280 Ackley Improved load info

[freebird63]

Anyone have good load data on this caliber? Am not sure what the barrel twist rate is yet, but it does have a 26" douglas barrel. Sounds like this is suppose to be a pretty good little caliber, will mostly be using it for mule deer and maybe if I ever get to feeling better will try it out for elk. But for now just mule deer. Thanks for any info.

 

[freebird63]

No one wants to share any load data for this caliber??? Why is it some loads I have seen show them using federal 210 primers and other loads show them using federal 215M primers????
I have not made up my mind about bullets, I see the 139gr, 140gr, 154gr, 160gr, 162gr and 168gr. I don't think I want to use 180gr bullets as it looks like they lose velocity pretty fast.
I am hoping to stay with hodgdon extreme powder line cause the temps can be extreme here in Idaho.

 

[Buttermilk]

I had real good accuracy with my 280AI using H4831sc and 140 gr Nosler BT's and AB's. Mine also shot Berger 168 VLD's real well also. I used the F210GMM prime in most of my loads.

 

[freebird63]

thank you buttermilk, I had read somewhere else that the person tried 215 primers and it showed too much pressure so they backed down to 210 primers, wished I hadn't bought so many 215 primers last year. At least this year it looks like there are a few more primers available. I am not sure yet if I want to shoot the 140gr AB or the 168 Bergers????? would like to be able to stay right around 3000 fps, if thats possible.

 

[muleyman]

I've been really happy with 59 grains of H4831sc, 162 amaxs with WLR primers and getting the velocity you're looking for. I could probably go higher, but not going to sacrifice the accuracy I'm getting for a few more fps..........I love this round, good luck

 

[JD338]

M700 Hart #5 flutted 24" barrel chambered in 280 AI

160 gr AB
60.0 grs RL 22
Nosler case
Federal GM215M primer
MV3019 fps

JD338

 

[meatyrem]

JD338


That is one sweet lookin rig. Seems to shoot even sweeter.


I hope to someday build a 280 Ackley.

If you don't mind me askin, where abouts are you in western Michigan?

 

[JD338]

I am north of GR.

JD338

 

[meatyrem]

Awesome area up there! I love going up that way. We used to have a cabin north of you in irons. Wish I could have it back

 

[Forrest Ebert]

Try 63.0 grains of Retumbo and a 168 grain Berger Hunting VLD and a primer of your choice either reg. or mag. This shoots very well out of a 26" Pac-Nor 3 groove 1:9 twist barrel .

 

[freebird63]

Thank you forest as I was wondering what I was gonna do with just under 8lbs of retumbo left over from the ultra mag. Those 168 bergers seem to shoot awesome for the best of the west boys. I have been trying to decide between 160gr accubond, 162gr A-Max, 162gr SST, 162gr hornady match or 168gr berger. I emailed Walt but they don't have any data for any of the ackley rounds. So he just said to work with the 280 data and start low. I appreciate everyones help here and yes thats a sweet lookin gun JD. Hope mine shoots as nice as yours.

 

[Forrest Ebert]

You might also want to try the 180's as they shoot good too but for myself if I want to go to the 180-200grain 7mm projectiles I have the 7mm ultra mag. The 168's work perfectly on game remember that the Bergers are designed to go in about 2" and then expand so you'll get a little entrance wound and about a little bigger than baseball size exit wound with lots of damage in between! I wouldn't hessitate on using them on Elk ,Moose or Bear as long as the distance of shot is within reason 600yrds.

 

[freebird63]

How much recoil does the 280 AI have??? is it about the same as a 7MM rem mag???? or a little less.

 

[the444shooter]

Forrest--are you getting close to 3000fps with that load? I've got a 280 AI waiting for me and it's got a 26" bbl too.