280AI powder

muzz

Handloader
Nov 11, 2014
265
12
Been awhile since I have been on, I am looking for a new powder for my 280AI. Been shooting 168 vld bullets with reloader 25 and getting great groups. I'm not happy with the speed so I want a new direction for a bit more zip. I only want temp stable powders. Right now with a 26" barrel I'm getting 2830fps with my current load of 59.3 gr rl25 and a 168 vld
 
Right off the bat, you have room to increase your charge in order to elevate velocity.

Code:
Cartridge          : .280 Ack Imp
Bullet             : .284, 168, Berger Hunt VLD G7 #28501
Useable Case Capaci: 64.327 grain H2O = 4.177 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.330 inch = 84.58 mm
Barrel Length      : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder             : Alliant Reloder-25

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-20.0   87    51.52   2432    2207   31707   9546     97.0    1.676
-18.0   90    52.81   2495    2322   33960   9786     97.9    1.629
-16.0   92    54.10   2557    2439   36381  10003     98.7    1.584
-14.0   94    55.38   2619    2558   38984  10196     99.3    1.534
-12.0   96    56.67   2680    2680   41786  10361     99.7    1.485
-10.0   98    57.96   2741    2804   44806  10499     99.9    1.437
-08.0  100    59.25   2802    2929   48061  10607    100.0    1.392
-06.0  103    60.54   2862    3055   51576  10701    100.0    1.347
-04.0  105    61.82   2921    3182   55374  10790    100.0    1.305  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  107    63.11   2979    3311   59485  10876    100.0    1.264  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  109    64.40   3037    3441   63940  10958    100.0    1.225  ! Near Maximum !
+02.0  111    65.69   3095    3573   68775  11036    100.0    1.187  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  114    66.98   3152    3707   74031  11109    100.0    1.150  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0  116    68.26   3209    3842   79756  11178    100.0    1.115  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0  118    69.55   3266    3980   86006  11242    100.0    1.081  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0  120    70.84   3323    4119   92837  11300    100.0    1.048  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    109    64.40   3147    3694   79214  10527    100.0    1.132  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    109    64.40   2867    3067   50926  11486     99.3    1.348

Then, there are a variety of powders that will give you good velocities.

Code:
Cartridge          : .280 Ack Imp
Bullet             : .284, 168, Berger Hunt VLD G7 #28501
Useable Case Capaci: 64.327 grain H2O = 4.177 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.330 inch = 84.58 mm
Barrel Length      : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 64150 psi, or 442 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

11 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant Reloder-26                 100.2     63.9     4.14    3058   100.0    64150   11252   1.237  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560                    103.0     62.4     4.04    3042    99.4    64150   11853   1.228  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP                          101.2     62.6     4.06    3041   100.0    64150   11409   1.234  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25                 109.3     64.5     4.18    3040   100.0    64150   10962   1.223  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO                    103.3     65.1     4.22    3035    98.5    64150   11974   1.235  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N570                    110.0     68.8     4.46    3030    96.2    58673   12916   1.267  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC                       101.7     62.0     4.02    3029    99.6    64150   11436   1.218  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828                           107.6     62.0     4.02    3029    99.6    64150   11436   1.218  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22                 103.3     61.9     4.01    3015    99.9    64150   11320   1.235  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR                     106.1     62.2     4.03    3014    99.9    64150   11343   1.235  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 2                        110.0     65.2     4.23    3004    99.6    60709   11756   1.264  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum                     103.0     66.5     4.31    2995   100.0    64150   10754   1.228  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19                 100.1     59.4     3.85    2969    99.9    64150   10802   1.234  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-23                 105.7     61.3     3.97    2968   100.0    64150   10141   1.245  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17                  90.8     56.5     3.66    2966   100.0    64150   10054   1.239  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter                      95.7     58.6     3.80    2956   100.0    64150   10346   1.241  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760                      90.4     56.7     3.67    2956   100.0    64150   10383   1.242  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414                        90.4     56.7     3.67    2956   100.0    64150   10383   1.242  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831                      105.4     60.7     3.94    2948    99.1    64150   10739   1.232  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC                   101.3     60.7     3.94    2948    99.1    64150   10739   1.232  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204                           95.0     58.2     3.77    2945    99.8    64150   10534   1.235  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H1000                      110.0     64.5     4.18    2945    99.3    59708   11047   1.255  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550                     92.5     56.1     3.63    2931   100.0    64150   10033   1.253  ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP                           95.2     55.8     3.62    2929   100.0    64150    9894   1.249  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350                       94.3     55.9     3.62    2923   100.0    64150    9833   1.267  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780              98.7     61.7     4.00    2922    99.9    64150   10270   1.241  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165                    105.6     61.9     4.01    2914   100.0    64150   10034   1.245  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100                      103.3     61.3     3.97    2912   100.0    64150    9899   1.269  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831                            99.9     56.7     3.67    2910   100.0    64150    9670   1.258  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160                    105.7     60.1     3.89    2901    99.4    64150   10133   1.241  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Retumbo                    110.0     65.6     4.25    2900   100.0    52068   11408   1.334
IMR 4007 SSC                        90.1     54.2     3.51    2883   100.0    64150    9766   1.250  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V                 97.7     56.0     3.63    2880   100.0    64150    9112   1.252  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori 24N41                   110.0     69.5     4.50    2838    88.8    55327   11270   1.307  ! Near Maximum !
 
I've played with the 168 grain Berger VLD and RL26. I hit pressure up around 2950 fps (24" barrel), but 2925 is fine. 2925 is with 60.0 grains RL26, seated fairly long. Nosler brass, and Fed 215 primers.
 
NWBlacktail":22ex3f0b said:
I've played with the 168 grain Berger VLD and RL26. I hit pressure up around 2950 fps (24" barrel), but 2925 is fine. 2925 is with 60.0 grains RL26, seated fairly long. Nosler brass, and Fed 215 primers.

Yep RL26 works great for this load and QL is spot on velocity for it.

One thing that has come clear over a couple of years now with RL26 is that it has shot best groups in several calibers with the Magnum primers.

Just shoots better with more fire at ignition regardless of caliber for me.
 
Wonder how well it will work for 150 LRAB or the 160 AB

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
 
An earlier test with RE26 in my 7 WSM produced a surprising 3,200 ft/sec with the 160 AccuBond from a 25" Broughton bbl. Accuracy was good and there was no indication of high pressure.

IIRC I was using 69.0gr and a Fed 215M primer. Below is data from Alliant's web site:

7mm Win. Short Magnum
Sierra 160 gr SBT

Federal 2.79 24 Fed 215 Reloder 23 66.6 3,089 - View this recipe
Federal 2.79 24 Fed 215 Reloder 26 70.5 3,140 - View this recipe
 
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