280AI/150ABLR w RL22 and IMR 7828sc

[EOD Diver]

Guys,
Happy to say I finally got a group under 1 MOA today with the Kimber 280AI! I stretched out the bullet a little so that I'm only jumping 0.075" now, instead of last week's 0.120". I was trying to get to 0.060", but the round would not eject if unfired and it was pretty tight in the magazine box. Anyway, this rifle really likes to put two close and the third out there, but then again I guess that's just about every rifle out there. With RL 22, 60.5 went into 1.54" and 61 went into 1.2". The usual two almost touching and the other one way out there. I decided to try a few with IMR 7828sc, as well, and was happy to see the 62 grain load went into 0.95" with two just about touching, as usual. Not sure of velocity, but I figure a little over 3000FPS. I tried some different techniques while shooting the rifle. I tried not snugging the stock into my shoulder so much to give the rifle a little free recoil space. Well, with a 7lb rifle shooting a full tilt 150 load, you can imagine that she came back with some authority. I'm not sure if it helps or hurts accuracy, but that scope ocular lens bouncing off of my shooting glasses probably doesn't do much for my shooting form and sure as hell doesn't inspire confidence. I'm thinking this load will make the journey with me next weekend for elk.
Take Care,
Joe

 

[DrMike]

Yup, scopes bouncing off my glasses tends to be somewhat disconcerting. :shock: I really would have anticipated somewhat better accuracy; however, MOA is dead elk out to 800 plus yards. We all like to brag about the accuracy of our loads, but I'm prepared to surrender a bit of accuracy if the combination of velocity and accuracy come together in such a fashion that it knocks down the beast I'm after. That looks pretty good from up here, and it is nothing to apologize for. Consequently, that is a handsome rifle, Joe. Kimber is turning out a good looking piece. The two in/one out can be disconcerting. My experience with Kimbers is that the thin barrel can heat up pretty quickly. I would not be surprised to discover a small spot on the barrel channel that needs a little relief. Seldom do we require three rounds in the field, however.

 

[FOTIS]

There you go buddy! Nice

 

[Sas874runner]

I do not have a 280 but with my 270 I found the 150 ablr can be very picky about seating depth. And with the reduced bearing surface be careful of run out when hanging them out of case further. Dr Mike again has a very good point. Moa is great accuracy for almost all hunting as much as we want all of our loads to be sub moa. Try giving the rifle a couple minutes Cool time between shots and see if your group tightens up. I personally like to give lots of cool time between shots when I get into a good load. Just due to the fact that your barrel will be stone cold when you shoot at your animal.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Two in and one out consistently like that is very frustrating, as is hitting your shooting glasses. You may want to try shooting the groups more slowly in order to cool that Kimber down and settle it down. Shooting the first two bullets straight may be all that you need when actually hunting.

 

[PJGunner]

I do not have a 280 but with my 270 I found the 150 ablr can be very picky about seating depth......Try giving the rifle a couple minutes Cool time between shots and see if your group tightens up. I personally like to give lots of cool time between shots when I get into a good load. Just due to the fact that your barrel will be stone cold when you shoot at your animal.

I just started load work up for my .280 Rem. using IMR7828SSC and the 150 gr. ABLR. Accuracy was not all that great, mostly in the 1.5 to 2.0" range. Basically I was working to find where the potential max load was more than anything else. I believe I found the load level that I'd be comfortable with so now it's time to play with seating depth. i'll do that as soon as my gunsmith calls me and tells me it's done. I found a slightly rough feeding problem so it's getting squared away.
The rifle is a custom based on a 1909 Argentine Mauser, 24" douglas barrel Timney trigger. The metal work was done by the Harry Lawson Company here in Tucson and the stock by Sterling Davenport. I'd have him do another rifle but he retired shortly after he finished my rifle. My only gripe is it came out a bit heavier than I'd like. The only other load I tried in the rifle wsthe 175 gr. Hornady SP over a decent charge of WMR powder.Groups ran just under an inch so the rifle does want to shoot.
In the meantime, while waiting to get the rifle back, I've been doing load work up for my 30-06 which is my planned back up rifle. Bullet for this one is the 180 gr. AB. Doing the pressure work up with H4350 one load did 2650 FPS and the group was .52" :shock: That rifle has never ever grouped anything that tight before. It too is a custom built by the late Cal Albright of Winnemucca Nevada. The metal work is superb but the stock he whittled out, while a very beautiful piece of wood was frustrating to say the least. Groups would run in the .375 to .50", just never in the same place twice, ever. never could get it sighted in. In the meantime I get a job transfer to Tucson so the rifle sat in the back of the safe. One day, in 1988 as I recall, I pulled the gun from the stock, drove up to Deer Creek AZ, a suburb of Phoenix and paid McMillan a visit. We talked a bit and I got lucky as they had a stock that would fit my rifle that was a cancellation. $250 later the stock came home with me. I glass bedded the gun into the stock. I shot it a few times but as playing with other toys at the time like the .35 Whelen and 7x57 Mauser. What little shooting I'd done with it prior to last Friday had only given groupd in the 1.25 to 1.50 range. Good enough for a back up but now I just may have to change things. Just have to see what the .280 does after I get it back.
Paul B.

 

[SJB358]

Yup, scopes bouncing off my glasses tends to be somewhat disconcerting. :shock: I really would have anticipated somewhat better accuracy; however, MOA is dead elk out to 800 plus yards. We all like to brag about the accuracy of our loads, but I'm prepared to surrender a bit of accuracy if the combination of velocity and accuracy come together in such a fashion that it knocks down the beast I'm after. That looks pretty good from up here, and it is nothing to apologize for. Consequently, that is a handsome rifle, Joe. Kimber is turning out a good looking piece. The two in/one out can be disconcerting. My experience with Kimbers is that the thin barrel can heat up pretty quickly. I would not be surprised to discover a small spot on the barrel channel that needs a little relief. Seldom do we require three rounds in the field, however.

