QuickLoad Request and powder questions .280 Ackley Improved

LifeAndLiberty · Dec 7, 2019

Hi - I recently picked up a .280 Ackley Improved. I am looking to try Reloder 26 in it as I have a bottle. Wondering if someone would be willing to help me out with a QuickLoad run for SAAMI spec's until I can dial in the specifics of my rifle's chamber and ideal bullet seating depths?
Rifle is a Savage Model 110 High Country
.280 Ackley Improved
1:9" Twist
22" barrel length
Planning on shooting 160gr Partitions.
This will be my all around hunting rifle and load development will be for that purpose.

Also side question: I have a ton of Reloder 33. Unsure if anyone has tried Reloder 33 in this cartridge, or if it could/would work?

Thank you in advance.

DrMike · Dec 7, 2019

Code:

Cartridge          : .280 Ack Imp
Bullet             : .284, 160, Nosler PART SP 16327
Useable Case Capaci: 66.332 grain H2O = 4.307 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.330 inch = 84.58 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : Alliant Reloder-26

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% 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

-10.0   90    59.40   2694    2579   44119  13611     99.3    1.308
-09.0   91    60.06   2727    2642   45777  13719     99.6    1.286
-08.0   92    60.72   2760    2706   47505  13817     99.7    1.264
-07.0   93    61.38   2792    2770   49304  13906     99.9    1.242
-06.0   94    62.04   2825    2834   51181  13984    100.0    1.221
-05.0   95    62.70   2857    2899   53138  14053    100.0    1.200
-04.0   96    63.36   2889    2965   55179  14112    100.0    1.179
-03.0   97    64.02   2921    3031   57309  14170    100.0    1.159  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0   98    64.68   2953    3097   59518  14226    100.0    1.139  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0   99    65.34   2984    3164   61809  14281    100.0    1.120  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  100    66.00   3016    3231   64191  14335    100.0    1.101  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0  101    66.66   3047    3298   66670  14387    100.0    1.082  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0  102    67.32   3078    3366   69249  14438    100.0    1.064  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0  103    67.98   3109    3435   71935  14487    100.0    1.046  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  104    68.64   3140    3504   74733  14535    100.0    1.028  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  105    69.30   3171    3573   77647  14582    100.0    1.011  !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    100    66.00   3146    3516   80536  13750    100.0    1.006  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    100    66.00   2814    2813   49309  14810     98.2    1.229

DrMike · Dec 7, 2019

Code:

