Kimber Mountain Ascent 280 AI loads

[Clark33]

I recently purchased a 280 AI mountain ascent. I did some research and found an older thread on here regarding 280 AI loads but am wondering if anyone has a load using the 140 accubonds out of this gun. I shot some nosler trophy grade 150s today mainly to break the barrel in and save up some brass. Coulda been me, the wind, the ammo, or a combo of all 3 but the kimber didn't seem to like the 150 accubonds.

 

[Darktimber]

I think it is a great choice of rifle. If I only had to choose one, this might be it. Mine shoots Berger 168 grain VLDs very well. However, I prefer Acuubonds most of the time. With 140 grain Accubonds, mine likes 61.0 gr of H4831sc COAL 3.28". It also likes the 160 grain Accubonds with 57.4 grains of H4831sc. I haven't hunted yet with the 160 grainers yet but they carry energy down range very well based on the ballistics tables.

 

[Clark33]

Great info! I appreciate it!

 

[Mjm316]

Message member Stid, I believe he is sheep hunting now but he has this same rifle and has worked up some loads for it. Good luck!

 

[GKPrice]

Just for the record there are only 150 LONG RANGE Accubonds, probably not the optimal choice for this chambering - You have a plethora of 140's to choose from that would be outstanding - Accubond - ETIP - TTSX - TSX - Ballistic Tip - & quite a few more If you like 150's try Swift Scirroco

 

[Clark33]

Yea from what I have read nobody seems to like the 150s, I just bought the 150 LR accubonds because it was available at a local shop and I wanted to 1 break in the barrel and 2 get some brass for reloading. Just picked up some Nosler Trophy Grade 140gr Accubonds for tomorrow to continue the break in and brass collecting effort. Hopefully they shoot a little better, or should I say, hopefully I shoot a little better.

 

[handwerk]

Although I shoot 150 TTSX's in my 280 AI, when I loaded up 140's they gave great accuracy and 3150 fps with 64g of RL 22

 

[RedStag]

Im pushing 140 grain accubonds out of my Montana, 59.5 gr 4831sc
Grouping well if I do my part. Gun seemed to like the Nosler Trophy grade same bullet combo out of the box.
I started with 57 grains and worked up by .5, no signs of pressure but started losing accuracy approaching max load.
Check your trigger, kimbers seem to be very heavy out of the factory.

 

[Clark33]

We noticed on our last trip to the range the fore end of the stock was just ever so slightly making contact with the barrel after it warned up a bit. This may be the reason why after the second shot my remaining 3 would all string off to the right. This was consistent with all 5 shot groups of the day. We took some very fine grit sand paper and filed down the area of contact just a little.

We will see if that helps

 

[Stid2677]

Make sure to check the stock screws..

Kimber Montana rifle:

The torque settings are 45 in/lbs on the front screw and 35 in/lbs on the rear screw. Slightly snug the front and rear screw down and then tighten the front followed by the rear screw.

Here is some loads I worked,, mine Kimber did not ever shoot any 150s for me and I tried about all of them including factory.

Seating matters as seen is this target.

 

[Clark33]

Good info! I'll get out the torque wrench

 

[280AI]

For some reason my Montana really liked the 150 ABLR's, but it did not like the 140 AB'S at all. I found a load that I really like, 61.5 grains of Re-loader 22 in the Nosler Custom brass. I get around 3150 fps and they will group 3 shots under 3/4". After it heats up the group will start to grow, so I just shoot the 3 shots and let it cool.

I used this load on my antelope this year and it worked great. Broke the front shoulder and left a large hole on the way out. Some people don't like the Accubond LR's, but it seemed to work OK for me, but then again, antelope are not very tough.

 

[belly-deep]

If you can't get the gun to shoot, google "montana tinkering" and a long thread from 24 hour campfire will come up. Some good info on how to get Kimbers to shoot.

The general consensus is, a lot of Kimbers have a minor problem or two that hampers the accuracy. Most will shoot after a little basement gunsmithing.

 

[Clark33]

The sanding of the fore end of the stock where it was making slight contact seemed to help. Had a 5 shot group with the 140 ABs that was right at 1"