280 AI Fire Forming Cases

[JD338]

I finally got some new R-P 280 Rem brass to fire form into 280 AI. Loaded up the cases with 54.0 grs H4350 and the Hornady 154 gr Spire point bullet. These were surplus bullets and powder that was given to me and Scotty gave me a Quick Load recipe for the 280 Remington. A 280 Rem Max load is a starting load for the 280 AI and a good place to start with fire forming loads. I only had 44 so I loaded up 6 with a 150 gr BT.
Rifle is a M700 with a Hart #5 Fluted 24" barrel, Tubb Recoil lug, blueprinted action and pillar bedded into a LSS stock. Scope is a VX-3 3.5-10x40mm with the CDS dial.

6 shot group with the 150 gr BT

Fire Formed 280 AI cases along with a 280 Rem

20 shot group

Keeping the barrel cool with a wet towl

25 shot group plus a shot group in the lower right.

I have another 20 to go, will do it when its not 90 degrees.

JD338

 

[OU812]

Looks great Jim.

 

[RiverRider]

That's fantastic, JD. Shooting that well while fireforming---well, there have been times I struggled to get a rifle to shoot that well with brass already fireformed! I'll bet you're going to see some outstanding groups next time out.

Is H4350 your final answer? :mrgreen:

 

[JD338]

That's fantastic, JD. Shooting that well while fireforming---well, there have been times I struggled to get a rifle to shoot that well with brass already fireformed! I'll bet you're going to see some outstanding groups next time out.

Is H4350 your final answer? :mrgreen:

RR,

She shoots lights out with RL 22.
I wanted to get 1x fired cases ready for my WY antelope hunt in Sept.

JD338

 

[nvbroncrider]

I got 100 spare NC .280 cases I might turn into AI's

 

[onesonek]

Shoulders look excellent Jim!!!

 

[RiverRider]

What can I say? I was under the impression that this was a newly rebarreled rifle. You never said that or implied such, now that I have gone back and reread your post. Another example of the effects of assumptions!

Anyway, I think there's an antelope in trouble who just doesn't know it yet.
:twisted:

 

[SJB358]

Great shooting Jim! That rifle never fails to impress me. Glad everything worked out. Did you get any speeds? Wondered what the difference would be, going by QL and what you were actually getting out of it?

 

[JD338]

Great shooting Jim! That rifle never fails to impress me. Glad everything worked out. Did you get any speeds? Wondered what the difference would be, going by QL and what you were actually getting out of it?

Scotty,

I had the chronograph in the truck but it was just too hot to mess with it.
I still have 20 rounds to fire form and I will clock them for you.
This FF load really isn't too bad. It would make for a dandy deer load here in the big woods.

JD338

 

[gerry]

That's a great looking gun, stainless laminates look super cool 8)

 

[geo]

Great shooting Jim, The 280AI rocks.

 

[jmad_81]

Looking good Jim! You should be set to tip a goat or two over for sure.

I just loaded up a bunch of 140 AB test loads over RL-17 for my 280 AI. I tried RL-22 and got some 1" groups, but when I tried RL-17 (not sure why I chose RL-17 to try)with the 140 BT I was in the .3"-.5" range. So I figured it would work well with the 140 AB as well.

 

[JD338]

Looking good Jim! You should be set to tip a goat or two over for sure.

I just loaded up a bunch of 140 AB test loads over RL-17 for my 280 AI. I tried RL-22 and got some 1" groups, but when I tried RL-17 (not sure why I chose RL-17 to try)with the 140 BT I was in the .3"-.5" range. So I figured it would work well with the 140 AB as well.

Jake,

What kind of speed are you getting with RL 17?


JD338

 

[DrMike]

The targets are a confidence builder. It will match previous targets and give considerable comfort to you when you are holding on a big prairie goat.

 

[JD338]

Thanks fellas. As most of you know, it is a real shooter.
I am kinda thinking 140 gr BT's.

JD338

 

[onesonek]

It certainly seems the 140 BT's and RL-22 are a good combination Jim,,,,of course not discounting the guy on the trigger!

 

[Elkman]

Great group, really nice. Of course as someone before me posted , the rifle won't do it by itself! It's ready to hunt!

 

[DrMike]

The 140 BTs would do a great job of speed goats.

 

[JD338]

I agree Mike.
I need to rezero the rifle with the 140 gr BT load and verify the CDS dial. It should be the same as the 140 gr AB since they both have a BC of .485.

JD338

 

[DrMike]

If not the same, very close, Jim. Those 140 BTs will be flying, that's for sure. They should do a heckuva job on antelope.