Gimme your no BS 280AI velocities

[varmintH8R]

I see many claims of 280AIs pushing 3000fps or more with 168's. I've run two popular powders through mine, and at max book loads I'm getting low 2800's with 168 VLDs. 24" Barrel, 9:1 twist.

H4831SC - 58.0 MAX, 2814fps

IMR 7828 - 57.2 MAX, 2832fps

While my personal deal is that I won't ever exceed book loads, it is worth noting that I worked up to these MAX loads and while I wasn't seeing screaming pressure signs, there were definitely signs relative to starting and mid range loads. Basically, I'm not buying the "book maxes are lawyer driven with a huge margin of error" arguments.

I would be interested in hearing your no BS, chrony and/or drop verified velocities in 280AI using any bullet design and weight. And if you are sporting a 38" barrel or something, or getting 2 reloads before you can fit your pinky in the primer pocket, drop that in as well

 

[woods]

I have a 26" Hart barrel 280AI. My bullet of choice that I have not ever felt compelled to deviate from is the 160 gr Accubond

I have shot it with RL22, RL25 and latest with RL17

Always use a chrony and all powders and loads were right at 3000 fps and with the RL17 a very consistent 3030 fps

Never lost a primer pocket

 

[varmintH8R]

I have shot it with RL22, RL25 and latest with RL17


Always use a chrony and all powders and loads were right at 3000 fps and with the RL17 a very consistent 3030 fps

Woods, can you share your load data? I don't question your results, just trying to figure out where I'm losing out on 100fps (spotting you 50fps for your extra 2" of barrel).

Thanks

Brandon

 

[midnightmalloy]

Tried the same deal and only found 3k with rl17 with 168 bergers

 

[varmintH8R]

Tried the same deal and only found 3k with rl17 with 168 bergers

Interesting. What else did you try and what were your velocities?

 

[TOM H]

I think Wood's and I are shooting same load with R-17 but little difference in velocity with 160AB I'm getting 3046fps. Also Nosler data for max load with 160AB using IMR-7828 and I'm couple grains under max load at max velocity.

I was wonder since you mention your book loads etc where did you get that loading data from? I was looking at Bergers manual they don't have any loads for the 280AI and I know Hodgdon has some loads for the 168gr Seirra using the powders you mentioned.

I use Nosler data for my wife's 280AI with 150gr bullets and were pretty close with their data and both rifles never had a problem with primers.

 

[varmintH8R]

I was wonder since you mention your book loads etc where did you get that loading data from? I was looking at Bergers manual they don't have any loads for the 280AI and I know Hodgdon has some loads for the 168gr Seirra using the powders you mentioned.

You are right - the book loads I have are not for the Bergers. Typically I'll find similar (not exact) bullet constructions at the same weight and compare across sources to get an idea of max. Then I'll run a charge test in .5 grain increments to that Max recording velocity and any pressure signs. Here is what I used to get a feel for "book max" in 168gr target bullets using H4831. My velocities are pretty much in line with published.

Hodgdon, 168MK, 57.7gr H4831, 2779MV
Nosler, 168custom comp, 58.0 H4831SC, 2806MV

 

[varmintH8R]

FWIW, also just noticed that the Nosler data for 160's uses a 26" barrel, while the 168's are in a 24" tube.

Nosler lists max load for a 160AB at 59.0 H4831SC@ 2969MV, 26"

Hodgdon lists the same bullet/powder at 57.5gr@2812 24" (I think)

That would seem to be spitting distance, 2" more barrel and 1.5gr higher charge.

 

[kaseyfied]

im using 7828 with 168 LR accubonds getting 2900 with 26 inch brux barrel. not pushing the load at all at 57.6 grains.. 1 hole 5 shot groups at 200 yards.. shoota great. speed kills.. but accuracy kills better.. JUST SAYING!!!

kasey

 

[TOM H]

FWIW, also just noticed that the Nosler data for 160's uses a 26" barrel, while the 168's are in a 24" tube.

Nosler lists max load for a 160AB at 59.0 H4831SC@ 2969MV, 26"

Hodgdon lists the same bullet/powder at 57.5gr@2812 24" (I think)

That would seem to be spitting distance, 2" more barrel and 1.5gr higher charge.

If 2" more barrel and 1.5 gr of powder = and increase of 157fps that pretty good in my book and you have to consider the start load in Nosler data is 55gr/H-4831sc with 160AB @ 2811fps. You could add 2" more barrel and use 2.5gr less powder also.

As to Nolser data with the 168gr Comp bullet that data is from a 24" barrel and different maker vs their hunting type bullet. If you look at the other loading data they lower those two powders 3.5gr and 2.5 gr over the loads for the 160grAB and dropped the velocity.

I can't give any loading or velocity data for the Berger 168g VLD'S hunting bullets yet and now that I got some 180gr VLD I'll be working up some loads.

 

[varmintH8R]

im using 7828 with 168 LR accubonds getting 2900 with 26 inch brux barrel. not pushing the load at all at 57.6 grains.. 1 hole 5 shot groups at 200 yards.. shoota great. speed kills.. but accuracy kills better.. JUST SAYING!!!

kasey

Kasey,

I would say your experience is in line with mine. You are getting 70fps more from a longer barrel with a slightly different (but similar) bullet.

I appreciate you posting your charge weight, just for comparison purposes.

As far as accuracy v. velocity I totally agree. To clarify this thread, I am NOT load shopping or chasing a magic velocity #. At the speeds I'm getting I can do everything I want to do. I am interested in members no BS numbers, as I see some interesting claims on other sites (not here of course) and would like to get some trusted data to back it up or debunk it.

Thanks for chiming in

Brandon

 

[BCMAG2]

160 gr accubond over 60 gr of H4831sc, through 26" Bartlein = 3025 fps

168 gr LRAB over 59 gr of H4831sc =2950 fps

Both loads showing half MOA accuracy. Still experimenting with LRAB seating depths for any improvement. Some brass on third load and showing no signs of primer pocket stretch or work hardening. Recoil and muzzle blast seem normal.

Nosler book loads for some H products seem a bit conservative, as compared to Ramshot loads, where max loads really feel like max loads and can show pressure signs---just my limited experience and observation.

 

[M Jager]

I am running around 2890 with a 168 berger classic hunter and h1000 in my criterion barrel. Want to try 4831sc but cant find any

 

[freebird63]

I'm getting right around 2975fps with 168gr LR accubonds and 62gr retumbo and a 26" douglas barrel 1-8 twist.