I'm building one of these next year and was wondering what powders gave you 280AI owners the best results with 160's, both velocity and accuracy wise............

Blair..I have had goodluck with IMR4350 and the 160gr Combined Technology partition bullet. I use winchester 30-06 brass that I neck down and fireform, rem LR primers, and 54gr of IMR4350 gives me 2960fps with that 160gr bullet..in a 24" barrel. That load is very accurate in my rifle.

I give you the regular caution to work up in your rifle...this is a hot load in my other 280AI..

Z

Hey Blair

I started out with RL22 and worked up to this which will loosen primer pockets in about 3 firings


I dropped it down to 60.5 gr for RL22.

Lately I have been using RL25. It seems a little more consistant. I am at 62 gr and I get just a little over 3000 fps and the brass lasts longer.

Do have to watch those do-nuts with the 280AI though

I use RL 22 with the 160 gr AB in my 280 AI, MV is 3019 fps.

JD338

quote:

Originally posted by Blair338/378:
I'm building one of these next year and was wondering what powders gave you 280AI owners the best results with 160's, both velocity and accuracy wise............

so Blair...

28 inch heavy magnum barrel I assume?

whatever the Ozzie equivalent of H4831Sc or H 1000 would be my powder choices...

H 1000 would really enjoy that 28 inch barrel...

I find H 1000 is a real sleeper for accuracy...over some of the RL powders...along with velocity... and I believe it is an ADI manufactured powder....

maybe you can drop up to Nunanut and Beavis can take you out bear poaching and you can try it out on a big polar Bear at 300 yds...

all kidding aside, keep me posted on that project...I'd be highly interested in the results...

was thinking about a barrel like I am describing, on a Savage 116 action and using it for long range with a 168 grain match bullet... ( target shooter, not a hunting bullet)....although on non dangerous game, I bet it would be a stopper Right There...

First of all, thanks guys for the replies and pics of groups and data. Much appreciated.

John,

I was thinking a #5 heavily fluted barrel. I have had brilliant accuracy with H1000 in many rounds, but find that RE-25 generally beats it for accuracy and always for velocity as it is double based. H1000 is made here in Oz as 2217.

The other powders that I've had fantastic results with are the VN N500 high energy series.....N570 gave me the best accuracy and velocity with the 200 grain bullets in my 300RUM. It's unbelievable stuff.

I shoot a std. 280 but had best results w/ IMR7828 vs RL22. Better accuracy & a bit higher vel. It is my choice in the 7RM & 7mmDakota as well. I don't know if there is a Aussie eequiv. but I would certainly give it a try. I've shot some very nice sub 3" groups @ 300yds w/ my 23" pencil thin M70, pushing 160grNPs @ 2850fps.