.280 AI range results

E

Evilsports

New member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Morning folks.

I'm working on a hunting load for a .280 AI. Was hoping I could get a bit of direction,. It took me 50-60 rounds to realize that the 168 VLD wanted to be jammed a bit in this barrel, but now that I found it I went back and retested some charge weights. Found a reasonable weight at 58.6gr.

Thus far my BTO changes have been fairly coarse, and I haven't tried jamming any deeper than the .012" here. Would you say that it's worth the time to try and fine tune the BTO at that 58.6 charge weight? Also, how deep have you guys jammed without issues? I realize it's barrel dependant, just curious what others have ran into.

Testing has been done at 100yds so wondering if it might be worth it to try this load at 200 & 300 before tuning BTO any more.

Sorry, I can't figure out how to correctly orient my attachment.
Thanks,
Kevin.
20210911_105715.jpg
 

Attachments

  • 20210911_105715.jpg
    20210911_105715.jpg
    89.4 KB · Views: 207
I do not have any experience with deliberately "jamming" a hunting load - I do not think any of the hunting rifles here have magazines long enough for a round to hit the leade - have you checked your loads for run-out - concentricity? Might be an alternative to the jam that you describe, but maybe not. Was just a thought...
 
I'm an idiot. I had tried measuring my chamber by removing the ejector plunger and firing pin and then progressively seating a dummy shell incrementally deeper until it felt as though the resistance was gone.

I couldn't find a threaded 280 Ackley modified shell for an OAL gauge so this was going to be the next best thing.

I loaded another dummy shell long tonight and lubed the bullet. Crammed it in and closed the bolt. Took it out and it measured 0.083 longer than my other method. Repeated it with another dummy round and got the exact same BTO measurement.

Turns out my incremental method was flawed, or more accurately the way I did it was inaccurate.

Basically, I was running under the impression that my chamber was 0.083 shorter than it actually is. What I calculated as .012 jammed was actually .071 off the lands.

I have a 5/16 x 36tpi tap on order, should be in on Monday. I'll lathe up my own modifies brass and confirm my findings before I send any more down range.

I feel dumb but at the same time I'm glad that I'm not .012" jammed, and shooting decent groups.

Looking forward to seeing what this combo can do with a less confused operator behind the scope.
 
If you are developing a load specifically for hunting, I respectfully suggest that you do not "jam"
the bullet into the throat in any case. [sounds like this is not the case now, anyway]

Murphy is very much alive and active, and at the worst possible time, a bullet could pull out of
the case when you are removing the loaded round from the chamber, spilling powder into the action,
and rendering your firearm useless until you clean it all up.

While this is merely an inconvenience if it happens while at the bench, in the field it is a super
PITA. and could even cost you an animal. Dave.
 
Load some.more at that.length. At, 58.5 , 58.6 58.7 charge.

Your load is there right infront of you. An extreme spread of 6 is money in the bank. Or deer in the freezer.

Try those three powder chargers for accuracy... and ES and if your still not happy. Start playing with seating depth
 
What Eagleye said, do not jam hunting loads. With my .243 T3 superlite Tikka I worked up some loads that fit inside the detachable magazine comfortably and shot MOA. I had no indication that I was jamming every load through out development. You guessed it I had a magazine full of powder and a stuck bullet on a whitetail hunt. Didn't cost me a buck, but a bit of a hassle. Lesson learned.
 
Evilsports said:
I'm an idiot. I had tried measuring my chamber by removing the ejector plunger and firing pin and then progressively seating a dummy shell incrementally deeper until it felt as though the resistance was gone.

I couldn't find a threaded 280 Ackley modified shell for an OAL gauge so this was going to be the next best thing.

I loaded another dummy shell long tonight and lubed the bullet. Crammed it in and closed the bolt. Took it out and it measured 0.083 longer than my other method. Repeated it with another dummy round and got the exact same BTO measurement.

Turns out my incremental method was flawed, or more accurately the way I did it was inaccurate.

Basically, I was running under the impression that my chamber was 0.083 shorter than it actually is. What I calculated as .012 jammed was actually .071 off the lands.

I have a 5/16 x 36tpi tap on order, should be in on Monday. I'll lathe up my own modifies brass and confirm my findings before I send any more down range.

I feel dumb but at the same time I'm glad that I'm not .012" jammed, and shooting decent groups.

Looking forward to seeing what this combo can do with a less confused operator behind the scope.
Click to expand...


U need a letter L drill bit too it’s the proper size for the 5/16 36 tap threads . RJ
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom