280AI, looking for a load

[nakneker]

I have a 280 AI I'm going to start shooting, fresh rifle with a 1in9 twist and a 24 inch tube. I want to shoot 168 Berger VLD hunting bullets. However I plan on taking it to Africa for a plains game hunt and the guide won't allow those bullets. He typically won't allow anything less than 30 cal on the bigger antelope, Eland, Kudu and such. However he said he would go for the 7mm with the traditional bullets, Partitions, A frames, Barnes and such.

I was going to start with 4831sc and partitions but would appreciate any other recommendations.

 

[rangertim]

AA-3100 worked great in mine with 140 gr lighter bullets

 

[kev77]

What weight of bullet do you need data for??? between you me and 6mmbr, I use 180gr target bullets for all big game hunting form deer elk moose and 600 lb black bears. i would trust bregers before Barns bullets. I got lots of load data for different bullets , just need to know what weight.

 

[nakneker]

What weight of bullet do you need data for??? between you me and 6mmbr, I use 180gr target bullets for all big game hunting form deer elk moose and 600 lb black bears. i would trust bregers before Barns bullets. I got lots of load data for different bullets , just need to know what weight.

I should have added the desired bullet weight. 140 grains plus. I have a 7saum that I shoot the 180 Bergers out of and it does an excellent job on big game. I'm wanting to take the 280AI on this trip so my wife can shoot it too, it has a little shorter LOP and it a tad lighter. Trying to make customs as easy as possible with one rifle. I think the partitions are made in 150 and 160 grain but I'm open to trying other bullets/loads that others may have experience with. I wish the guide was more comforatble with th Bergers, I've had good experiences with them. Thanks

 

[nvbroncrider]

Either 160 PT or AB with WLR and 7828SSC bug holes.

 

[CTK]

RL22 and 140 TTSX and 140 Accubonds have worked well for me in most of my 280Ai's. I am going to try 7977 and 150 TTSX's. I am real close to nailing down a load for 168 VLD and RL26.

 

[tclaunch]

I`ve had 2 custom 280AI`s which both shot N165 very well with 140`s. I ran 63 to 63.5 grains for 3206 fps. My bullet choice would be Nosler Accubonds. Drop 2 to 2 1/2 grains for the 160

 

[nakneker]

I appreciate the info. I think I'm going to play partitions, accubonds and SSTs. I have lots of personal experience with partitions, should be fun to see what happens. I have all the suggested powders on hand. Thanks again guys.

 

[nakneker]

What weight of bullet do you need data for??? between you me and 6mmbr, I use 180gr target bullets for all big game hunting form deer elk moose and 600 lb black bears. i would trust bregers before Barns bullets. I got lots of load data for different bullets , just need to know what weight.

I think like you do when it comes to barnes and bergers. Bergers have become my go to bullets for most of my big game hunting.

 

[CTK]

I`ve had 2 custom 280AI`s which both shot N165 very well with 140`s. I ran 63 to 63.5 grains for 3206 fps. My bullet choice would be Nosler Accubonds. Drop 2 to 2 1/2 grains for the 160

I had some success with this load as well. Got the load from Mr. Claunch. I have not tried it in my new rifle, but will.

 

[boyscout]

1. Listen to your guide.
2. If going with a 280AI shoot 160's or larger. Don't even think about the 140's. Partitions, accubonds, and tbbc would be my choices.
3. Don't even think about shooting an Eland with that gun. Im not convinced a 375 H&H is enough but you should get one and shoot 300's from it. I have two might let you borrow one.
4. Read number 3 again.

 

[bradb]

Both the 168 vld and classic hunters have shot great for me with 59.5 of h4831sc, fed210, nosler brass. Bit over 2800fps, SD in the single digits.
Pretty new boots barrel and have not checked at distance, but at 100 .3-.5

 

[Sheldon N]

I run the Berger 180's in my 280AI. 59.8g of H1000 w/ BR2's, 2820fps from a 25.5" barrel, SD of 5. Hammers really well even beyond 1200 yards.

