.280 Nosler 160 Partition

[NWBlacktail]

Those 168 ABLR look pretty sweet. DId they need to jump to the lands? Still used 0.100" on the ABLR?

I'm interested to know how finicky they are to load.

very cool!

 

[preacher]

I'm having trouble posting, try this again...I load the 168ABLR .030" off the lands, it was perfect first try! The 150ABLR didn't like .030 so I went to .100 off and bingo, perfect. Go figure? ha I had more trouble getting a good load with this 160NP than either ABLR. Pretty impressive accuracy and flat shooting!

 

[preacher]

I'm going to try R17 with this 160NP next range session. I'm also going to try IMR 4831 again. I only shot the 4831 starting load last time, almost 6" spread but I had the bullet too close to the lands anyhow, come to find out. I dropped down to 3.35" and see if this helps. I just have to see if I can beat the 4350 load for both speed and accuracy. Even though it shot .75"@100, it opened up to around 2.5" at 200, no biggy, just playing! It's going to be hard for me, at this point, not to use the 168ABLR as my heavy, unless I get this NP sorted out.

 

[Oldtrader3]

You might try IMR 7828SSC if you have any? I use 58.0 grains of 7828 with the 160 gr Partition. It was very accurate and fast with no pressure signs.

 

[preacher]

No sir, just the 7828 long cut, and it, like Magpro, gets me great speed but no accuracy in this particular rifle.

 

[preacher]

Well, both R17 and IMR 4831 were a bust! I got tremendous speed with the R17, but groups were 3.5". The top load of 56gr 4831 was hot, but not terribly so and same group, 3.5" or so. I'm going to stop right there and settle on the 50.5gr IMR 4350 loading, which is very usable. It hits +1"@100 right along with the 168 ABLR and is only -4" low at 200. I can use it when I want a tougher bullet up in the mountains or on hogs. I'm thinking I may try a stout 175 and see how this rifle likes them. I'm going to put my Leupold 2.5x8 back on it and get the Nikon 4x12 ready for the Creedmoor. I also tried R17 with the 150IB in a BAR .270. I got great speed again, 2980, but poor accuracy. I don't know if it just doesn't like R17 or its that dang finicky Interbond bullet! Oh well, this .270 shoots the Federal Vital Shok 110TTSX into about .75". I never hunt with this rifle anymore either, its more of a safe queen/heirloom. I am going to pick up another '06 or something as a spare/bad weather rifle, depends on what I can find in trade.

 

[DrMike]

ReLoder 17 is not a "be all/end all." In several of my rifles, the powder gives excellent velocities in several cartridges without the accuracy I know the rifle is capable of producing. That is why it is important to test before the hunt.