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Joined: Mar 2008
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Took my Mtn Ascent in 280 Ackley out today. Only shot it a few times because it was 14 degrees. With Nosler 140 gr. Accubond factory loads recoil was like my 243 Guide Gun but I had the weedburner on the end of the 280. Cleaned after every shot so really can't tell about the accuracy so far but they are all in the same neighorhood. It's a very nice feeling and shooting rifle. I put a Swaro Z3 3-9x36 w. a 4A reticle on it. Pretty sure I could go hunting with it right now. I have a Montana 300 WSM and a Classic 270 WSM I have had since the 8400s first came out. The 270 short mag being one of my favorite rifles. I've never had any accuracy problems with either of them. The 280 AI may be my new favorite Kimber.

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Since the last post, I took some advice and glass bedded the rifle. I am not sure if this made any difference, since I have not tried to duplicate some of the previous load results, but I feel better knowing that there is a good fit between stock and receiver. I only glass bedded the lug, one inch of the chamber, and the rear tang. I considered full-length bedding it, likes the Forbes rifles, but that can be done later if needed.

After bedding, I tested some 162 Amax and 168 Berger VLD Hunting bullets. While the sample size is small, and I should have taken some intermediate steps, it appears the gun likes the 168 Berger VLDs better than anything I have tried so far. The limited results of the 3-shot 100yd groups follow:

Hornady 162 gr Amax Bullets
1.3� 162 Amax 55gr H4831
1.5� 162 Amax 56gr H4831
1.5� 162 Amax 57gr H4831 (Hodgdon Max 56.4)

[Linked Image]





Berger 168 gr VLD Hunting Bullets
1.1� 168 Berger 57gr H4831
1.1� 168 Berger 57gr H4831
1.0� 168 Berger 57.7gr H4831 (Hodgdon Max)
2.2� 168 Berger 57.7gr H4831 (Hodgdon Max) flier

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]


The Berger 57 grain loads felt fine and I saw no abnormal pressure signs. The two groups looked good and overlay each other. The 57.7 loads seemed hot, especially the one shot that was flier in the second group, located to the right. On that shot, the bolt lift was a little stiffer than others.

Based on Hodgdon website, the 57.7 loads push the bullet at 2779 fps. Given the BC of this bullet of 0.617, that puts approximately 1670 ft-lbs of energy downrange at 500 yards. That is pretty substantial for a non-magnum cartridge. The recoil was more noticeable today pushing the larger bullets. It was not painful but noticeable.

I plan to continue tweaking the 168 Bergers until I find a sweet spot, but in the meantime, this is functional elk and deer medicine.

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How far are you 280 owners shooting?

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Just 100 so far. Our range has up to 450 when I get dialed in next time in a day or two.

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Try RL-19 and the 150 TTSX. I have the Montana version. You can see a couple of the groups from one of my earlier posts. Way better than what you're getting now, I think. You haven't found your optimum combo yet.

Some disagree, but I had to work on my form a bit to get top accuracy from my Montana. At first, I felt like it was exposing all my bad habits at the bench. Lightening the trigger also helped.


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The trigger on my Montana is 1lb 3oz, and it feels none too light when I'm shooting from the sandbags or bipod...

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No kidding . Mine feels like it's moving the rifle on the bags at 1.5 lbs

Last edited by j0s4; 12/26/12.
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Great report. Looks like a test rifle to carry in the mountains.


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I haven't tried TTSXs yet. I have tried them in factory loads with okay results. They get great reviews and have a good following. I will look for the earlier post. It makes sense that they would be more accurate. The less-dense copper will produce a longer bullet given the same bullet weight. The longer bullet should be more stable.

I agree with you on getting these lightweight rifles to shoot accurately. A light trigger becomes very important and how the rifle is held seems to make a big difference. It is all a trade off. I used to carry a 10.5 pound Sendero up the mountain, but I also remember heading back to camp early due to fatigue.