Cartridge          : .280 Ack Imp
Bullet             : .284, 160, Nosler PART SP 16327
Useable Case Capaci: 66.332 grain H2O = 4.307 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.330 inch = 84.58 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 64250 psi, or 442 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 112 %
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
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Vihtavuori N570                    112.0     72.2     4.68    3030    95.0    62802   16243   1.094  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-26                 100.4     66.0     4.28    3016   100.0    64250   14336   1.100  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP30                        111.8     68.4     4.43    3001    99.0    64250   14933   1.097  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 2                        111.8     68.4     4.43    3001    99.0    64250   14933   1.097  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25                 109.5     66.6     4.32    3000   100.0    64250   13959   1.086  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP                          101.4     64.7     4.19    2996    99.9    64250   14508   1.096  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517                106.0     69.2     4.48    2995    99.0    64250   14636   1.082  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12                  105.8     69.1     4.48    2995    99.1    64250   14610   1.082  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560                    103.2     64.5     4.18    2993    98.3    64250   14880   1.090  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 70                   98.4     64.1     4.15    2991   100.0    64250   14069   1.081  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO                    103.5     67.3     4.36    2983    97.1    64250   14963   1.097  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC                       101.9     64.0     4.15    2983    98.7    64250   14419   1.080  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828                           107.8     64.0     4.15    2983    98.7    64250   14419   1.080  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213                        102.9     63.6     4.12    2969    98.6    64250   14278   1.078  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15                       103.5     64.0     4.15    2969    99.4    64250   14304   1.096  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation       103.5     64.0     4.15    2969    99.4    64250   14304   1.096  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22                 103.5     64.0     4.15    2969    99.4    64250   14304   1.096  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR                     106.3     64.3     4.17    2968    99.3    64250   14322   1.096  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP15                        106.3     64.3     4.17    2968    99.3    64250   14322   1.096  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 2214                        106.8     67.8     4.39    2964    98.8    64250   14105   1.076  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 60                   92.0     59.0     3.82    2958   100.0    64250   12880   1.090  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-33                 112.0     74.3     4.81    2954    94.4    58990   15777   1.127  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2217                        112.0     67.7     4.39    2954    98.7    63688   14041   1.080  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H1000                      112.0     67.7     4.39    2954    98.7    63688   14041   1.080  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum                     103.2     68.7     4.45    2953    99.8    64250   13686   1.088  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905                      104.7     63.5     4.12    2938    98.2    64250   13962   1.095  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5 NT ~approximation       106.6     66.5     4.31    2935    96.8    64250   14076   1.082  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17                  91.0     58.4     3.78    2935   100.0    64250   12787   1.097  ! Near Maximum !
Elcho 17                            91.0     58.4     3.78    2935   100.0    64250   12787   1.097  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-23                 105.9     63.4     4.11    2935   100.0    64250   12898   1.104  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209                         99.8     60.7     3.93    2931    99.3    64250   13557   1.085  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19                 100.4     61.4     3.98    2928    99.3    64250   13631   1.093  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 518                 96.6     61.0     3.95    2924   100.0    64250   13279   1.099  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation         101.1     61.8     4.01    2922    99.3    64250   13535   1.093  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 511                 92.8     60.5     3.92    2921   100.0    64250   13178   1.099  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter                      95.9     60.5     3.92    2920   100.0    64250   13160   1.100  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414                        90.6     58.6     3.80    2919    99.9    64250   13229   1.100  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760                      90.6     58.6     3.80    2919    99.9    64250   13229   1.100  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 62                   94.4     60.5     3.92    2918   100.0    64250   12916   1.112  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-16                  97.4     58.0     3.76    2917   100.0    64250   12637   1.106  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 80                  112.0     74.3     4.81    2909    94.3    56231   15576   1.150  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4                         98.3     60.1     3.90    2906    99.2    64250   13287   1.093  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204                           95.2     60.1     3.90    2906    99.2    64250   13287   1.093  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation           98.3     60.1     3.90    2906    99.2    64250   13287   1.093  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC                   101.5     62.8     4.07    2905    98.0    64250   13457   1.090  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831                      105.6     62.8     4.07    2905    98.0    64250   13457   1.090  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365                        97.3     59.2     3.83    2900   100.0    64250   12223   1.112  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550                     92.8     57.9     3.76    2898   100.0    64250   12739   1.109  ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP                           95.4     57.7     3.74    2897   100.0    64250   12591   1.106  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation          95.5     57.7     3.74    2897   100.0    64250   12588   1.106  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Retumbo                    112.0     68.9     4.46    2897    99.7    55364   14551   1.156  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2225                        112.0     68.9     4.46    2897    99.7    55364   14551   1.156  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350                       94.5     57.8     3.75    2892   100.0    64250   12553   1.123  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385                       100.5     62.1     4.03    2892    99.7    64250   13025   1.112  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2218                        112.0     73.0     4.73    2890    92.2    56157   15827   1.142  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780              98.9     63.8     4.13    2883    99.2    64250   12954   1.097  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 NT ~approximation        96.0     59.6     3.86    2882    99.8    64250   12786   1.105  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831                           100.1     58.6     3.80    2880   100.0    64250   12326   1.114  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904                       99.2     59.8     3.88    2879    98.6    64250   12979   1.094  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165                    105.8     64.0     4.15    2878    99.6    64250   12733   1.102  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100                      103.5     63.3     4.10    2877   100.0    64250   12633   1.126  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S071                         109.5     63.3     4.10    2877   100.0    64250   12633   1.126  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4955 Enduron                   102.9     61.2     3.97    2872    98.1    64250   13036   1.092  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S070                          95.3     57.6     3.73    2867    99.9    64250   12565   1.112  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160                    105.9     62.1     4.02    2863    98.5    64250   12748   1.096  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex D100                         111.6     73.4     4.76    2857    89.7    64250   13392   1.096  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V                 97.9     57.9     3.75    2855   100.0    64250   11630   1.106  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R907                       93.2     56.0     3.63    2851    99.7    64250   12390   1.104  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP7                          93.2     56.0     3.63    2851    99.7    64250   12390   1.104  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC                        90.3     56.0     3.63    2850    99.7    64250   12382   1.104  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S361                        98.2     64.0     4.14    2850    97.9    64250   12734   1.104  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S065                          94.3     56.4     3.65    2844   100.0    64250   12074   1.111  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori 24N41                   112.0     73.0     4.73    2843    87.2    59310   14058   1.123  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R903                       90.5     54.7     3.55    2838   100.0    64250   11617   1.124  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S355                        90.8     54.3     3.52    2836   100.0    64250   11633   1.116  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7977 Enduron                   107.2     64.8     4.20    2810    91.4    64250   12535   1.095  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 217                          112.0     67.4     4.37    2803    98.3    48930   14672   1.239
Vihtavuori N170                    112.0     67.7     4.39    2789    92.0    57647   13376   1.165  ! Near Maximum !

DrMike · Dec 7, 2019

Trying to stuff a maximum charge of RL33 would be quite a feat.

