Cust 280 AI - 160-168g Bullets Q

[Qrachel]

Hi-

I am getting serious about a 280 AI custom build. Love the 7mm and this will probably be my last rifle purchase. Also covet the AI.

Q: Is it reasonable to expect 2950-3000 with a Nosler or Berger bullet at 160-168g w/o excessive pressure, etc.

Thanks for feedback ••• not married to this kind of ballistics but that would be pretty sweet as a mule deer/elk load.

Rachel

 

[WildRose]

Nosler shows 2950 with their custom ammo and 160gr so depending on your throat and chamber you're probably within the realm of reason.

https://fusiontables.googleusercont...+col4+=+60044+order+by+col0+asc&tmplt=1&cpr=1

 

[Qrachel]

Nosler shows 2950 with their custom ammo and 160gr so depending on your throat and chamber you're probably within the realm of reason.

https://fusiontables.googleusercont...+col4+=+60044+order+by+col0+asc&tmplt=1&cpr=1

Dear Wild: Thank you for the info - I'm considering going with a 24", fluted barrel (tbd at this time) and a Deviant Hunter action on a mid-weight Macmillan, composite stock.

I'm getting up there in yeras and don't do 5-10 miles a day anymore and have no interest in a lot of recoil, big bore rifle (BTDT). I've always wanted a 7mm and the Ackely 280 has tickled my fancy since . . . well a good many years.

I shoot factory 168 VLDs out of my 22" 30/06 and it's a round I can live with, but just like a great looking pair of shoes I may just have to drop into a nice gun boutique and buy me a sexy 280 AI and be the all the 7mm girl i can be. (Or something like that. ) The 30/06 would become the backup gun; I do like it but it isn't a 7!

Rachel

 

[BEEMAN]

You might get there with the right chamber. My Cooper is not chambered so I can get a long COAL. If I load it to mag length I am 151 THOU into the lands. I shoot 168 bergers with H4831SC at 2880 fps. This is also out of a 24" barrel. I am probably getting close to max in my rifle but stopped there because I thought it was fast enough and is very accurate.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

I'm getting 3,020 fps with 160 Accubonds...24" barrel, Nosler rifle.

I worked up that load in the summer heat so I could be sure it was safe all year...on the day of testing it was 94 degrees outside and there were no signs of pressure.

The load is:

Nosler brass
61 grains of Reloder 26
160 Accubond
CCI BR2
CBTO = 2.778" (~3.34" AOL)

 

[PGJPJ]

I agree, you can safely do it with the 160 bullets

168 would be teasing the dragon. You might get there with MRP, RL22, RL26, etc. But you would be right on the edge of 65,000 PSI and likely a touch over. And as Ridgerunner mentioned, one hot day can put you over pressure pretty easily.

 

[B-P-UU]

I'm getting 3,020 fps with 160 Accubonds...24" barrel, Nosler rifle.

I worked up that load in the summer heat so I could be sure it was safe all year...on the day of testing it was 94 degrees outside and there were no signs of pressure.

The load is:

Nosler brass
61 grains of Reloder 26
160 Accubond
CCI BR2
CBTO = 2.778" (~3.34" AOL)

that is interesting.. I just shot a few rounds of 168 Berger H-VLD's and speed was around 3100 fps with 61 Gr. of RL-26. I'm getting pressure signs (extractor marks) and don't plan on running this hot, but was really surprised by the velocity. before anyone calls BS, this was shot over a magentospeed. in the few calibers i've tried RE-26, it is FAST.

to the OP, i wouldn't plan on seeing 3000 fps with a 168, but you certainly hear of guys who can and do get there. I know a guy running around 62.x grains of Retumbo getting 3000 fps with a 168 berger classic hunter (26" barrel). I've gone all the way up to 63.5 gr. of Retumbo and can only get 2925 out of mine (25" barrel)

I've tried the following:
all shot with nosler brass, 210M primers, 168 H-VLD. note, my chamber has .100" freebore, so I can load the 168's longer and not take up powder capacity.
H1000 - went up to a near-compressed load and only saw high 2800's. never did reach any pressure signs.
H4831 SC - found pressure at 2950; no pressure indications at 2900 fps - might play with this more.
Retumbo - as mentioned, went up to 63.5 gr. and peaked at 2925 fps. I found an accurate load at 61.5 grains of Retumbo I'm planning to hunt with this fall. speed is 2875 fps

I plan on playing with RE-26 next to see if the velocity holds up at a more reasonable charge weights.

i wouldn't sweat over 50-100 fps. if you think a mid to high 2800 fps load will bother you, bump up your caliber choice to a 7mm rem mag.

