QuietTexan
Well-Known Member
Is the barrel fluted?
280 Ackley ballistic questions
- Thread starter Mike D Texas
- Start date
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I'm interested as well in the performance of a shorter barrel in 280AI. I'm not in the fortunate position to have RL26 on hand and a bit hesitant based on the temp sensitivity. RL23 and H4831SC have produced good results on 150-168 grain pills using 24" barrels. My challenge has been case capacity in slower powders without getting into compressed loads. Tried StaBall 6.5 with BDII 150's and got 3013 FPS, but experienced pressure spikes real quickly after this.
Yes.
Yep it sounds like w RL 26 you should be able to get 2975 to 3000 fps range velocities w 20 inch bbl
and 150 gr ABLR bullets.
Sounds like a pleasure to carry.
M1A1ABRAMS
Well-Known Member
Have you thought of asking Weatherby to make the barrel you would like ? And what their thoughts would be on a 20" ?
I know they have a custom shop but I haven't asked them about it.
bomberodevil
Well-Known Member
I like the Hodgdon extreme powders also. Living in AZ, but hunting in other states, my ambient temp can change 80-90 degrees. I'm willing to sacrifice a bit of velocity for temp stabilization. The H4831 is a real good stable powder for the 280 AI. I've got a good recipe of 162 ELDX, 58.8 grains of H4831, at 2942 fps with Nosler brass. I'm getting ready to develop the same bullet with Peterson brass for a mule deer hunt in November.
H4831 or SC is what I settled on in 280, long loaded 284 as well. Super consistent and accurate. I have RL26 as well, but don't load it in the 280 or 284. My barrel is 24" long so data on speed is invalid, do check on the numbers for your 20" with H4831 though, I don't think there is a better powder for 280.
I've got a .280 Ackley with a 22" Brux, 1-9 twist, shot suppressed 100% of the time. My loads are all with Nosler brass and CCI BR2s, velocities are with a Magneto speed, also in an accurate node. More speed has been available, to the detriment of accuracy many times:
RL-26, 160 accubond at 2,975 fps
RL-26, 162 ELDx at 2950 fps
RL-26. 165 TGK at 2890 fps
RL-26, 168 VLD at 2875 fps
RL-22, 154 SST at 2905 (cheaper range bullets)
H4831sc, 140 AB at 3000
I will say, the 4831sc was also very accurate with the heavies above, just 100-150 fps slower.
As to a 20" barrel, I wouldn't hesitate, been thinking of chopping a few more inches off mine honestly. I'd be fine with any of the above loads running 50fps slower, no big deal. The barrel has 1,400 rounds down it anyway, so I may chop it toward the end of its life for data.
RL-26, 160 accubond at 2,975 fps
RL-26, 162 ELDx at 2950 fps
RL-26. 165 TGK at 2890 fps
RL-26, 168 VLD at 2875 fps
RL-22, 154 SST at 2905 (cheaper range bullets)
H4831sc, 140 AB at 3000
I will say, the 4831sc was also very accurate with the heavies above, just 100-150 fps slower.
As to a 20" barrel, I wouldn't hesitate, been thinking of chopping a few more inches off mine honestly. I'd be fine with any of the above loads running 50fps slower, no big deal. The barrel has 1,400 rounds down it anyway, so I may chop it toward the end of its life for data.
