280 Ackley Imp seating depth for ABLR

[BriKW]

Those of you who are currently loading the Nosler ABLR in the 280 ackley Imp, and you are getting good accuracy, what seeting depth did you end up with.

I havent received my custom back from my smith yet, but when I do I'm just kind of currious what the ovet all average concerning seeting depth is.

I plan to start about .015 off the lands and work my way back from there once I settle on a powder. Right now it looks like I will start with H4831sc, and IMR7828ssc. Accubonds will be the 150gn flavor of course in the LR variety.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I don't have a .280 AI (yet), and I don't shoot ABLR's... But I can say that by starting at .015" off the lands and with 7828 SSC, you're on the right track.

 

[MSLRHunter]

I seated the 150 lrab in my 280AI at 15 thousandths and the accuracy was there, so I didn't mess with it...I think that's a good place to start. I had the best accuracy with H4831sc, but best velocities and slightly less accuracy with RL17. I'm now working on a load with the hornady 162gr eldx, have also shot the berger 168vld with good results.

 

[BriKW]

I seated the 150 lrab in my 280AI at 15 thousandths and the accuracy was there, so I didn't mess with it...I think that's a good place to start. I had the best accuracy with H4831sc, but best velocities and slightly less accuracy with RL17. I'm now working on a load with the hornady 162gr eldx, have also shot the berger 168vld with good results.

What did your accuracy look like with R17? Thats another powder I have that is a possability for use. I also have some H4831sc and R26.

 

[MSLRHunter]

What did your accuracy look like with R17? Thats another powder I have that is a possability for use. I also have some H4831sc and R26.

Accuracy with the RL17 was between 0.5 and 0.75 moa, with the H4831sc being more consistently at the 0.5moa. I did choose the RL17 for my hunting load, it was plenty accurate for hunting. The RL17 was giving me about 75-85 fps more than the H4831sc.

 

[BriKW]

I haven't seen a lot of information out there in the regard of shooters using R26 in the 280 Ackley Imp. There is a little chatter about it, but not a lot as I could find. I will give it a try and document my results as I'm sure I can't be the only person interested in this combo.

I feel there are probably some real possibilities with this powder in the 160gn and up weight class.

 

[MSLRHunter]

What kind of burn rate does RL26 have? Slower than RL25? Is it supposed to be less temp sensitive than RL22 & RL25?

 

[jgal72]

I am Loading rl26 in my sons 280AI. 60 grains shooting 160 grain nolser accubond. Shoots 1/2 moa at 2950 fps, 25 inch barrel.

 

[PGJPJ]

I'm using RL26 with the 168 grain bullets. Both Berger VLD Hunting and Barns LRX in the 168 grain variety. With those bullets, I will see pressure at about 2950 fps in a 24" barrel, but only slightly.

I have some 150 grain ABLR, but haven't tried them yet. But I do understand they may like a lot of jump.

 

[BriKW]

I'm using RL26 with the 168 grain bullets. Both Berger VLD Hunting and Barns LRX in the 168 grain variety. With those bullets, I will see pressure at about 2950 fps in a 24" barrel, but only slightly.

I have some 150 grain ABLR, but haven't tried them yet. But I do understand they may like a lot of jump.

Considering the 150gn LRAB, and the length of the bullet, my initial thought was that they would lean a little more to wanting to be seated at or into the lands. Hearing they may like a bit of a jump is interesting because one thing I do worry about is being beyond mag length when I find a good accuracy node when performing a ladder test.

I will be starting 15 thou off the lands and @ book minimum charge coming up .5 gn for each round until I hit book max. May go .5 higher than book max if pressure looks good.

 

[STEEL SLINGER]

I shoot a 280AI. I burned up a whole box of the 150 LRAB and could not find the sweet spot to make them shoot better than an inch at 100 yds., so I gave up on them. My "GO-TO" load for my rifle is with RL26 powder though. . .it has made my 280AI and several other calibers really come alive with low pressures and cooler burning - I LOVE IT ! ! !

Norma 280 brass
162 gr. A-Max
62 gr. RL26
Fed GM215 primer
COAL 2.735" to ogive
3140FPS w/26" tube 1/9 twist
3/8"- 1/2" @ 100 yds.
ES 15 SD 6

Good luck on your LRAB quest, it is a good bullet, just wish my rifle liked them.

 

[BriKW]

I shoot a 280AI. I burned up a whole box of the 150 LRAB and could not find the sweet spot to make them shoot better than an inch at 100 yds., so I gave up on them. My "GO-TO" load for my rifle is with RL26 powder though. . .it has made my 280AI and several other calibers really come alive with low pressures and cooler burning - I LOVE IT ! ! !

Norma 280 brass
162 gr. A-Max
62 gr. RL26
Fed GM215 primer
COAL 2.735" to ogive
3140FPS w/26" tube 1/9 twist
3/8"- 1/2" @ 100 yds.
ES 15 SD 6

Good luck on your LRAB quest, it is a good bullet, just wish my rifle liked them.

If I can not get the LRAB to fly right, then I will have to find another pill to shoot.