New to 280ai

[Tim-o-thy]

I just got a savage Pre-Fit proof. And bought 200 Nosler 140 grain something or others (cheaper than Nosler brass) I question for y’all is would you pull the bullets set a better neck tension and shoot a lighter load for forming or just shoot them factory loaded. Also are Berger 168’s with h4350 ( I have a ton of it) what y’all would pick?

 

[DaveTooley]

Question #1 Maybe. I have had occasions when customers couldn't fireform factory 280 ammo. The reason is the ejector was pushing the case forward in the chamber. They had to increase the COAL so the bullet was touching the lands or very close. Another option is to remove the ejector. That may be all that's needed. I started short chambering 280 AI's. Not enough to be dangerous but just slightly.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I just got a savage Pre-Fit proof. And bought 200 Nosler 140 grain something or others (cheaper than Nosler brass) I question for y’all is would you pull the bullets set a better neck tension and shoot a lighter load for forming or just shoot them factory loaded. Also are Berger 168’s with h4350 ( I have a ton of it) what y’all would pick?

I use the 168 berger hunting vld with slower powders. Its not been finicky but seems to prefer powders that are slower than the h4350. I've shot several different powders that did very well. N560, n165, h1000 and Retumbo have all been excellent. Been aiming to try some 7828 but have never gotten around to it.
It shoots under .5 moa with all of the powders mentioned with the bullet at a light jam. The N560 and the n165 are probably my favorites as they shoot well with better velocity...2950+ range. The Retumbo shoots well but down around 2825ish. I don't recall my numbers for the h1000 but it shoots well.

As for firing the factory ammo..go for it. I did the same thing a few years back when i couldnt find brass, but with nosler 280ai ammo loaded with 140 accubonds. My gun didn't like them at all but shot well enough to hunt with. Yours may shoot your factory ammo well. There should be a light crush fit of the 280 rem ammo in the air chamber so keep the lugs lubed.
Good luck! I love mine. My favorite all around hunting rifle and caliber. Enjoy!

 

[Tim-o-thy]

I use the 168 berger hunting vld with slower powders. Its not been finicky but seems to prefer powders that are slower than the h4350. I've shot several different powders that did very well. N560, n165, h1000 and Retumbo have all been excellent. Been aiming to try some 7828 but have never gotten around to it.
It shoots under .5 moa with all of the powders mentioned with the bullet at a light jam. The N560 and the n165 are probably my favorites as they shoot well with better velocity...2950+ range. The Retumbo shoots well but down around 2825ish. I don't recall my numbers for the h1000 but it shoots well.

As for firing the factory ammo..go for it. I did the same thing a few years back when i couldnt find brass, but with nosler 280ai ammo loaded with 140 accubonds. My gun didn't like them at all but shot well enough to hunt with. Yours may shoot your factory ammo well. There should be a light crush fit of the 280 rem ammo in the air chamber so keep the lugs lubed.
Good luck! I love mine. My favorite all around hunting rifle and caliber. Enjoy!

Thanks for the reply, the shop that installed my barrel set it up for Nosler so they said. Is that what you mean by crush fit? If so that ammo should feed without one.

Question #1 Maybe. I have had occasions when customers couldn't fireform factory 280 ammo. The reason is the ejector was pushing the case forward in the chamber. They had to increase the COAL so the bullet was touching the lands or very close. Another option is to remove the ejector. That may be all that's needed. I started short chambering 280 AI's. Not enough to be dangerous but just slightly.

The gunsmith set my headspace for nosler brass, is that what mean by short chambering?

 

[Tim-o-thy]

I use the 168 berger hunting vld with slower powders. Its not been finicky but seems to prefer powders that are slower than the h4350. I've shot several different powders that did very well. N560, n165, h1000 and Retumbo have all been excellent. Been aiming to try some 7828 but have never gotten around to it.
It shoots under .5 moa with all of the powders mentioned with the bullet at a light jam. The N560 and the n165 are probably my favorites as they shoot well with better velocity...2950+ range. The Retumbo shoots well but down around 2825ish. I don't recall my numbers for the h1000 but it shoots well.

