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.

 

[Chupacabra]

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

I think that the 152. They only offer it in loaded ammo… according to Ron Spoomer, he was the reason they created that bullet.

 

[Chupacabra]

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.

Dude, those are dream trips for me... Ok- you’ve convinced me to try the LRX.

 

[Chupacabra]

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.

I’ll have to check that out. I usually just shoot something different while I wait for my spaghetti noodle barrels to cool.

 

[Weldor]

My kimber has a short magazine. limited to 3.310, The heavies are to long for me. Been looking at the 150's and 145's. Did load some Sierra 165 Gamechanger's but are real close to the ogive. When I can get to the range I'll give some info on this load.

 

[Bomberodevil]

I’ve got a savage ultralight with a 22” proof barrel, with a 1-9”. I’m not a huge speed demon, and I like slightly heavy for cartridge bullets, if that makes sense. I think the 160-168 range is a perfect weight for the 280 ai. My hunting load is 58.8 grains of H4831 and 162 ELDX, at 2942 fps, under .400 moa for 3-shot group. I’ve got some Nosler 160 AB that I’ll develop a load this summer. It’s a great handload cartridge. I like the Hodgdon powder, preferring to sacrifice a bit of speed for temperature stability. My hunt temps can range from the 90’s to the 20’s.