Loading for the 280 Ackley...

[Ridgerunner665]

As you all know, I don't even have the rifle yet...

But I have been getting components gathered up...I have some 150 ABLR's on backorder from Midway but I'm thinking about abandoning that idea in favor of the 160 AccuBond...mostly for its better sectional density...I like the idea of being able to drive a bullet from bow to stern on a deer, not worrying about where the bones are so much...

The 160 will do all I need from the Ackley...800 yards with enough speed to expand well...honestly only intend to shoot to about 600 anyway, but there may be exceptions to that rule (depending on rack size and conditions at the time)

I have brass (Nosler), bullets (140 & 160 Nosler AB's), and powder (Nosl...I mean Norma MRP)...

Primers...I have a few thousand CCI BR2's...but it seems many people like to use magnum primers in the 280 Ackley...and I understand the concept behind that (60+ grains of slow burning powder)...Nosler data shows they used regular large rifle primers, as does Hodgden data...I'm inclined to try the BR2's before buying any more primers but would be interested to hear anybody's experiences with this.

Much like a thread I did on my 30-06 on another forum (Marlin Owners)...this one will be an ongoing thing...random load info and notes and such....forum threads are surprisingly handy places to store load data and notes (especially if you live on the road like I do)...though I can usually store them in my head once I get the load sorted out.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Messing around with QuickLoad...and taking notes for possible reduced loads.

49-50 grains of H4895 under a 140 AccuBond makes the 280AI behave like a 7mm-08...80% load density, 2,875 fps.

47-48 grains of H4895 under a 160 AccuBond does the same thing....81% load density, 2,750 fps.

Not sure this is a safe combo to use...just taking notes for later research.

Anybody tried this?

Hodgdens online data says 45.5 grains is max for the 140 BT...their 280AI data is all sorts of screwed up...and thats not based on QuickLoad...that assessment is based on all the other available 280AI load data.

Looking at the Hodgden data for the 7mm Rem SUAM (virtually the same case capacity as the 280AI)...they list Varget but not H4895...50 grain start load at 2,945 fps.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

OK...its official...I no longer trust Hodgdens online load data, at least not for the 280AI.

 

[tim629]

for my 280ai w/ the 160 AccuBond I got good results with RL19 but the best 2 powders I have tried so far were IMR 4350 and H4831

that was using standard large rifle primers

I haven't tried the 140ab's but I have used the 140BT's as my summer bullet and RL19 is doing very well there

 

[Dwh7271]

RR,
The first MRP load I was trying was 65 gr fired by a CCI 200, Nosler Brass, and the 150 Partition.
Pretty accurate with good speed.
Didn't try a mag primer with it. May a little later. Seemed like it lit off fine.
Currently testing IMR 4831 w some 140 Accubonds.
I really don't envision a hunting scenario for me where I would shoot beyond 400 though (other than targets for fun), so my needs/wants may be different than yours.
I also have a 7 RM that I load the 160s in.

 

[woods]

I have used IMR4831, H4831, IMR4350, RL22, RL19, RL25 and lately RL17 which gives me the most consistent velocity and accuracy. Started lower and worked up, cases are up to the 6th reload and primer pockets holding good at 56 gr RL17 with Fed215M .030" off the lands

AUDETTE AB160 0.507 RL17 3.350 1 53.7 0.030 2911
AUDETTE AB160 0.507 RL17 3.350 2 54.0 0.030 2924
AUDETTE AB160 0.507 RL17 3.350 3 54.3 0.030 2962
AUDETTE AB160 0.507 RL17 3.350 4 54.6 0.030 2975
AUDETTE AB160 0.507 RL17 3.350 5 54.9 0.030 2986
AUDETTE AB160 0.507 RL17 3.350 6 55.2 0.030 2996
AUDETTE AB160 0.507 RL17 3.350 7 55.5 0.030 3003
AUDETTE AB160 0.507 RL17 3.350 8 55.8 0.030 3030
AUDETTE AB160 0.507 RL17 3.350 9 56.1 0.030 3044
AUDETTE AB160 0.507 RL17 3.350 10 56.4 0.030 3065

 

[BD1]

I've heard that MRP and Rel.22 are one in the same poured into different canisters........ book data is nearly identical.
Regardless, I had extremely good success with Accubombs and Rel. 22 in the .280AI I owned with Fed 210's.
Congrats on your new rifle and luck on your loads,

BD

 

[Ridgerunner665]

I've heard that MRP and Rel.22 are one in the same poured into different canisters........ book data is nearly identical.
Regardless, I had extremely good success with Accubombs and Rel. 22 in the .280AI I owned with Fed 210's.
Congrats on your new rifle and luck on your loads,

BD

I'm not convinced they're exactly the same...they're not the same color...that much is for certain.

