I have a couple 280's and a couple 7mm RM's. But I wanted a long range coyote rifle. I had a 700 action blue printed, a premium varmint weight 26" 7mm barrel that I had chambered in 280AI placed it in a Kevlar stock, after market trigger, heavy recoil lug, target scope - the works...
My 7mm RM is an early 1960's vintage BDL. I loaded some 168 ABLR bullets and the first load shot about 3/5 MOA. But I wanted better and I had I high hopes for the 280 AI...
Today I sot the 280AI:
175 ABLR with RE26 - 1.46" 5 shot group at 104 yards
168 ABLR with RE 26 - 1.815" 5 shot group at 104 yards
150 gr Nosler partitions - 1.28" 5 shot at 82 yards
I was disappointed - to say the least!
Then I had some fire forming loads that I had I thrown together last winter with 150 grain Remington CL's, 140 grain CL's and 154 grain SST's - The CL's shot about 2 to 3 MOA. But the SST's shot into a small hole - about 1/10 MOA. _ I had thrown these loads together using up some old powder I never would otherwise use and I didn't write down the powder, primer or charge weight. I have hopes for that 280AI.
Long story short, I'm looking for your favorite 280AI loads for long range.