I am with Mike, with that rifle planting the first two right on top one another, I'd almost be willing to look past that 3rd shot Joe. Granted, it can be frustrating, but if you know the rifle will plant the first two, you know the rifle and load are sound.. Just might need a little relieving for bedding to straighten it up.. That's a great combo Joe. Good shooting. Try to keep the scope outta your shooting glasses Sailor!

 

[Oldtrader3]

Try 160 gr bullets with that IMR 7828. You might be surprised by the groups?

 

[EOD Diver]

Thanks guys. I'm just happy that I squeezed out a group under an inch. Doc, thanks for the compliment and you bring up a great point about something possibly being wrong with the barrel channel. After closer inspection, the right side of the channel is much closer than the left. Because it passed the dollar bill test I didn't pay very much attention to it, but I sure will now. I think I'll pull her out of the stock and take a little sandpaper to the right side of that channel. As long as I don't let her "free" recoil, she really doesn't buck that bad. That Pachmayr Decelerator pad and the stock design go a long way toward making it a comfortable rifle to shoot. I really love the rifle. It's like a M70 on a diet. She's pleasing to the eye and a real joy to carry. I love how the mid section fits in my hand afield. The checkering is well done and the bore is one of the best I've seen on a factory rifle. She'll do about 1.2-1.5 inches with the factory Nosler 140 AB, which isn't too bad. The barrel is 24" and measures 0.560" at the tip. She warms up quickly, but I'm careful not to shoot any rifle too hot and take plenty of time between shots. Now that I've got a load I like, I'll start my cold bore work. Sas, I hope that 270 serves you well in CO. I wish I could make it home to hunt my favorite area in Colorado that's just a hop over the NM line and I know Nov 2nd is fast approaching. Scotty, you know I'm a glutton for punishment and if someone told me that you could get great groups by welding your eye to the scope bell and squeezing the trigger with your teeth, I'd probably try it.
Take Care All,
Joe

 

[SJB358]

Scotty, you know I'm a glutton for punishment and if someone told me that you could get great groups by welding your eye to the scope bell and squeezing the trigger with your teeth, I'd probably try it.
Take Care All,
Joe

Same here. :lol:

 

[JD338]

Nice shooting Joe.
That is one fine looking rifle there buddy.

JD338

 

[EOD Diver]

JD,
Thanks buddy. It was your rifle that gave me the 280AI bug.
Joe

 

[OU812]

Nice looking rifle and the group looks like it's ready to kill.

 

[jmad_81]

I ended up having the best luck with 61 gr 7828 in mine. Got me right at 3,000 and sub .5 MOA groups. RL-22, my rifle did not like it one bit with this bullet.

 

[EOD Diver]

Damn jmad, what platform is your .280AI in again? 0.5 MOA is no joke! I'm hoping I can trim a little off my group size on my Kimber when I get back from my hunt this weekend. I'm going to try opening up the barrel channel a little bit, as it puts two close and one out. Guess we'll see, but I've got my fingers crossed.
Joe

 

[jmad_81]

It is a Savage 110 that I screwed a PacNor onto. It is bedded into a McMillan and topped with a VXIII 4.5-14x40 LR. I ran it out to 1000 yards on my lunch break today and made first shot kill shots on each gong out to 800. Shoots pretty dang nice! It has three elk, a few bucks, and the bear below to its credit so far. It is by far the best shooting hunting rifle I own, and for some reason I haven't hunted with it for a few years.






It's not nearly as pretty as the Kimber, but it functions very well!

 

[EOD Diver]

Wow, that setup is no joke. It's a good looking rifle wearing that PACNOR barrel, Leupy scope and McSwirley stock and I guess the proof is in the pudding as it's under .5 MOA. I won't shoot game over 500, but ringing those gongs on the first shot beyond that really builds your confidence. I've got one of the older Vari-X III 4.5x14x40 scopes and I love it. It has a ton of eye relief and balances well on lighter rifles. Again, nice setup bud.
Joe

 

[EOD Diver]

Paul,
Any luck getting your .280 back and shooting your rifle with those 150 ABLRs? Also, since you're in the SW, I've seen Charlie Robertson of Score High Gunsmithing in Albuquerque tighten up the groups on more than a few beautiful custom rifles that shot poorly. He built a lot of rifles for guys I shot the LR Precision matches with there in ABQ and his work is first rate. Did I mention he also shot the match with us and that he's pretty damn competitive?
Joe

 

[EOD Diver]

Well, I was almost ready to move on and try another bullet in my Kimber 84L 280AI. Last time around, 62gr of 7828sc got me around an inch. I pulled the stock off and gave her a good sanding in the channel to see if it would help things. Today didn't go very well shooting the ladder until my last load of 62.6 went into .75"! I'm hoping that it wasn't a fluke. I'm still jumping about .07" and loaded rounds will just barely clear the port when I eject one without damaging the tip. She weighs 7 lbs on the nose scoped and I love the way it carries. If I can get her under an inch consistently with these 150 ABLRs, I'll be one happy camper. Keep your fingers crossed. I'm going to load up a few more with 62.6 and hope for the best.

As a side note, I'm still waiting on the UPS man to drop off my scope for the .270, but I couldn't help but burn a couple down her today to get the break in process going. She recoils like a cream puff and should be fun at the bench.

Joe

 

[SJB358]

Very nice Joe! That is a heckuva load in a slick mountain rifle.