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I tried a few Barnes 168 LRX bullets today with the Ascent okay results. The wind was blowing about 8 mph so it wasn't perfect conditions. The 3-shot groups are shown below:

1.4" LRX 168 57.0gr h4831
1.6" LRX 168 57.0gr h4831
1.1" LRX 168 58.0gr h4831

These were pretty hot. I didn't shoot the 59 grain group I had loaded. The primers were pretty flat at 58 grains. This is a small sample size. I will try them again later with lighter loads.

While there I shot some 168 grain Berger VLD Hunting bullets. Previously 57 grains of H4831 seemed to be sweet spot and that was the case today. The 3-shot 100yd groups are shown below:

1.2" Berg 168 56gr h4831
1.1" Berg 168 56gr h4831
1.1" Berg 168 56.5gr h4831
0.9" Berg 168 56.5gr h4831
0.6" Berg 168 57 gr h4831
0.9" Berg 168 57 gr h4831
2.3" Berg 168 57.7gr h4831

The photos are below:

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]


The groups opened up at 57.7grains this time and previously. I am pretty pleased with these groups. I think I am reaching a point of diminishing returns.

I also noticed that the groups tended to open up if I didn't "hold" the rifle. It seemed that if I let it recoil freely, the shots moved or opened up on some of the hotter loads.


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Nice report. Dialing in a rifle and doing load development is time consuming, and good documentation is often overlooked. .


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Nice shooting! That is a light rifle so getting bug hole sized groups is tough, but you are getting some awesome accuracy out of the rifle and you'll still be able to move your arms at the end of the day!


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One of these is on the shelf at my LGS

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yep, looks like 57gr is your huckleberry


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Darktimber, I thank you for taking the time to post your results. I have the same rifle and will soon start working up loads for it. I have a few questions,, Have you tried shooting it with the brake? I have read that the brakes on light rifles really improve accuracy. Also, have you tried ReLoader 17?

Thanks Sir

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Originally Posted by Darktimber
...I also noticed that the groups tended to open up if I didn't "hold" the rifle. It seemed that if I let it recoil freely, the shots moved or opened up on some of the hotter loads.



I shot back to back groups with my Montana (338 Fed) using the same ammo, and free recoil resulted in ~3" groups, holding basically like shooting offhand, but with the bags to steady things, resulted in .75". Free recoil and Montanas do not go together. In my opinion... Now my .308 with a 26" heavy barrel is a different story.

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My Montana 338 Fed produced similar results until I pulled the front sandbag way back toward the trigger guard and got 1" with Fed ammo.

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Yep. Bag under the magazine, hold it just like you would in the field if kneeling or offhand and it shoots like a champ.

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The groups opened up at 57.7grains this time and previously. I am pretty pleased with these groups. I think I am reaching a point of diminishing returns.

I also noticed that the groups tended to open up if I didn't "hold" the rifle. It seemed that if I let it recoil freely, the shots moved or opened up on some of the hotter loads.

[/quote]


This is what I have found with both of my kimbers. When I grip them the loads are very consistent. When I just sit behind the rifle and pull the trigger groups open up with some really odd fliers.

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Thanks for the comments. I have not shot the gun with the brake so I don't have anything to add there. Recoil has not been much of an issue to me and I am usually pretty sensitive to it. I have a 300 WSM that is uncomfortable on the bench but this gun with 168 gr bullets seems mild to me. You know it goes off but it is not uncomfortable. I would like to know if the POI changes but haven't tried it yet.

It is very light and a dream to carry. I hunted with it a few times and noticed that you have to pay a little more attention to your technique. Being fast on the trigger is a bigger issue than with a heavier gun.

I haven't tried RL 17 yet.

I hope to get those Barnes 168 LRXs to shoot. I shot a few with okay results. It is an awesome looking bullet with good downrange energy. I started off a little hot I think and with very few loads. If you find a recipe yours likes please share it.

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