Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 280 Ackley Improved

[b][/b]Question for 280 Ackley Improved users. Should the COAL be set at max or should I back off a few thousands. Max COAL is listed by Nosler and Hornady at 3.330. I know certain cartridges shoot better at Max COAL and others shoot better backed off some. I am loading for a Kimber Montana in 280 AI and using 140 gr Accubond bullets. I would appreciate any advice

With that billet chase the lands as much as the mag box will allow.

I load the Accubond in both of my Kimbers at 3.350 IIRC.

All depends on how the gun is throated and what the mag box allows. I run mine to full OAL in a rebarrelled T3.

I’m also starting to load for one I recently picked up. If you wouldn’t mind me asking, what powder/primer combo worked the best for your two rifles?

Thanks,
Craig

Your rifle will tell you that.

This.......Hb

Craig,

RL 26 with the 160 Accubond
RL 22 with the 140

Thanks! RL 22 is what i was going to start with for the 140 ABs. Much appreciated.

Craig

This one is well worth the time it takes to read through. I have a Kimber MT in 280 AI and both the 150 NBT and the 150 TTSX have shot the best while kissing the lands. For my money, RL 26 is where I’d start.

http://asrealasitgets.net/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/154494/all/This_One_Needs_Done_Too.html

Also take a look at R23 and VV165 but if you start with R26 chances are you will not need to look further. Also check out the Berger reloading tech tips, they go into length about adjusting the bullet seating length.

VV N165 was the magic pixie dust for mine. 140s @3206. Shot nice tiny groups. Case life was amazing

Pretty much the same as above.

First measure for your rifle's maximum OAL and hopefully your mag box allows that. I load out to touch lands (with less than max load) and then experiment with shorter OAL for accuracy.

Current rifle runs pretty well with every powder I have tried with 140g. It loves RL19 & 140 NBT's.