280 AI 175 Elite Hunter Loads

[CTK]

Have been using same load (280AI, RE 23 and 175 Elite Hunter) for 3 or 4 years. Thought would ask if RE 23 is still considered a go to powder? Am going to try to improve current load but interested in any other powder ideas. Like reasonably temp stable powders as this is a hunting rifle. I have few lbs. of RE 23. Have a little 26 and lots of various H powders. Thanks!

 

[Fire Dog]

Have been using same load (280AI, RE 23 and 175 Elite Hunter) for 3 or 4 years. Thought would ask if RE 23 is still considered a go to powder? Am going to try to improve current load but interested in any other powder ideas. Like reasonably temp stable powders as this is a hunting rifle. I have few lbs. of RE 23. Have a little 26 and lots of various H powders. Thanks!

H4831sc in my 280AI with both 180’s &184’s running at 2’800fps.
32” x 1:8.5

 

[CTK]

H4831sc in my 280AI with both 180’s &184’s running at 2’800fps.
32” x 1:8.5

Been a long time since tried H4831sc in a 280ai. Maybe 4 rifles ago and with much lighter bullets. Not sure I will get great speed @24" but you never know. My son's 270 loves H4831SC with Barnes130 TTSX. May give it a try. Thanks

 

[std7mag]

If you have an acceptable load right now, stick with it!
Especially this close to hunting season.

RL23 & RL26 are high energy powders for their burn range.

The only powder I've found that gave me more velocity is Ramshot LRT. And it's a slower burning powder that will have you shaking your head at the charge weights.

LRT has worked well with both the 257 WBY & 7mm WBY.

 

[Fire Dog]

Been a long time since tried H4831sc in a 280ai. Maybe 4 rifles ago and with much lighter bullets. Not sure I will get great speed @24" but you never know. My son's 270 loves H4831SC with Barnes130 TTSX. May give it a try. Thanks

H4350 is another powder to consider… Bit faster and may work well in getting more speed out of a shorter barrel and lighter bullets.

 

[Savagenut71]

Retumbo ! Works great in mine with 31" barrel and 9 twist. 2920

 

[SKWERLZ]

For the 175’s my first choices would be R23 or H4831.

 

[TrapperBR549]

Mine likes 7828 with 175 ABLR's and partitions.

 

[dthomas]

In my saum that has about the same case capacity I'm using r23 with that same bullet. When you run out of 23 and can't find anymore I would try 7828 and n560.

 

[CTK]

I started to try RL26 last night. Bailed out and am doing more extensive seating depth test with RL23. If this does not produce well, I may try all of the powders mentioned.

 

[L.Sherm]

Have been using same load (280AI, RE 23 and 175 Elite Hunter) for 3 or 4 years. Thought would ask if RE 23 is still considered a go to powder? Am going to try to improve current load but interested in any other powder ideas. Like reasonably temp stable powders as this is a hunting rifle. I have few lbs. of RE 23. Have a little 26 and lots of various H powders. Thanks!

My go to is RL23 in 3-280AI and 215 primers. I know a guy who struggled with RL 26 untill he switch to a 215 primer.
Don't be afraid to test primers, preferably at your max distance you want to shoot.

 

[Rick Richard]

I wouldn’t be afraid to try H1000.

 

[johnmyers]

My 7-06 ai almost a twin to 280ai with 168 Bergers and RE23 is most accurate powder by far. H4831 is good but not as good as 23

 

[Bamban]

I'll play. Load was developed with different scope. This was shot to center a different scope.

 

[SKWERLZ]

I started to try RL26 last night. Bailed out and am doing more extensive seating depth test with RL23. If this does not produce well, I may try all of the powders mentioned.

With the 180’s and heavier R26 is magical but I’ve never tried it with lighter bullets.

 

[SKWERLZ]

My go to is RL23 in 3-280AI and 215 primers. I know a guy who struggled with RL 26 untill he switch to a 215 primer.
Don't be afraid to test primers, preferably at your max distance you want to shoot.

Interesting as in my saum gm210 are noticeably better than gm215’s with R26.

 

[Park ranger]

Retumbo ! Works great in mine with 31" barrel and 9 twist. 2920

With 175’s?

 

[CTK]

Interesting as in my saum gm210 are noticeably better than gm215’s with R

My go to is RL23 in 3-280AI and 215 primers. I know a guy who struggled with RL 26 untill he switch to a 215 primer.
Don't be afraid to test primers, preferably at your max distance you want to shoot.

I have never tried 215m with RL23 in this gun. I will for sure try with 26 if go that route.

 

[CTK]

Using Peterson 280AI brass and a Redding .311" bushing insert. Seems about right as loads easily. Neck tension at loading is a little less than virgin brass. I am at work and not positive but think loaded neck is measuring .3135 inches. I am thinking that Peterson neck is a little thicker and that I am likely using the right bushing. The book would tell me to go to .312". Think I remember using .309" bushing with Nosler brass but was a long time ago.
Also think that Peterson case capacity must be a little less than Nosler. Based on some old notes, I do not think that I can get to Berger recommended max RL 23 load with Peterson brass. Could also just be my rifle. Not trying to push for speed.

 

[Rick Richard]

Interesting as in my saum gm210 are noticeably better than gm215’s with R26.

Mine too, but with H1000