.280AI Sierra 175MK load

[loud_noise]

Seeking to get feedback on success or lack thereof with Sierra 175gn in .280AI.

I’m planning on experimenting with Sierra 175gn MK in my .280AI and was keen to ask if anyone had experience with the projectile in .280AI.

I’m think That I’ll start with H4831SC at about 56.5gn the projectiles touching or -.002” back from lands.
Will work back in -.005” increments from there in 5 shot groups.

Looking to find a load that will be used 800yds out 1000yds F-open and possibly out to 1500 for other range Comps.

 

[Willow]

Haven't tried that pill but the 180s and 184s work well in the 280AI - better option IMO if you're going to run it in F-open. Personally I prefer RL23 over H4831SC if you're going to chase velocity. H4350 will produce better accuracy also, although it won't produce the higher velocity - but you can comfortably drive 180's at 2830fps which is a decent place to be.

 

[JLT]

RL-23 will produce more velocity than 4831SC, thus giving you more options. For what it's worth, I've found RL-23 to deliver stellar precision in every rifle I've fed it to, from .22-.250 AI through .300 WSM, and it is as insensitive to ambient temperature as anything I've ever seen. Very good choice for competition - I run it in .260 AI and 6.5-284 for F Class - and it looks to be made-to-order for the .280 AI case. I'm rebarreling my 6.5-.284 to .280 AI and my first work-up will be with RL-23.

 

[loud_noise]

I might look into getting some RL23. I’m located in Australia and the reloader powders are not overly common but can be obtained. I might have look into getting some ordered.

What sort of powder weight are you looking at as starting amounts?

 

[JLT]

I might look into getting some RL23. I’m located in Australia and the reloader powders are not overly common but can be obtained. I might have look into getting some ordered.

What sort of powder weight are you looking at as starting amounts?

I have not yet begun to load for the .280 AI (waiting on the barrel), but Nosler has data on RL-23 and their 175 gr. ABLR bullet (long bearing surface on this bullet). Looks like starting a work-up at 53 grains or so would be good. You should get good case fill with this powder.

Good luck and let us know how it works out.

 

[ben_g]

Gday, I run the Sierra 175 as my ‘club load’ in a straight 284win

It’s a forgiving bullet to tune and produces excellent accuracy/precision. Sure it gives a little BC away to the 180bergers but in real world terms it’s negligible.

I run them at 2850fps in a 284 and my other 284 runs the 180VLD’s at 2820fps.

A few guys in my club have 280AI’s and use RE23 in them with the 180’s and they are shooting very well with them and get velocities on par with a SAUM.

I use 2209 in the 284 and also in the SAUM, but from what I have read the 280 likes the slower burning powders.

I have had great results with RE23 in a 300WSM, certainly it gives more velocity/less pressure than 2213SC, I wouldn’t hesitate to give it a try in the 280.

If your local gun shop has an account with NIOA they should be able to source some RE23 for you.
I’m sitting on 10lbs, but none is for sale

 

[loud_noise]

That’s excellent advice. Thanks very much. I have 2213 on hand and a fair bit of 2209. I’m using the 2209 with 168 and it’s positive so far. Velocity is about 2795 - 2810 FPS.

I will work on an initial load wth 2213 for now with the 175s but will look at getting RE23 from my LGS.

I’ll come Back with some results and photos

 

[ben_g]

What barrel length and twist have you got??

I would have thought you could drive the 168’s to at least 2950fps if not a node above 3000fps with a 30” barrel.

 

[Laurie]

Gday, I run the Sierra 175 as my ‘club load’ in a straight 284win

It’s a forgiving bullet to tune and produces excellent accuracy/precision. Sure it gives a little BC away to the 180bergers but in real world terms it’s negligible.

I run them at 2850fps in a 284 and my other 284 runs the 180VLD’s at 2820fps.

