Gimme your no BS 280AI velocities

[smalltruck]

Woods, can you share your load data? I don't question your results, just trying to figure out where I'm losing out on 100fps (spotting you 50fps for your extra 2" of barrel).

Thanks

Brandon

In his post he says he's shooting 160 grain AB's. You're shooting 168's That will make a difference. Hope that helps explain the 100fps difference

 

[varmintH8R]

In his post he says he's shooting 160 grain AB's. You're shooting 168's That will make a difference. Hope that helps explain the 100fps difference

That is a valid observation. I have worked up 160NAB's using H4831SC in the same rifle, and at max was able to get 30fps more than the 168VLDs. 2845fps. I did not work them up using IMR 7828.

Brandon

 

[LRangepro]

This is an interesting post, even though its old, Im adding....when I was a kid, I thought the 280AI was THE cartridge. I friend of my uncle had one and it shot so good but he always said he couldn't get the velocity out of it enough to justify the case forming. Well I wanted one, so I built one. I've built a few now and many other guns, I can say for sure...all barrels are not the same. Some will not delivery the speed without pressure...could just be the chamber. I have a barrel that gives me everything I ever wanted. I have a 27" Krieger 9 twist and I can easily get 3000 with 180 Bergers. I also shoot 168s at about 3070...I can go faster but I use it in competition and the match limit is 3100 and it shoots at 3070ish so that's the load. I use Rl17. I have about 6 loadings on Remington brass which was surprisingly good...my primer pockets aren't as tight now but I think I can get another load one them. All of this with incredible accuracy...sub 1/4 moa....8s and .9s @500 no BS! I still think .280AI is the cartridge at least in a long action.

 

[lancetkenyon]

I have two stupid accurate loads for my 26" 1:9" .280AI.

160 TMK @ 2991fps w. H1000
175 Elite @ 2976fps w. RL23

Sorry, noticed someone bumped a 6 year old thread.

 

[26Reload]

My 22" noodle barreled Remington mountain rifle shoots good at 2630 with 168lrab.....but it kicks like a mule...
gonna move back to a 140 and stay there....dont mind the recoil with this load.....but my hat brims hate the 168....

 

[manitou]

I am getting 2925fps with 160 gr AB out of my two standard (26" barrels) .280s. Some guys are getting over 3000... all with IMR 7828ssc.

 

[Deputy819]

I'm at a mild 2850fps with 59.2gr H4831 & the Berger 168gr vld-h (Criterion 26" barrel). That load was confirmed before this past hunting season and shot .710 @ 200 yards for 3. I didn't argue with it.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Im at 3000 fps with rl23 and a 168vld in a 24" barrel. I wont post the load because I have found so much variation in brass lots the load changes over a grain. But its in the high 50s. Its throated long for these bullets and I am soft seating them (hard jam). Now, if your reading this and you want to make the 280ai what it could be, email or call ADG and ask them to make 280 brass. Then we will see the full potential of the cartridge. They aint gonna make the stuff if they dont think it will sell!

 

[puttnpurr]

Kimber 26" stainless select, nosler partition 150s, 2850. 3/4" 3 shot groups at 100 every year.

 

[loonie]

Been shooting 280ai for over 20 years. Shot 160 AB's in the 3000 fps no problem with H4831sc. Tried rl 23 last year with 175 ABLR and running 3020. Didn't like accuracy so tried rl 26 with the 175 and barrel loved it !! Best node in powder ladder shot 1 3/4, 3 shot@ 600 yards. 3050 from 26" benchmark barrel. This was my hunting load this year and it was deadly. I'm with Alex on the brass . Someone needs to make better brass !!