Reloading 280AI

Hawken.

Hawken.

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Hello Guys
I'm loading 280AI for the first time. I'm looking for advice on how to find my max load and most accurate load. (Hunting gun)
I have 50 Nosler brass.
IMR 4350, H4831sc, RL22, and RL19.
Barnes 145 LRX, and Nosler 150 AB Long range.
My thought for the first trip to the range was to load...
IMR 4350, 3 rounds .5 gr under max, 3 rounds at max, 3 rounds .5 gr over max, and 3 rounds 1 gr over max. (watching for pressure signs)
Same for H4831sc
And do this for each bullet for a total of 48 rounds.
After this trip I would go to 5 shot groups with whatever powder shot better.
Look forward to your advice.
The rifle is a Cooper 52 if that matters.
Load data below.

https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/280-ackley-improved/

http://www.barnesbullets.com/files/2014/11/280AI.pdf
 
For powder I prefer the Hodgdon extreme, especially for hunting loads when you don't know the temperature when you will be shooting compared to when you try the loads at the range. H4831 would be the best of the powders you have, but I would consider something a touch slower like H1000 probably better, and even Retumbo. I also would use magnum primers in this case as well. You can find loads for the 280 AI here.

For hunting bullets I prefer Nosler Partitions on big game like elk and moose. For deer it kind of seems to be a waste to use partitions and I switch to Sierra GameKings for lower cost. 175 grain will give you better long distance ballistic performance and retained energy compared to a 145 or 150 grain. Run some potential bullets through this calculator to see what I mean. Not a fan of Barnes solid bullets.
 
Of those powders you have, I would just try the RL22. If you don't get a good load with that, then try the 4831. (55 gr max)

I would load RL22, 58 to 61 in 0.5 gr increments, 5 of each. Shoot for group, slowly, with a good cool down between groups. If you get pressure, bring the hot loads home.

You should get at least 3,000 fps, but look for a good group.
 
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I use H4831sc in my fclass gun pushing Berger 180's at 2900fps. My cooper likes N-165 and 150barnes ttsx @ 2980fps took me a while to find accuracy in the cooper but shoots these very well.
 
I had the best luck in my 280AI rifles with R-22. There is no way that I would start out at only .5gr below the max listed load. I couldn't reach the max load in my rifles with 140gr bullets, as pressure signs appeared at less than the max load. My final load was actually 3 grains below the max load listed in the Nosler manual.
 
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