IMR7828SSC to Vihtavuori v.280AckleyImproved

[TSFineGuns]

I have not been able to get my hands on any IMR 7828SSC in over a year now. I've been shooting a fair amount and I'm down to my last two (2) pounds of IMR 7828SCC. I figure before I run out, I need to start looking to other powders.

I have done my share of searching here on AS and I have not been able to put a thumb on anyone who's made the switch when it pertains to the .280ai cartridge.

From what I can tell, from referencing several powder burn rate charts, the following are the three (3) options that I should start exploring:

N165
N170
N565

As stated in the title and above, this is for a .280ai, Peterson Brass, CCI LR Primer, behind a 160 - 180gr hunting bullet. (ELD-X, Partition, Berger VLD Hunting, etc).

I see MidwayUSA is running a no-hazmat fee today (-$22.xx) for the purchase, so I was going to pick up 1lb of each to start my load development to add another load to the IMR 7828SSC load in case I run out.

Cliff Notes:

For a .280ai w/ Peterson Brass, CCI LR Primer, and 160 - 180gr Hunting Bullet, what do you believe to be the good choices? Am I on the right track with the three (3) Viht listed above? Or do you see flaws in my logic.

Any others using the .280ai w/ like projectile weights using Viht that they are happy enough with to recommend?

Thanks in advance.

 

[46and2]

I feel your pain. I have always been a fan of 7828, I even have a good stash of 7828 long cut ( it gives better load density in magnum cartridges), 7828ssc is my backup for if I ever run out of Reloder 26. I honestly haven't seen 7828 in a few years.

I would try n565 or n165. N565 will be more bulky than 7828ssc so I'm not sure you can load enough to get your velocity with 7828ssc.
N165 is probably the same density but it will not have you the same velocity as 7828 running the same pressure.

 

[bks22345]

I run 7828 in my 280AI as well. I just started using N165 in a new 284 win barrel and am pretty impressed. I didn’t try to find pressure, just looking for a speed range and got there about 1.5 grains lower than I estimated. I wouldn’t hesitate to try it in the 280AI for the heavies. I worked up a load with Staball 6.5 for the 168 SMKs that was very accurate, but I didn’t shoot the lighter bullets after I started with the 180s. Staball is closer to 4350 so maybe N160 or N150?

 

[3Ackleys]

I tried a lot of powders in 3 different 280AI's. H4831sc was the best in all of them.

 

[Bc'z]

I tried a lot of powders in 3 different 280AI's. H4831sc was the best in all of them.

I might have to try that when and if I burn through 5# of RL22

 

[SGT. Slaughter]

Don't overlook Retumbo especially if your shooting the 160 to 168 grain bullets in the 280 Ackley.

 

[dthomas]

N560 might be the ticket.

 

[Tucker65]

I don't have any experience with the 280AI but I've used N565 in a few 7saum's and it works great with the 175gr-180gr Berger's I ran in them. In 22"-24" barrels speeds were between 2925-2975 fps.

 

[TSFineGuns]

I feel your pain. I have always been a fan of 7828, I even have a good stash of 7828 long cut ( it gives better load density in magnum cartridges), 7828ssc is my backup for if I ever run out of Reloder 26. I honestly haven't seen 7828 in a few years.

I would try n565 or n165. N565 will be more bulky than 7828ssc so I'm not sure you can load enough to get your velocity with 7828ssc.
N165 is probably the same density but it will not have you the same velocity as 7828 running the same pressure.

Thanks for the info.

I ended up ordering the three (3) that I mentioned in my original post. Hoping one will give me the results I'm hoping for. I'm much more interested in accuracy than keeping the same velocity. Albeit I'll have to spend another $90+/- for another Custom dial for that velocity if it's too different.

I run 7828 in my 280AI as well. I just started using N165 in a new 284 win barrel and am pretty impressed. I didn’t try to find pressure, just looking for a speed range and got there about 1.5 grains lower than I estimated. I wouldn’t hesitate to try it in the 280AI for the heavies. I worked up a load with Staball 6.5 for the 168 SMKs that was very accurate, but I didn’t shoot the lighter bullets after I started with the 180s. Staball is closer to 4350 so maybe N160 or N150?

N165 was one (1) of the powders I ordered. So we'll see!

I tried a lot of powders in 3 different 280AI's. H4831sc was the best in all of them.

I have H4831SC coming out my ears. When I did my load development, I did it with H4831SC and IMR 7828SSC. IMR 7828SSC won out in that test for me in my rifle. It was a velocity thing, both were very accurate. So worst case, I end up back with H4831SC if neither of the three (3) Viht's fit the bill.

Don't overlook Retumbo especially if your shooting the 160 to 168 grain bullets in the 280 Ackley.

Thank you. Noted

N560 might be the ticket.

Pretty close to H4831SC from what I've read, which is slower than IMR 7828SC. But something to take into consideration if N165, N170, nor N565 work out for me.

I don't have any experience with the 280AI but I've used N565 in a few 7saum's and it works great with the 175gr-180gr Berger's I ran in them. In 22"-24" barrels speeds were between 2925-2975 fps.

I was sitting right about 2980fps with IMR 7828SCC. If N565 can get near that and the accuracy is there, I'd be a happy camper!



***Thanks to all for your input. Genuinely appreciate you all taking the time to read my post and respond.***