Code:

Cartridge          : .280 Ack Imp
Bullet             : .284, 160, Nosler PART SP 16327
Useable Case Capaci: 66.332 grain H2O = 4.307 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.330 inch = 84.58 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : Alliant Reloder-33

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% 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

-10.0  103    68.13   2621    2441   41953  14018     87.7    1.329
-09.0  104    68.89   2661    2515   43689  14258     88.6    1.303
-08.0  105    69.64   2701    2592   45512  14493     89.5    1.277
-07.0  106    70.40   2741    2670   47430  14722     90.4    1.252
-06.0  107    71.16   2782    2750   49444  14944     91.2    1.227
-05.0  108    71.92   2823    2832   51565  15158     92.0    1.202
-04.0  110    72.67   2865    2916   53797  15365     92.8    1.178
-03.0  111    73.43   2906    3001   56151  15563     93.6    1.154  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  112    74.19   2948    3088   58632  15752     94.3    1.131  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0  113    74.94   2991    3177   61253  15931     94.9    1.107  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  114    75.70   3033    3268   64022  16101     95.6    1.085  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0  115    76.46   3076    3361   66948  16259     96.2    1.062  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0  116    77.21   3119    3456   70049  16406     96.7    1.040  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0  118    77.97   3162    3552   73332  16541     97.3    1.019  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  119    78.73   3205    3650   76818  16663     97.7    0.997  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  120    79.49   3249    3750   80520  16773     98.2    0.976  !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    114    75.70   3246    3743   81708  16117     99.8    0.981  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    114    75.70   2755    2696   49905  14858     85.4    1.217

LifeAndLiberty · Dec 8, 2019

DrMike":1w9fcibd said:
Trying to stuff a maximum charge of RL33 would be quite a feat

Thank you for all of this effort - it appears I can safely try to sell my stock of Reloder 33.

From the information above, it also appears Reloder 26, in theory, is a good place to focus my attention on.

Thanks again,

SJB358 · Dec 8, 2019

LifeAndLiberty":27384rx4 said:
DrMike":27384rx4 said:

Trying to stuff a maximum charge of RL33 would be quite a feat

Click to expand...

Thank you for all of this effort - it appears I can safely try to sell my stock of Reloder 33.

From the information above, it also appears Reloder 26, in theory, is a good place to focus my attention on.

Thanks again,

26 is amazing in my 270’s and 7mm WSM. IF it’s accurate you’ll have a tough time topping the speed.

LifeAndLiberty · Dec 8, 2019

SJB358":1mrud0jq said:
26 is amazing in my 270’s and 7mm WSM. IF it’s accurate you’ll have a tough time topping the speed.

Yes, 26 seems to be a great starting point for sure. If it is accurate, and I hear it is also fairly temperature stable, I will probably stop looking there once I get a load / seating depth I am comfortable with. Anything accurate over 2900fps I will probably count my blessings and be satisfied.

SJB358 · Dec 8, 2019

LifeAndLiberty":nluqaozz said:
SJB358":nluqaozz said:

26 is amazing in my 270’s and 7mm WSM. IF it’s accurate you’ll have a tough time topping the speed.

Click to expand...

Yes, 26 seems to be a great starting point for sure. If it is accurate, and I hear it is also fairly temperature stable, I will probably stop looking there once I get a load / seating depth I am comfortable with. Anything accurate over 2900fps I will probably count my blessings and be satisfied.

Don’t look past plain ol, easy to get H4831SC either. I’d bet you’ll get pretty close to your goal with it as well. Little brother uses 4831 and the 150 Swift for about 3050. I would bet you’d do well there too.

jspickar · Dec 8, 2019

I am shooting reloader 26 in my 280ai with a 160gr AccuBond, cci br2, 24 inch barrel, 1:9 twist. No problem getting over 2900fps. I actually never even worked up to pressure. I shot a 0.4 " group with one of my first charge weights and stopped.

Before trying reloader 26 I tried a bunch with reloader 23 but never got good accuracy.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

LifeAndLiberty · Nov 27, 2021

DrMike":7wve4cdf said:

Code:

Cartridge          : .280 Ack Imp
Bullet             : .284, 160, Nosler PART SP 16327
Useable Case Capaci: 66.332 grain H2O = 4.307 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.330 inch = 84.58 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : Alliant Reloder-26

DrMike - resurrecting an old thread. Can QuickLoad go off of Ogive measurements instead of COAL? Measuring factory Nosler Trophy Grade 140gr Accubonds I get a COAL of 3.238 corresponding to a 2.685 measurement from base to Ogive. Measuring the max chamber size in my rifle, using 160gr Partitions, I measure 2.752. COAL Measurement came to roughly 3.290 with some disfiguring of the tip of the Partition due to needing to get it out of the lands with a tap from the muzzle end (got stuck during measurement).

Not passing the sniff test. Numbers indicate the chamber is tighter than SAAMI specs by about 0.04 of an inch. I’m still relatively new at this, but I’ve loaded for 28 Nosler, .308Win, and .375Win and this is the first time I’m measuring a rifle’s overall length numbers that are tighter than SAAMI. I did not buy an off-the-shelf .280AI Hornady case, I used a fired case and sent that to Hornady for them to make. I did not resize the case before sending it to them. I’m wondering if that is having something to do with this? And just to be clear, the rifle is stamped .280 Ackley Improved from Savage, I did not have the chamber reamed. This rifle began life as a .280 Ackley, not converted from .280 Remington.

Repeating measurements over and over and getting the same results. Very odd. It’s making me question what powder charge to start with and what seating depth to settle on. Was planning on going .020 off the lands to start, but second guessing myself.

Allegedly there is some new data in Hornady’s 11th manual on .280AI and Reloder 26, but I do not have that book yet. EDIT to add - they have an app now, it lists a maximum charge with 162gr bullet as 60.6 grains of Reloder 26. Vastly different from QuickLoad.