1/2” for 5 shots for me. Velocity is a little slow at 2810 but I’ll take small groups over velocity all day long


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[Brad1974]

N165 and a 175 Berger is consistently shooting sub 1/2” for 5 shots for me. Velocity is a little slow at 2810 but I’ll take small groups over velocity all day long


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Thanks! 1/2" would make me very happy. Mine will be a 22" barrel, so I don't expect blazing fast speeds, but hoping to get a load to around 2800 fps or better if possible, but I agree that groups and good SD/velocity spread are more important to me than top speed. Comparing the N165 to N160 n GRT I see faster speeds and more complete burn from the N160... but I don't know if that matters much or not... I also don't have my seating depths and such figured out yet, so I can't put in exact measurements.

 

[Axlrod]

With bullets from 140 gr to 160, in 3 different rifles, H4831sc was always the best for me.

 

[112Savage]

H4831SC
RL23
RL26
Those are the three I’ve used with 162ELDX and 175ABLR
I have used Nosler brass but have switched to Peterson
I have used both Fed210M and CCI 200
162ELDX is going around 2900 from a 22” using RL23
The 175 ABLR is going around 2850 from a 24” using RL26
I have never used VV powders but they should be great.

 

[6mm Remington]

The load I worked up for my 280AI using 140 gr. Partitions or 140 gr. Accubonds is with IMR7828SSC. It has worked very well for me. The load is the same with the two different bullets and it works very well. The Partitions chronograph at 3230 fps and the Accubonds at 3186 fps.

 

[eoperator]

R23