As for firing the factory ammo..go for it. I did the same thing a few years back when i couldnt find brass, but with nosler 280ai ammo loaded with 140 accubonds. My gun didn't like them at all but shot well enough to hunt with. Yours may shoot your factory ammo well. There should be a light crush fit of the 280 rem ammo in the air chamber so keep the lugs lubed.
Good luck! I love mine. My favorite all around hunting rifle and caliber. Enjoy!

That makes me even more excited to take this out. But I’m waiting on mcmillian. I’m not sure if you’ve ever done it before, but they sure do know how to build up anticipation. hahahaha

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Thanks for the reply, the shop that installed my barrel set it up for Nosler so they said. Is that what you mean by crush fit? If so that ammo should feed without one.

The gunsmith set my headspace for nosler brass, is that what mean by short chambering?

No but that's a can of worms that I don't want to get into. Just check to see if the ammo you have will chamber for starters. It should and the bolt should be firm when closing but you shouldn't have to force it. That's assuming you have standard 280 rem loaded ammo to fire form.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

That makes me even more excited to take this out. But I’m waiting on mcmillian. I’m not sure if you’ve ever done it before, but they sure do know how to build up anticipation. hahahaha

Oh yes, I'm familiar with McMillan. Just be patient and I bet youll love the gun and caliber.

 

[msinc]

Two of my favorite loads are 60.0 grains of Reloder26 behind a Nosler 160 Partition. The other is 55.5 grains of N160 behind a Berger 140 grain VLD hunting bullet.

 

[DaveTooley]

Thanks for the reply, the shop that installed my barrel set it up for Nosler so they said. Is that what you mean by crush fit? If so that ammo should feed without one.

The gunsmith set my headspace for nosler brass, is that what mean by short chambering?

I was referring to firing 280 Rem ammo to get to the improved stage. If you have Nosler 280 AI ammo there shouldn't be any issues. Go for it.
I love the round. I don't have one at the moment but have owned 3 over the years. Someone else wanted them more than I did. Just a damn good all round cartridge.

 

[dewey7271]

Just an FYI
Hornady makes 280 AI brass now

 

[L.Sherm]

It would be worthwhile to try RL23 it's worked very well in 3 -280AI for me. I also think 4350 is a little fast in a 280AI

 

[STOMP442]

4350 may work great. I have built a handful of .280AIs and one of them a Shilen #5 9 twist did not care for the common H4831 H1000 loads. Extensive load workups with both powders and 162 ELD's or 168 Bergers amounted to just MOA groups no matter what I tried. I tried some R16 just for giggles and it was like turning on a switch instantly went to a half MOA or better shooter and still gave good velocity at around 2840 or so.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I will second Rl23 and 168 vlds. 2980 fps in 24" with excellent accuracy.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

4350 may work great. I have built a handful of .280AIs and one of them a Shilen #5 9 twist did not care for the common H4831 H1000 loads. Extensive load workups with both powders and 162 ELD's or 168 Bergers amounted to just MOA groups no matter what I tried. I tried some R16 just for giggles and it was like turning on a switch instantly went to a half MOA or better shooter and still gave good velocity at around 2840 or so.

Mine have all been exactly the opposite but it is certainly possible. Every barrel is different. Mine have all been hunting rifles and they have all shot remarkably well in that form...better than they probably should, actually.

 

[L.Sherm]

I tried RL26 in the beginning, I could not get rid of a little bit of a flyer. RL23 cured that before I used RL22. Before I used RL 22 but I gained velocity and a touch better accuracy and temp stability I believe with 23

 

[Tim-o-thy]

thanks guys!

Just an FYI
Hornady makes 280 AI brass now

i was told by the gunsmith that you either set up for nosler or ...... I just thought nosler would be the easier option. Also I know a lot of people have good luck with hornady brass but I haven’t been one of them.

 

[Tim-o-thy]

Thank all of you all for the help with picking powders and projectiles. I appreaciate it