Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats .280, or .280AI, or ?

All I can tell you is I was exactly Noslers load 22 load with 23 and 63.0 with 22 with 140's.
I've had a couple guns that no matter how much powder I put in the case it wouldn't go anywhere. Example was a 338Wm with a 210NP and RL19 wouldnt go any faster than 2800 then when I switched to IMR 4350 it shot lights out at 2950. Another one was my 20BRA H4350 and RL16 wouldnt go anywhere either untill I switched to RL15

Haha
Back then I didn't mind the 50 yard stumble death run.
Never saw anything that resembled pressure with the 64g load with the 140 BT.
Didn't use a long drop tube.
Save that for the tards.
Lyman turbo tumbler is your friend.
Dave

I use my 30” black powder tube….

I’ve had excellent luck with 280’s. I also have a custom high dollar heavy barreled 280AI.
Either would be good, but I like my standard 280’s.

I'd go with the improved version. I have two. I would also go 8 twist to shoot the longer bullets. You'll be amazed.

There really isn't much of a reason not to go with the standard 280 unless you would have to fireform brass to get the AI shoulder. Buy 200 Peterson brass and be set for many, many years.

I have a #1 in 280, a Colt Light Rifle in 280 AI and an unfired Colt Light Rifle in 284 Won.
On a 700 action, I would go with a long throated 280 AI for practical reasons. If you are an oddball, like me, I'd go 284 Win throated for you favorite long bullet.

You guys going with a specific throat for a particular bullet,

Your assuming that rifle will like that particular bullet the best,

Then I’ll assume your shooting from Bench mainly, on paper?

I spec all my LR hunting reamers with a Berger the grain to Caliber, either I send a dummy to JGS or I tell them what freebore I want. Out of probably 2 dozen hunting rifles I've done load development for only 1 didn't shoot that great and that was because the chamber was crooked. I shoot from a bench but only from a bipod and only at paper never steel and all my final.load development is between 600-700 yards
I have throated 2 barrels 1 was a 280AI to shoot the Horny 162 that the owner insisted on shooting and it was chambered with a saami reamer

A 168 berger in a 280 improved would be nice

I know RL23 is all but ubtanum but Viht 560 or 165 may be worth a shot. If you throat the 168's to get the bearing surface- nk shoulder junction just out of the donut area my guess it would be a very good combo.
If you can get some RL23 215 Feds have did better than no mag primers. I helped a BR shooter I know who was struggling to get the 175 accubonds I think that was the gr somewhere in there to shoot, he was using RL26 with non mag primers and he asked me what primer I used i told him 215 in all 3 he called me back and said the 215's were the ticket.
I tried RL26 i could never get it to shoot as good as 23 always a little bit of a flyer but I know some do.
Coyote you ever come through Havre I would give you some to try but man unless something changes I would look at Viht powders

Viht powders are out there and more reasonable than ever. Not saying 26 ain't awesome, as is 23, but Viht has been pretty great in more than a few things since H became the same price.

Never played with 26 or 23. Shot a bunch of 25 though.

I 100% agree, I probably won't buy anymore Alliant powders once what I have is gone.
I'm using more Viht these days like 568 in my 30-28 and im gonna try and shoot a ladder at 660yds with 565 and 180 Berger in a friends 300WM if the wind allows it at daylight in the mourning.
I bought 8 pound jugs of 568 and 565 right as this madness was getting started. I had used 570 but I dont like how its so hard on throats.

25 would be worth a try in your 280AI if you got it.
What I like about 23 and 26 instead of 22 and 25 is there more stabile 23 is really stable, some claim 26 gets bad above 80 deg but I dont ever shoot when its that hot or hunt so I couldn't tell you.

Have had several of both. I sold all of my 280’s and kept my best two 280 AI’s.

Once I started working with the AI I was hooked for the rest of my natural born life.

Since powders are being brought up,

I have H4350 and IMR4350 on hand, both suitable, also Varget Thoughts or comments on these ?

I hear it is pretty tough on throats. I guess for the rifles I use it in, they don't get pounded on too hard yearly, but man, is that stuff fast in the cases where it fits. I have heard 560 was the stuff to have for a 280.

.284 Win

"I have H4350 and IMR4350 on hand, both suitable, also Varget Thoughts or comments on these ?"

I have owned both, and now having a Kimber lightweight I would never go back to the 280. The AI adds a little more punch, and has some have stated, "more is better". Of course, the venerable 06, 270, 280, 284, 280 AI, are all pretty much ballistically similar, but I will be staying with the AI. Last fall at my preseason tune up I managed to shoot a .50 inch 3 shot group at 300 yards, with a 160 AB and H4350. That same day my 300 WM turned in a 2.25 inch group with that same powder and the 180 AB.