What primers should I be using in my 280 Ackley? I am planning on using N-165 and 140gr TSX's, and the chances of hunting in very cold temperatures is good.

Thanks

I would suggest you try the CCI250. It is a magnum rifle primer and will ignite a heavy load of slow powder in cold temperatures. But it is not so hot that it would cause pressure spikes or inaccuracy in a medium capacity case like the 280 AI even when using the same ammo in warmer temps. I have been very happy with the CCI250 for a couple of decades use with 25-06, 270, 30-06, 30-06AI, and several magnums. After experimenting with many types of primers in several cartridges, I have been unable to find any that perform better than CCI.

I use Winchester Large Rifle primers all the time in mine. Back home temps range from the 20's in the Winter to near 100* in the dead of summer. H4831 and RL22 seem to work the best for me. The Mag primers didn't make any measurable difference for me. Your gun might be different so it can't hurt to try. RL22 works the best with 140 gr. Nosler Partition's for me.



Steve E........

I use CCI250 primers with WMR and the 154 grain Hornady Interbond in my 280 Remington Ackley Improved. It reduced the standard deviation and size of my groups. However, with 139 grain bullets and H4831 Winchester Large Rifle primers have worked well. It can't hurt to try the CCI250s to see if they have a positive effect.

Just gotta try a few different types and see what works. In my 280AI with R22, 210s' gave the lowest SD and best accuracy.
Just to confuse the issue more, the 270-08AI with the same lot of R22 was better with 215s'...go figure!
Bill