Where to start with 280 AI

[Chupacabra]

Long time lurker, first time posting-

I’m picking up a Kimber Hunter in 280 AI tomorrow from my LGS. What are you guys using in your 9 twist that you are having good results with and what speeds are you seeing? My first time with 280 AI. TIA

 

[handwerk]

145 LRX/RL 16 3050 FPS. in 23" barrel.

 

[6.5Express]

Kimber subalpine here. 145 lrx and H 4831 @ ~3075 has made many dull havalon blades.

 

[SloppyJ]

Around 59gr of 4831sc with 160 partitions. That shot best out of virigin brass. Might have to back it off just a bit once fired formed.

 

[EdP]

I like 160 ABs or 160 GKs with IMR 4831. Had to back the powder down a bit with the ABs vs the GKs. Nosler has published load data on-line. I like the IMR 4831 just fine but would have used H4831sc if I had a reliable supply when developing loads.

 

[bigunit]

Mine seems to like imr7828 and sierra 165tgk. It's a 8.5 twist and also shoots 168lrx and 180eldm quite well. Haven't tried much lighter bullets yet.

 

[Chupacabra]

Thanks- looks like 4831 or 4831SC
is the place to start. I’ve got both on hand.

 

[Chupacabra]

Kimber subalpine here. 145 lrx and H 4831 @ ~3075 has made many dull havalon blades.

What made you decide on the LRX? Was it just the penetration bullet to game performance or was it accuracy?

 

[HGL]

I've got a 1-9" Ackley, its shoots up to the 168 VLDs very well. I haven't tried anything heavier.

H4831sc, RL-22, and RL-26 have done great for me. Many people have great luck with 7828ssc, I've just never tried it. I'm actually working on some loads with H1000 and the 162's/168's that are showing promise.

In my experience, H4831sc is the easy button with accuracy and a .280 Ackley, it just runs a bit lower MVs than some other options.

 

[6.5Express]

What made you decide on the LRX? Was it just the penetration bullet to game performance or was it accuracy?

That lrx was fairly new about the time i got my 280 ai. I just thought it would be a good all around big game bullet. It loaded easy and shot great. Once I hung a few tags on antlers, I never looked back. No reason to tinker with that one.

It's killed several mature buck mule deer, bull elk, antelope, a Mt lion, a Mt goat, and maybe a few others if I think hard enough. Shots from the lion overhead in a tree to ~600 yards. No nonsense.

The best one of all: a black / silver-grey wolf at 747. Rolled him where he stood.

 

[CRJR45]

57 grs of RL19/160 accubonds/ partitions

 

[SloppyJ]

Is the 145 the bullet that barnes specifically tailored to the 280ai?

 

[fuzzymarindave]

Long time lurker, first time posting-

I’m picking up a Kimber Hunter in 280 AI tomorrow from my LGS. What are you guys using in your 9 twist that you are having good results with and what speeds are you seeing? My first time with 280 AI. TIA

Worked on elk loads for my son's lefty 9 twist Weatherby, tried Partition, AB, ABLR, HH, HHT; and, LRX. 160AB was pretty good with H4831SC around 2950fps. ABLR not so good groupings. 145 LRX ok. I settled on 143HH and H4831SC at 3233fps giving just under 1MOA at 200 yards. The 132HHT was good too with H4350 at about 3300 fps. Now I need to load up some rounds and get him (and me) practice up to 600 yards or so and validate drops.

 

[HNTR918]

IMR 7828 SSC is THE powder!
168gr Barnes LRX at 2950 fps w/ 19'' barrel.
Berger 168 vld has been the most accurate bullet.
If shooting both cup and core and mono metals, clean barrel well between each of groups will open up.
Also, buy a magneto speed barrel cooler to make trips to the gun range worth it.

 

[eyeguy]

retumbo in my 26 in barrel with berger 175 eh shoots well, n560 and h1000 and 4831sc were good also.