.280AI RL26

[Jpistolero02]

Are any of you guys using RL26 with the .280AI? I was finally able to get my hands on some of this powder and took it for a spin today with my recently built .280AI. I had good results with 4831SC, but I heard RL might get me a little more speed. I am not sure how much higher I can safely go because I can't seem to find much data. I am running a 24" Brux barrel on an old Remington 700 action. The loads at 61.5 were a shade over 3,000fps with 160 Accubonds at 82 degrees. I don't think I dare push it anymore than that even though I didn't see any pressure signs. I think I will load some in the 61.2 range and call it a day. For reference, those dots are about 3/4". All rounds were fired at 100 yards.

 

[adk hunter]

Lots of info here, maybe even too much if you do a search... You have it pretty dialed in for your area I would say. If you shoot in temps that would fry an egg drop back to the 60.9. Better to read between the lines and follow some of the guys here that give good advice and are safe too. The 160 AB's at near 3,000 are just killer! No they aren't a .338 or a .416 but you can shoot them plenty and get surgical with your shot!

Of course we like to see new gun pics too!

 

[Jpistolero02]

Thanks for the heads up. Let me do some digging on previous threads.

I had an old 30-06 from my great grandfather that wouldn't shoot worth a darn. The action was pristine. It's not quite as smooth as the new stuff, but it's good enough. Found a nice McMillan stock on here and a Brux barrel as well. I just wanted a plain Jane hunting rig and that's what I have. I put a VX5 3-15 on it. Now I just need to get out of Texas and find some elk!

 

[Dmagna]

Rl 26 will give you good velocity, but will also give you a lot of fliers. I switched to VVn565, same velocity and no more fliers. A lot of people say the same about RL 23 as well

 

[dougduey]

RL23 will give you the same speeds as RL26, but without the fliers or temp stability issues that can be seen at times with RL26. Honestly, you're getting what you should with the 160gr bullets, so I wouldn't mess with it. Plus, H4831 is very very temp stable and the "gold standard" in the 280AI.

 

[Bob Wright]

I'm using RE 23. Great results and miniature ES. But with heavier than 143 Hammers, I might try H4831SC in the future. The SMK 168 gr might respond better in a powder ladder test between these 2. Waiting for cooler temps to test. My RE26 is just not available and 2 lbs of it isn't going to last even if was better than the other 2. Its just not available much.

 

[twister]

Im using R23 and hammers