 

[WildRose]

Dear Wild: Thank you for the info - I'm considering going with a 24", fluted barrel (tbd at this time) and a Deviant Hunter action on a mid-weight Macmillan, composite stock.

I'm getting up there in yeras and don't do 5-10 miles a day anymore and have no interest in a lot of recoil, big bore rifle (BTDT). I've always wanted a 7mm and the Ackely 280 has tickled my fancy since . . . well a good many years.

I shoot factory 168 VLDs out of my 22" 30/06 and it's a round I can live with, but just like a great looking pair of shoes I may just have to drop into a nice gun boutique and buy me a sexy 280 AI and be the all the 7mm girl i can be. (Or something like that. ) The 30/06 would become the backup gun; I do like it but it isn't a 7!

Rachel

Rachel you sound like you've put a good deal of thought into this but let me suggest you consider going with a 26" barrel. The extra couple of inches will give you an increase of up to 100-150fps over the 24". If 3000fps with the 160-168g class of bullets is your goal the extra length will be a big benefit and you're only talking about 3 oz difference in weight with a standard magnum contour barrel.

 

[fllefty]

Nosler brass 168vld H fed 210m vith n165 sammi spec, 2865fps was my accuracy vel. got it to 2900fps but it opened up. 24" 5R bartlien.

 

[Qrachel]

What a terrific set of responses . . . they are very much appreciated. I've been playing with my ballistics calculator and while there is some difference between the 168 VLD and 160 AB they both play similarly in the space between 2900 and 2950 fps.

I like the VLDs in my 30/06, easy load, off the shelf and pretty available. The load, rifle and and I are generally capable of sub MOA (4 for 5 on a good day) even in a mild breeze out to 400 yds or so. For some reason I seem to start getting flyers at 500 (assume it's mental), but then I can't remember ever taken game beyond 400 yds and the 160g carries a lot energy out to 400 yds. Plus, I wouldn't try to stretch the 30/06 beyond 500 . . . or 280 AI for that matter.

This is such a great place to research and gather info - as a gal who puts sometime into shooting (not enough but that's on me), I like the tenor and frankness here without too much drama. AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL!!!

Rachel

 

[WildRose]

What a terrific set of responses . . . they are very much appreciated. I've been playing with my ballistics calculator and while there is some difference between the 168 VLD and 160 AB they both play similarly in the space between 2900 and 2950 fps.

I like the VLDs in my 30/06, easy load, off the shelf and pretty available. The load, rifle and and I are generally capable of sub MOA (4 for 5 on a good day) even in a mild breeze out to 400 yds or so. For some reason I seem to start getting flyers at 500 (assume it's mental), but then I can't remember ever taken game beyond 400 yds and the 160g carries a lot energy out to 400 yds. Plus, I wouldn't try to stretch the 30/06 beyond 500 . . . or 280 AI for that matter.

This is such a great place to research and gather info - as a gal who puts sometime into shooting (not enough but that's on me), I like the tenor and frankness here without too much drama. AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL!!!

Rachel

Your 06 would probably give you better results if you moved up to the 180gr bullets.

As for this project keep in mind that with a longer barrel you can get higher velocities with slower burning powders keeping the pressure down.

 

[Qrachel]

Dear Wild:

Again, thanks . . . agree with the 180g comment and will play some at the range as time permits this next few months. I'm dialed in this year at 168g VLD.

As for a longer barrel, I get that. I just need to talk myself into a longer shootin stick - 24" seems long to me though I've never handled a 25 or 26" barreled rifle. From my reading 2" would likely be worth 50-75 fps in the longer barrel.

Take good care,

Rachel

 

[WildRose]

Dear Wild:

Again, thanks . . . agree with the 180g comment and will play some at the range as time permits this next few months. I'm dialed in this year at 168g VLD.

As for a longer barrel, I get that. I just need to talk myself into a longer shootin stick - 24" seems long to me though I've never handled a 25 or 26" barreled rifle. From my reading 2" would likely be worth 50-75 fps in the longer barrel.

Take good care,

Rachel

That 50-75fps is per inch. Most of my rifles are 26-28" and I don't find them to be any more of a pain really than my 20" .375Ruger or 22" 45-70.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

That 50-75fps is per inch.

Not in my experience...in '06 cases, about 30 fps per inch...in the Win Mag cases you might see 50 fps per inch (40 is more like it).

In the Ackley...30-35 fps per inch is about right.

Barrel/throat condition also play a part...but all things being equal, the above has held true for me based on a sizable number of rifles.