My practice exactly, only in my case with Viht N165 in the straight 284. (Viht powders are plentiful and competitively priced in the UK. By contrast, Hodgdon / ADI extruded grades such as H4831 are no longer available due to new EU so-called health & safety regulations.)

The 175gn SMK is a much better performer than most people recognise and is moreover a very consistent performer out to 1,000 yards at least - can't speak for further but I'd be surprised if it didn't do well out there too.

 

[loud_noise]

What barrel length and twist have you got??

I would have thought you could drive the 168’s to at least 2950fps if not a node above 3000fps with a 30” barrel.

Ben G I probably could run them a lot harder and I do have a 30” barrel. I’m trying to find a comfortable load that is mild on the brass; .280AI is hellihsly expensive, though nosler brass is proving to be quite good. I’m running them at about 2845fps from Nosler brass in top of. 58.2gn of 2213SC. I’m Also playing with a carefully works up load with 2209. This using both Berger 168’s and Copper Head HPBT (Australian made projectile).

This is awesome information. Thank you everyone. I’m going to get some RE23 I think as well.

I’m planning to sight in a new scope Friday and do some load work as well. Will report back with results

 

[ben_g]

The node in a 280AI with 180gr bullets is around 2900-2950fps.
When testing the guys at my club could get to around 3000fps, settling on loads doing a little under 2950fps for accuracy.

Remember the 280Ai has a similar case capacity to a SAUM.

As I said above 2820-2850fps is a comfortable speed for the straight 284 and 180’s, even a 284 would have the 168’s going 2900fps without much use with pressure.

The speed your running with the light pills I doubt will be pushing your brass at all.
I don’t load for velocity, but my point is the 280 is capable of running a lot faster with accuracy than you are currently running it.


I am familiar with Ken’s bullets, I have his 183gr VLD but don’t have a barrel with a short enough throat to really test them out.

 

[loud_noise]

Thanks @ben_g
I’m going to be on the range all day Friday (using some annual leave) and will be playing with loads. I might look at a couple faster loads for 168’s, see if there is anything a bit quicker attainable edging up from where I am now.

Looking at the 168’s and 175’s all day.

Thanks for your advice.

By the way, do you shoot Match rifle?

 

[Willow]

Thanks @ben_g
I’m going to be on the range all day Friday (using some annual leave) and will be playing with loads. I might look at a couple faster loads for 168’s, see if there is anything a bit quicker attainable edging up from where I am now.

Looking at the 168’s and 175’s all day.

Thanks for your advice.

By the way, do you shoot Match rifle?

2209 or RL23 will both work well with the 168s - RL23 simply allows you to drive them faster but the accuracy is there in both powders. I was recently running the 184s at 2880 but have backed it off to 2810 for club shoots - accuracy has improved at this speed. I could never get the accuracy with 2213SC so gave up on it.

 

[loud_noise]

@Willow
I have had mixed but lacklustre results with 2213SC myself. It appears to be a very temperamental powder. I have been using it with 183gn LRVLDs and they are a bit rough. That said I am doing a bit of a reset and experimentation at the moment. I’ll give them another run and see what come out of it.

But I agree, I’m liking 2209/H4350 more and more. I have ordered some reloader 23 so we’ll find out in due course.

I’ll post my pictures from of group work and load dev

 

[ben_g]

Thanks @ben_g
I’m going to be on the range all day Friday (using some annual leave) and will be playing with loads. I might look at a couple faster loads for 168’s, see if there is anything a bit quicker attainable edging up from where I am now.

Looking at the 168’s and 175’s all day.

Thanks for your advice.

By the way, do you shoot Match rifle?

I have only been to a few Matchrifle events. Would like to get to more.
Most recent one was NSW champs earlier this year.

 

[loud_noise]

Hi everyone

The RE23 has arrived and will probably run it in 175’s and 168’s at our next 600M shoot or sooner if the opportunity provides.

Will start at 52gn behind the 175’s and 54 behind the 168’s. I’ll see where these land and consistency in the velocities I’m getting.

Will get photos