280AI results

muzz

Handloader
Nov 11, 2014
272
12
Shot again with the 150 ablr's reloader 26, with 63.5 grains powder,federal 210m primers, hornady bullet comparator over all length was 2830. Shot just under half inch and average speed was 3234 with a standard deviation of 7, extreme spread of 16

Thats the best load I have ever had in any rifle.
 
I was very surprised when I read the chrono, then 4 shots later there all right there. Now if it stays shooting the same.
 
Wow! I saw RL26 looks really good on paper, but glad to hear it's working so well. Same with those 150 grn ABLR bullets!

:mrgreen:
 
So, you .280 AI guys... Any reason why somebody wouldn't want one?

Say a fellow who doesn't (yet) handload, but has cash for a nice custom hunting rifle?

Got a friend who is very interested, and he's looking for any reason why he shouldn't get the rifle in .280 AI... I've never heard any of you say anything bad about it.

1. Are all .280 AI's the same chamber? Will the Nosler ammo fit anything?
2. How well does it feed, with that sharp shoulder?

He's really interested in the Cooper rifle, but also looking at Noslers, and just having a custom rifle built.

Thanks, Guy
 
Guy Miner":1kwu7oxe said:
1. Are all .280 AI's the same chamber? Will the Nosler ammo fit anything?
No, there are two basic versions. The 280 Ack Imp, which Nosler got approved as a SAAMI standard, and a 280 Rem Imp, which is still a wildcat. Nosler ammo/brass only works with the SAAMI version.

I'm working towards a 280 AI re-barrel, but I think it's kind of a chambering for numbers junkies. In real terms (at least for a hunting rifle), it doesn't really do anything more then a 30-06/280 Rem/270 win will do.
 
Guy,
If he doesn't handload, ammo is going to be a little pricey. Maybe that doesn't matter but it is a consideration. Nosler offers a pretty good variety. Shoots well also.
If he's short of AI ammo the beauty of the AI's is they will shoot the standard ammo, 280 Rem in this case, just fine. A little drop off in speed but still shoot fine. FWIW, some of the better targets I've shot have been fireforming rounds. :grin:
And....the AI'd cartridges do look cool. :grin:

Shoot, missed your second question. I have had zero feeding issues with the cartridge in mine.
 
muzz":1ursa6xb said:
Shot again with the 150 ablr's reloader 26, with 63.5 grains powder,federal 210m primers, hornady bullet comparator over all length was 2830. Shot just under half inch and average speed was 3234 with a standard deviation of 7, extreme spread of 16

Thats the best load I have ever had in any rifle.

Fine results for any cartridge! (y)
 
muzz":3t2myhpa said:
Shot again with the 150 ablr's reloader 26, with 63.5 grains powder,federal 210m primers, hornady bullet comparator over all length was 2830. Shot just under half inch and average speed was 3234 with a standard deviation of 7, extreme spread of 16

Thats the best load I have ever had in any rifle.

It surely sounds like an exceptional load. Congratulations.
 
I took my 280 AI back out with some hotter charges of RL-26 and the 150 ABLR last weekend. I was able to get them up to 3200 with 63.5 gr, but they didn't shoot well at all. 62.5 gr ended up putting the first two right side by side and threw the third out maybe .75". They were running 3125 from a 24" barrel. I was using the WLRM primers. I'm going to shorten them up a tad more and try 62.5 gr with the 210 and 215 primers and see how things go.

If I can get them to tighten up the groups just a tad, I'm done.
 
The small differential in velocity is insignificant. You are almost there with what you now have. Great work.
 
DrMike":37jto9h9 said:
The small differential in velocity is insignificant. You are almost there with what you now have. Great work.

Agreed! If I can get them to hover around the .5" mark that will be about 100 fps faster than my H4831 load that shoots well. If they don't, back to H4831sc I go.
 
I had to move mine closer to the lands to get the better accuracy, Mine with the 63.5 grains is not showing much pressure at all. Speed is more then I expected and the accuracy was a good sight. I had my eye operated on three months ago and had to have the lens replaced in my eye. I cant see for shit now! So my groups at 1/2 to 3/4 " is super for me. Im really disappointed in my vision now and its taken its toll on me. Getting old really sucks bad!
 
I also shot a load with all the same powder bullet combo, went with 62.7 grains and a coal at 2816" and it shot right at the same group. They chronoed at 3175 fps with a std dev of 11. Both loads were really good so I went with the faster and a touch tighter group.
 
muzz":1do6uy5g said:
Shot again with the 150 ablr's reloader 26, with 63.5 grains powder,federal 210m primers, hornady bullet comparator over all length was 2830. Shot just under half inch and average speed was 3234 with a standard deviation of 7, extreme spread of 16

Thats the best load I have ever had in any rifle.
That sounds like you're done to me.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
 
muzz":184kpwgg said:
I had to move mine closer to the lands to get the better accuracy, Mine with the 63.5 grains is not showing much pressure at all. Speed is more then I expected and the accuracy was a good sight. I had my eye operated on three months ago and had to have the lens replaced in my eye. I cant see for pooh now! So my groups at 1/2 to 3/4 " is super for me. Im really disappointed in my vision now and its taken its toll on me. Getting old really sucks bad!


How close are you to the lands?
 
Guy Miner":38ip6hkp said:
2. How well does it feed, with that sharp shoulder?

He's really interested in the Cooper rifle, but also looking at Noslers, and just having a custom rifle built.

Thanks, Guy

Guy,
I've never felt anything that feeds as smooth as the Nosler rifle...NOTHING...and the mag loads just as smoothly, they just sorta drop right in there.

I wouldn't have believed a push feed being that smooth feeding if I had not felt it for myself.

No brag, just fact..as Will Sonnett would say...and thats coming from someone who's pretty well sold on CRF actions.
 
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