.280 AI& monolithics

[ofdscooby]

Hey guys looking for a little help from the experts. I'm getting ready to turn my components over to my gun smith for a .280 ai build. I live in CA and this will be my copper gun. For components its gonna be a Rem. 700 LH trued, Bartline 2B 9 twist barrel, and McMillan stock. I have nosler brass and Redding dies bullets on hand are the GMX 139's and some TTSX 140's. My question is a what is a good starting point for powder and jump? I'm going to start with some H4831 and go .030 off but I'm always looking for recommendations from anyone that's already walked this road.

 

[PGJPJ]

I haven't tried any yet, but Barns sent me load data for their 168 grn LRX (you'd need a 1:8 twist though). But they responded within a couple days to my email.

I'd suggest you ask them. Attached is what Barns sent me (again, I haven't' tried them yet).

Also, Barns recommends a 0.05" jump. H4831 is always an excellent powder!

 

[Springville shooter]

My 280AI loves the 145 LRX in front of RL-23. Start at 55 grains and work up. Mine ended up at about 3150fps from a 25" Shilen. I follow Barnes recommendation and seat .05" off the lands. ----SS

 

[howco]

Consider the barnes 150 ttsx or nosler etip. I was running RL 17 in a straight 280 very close to 3000 fps. As mentioned, follow the barnes recommendation for jump

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

Another vote for reloader powder with the 280 ai.... My brother has been in the 280 and 280ai for years and rl19 has been his go to powder.

 

[ofdscooby]

I think I need to email Barnes and get some info on the 140 thanks for the tips I have some reloader 19 on hand it's awesome for my 30-06 with 150's

 

[Jokostel]

140 TTSXs? 62-64 RL22 and a WLR. Set them to saami length and let her run.gun)

 

[blacktail 8541]

With the 140 Barnes and H4831, start at 60 grains and seat .50 off of the lands to start. My best groups ended at 61.5 and .70.

 

[Jokostel]

With the 140 Barnes and H4831, start at 60 grains and seat .50 off of the lands to start. My best groups ended at 61.5 and .70.

I've never played games with a 280 rem. Set it to saami length and forget it.

 

[DocDoc]

Blackmail
Missing zero? 0.05

 

[DocDoc]

I hate spell checkers. Sorry blacktail.

 

[blacktail 8541]

I've never played games with a 280 rem. Set it to saami length and forget it.

You can not seat Barnes bullets to sammi spec length. If you do you will create over pressure with normal loads, and most likely not get acceptable accuracy.

And yes I was missing a zero. 50 /1000 = .050

 

[Jokostel]

My experiences and groups from the past beg to differ.
I've loaded a round or two in my time... and frankly, screwing with lengths gets you a fat lot of nowhere unless your dealing with compressed powder charges or a sensitive engagement, like most Bergers.
Look at a factory loaded round with a Barnes in it. Go ahead, grab a caliper and check.

 

[blacktail 8541]

My experiences and groups from the past beg to differ.
I've loaded a round or two in my time... and frankly, screwing with lengths gets you a fat lot of nowhere unless your dealing with compressed powder charges or a sensitive engagement, like most Bergers.
Look at a factory loaded round with a Barnes in it. Go ahead, grab a caliper and check.

Differ all you want. My experiences are it does help. And compressed charges have nothing to do with it. Barnes require a substantial jump or pressures go through the roof with anything close to top charges.