That said...they are quite similar in they way they burn...according to load data and QuickLoad....haven't used MRP yet, but have burned a few pounds of RL22 in the past.

Some say RL22 is basically MRP...but with additional coatings...which would explain the color difference.

 

[BD1]

I'm not necessarily convinced either and load accordingly also, I only mentioned it because you remarked about using it. I would imagine your results would closely mirror the performance of REL. 22.... I've wondered if the additional coatings on REL. 22 may have something to do with its reputed lesser temp sensitivity than some other powders....

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Lesser temp sensitivity?

It's one of the most temp sensitive powders I've ever used...only Accurate 2230 is worse, among the powders I've used.

I tested it in 300 Win Mag...and got over 150 fps difference from 75 degrees to 90 degrees....and over 100 fps difference from 75 degrees down to 35 degrees, that's over 2 fps per degree...I'll accept 1.3-1.5 fps per degree (on the cooler side)...but any more than that and I'm looking for another powder...may have just been a bad lot, but it pretty much ruined RL22 for me.

Powder temp sensitivity does vary with cartridge dynamics....it probably works great in some rounds...and not so great in others.

I'm anxious to test MRP...and to be honest, I should retest RL22 in the Ackley...it's easier to get.

I hate starting fresh with new powders in new rounds...you buy a pound, it works, you buy several pounds to get the same lot (yet, different lot from the first pound)....and it doesn't work as well as you thought, now you're stuck with it...

 

[BD1]

I did say reputed, additionally, I've never had any overt or unusual temp sensitivity issues with the canisters I've used. I should add that I do most of my hunting load development in the late fall and over the winter when load pressures and vels will more closely match the weather I generally hunt in. I do realize that some loads developed during the heat of high summer will run a little slower in winter and vice versa loads developed in mid winter will run hotter in high summer.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Yep...you did.

I develope loads whenever I get time, lol...but I'm keenly aware of what temperature can do...I just test them before doing anything serious with them.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

A lot of powders claim to be insensitive to temperature changes...most are full of $@&#....lol.

One exception that I know for sure is H4350 when used in the 30-06.

From 0-90 degrees...it won't change more than 10-20 fps in either direction....picks up a little speed below 30 degrees, but only a very little...and that may well have more to do with the cold steel than the powder.

Too bad it's too fast for the Ackley...at least for my purposes.

 

[BD1]

Its interesting that you got such a wider disparity of vel. differences between 75-90 degrees ( a 15 degree difference) than you did between 35-75 degrees. (A 40 degree difference)
What was the cartridge ?
The .280 AI I had originally belonged to a close friend of mine who later traded back for it. I helped him get the loads worked up for it using Nosler brass, Accubonds, Rel 22 and the Fed210 caps
The vels were extraordinary stable and accuracy was excellent. Load work was done here in Oregon during late summer in warm weather and the rifle went to the Brooks range that year on a Dall Sheep, Mountain Caribou hunt in much colder weather. The loads performed flawlessly and both animals were taken with a single shot each. The Carbou was taken at 460 yds with the reticle held just on the back line of the animal and it folded up on the spot.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

It was a custom 300 Win Mag.

 

[BD1]

Sorry, you did say that. I think that you hit the nail on the head about different cartridge dynamics.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

RR,
The first MRP load I was trying was 65 gr fired by a CCI 200, Nosler Brass, and the 150 Partition.
Pretty accurate with good speed.
Didn't try a mag primer with it. May a little later. Seemed like it lit off fine.
Currently testing IMR 4831 w some 140 Accubonds.
I really don't envision a hunting scenario for me where I would shoot beyond 400 though (other than targets for fun), so my needs/wants may be different than yours.
I also have a 7 RM that I load the 160s in.

Did you chrono that MRP load?

 

[nvbroncrider]

With the 140's H4350 should be in the right burn rate to get close to 100% fill. As for the 160's you will need slower. 7828SSC has been suburb in my rifle for both velocity and accuracy.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Yep...I'm gonna use H4350 for the 140's.

Though, according to QuickLoad...MRP would send them at over 3,200 fps...may or may not be accurate though.

The MRP should work with the 160's...I hope.

 

[Dwh7271]

Yessir, 3 ran 3018, 3028, 3040.
It was fairly warm that day. Around 80 IIRC.