 

[expiper]

I have a 280 AI I'm going to start shooting, fresh rifle with a 1in9 twist and a 24 inch tube. I want to shoot 168 Berger VLD hunting bullets. However I plan on taking it to Africa for a plains game hunt and the guide won't allow those bullets. He typically won't allow anything less than 30 cal on the bigger antelope, Eland, Kudu and such. However he said he would go for the 7mm with the traditional bullets, Partitions, A frames, Barnes and such.

I was going to start with 4831sc and partitions but would appreciate any other recommendations.

I agree on the 4831,,,and try Sierra 160 gr SBT's,,,,they will work fine unless you hit em in the knees,,,Roger

 

[Rtheurer]

RL22 and 140 TTSX and 140 Accubonds have worked well for me in most of my 280Ai's. I am going to try 7977 and 150 TTSX's. I am real close to nailing down a load for 168 VLD and RL26.

Keep us posted on this R26 load. I am using it in a 284 and 243 with outstanding results. Cant imagine why it would NOT be just as great in the 280 AI. Lots of speed and great accuracy so far for me.

 

[bradb]

R17 shot ok for me and was a lot faster then 4831. Have not played much with it yet and won't tell after hunting season

 

[rudysts]

180 berger H4831 somewhere around 57 to 58.5 grains should be good work up to it though.

 

[msinc]

I played with my 280AI rifles over the summer and here is what I have for "pet" loads so far....154 grain Hornady Interlock bullets with a charge of 56.0 grains of IMR4831 just about put them in the same hole. 175 grain Nosler Partitions with a charge of 56.0 grains of Reloader 22 produced some of the best groups I have seen with any Partition in anything. Maybe it's just me or my rifles...but I find Partition bullets not very accurate in anything. The above load did shoot them in just about an inch + or -.
I just acquired a jug of Reloader 26 and I intend to do some testing with it. I am hearing some "too good to be true" things about this powder and I cant help but be optimistic that it will do the same thing for me, but haven't gotten around to trying it yet. Maybe this weekend.....
The most accurate load I have found for my 280AI's is a 140 grain Berger VLD Hunting bullet and 55.5 grains of N160. It puts them all in one not very ragged hole. I have to say that I was surprised the 280AI took a lot of doing to find these loads. I have two of them, one a Mountain Ascent and the other a custom pre-64.
I took it for granted that this round would be relatively easy to load for and be accurate like my 30-06AI, but again, it took quite a bit of testing a lot of different powder and bullet combo's to get to these loads. I tried every suitable Enduron powder made and had no luck with any of it. I used a Dave Manson SAAMI spec reamer and I will say that neither rifle likes to be seated out into or even near the lands. Best of luck.

 

[msinc]

I got a chance to try out the Reloder 26 today...wow!!! 61.0 grains of RL26 with a 168 grain Nosler Accubond Long Range bullet chronographed right at 3000fps. The rifle has a 27" barrel and the bullet was seated .010" off the lands. I found, as others have commented about this powder, that the barrel didn't heat up much or very quickly. I also found, like others, that the barrel heat seems to be the entire length of the barrel. It doesn't seem to get hotter at the breech end than the muzzle. Sub minute of angle groups and no signs of pressure at all.

 

[Rtheurer]

I got a chance to try out the Reloder 26 today...wow!!! 61.0 grains of RL26 with a 168 grain Nosler Accubond Long Range bullet chronographed right at 3000fps. The rifle has a 27" barrel and the bullet was seated .010" off the lands. I found, as others have commented about this powder, that the barrel didn't heat up much or very quickly. I also found, like others, that the barrel heat seems to be the entire length of the barrel. It doesn't seem to get hotter at the breech end than the muzzle. Sub minute of angle groups and no signs of pressure at all.

TRying not to say I told ya. But keep it to yourself as the availability of the powder comes and goes.