I just purchased a SAKO in 280 AI. The previous owner sent some load data along with a ton of brass. His load data indicates the use of IMR7828. Does anyone here have experience with this powder in this cartridge? Seems a bit slow to me. I use 7828 in my 338 A-Square , but it takes 102 grains.

Jim Miller

Frank N. may chime in here as he has a .280AI. He got me to use IMR7828 in my ,280 & it has been THE powder for 150/160gr bullets. Remember, the .280/.280AI are a bit overbore. The loads are 100% density & that makes them very uniform. I use 57gr under a 160grNP & fed210 primers for 2800fps+ from my 23" bbl.

I've never tried 7828 but, have used RL22 with good results it is one step faster. Howevr given an option I would take Norma MRP.

I have used both RL22 and IMR7828 and find both to perform extremely well in the 280AI.

JustC, the previous poster took the words right out of my keyboard. I would add RL19 too though. But my .280AI seems to really thrive on 7828 and 22.

Cool round that gives a guy about 100-125 extra fps over a std .280 Rem. NO huge deal but for a gun nut you have to try at least one Ackley Improved round in your life.

FN in MT

NO huge deal but for a gun nut you have to try at least one Ackley Improved round in your life.
Right on Frank!!

I've done pretty well with V-V N165, in addition to 7828 and H1000 in mine, at least with 150 - 162 grainers.

R-WEST

Frank-just a curious but have you ever shot any 175's thru your 280 AI? Ideas on speed it would run?

Thanks

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dogz

Mark,

I did shoot some 175 partitions through my AI but they were std .280 rounds that I had loaded for the 2000 RSA trip. They would not fit in my Wby ULW, and were originally loaded for the Rem 700 I had AI'd. Those fireformed fine and were very acurate. I noted what the OAL was and that was that.

I would guess that 2800 fps would be possible?? I haven't done nearly as much work with the 175's as I have with 150's and 160's.

FN in MT

You can reach 2750 maybe 2800 depending on the AOL your Magazine can handle. You need slow powder and the long bullets eat up case space.

Has anyone tried Reloader 25?

Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like the previous owner was onto something. This is not my first AI. I have 2, 257 Roberts AI, 338-06 AI and 375 H&H AI.

Jim Miller