280 AI Bullet Selection

[tim629]

New to reloading and new to the site, but I like the fact that Nosler shows pics of their bullet expansion at different velocities and will tell you the optimum velocities for them.

For that reason i've decided when I get my 280AI I would like to try some Nosler bullets:

I will be hunting whitetails in PA & NY so looking at ranges of 15-100yards

Black Bears at the same ranges


Would I be right in guessing try the 120grain Ballistic Tip Hunter for deer and 160 or 175 Partitions for black bear?

 

[DrMike]

Welcome to the forum. You'll find some great people here. The 280AI is an excellent cartridge. What rifle are you planning to use? Are you building a rifle? Or do you anticipate building? There is nothing wrong with using the 120 grain Ballistic Tip or the 160/175 grain bullet in your 280AI. The 120 grain BT is a tough bullet that will serve you quite well, no doubt. However, were I making the choice of bullets, I'd likely choose the 140 grain Ballistic Tip for both animals you are anticipating hunting. I've shot a fair number of whitetails, mule deer and black bears with the 280 Remington and/or the 7mm Remington Magnum; 140 grain bullets have been my choice for many years, and they have worked very well for me. Your 280AI will generate velocities that fall between these two cartridges, nipping on the heels of the 7mm. The 140 grain BT will work very well on deer and black bears.

I'd sure encourage you to wander over to the thread designed to introduce new members. http://forum.nosler.net/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=22761 That will give all of us a chance to meet you.

 

[tim629]

I will make a trip to the new member section. It's a build my brother-in-law is doing for me using a ruger M77 action.

I wasn't sure if the 140's would be too much for deer and not enough penetration for bear (100-450pounds) but I certainly like the idea of working up one hunting load to keep it simpler while learning to reload.

 

[DrMike]

Simple is good. The 120 grain Ballistic Tip is built on the 140 grain jacket; it is a tough bullet and will work quite well for you. I prefer a little more mass, and I've used 140 grain bullets in my various .284 calibre rifles for many years. None of the bullets from various manufacturers have failed me on game animals, and the Ballistic Tip is one of the finest bullets you can use.

 

[wildgene]

...much as hate to disagree w/ Dr. Mike, I'd opt for a 160gr. bullet, if I was doing a single load, @ the ranges you describe you are very near the upper end of the "performance envelope" w/ the lighter bullet, I like the higher sectional density & in my opinion, tougher construction of the heavier bullet, while the differences in velocity, energy, bullet drop, windage, & terminal performance are marginal out to 400yds...

...like I said, personal opinion, personal preference, based on personal observation & experience...

 

[DrMike]

Much as I hate to have Gene disagree with me , I wouldn't feel badly using a 160 grain bullet. I do use a fair number of 160s in my 7RM and in my 7WSM. To be certain, they are more of a good thing and they are excellent in dropping game. You wouldn't go wrong with one load slinging 160s. However, were it my rifle, I'd likely still focus on 140 grain bullets. For toughness, you could consider a 140 grain AccuBond, though for deer and black bear, the Ballistic Tip will work just fine. If you ever think of hunting elk, or moose, or grizzly, for sure you'll want a 160 grain pill.

 

[FOTIS]

160 with rl22 to about 3K fps for everything

 

[SJB358]

Or you could split the difference for either the 150 Ballistic Tip or the Partition. Both of those would have decent SDs and good BC.

Mike and Gene nailed it though, a good 140, 150 or 160 would do alot of work very well.

 

[wildgene]

...150's are "of the Debbil", Scotty... :shock: :lol: :mrgreen:

 

[FOTIS]

My recommendation was based on the fact that I see the 280 AI as a 7mm rem mag. In every 7mm mag I ever had I worked the 160 AB to 3k and called it good for everything. Will kill moose elk bear and it will not bounce off antelope. :mrgreen:

 

[Rem Jim]

JUST use a 140 gr AccuBond on everything out of the 280 AI ! JMO RJ

 

[Oldtrader3]

My .280 gave me 3000 fps from the 160 Partition bullet. That is very close to the performance of my 7mm Rem Mag with 8 grains less IMR 7828 SSC. It worked great for my grandson's 350 pound, Texas wild hog!

 

[FOTIS]

My .280 gave me 3000 fps from the 160 Partition bullet. That is very close to the performance of my 7mm Rem Mag with 8 grains less IMR 7828 SSC. It worked great for my grandson's 350 pound, Texas wild hog!

Bingo :!:

 

[woods]

160 gr AccuBond at 3000 fps

Good for everything from speed goats to Elk

 

[tim629]

Please educate me: I was under the impression that the Partitions, and probably accubonds were going to be better suited where you wanted deep penetration, where the ballistic tip was going to provide faster expansion thus making it a bit more suited for white tails where penetration isn't as crucial as elk, bear, moose

or is the AccuBond a bullet that was designed to expand like the ballistic tip but retain mass & energy like the Partition?

 

[FOTIS]

The accubonds do have a lower speed requirement to expand than the PT. Both AB and PT though retain about 60% weight.

 

[SJB358]

BTs will expand a little faster but as long as your keeping them under 3000 at the impact area, they tend to be excellent in performance. The 150 BT gets a lot of great reviews as do the 160's and 140's. if you think bears are going to be a priority, I would stay with an AB or PT in any weight. If you shoot true, it'll hammer them very hard.

 

[Hegland]

For my standard .280, I'm leaning towards the 140 PT for an all-arounder. Still more work to be done there. It it were the AI version, I'd have to at least try the 160s. If for some reason they didn't want to work, there's always the 150s or 140s.

Best of luck!

 

[JD338]

The 140 gr AB or 160 gr AB will cover everything.

JD338

 

[JD338]

The 140 gr AB or 160 gr AB will cover everything.

JD338