Pet 280 ackley loads

savagelh

savagelh

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Super GunNutz
Rating - 100%
166   0   0
Location
Saskatoon Saskatchewan
I ordered an ibi carbon barrel for a left hand tikka I'm currently building. Went with a 22" 8.5 twist. I've been stocking up on brass and some components.

This will be my go anywhere do anything rifle. Eventually will put either a vx5hd 3-15 or maybe vortex lht 3-15 on it.

My first load will be with the 162 eldx since I have quite a few of them. I may try the 145 lrx but haven't had good luck with them accuracy wise in 7mm08 or 7 mag. I may try the 180 eldm at some point when I start to stretch out the range of this rifle.

I have h4831sc, 7828ssc, 6.5 staball and a few other partial jugs to try out. I'd like to try rl23 or 26 bit it doesn't look like that will be happening.

I'd like to hear from anyone else that loads for 280ai and what you've had luck with component wise.
Thanks in advance.
 
RL26 is my go-to, but you'll probably only come across it in a private trade scenario currently. Haven't seen any of it around since summer 2020. It gives the most velocity of any 280AI powder, and it often gives very good accuracy too

Of what you have on hand, H4831sc would be what I'd focus on. I use it with the 180gr ELDm in my 280AI, 57.5grs does 2710 fps (22.5" 8 twist) in Nosler brass. I am seated @ 3.450" OAL, your Tikka will be shorter if you're mag feeding them

I've played around with StaBALL 6.5 with 150gr ELDx and it gave good results on paper. 56.5grs 2932 fps

I haven't dabbled with 7828ssc, but it should work well, especially with the heavier bullet weights. Other solid powder options for the 280AI are :

  • RL22
  • RL23
  • RL19
  • Ramshot Hunter
  • IMR 4831
  • Viht N555
  • Viht N560
  • Accurate Magpro
 
Thanks Todd. I might try to track down some ramshot hunter. It seems to be what barnes recommend the most for all weights of bullets. It also seems that ramshot is gaining availability and the price is reasonable too.
 
150 TSX's with 6.5 staball is very accurate in my 280AI Kimber Montana and I think speed was close to 3100
I'd have to go back to my notes for charge weight of powder as I can't remember the exact amount but I think it was max load from the barnes site or close to it.
 
My first and only 280 AI was in the Cooper Model 52. It loved IMR-4831 60 grains, 140 grain Accubond, Federal 210M, Nosler brass. It was a most accurate, fast and flat shooting handload. Killed a few bucks with it.
https://imgur.com/a/RPMJDyf
 
Last edited:
I think I'm going to have to give the 145lrx another shot. I have a box of 140 accubonds but don't really feel like finding a load for them. I'm afraid I would love them and not be able to find any or afford them if I did.
 
I know you asked for pet loads and there’s some great suggestions on this thread. I acquired some sta-ball 6.5 during Covid that I want to try, Hodgdon reloading gives it top speed with 150 and 162 bullets. I’ve used it in my 270W with stellar results.

But why not make your own pet load, cuz chances are that the stats quoted here won’t give you best results in your gun and you’ll end up making your own pet load anyway. There’s also some tried tested and true load data on Hodgdon reloading.com and Nosler reloading.com. I use them along with a couple books, they’re an excellent starting point.

I’m not sure rl26 would work with your 22” barrel, likely wouldn’t get optimum velocity unless you went with max weight bullets in the 180-185gr range. That’s according to the book, anyway, I haven’t tried it in my 280 ai. Likely sounds like I’m a book guy; that’s cuz I am haha.

Just found my notes on a test I ran with H1000 and 162gr hpbt H. Shot half inch at 60.7 gr at .035” ogive off the lands. Only doing 2820fps, and that’s a 26” barrel. Same bullet with imr4350 ran just over 3000 but didn’t group well. 160gr Speer with 58gr r19 shot half inch at 3020. But rl19 is very temp sensitive so you have to watch that. And I didn’t record what the temp was that day.
 
Last edited:
aardvaark said:
I’m not sure rl26 would work with your 22” barrel, likely wouldn’t get optimum velocity unless you went with max weight bullets in the 180-185gr range. That’s according to the book, anyway, I haven’t tried it in my 280 ai. Likely sounds like I’m a book guy; that’s cuz I am haha.
Click to expand...

I have a 22.5" barrel 280AI and a friend has a 22.75", we both use RL26

He's @ 3100 fps with 139gr Barnes LRX and I mainly use 160gr Accubonds @ 2950 fps
 
I’m going to try out some 120 ttsx, just because. Been shooting 140 and 145 Barnes for a number of years with great results, just never loaded lighter bullets. Who else is loading lighter? Quick search came up with H4350 as an option, which I do have.
 
ruby76 said:
I’m going to try out some 120 ttsx, just because. Been shooting 140 and 145 Barnes for a number of years with great results, just never loaded lighter bullets. Who else is loading lighter? Quick search came up with H4350 as an option, which I do have.
Click to expand...

I have used the 120 gr TTSX bullets on deer in a 7x64 rifle which is merely a metric 280. It kills very effectively. Maybe not the best bullet for larger game but it is great on deer
 
Putting together a 280ai based off a sako AV action. going with a 24" gain twist barrel. Plan to shoot 160 gr partitions out of it. Still debating to go with either H4831sc,H4350 or Viht N560.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom