I’m hoping to load some heavier ABLR’s in my Kimber. The 168s are probably a better fit for this caliber but I already have 4 boxes of the 175s. With the high bc, this bullet would still seem to have enough velocity and energy to take an elk to well over 600 yards, which is plenty of range for me with this light weight rifle. Nosler load data shows 3 powders that I have - h4831, rl26, staball HD, and h1000. I’m looking for some advice. Where would you start with these powders? Would you consider a magnum primer? Any other wisdom you would be willing to share? Thanks for any advice
280 ai with a heavier ABLR (168 or 175)
- Thread starter Nealc
- Start date
Blkram
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2013
- 3,787
- 5,033
Despite what the current fad/trend of long range shooting and hunting may lead one to believe, most elk are taken within 200 yards, not the 600 that seems to be what everyone is reporting today, even amongst the outfitters.
I have taken over two dozen elk of my own over the years, with only two over 300 yards, with one at 370 (cow), and the the other was at 475 (bull; and only two more at more than 200 yards), with my 7MM STW, but I severely under estimated the range on that one, thinking it was at 400 in the hayfield, and was grateful that I was using such a flat shooting caliber that allowed a hit with that first shot. I made a correction on the follow up shot when I realized that it was farther. (I didn't have a rangefinder yet, but my friend did and we ranged the distance afterwards.) The rest have been taken between 5 and 150 yards! (Including in out in the wide open, and not just in the parkland or thick timber.)
Even the 280AI's Federal 155 gr Terminal Ascent and Nosler 160 gr AccuBond factory ammo will produce enough energy with these premium bonded bullets to retain today's recommended retained energy of 1500+ ft lbs of energy at 500 yards and SDs of .275+ for good penetration. And have more than 2100 fps of retained velocity for proper expansion, with BCs of more than .500.
The 7mm bullets of 160/162/165 gr weights seem to be the optimum weight for most traditional .284" caliber cartridges, with 1:10 to 1:9 twist rates. (I have been using this caliber for almost 40 years now, hunting, shooting, and handloading; man, where has the time gone!) Of these, I have and used the 280 Rem, 7mm Rem Mag, and 7MM STW most for elk, but have also used a number of other cartridges/calibers from 6.5 to .375 on elk over the years. My favourite for elk is the 338 caliber for all around performance, but have taken most with the 7 mils.
The newer cartridges with 1:8 twist barrels do well with the heavier bullets for more retained velocity and energy at longer distances that what was deemed to be reasonable in the past. I know, as I am enjoying my new 7mm PRC, and it shoots the 170 gr Terminal Ascent ammo well, and will retain almost 2300 fps and almost 2000 ft lbs of retained energy at 500 yards, due to a BC of .646 and a SD of .301, which is pretty cool, I will admit.. (I do subscribe to the older recommendation of 2000 ft lbs of energy for elk, as I have witnessed first hand on my own, as well as many other elk harvested by guided hunters, and friends, over the years, that when dealing with rut crazed bulls the extra energy is greatly appreciated! And warranted! Unwary bulls that are not adrenalin filled due to the rut react completely different to well placed shots.)
It is nice to have that capacity...but is it really needed for long distance elk? Not really...but if you are a hunter on a once in a lifetime hunt, it is nice to have that factor of safety. If you are someone who will get to hunt elk every year, and the environment is such that the shot will be most often within reasonable distances of 300 yards or less, than you may not need it.
As for the primers; if you are using 60+ grains of powder, and/or may be shooting/hunting in colder temperatures, than a magnum primer would be beneficial. But you can try magnum and non-magnum to see which performs best in your rifle/handload combination.
In the end, only you can decide what will serve you best under most circumstances you will encounter, and which bullet/ammo/handload shoots best in your rifle.
Best of luck in your quest!
I have taken over two dozen elk of my own over the years, with only two over 300 yards, with one at 370 (cow), and the the other was at 475 (bull; and only two more at more than 200 yards), with my 7MM STW, but I severely under estimated the range on that one, thinking it was at 400 in the hayfield, and was grateful that I was using such a flat shooting caliber that allowed a hit with that first shot. I made a correction on the follow up shot when I realized that it was farther. (I didn't have a rangefinder yet, but my friend did and we ranged the distance afterwards.) The rest have been taken between 5 and 150 yards! (Including in out in the wide open, and not just in the parkland or thick timber.)
Even the 280AI's Federal 155 gr Terminal Ascent and Nosler 160 gr AccuBond factory ammo will produce enough energy with these premium bonded bullets to retain today's recommended retained energy of 1500+ ft lbs of energy at 500 yards and SDs of .275+ for good penetration. And have more than 2100 fps of retained velocity for proper expansion, with BCs of more than .500.
The 7mm bullets of 160/162/165 gr weights seem to be the optimum weight for most traditional .284" caliber cartridges, with 1:10 to 1:9 twist rates. (I have been using this caliber for almost 40 years now, hunting, shooting, and handloading; man, where has the time gone!) Of these, I have and used the 280 Rem, 7mm Rem Mag, and 7MM STW most for elk, but have also used a number of other cartridges/calibers from 6.5 to .375 on elk over the years. My favourite for elk is the 338 caliber for all around performance, but have taken most with the 7 mils.
The newer cartridges with 1:8 twist barrels do well with the heavier bullets for more retained velocity and energy at longer distances that what was deemed to be reasonable in the past. I know, as I am enjoying my new 7mm PRC, and it shoots the 170 gr Terminal Ascent ammo well, and will retain almost 2300 fps and almost 2000 ft lbs of retained energy at 500 yards, due to a BC of .646 and a SD of .301, which is pretty cool, I will admit.. (I do subscribe to the older recommendation of 2000 ft lbs of energy for elk, as I have witnessed first hand on my own, as well as many other elk harvested by guided hunters, and friends, over the years, that when dealing with rut crazed bulls the extra energy is greatly appreciated! And warranted! Unwary bulls that are not adrenalin filled due to the rut react completely different to well placed shots.)
It is nice to have that capacity...but is it really needed for long distance elk? Not really...but if you are a hunter on a once in a lifetime hunt, it is nice to have that factor of safety. If you are someone who will get to hunt elk every year, and the environment is such that the shot will be most often within reasonable distances of 300 yards or less, than you may not need it.
As for the primers; if you are using 60+ grains of powder, and/or may be shooting/hunting in colder temperatures, than a magnum primer would be beneficial. But you can try magnum and non-magnum to see which performs best in your rifle/handload combination.
In the end, only you can decide what will serve you best under most circumstances you will encounter, and which bullet/ammo/handload shoots best in your rifle.
Best of luck in your quest!
