Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats First custom

280AI that I just sold did really well with 150 TTSX. Sort of surprised me. They grouped better on avg than 160 Accubonds. Going to load some in anticipation of my new 280AI. I used IMR 4831 with the TTSX. Plan to try RL19 and 4350.

If that load is averaging under .5", I would take it hunting and not look back. Fantastic hunting bullet.

Bsa you need to get a life ........your way to hung up on other peoples targets!

You just need some more trigger time, Taco. That gun is talking to you, saying nice things. You should try building a perfect nest on the bench and analyzing your "follow through." Maybe even some dry firing.
I have found that my rifles like to punish me for not keeping them busy. After a lay off, I really have to get my head in the game again.

He's a tool.

Think you're right. Need to slow it down, get set up right, and see what the rifle can do and not what I can do with it.

And as for the BSA comments, I wasn't sure if he was kidding or being an ass. Does he expect people to re-zero every load they're working on? I don't give a damn where they are hitting, I'm trying to find out how they're grouping. And if I had 18 months in the states near a range to get it done, it would have been long ago. But when you're stationed in Germany and doing training missions in various European countries and haven't seen your rifle that entire time...

He's a clown...........

Somewhere above I read you were cleaning between groups. Stop doing that, let the barrel settle in, and see how it does.

Just got all my reloading stuff set up and (mine and not a buddy's) and 49 rounds loaded. 20 of the proven load with 150ttsx, then different charges for 145lrx, 150ablr, 162amax. All with IMR 4350 and Fed210s right now. Will see what the rifle says this week, work with any that show potential, and try to fine tune.

I wonder if fed 210's would make much difference vs cci br2's. I do not have any but have plenty cci and 215's. Have heard not to use the 215's unless over 60g of powder. Have no idea if this is correct.

VV N165 is another that works really well in a 280AI and the best I used in mine!

I shoot 59gr of RL-22 with the 162 A-max. It's giving me great accuracy. You can go up to 62gr but mine liked it best at 59gr so thats where I stopped.

N165 is the prime powder for the 280 AI. 63 gr with 140's goes < 1/2 moa in my gun.

I spent several seasons with my first 280AI and 63gr of N165 and 140 Accubonds. Never had a whitetail run more than 75 yards however got tiny entrance and exit holes. Most were heart/lung placement. Most deer ran. Big internal destruction but almost no blood trails. The exception to this was a 275 yard shot doe. Much greater blood loss and exit hole. I have never fully understood the internal ballistics of the Nosler Accubond. Given that it is a bonded bullet, could I have still been getting core separation at high speed? Probably going close to 3000 fps at under 100 y ranges.

Did you ever ditch the bipod and put it on bags for testing?

No. Have so far tested it as I'll use it. Thinking Tuesday I'll take it out and work it out from bags and take plenty of time.

Switch the 140 accubond to the 140 ballistic tip should see some better blood trails?

That's for sure!

Just don't put the BT where you intend to eat.

Will definitely try the BT's. My last rifle loved the 150 TTSX's. Hoping new rifle will be ready in a month or so. Emailed Borden today. Will still have to send off to stock guy for inletting and bedding. 100 degrees here so would not be shooting it anyway right now. I sold my 280AI 700 build to someone a few weeks ago. I am going do some work up loads in anticipation of the new rifle. Think am going to start with N165 and 150gr TTSX and 150gr BT. Unfortunately shaping up to be a whitetail only year for me. Have some 168gr Berger's to try but there is not much point this year. My shots will never be over 400y. Have never shot a whitetail over 300y.

Only the back end of the AB is bonded; the front isn't. Might explain your smaller exit holes as the front of the bullet blows off under impact and the rear penetrates.

At longer ranges velocity is lower and the bullet holds more frontal area...bigger exit(?).