Need help developing a load for .280 AI

[168bergersapper]

Hey fellas, just bought myself a Cooper model 52 Montana Varmiter chambered in 280 AI. Im having trouble getting started on a load for her. I have berger 168s, 175 smk's and hornady match 162s to play around with. Does anyone feel like lending a hand?

 

[Dogleg]

What did they use on the test target?

 

[ultimate_monkey]

i suggest using powder in the cases, bullets pointy end forward....


really, we need more info, what powder(s) do you have on hand? im assuming by the bullet choices, you plan to punch paper? iv ALWAYS got a great base line of accuracy using the SMK, they tend to be very tolerable to jump / jam to the lands. 15tho jump is where i always start with them

 

[ivo]

Just finished a 6 month load development session helping a rookie friend develop a load for his custom .280AI. He has a Krieger 1:9 and we finally found the load as follows:
180 gr SMK
56 gr RL 25
Fed 215M
2900 fps
Tight to lands

I'm sure we would have found something earlier but some you need to do your part during load development for it to mean anything, and some days he wasn't. Do they have an icon for a dog chasing its tail?

 

[168bergersapper]

Punchin aper is exctly what I pln on. I currently have H45350, H4831, IMR4350, RL25, RETUMBO and IMR4064 on hand.

 

[Ganderite]

H4831

162 50 to 54 2850fps max

168 50 55 2800 max

175 50 to 55 2700 max

For RL22, add 2 more grains.

 

[asa]

I use 58.5 gr of 7828ssc in my .280 a.i. with 168 berger 2920 fps, this is a max load in my gun BE CAREFUL AS THE 7828SSC SEEMS TO BE HOT i could not even come close to noslers max .

 

[168bergersapper]

Thank you. I just spent the last 3 hours making up 14 different loads 3 shots each using 168 bergers, 175 SMK, and 162 Hornady match in H4350, H4831, and Retumbo. I was going to attempt consecutive 3 shot groups hopefully it works ! I normally do 6 shots per load.

 

[back40sniper]

My rifle shot H-1000 best followed by H-4831 for 160 grain bullets. I wonder H-4350 might be a little too quick for the heavier bullets, interested to see how you make out.

 

[168bergersapper]

So im back 50 rounds later. It appears the SMK's are the winner with consistent sub 1/2 MOA 3 shot groups at 100m with the best being 0.200" and largest 0.476 using H4831. I started at 52 grs and stopped at 55 seating them .015 off lands. Im not completetly done with the Bergers though. I figure I give them another try when I start pushing the rifle to 300m and beyond.

 

[168bergersapper]

The 162gr Hornadys on H4350 were the runner up with all groups sub MOA.

 

[dthunter]

I have yet to shoot my 280 rem barrel yet! I am stoked to try though!

I may upgrade in a year or two and go/try the 280AI.