Favorite .280AI accuracy loads

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cowboybob

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Super GunNutz
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Moncton, New Brunswick
Folks - this may have come up before but if it did, I missed it. I have been loading for a short while for the .280AI. Efforts have centred around 140 grain bullets. My Cooper has a 26 inch barrel (ya - I know they are supposed to have 24 inchers but this one showed up long) so getting a lot of velocity isn't a big challenge and everything I've stuck into this rifle shoots under an inch. The test target was pretty much a single hole. I know the rifle has the potential and the bullets will do the job but I haven't stumbled onto the perfect combination yet. Would love to know what others have found for top accuracy loads.
 
In my one and only 280AI, the 140 grain load I settled on was enough H4831S/C to hit 3150 fps. That was around 62-63 grains depending on the particular lot of powder.

RL22 hit 3200 fps but wasn't as accurate.
 
My two Coopers in 280AI prefer R-22. My 140gr TTSX load produces 3140fps, in a 24" barrel,and groups average 1/2" to 5/8". Imr4831 is not quite as accurate, and is slightly slower in my rifles. If you really want to shoot small groups, you might try duplicating the test load listed on the test target that came with your gun. The powder and bullet are listed, you just need to play around with the COL, and fine tune the powder charge.
 
Granted my 280 is not a A, but best accuracy was with Horn 139gn flat base (not BT, never had any luck with them) with a healthy dose of 7828, that exits the barrel of my gun at about 3150fps.
 
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