280AI and 168gr VLD loads

[The Oregonian]

Have three new rifles this year and my time and practice was spent on the other two due to hunts where I needed those rifles. Just turning my attn to the 280ai, though I have done some small load development sessions and nothing jumped out at me, so I shelved it until I had time for it.

Well, now I have time for it.

Right now I have H1000, N560, and H4350. A load was sent with the rifle using H1000 but it is around 2800 FPS and I should be able to easily get 100-150 FPS more out of it.

This is going in a 25" 8 twist barreled custom and I can seat the bullets out as far as I like.

Anyone point me in the right direction? I will work up to any and all loads, just looking to see what people are getting velocity wise with various powders, and how much powder it takes to get there.

 

[Hand Skills]

Can't help you directly, as the closest I've got is a 280rem.

Given the powders you have on hand, I'd run n560 up 57gr-61gr. It's very similar to rl22/MRP and should offer the velocity you're looking for.

 

[BEEMAN]

I shoot the 168 Berger classic hunter out my Cooper 280AI. 24" barrel and the gun is chambered really stupid. Should get it throated. Bullet is seated deep into the case. I'm getting 2880 fps with 58.5 gr of H4831SC.

 

[26Reload]

There a thread somewhere on here with someone using or starting to test rl26....i use in in my 65284....i like it...easy to get extra speed...i haven't tried it in my 280ai yet......but soon....
Be nice to consolidate powders.....

 

[Blacktail]

My 280ai has a carbon 26" benchmark tube. Smith acutally built it to shoot 168s but I have had great luck with 143 hammers and H4831sc. With that said I believe he used H1000 and I think 62 or 63 grains and was shooting them 3030fps with good accuracy. I will need to find my notes.

 

[blkdog]

My Cooper .280 AI is running Nosler168 LRAB at 2950 for a ten shot average with ES 16 and SD of 6. The load is 58.5 gr RL 19 with Fed 210m and .030 off the lands. Hope this helps.

 

[Dumptruck]

I have a 280ai in a nosler liberty rifle and I think there a 9 twist. But it shoot the 162 eldx very well with 58g of rl22 and a fed215 at 2935fps

 

[MudRunner2005]

A good powder that will give a nice fill ratio and awesome velocity is IMR 7828 SSC. I use it in both my .25-06 AI and .30-06 AI.

 

[adk hunter]

brain cramp please tell me what ES and SD stand for? r-26 and 4831sc are my best loads with 150 grain bullets. No velocity numbers...

 

[Hand Skills]

ES - extreme spread
SD - standard deviation

Statistical values describing variations in velocity from shot to shot this context

 

[elmerdeer]

Vihtavouri n165, 62grains with 168 grain Berger 2930fps avg in 24" Krieger barrel. This load shoots very well out to 1000 yards.
Elmer

 

[The Oregonian]

Knock on wood I am in the final stages...I have gotten a little over 3000 FPS with about 61 gr of N560. I have tried .010, .020, and .030 off the lands. No signs of pressure on brass or bolt.

I loaded up a few at 61.2 and 61.3 at .020 off and got about .5 to .7 MOA with both. ES and SD are good - will try these and then do final seating, checking .015 and .025. I am using Fed 210's.

 

[wsq]

Had really good results with re23 58.5 grains berger 168 classics cci350 primers little over 2900 FPS if memory serves me right sold rifle to get an light wt. no signs of pressure think it could have easily been pushed harder

 

[lilharcher]

I'm using 54.9 gr of R-17 and getting 3030 ft/sec w/ my 280AI and 168 VLD.....this was my primary load this season.