Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 280 AI favorite powders

Getting everything together to start loading for the 280AI, I see some threads from 2010/12 that talked up IMR-7828. With powder currently in such short demand What would be on your short list of powders to load up bullets in the 140-162gr weight range. Thanks.

I tested 150 Partitions and 140 Nosler BT's with IMR7828 SSC, H4831 SC, H4350, R22, and R26.

R26 won out, but I have choice loads circled in my book for all of the other powder options, except H4350. In my rifle, 4350 didn't group with the others and I dropped it. The 4831 SC came in second in my rifle, but 7828 and R22 were so close it doesn't really matter.

Anyone using RE23? Called Alliant and they dont have any data for it in 280AI

With 140gr bullets I've had good results with R-17, and quite often see it available in the local area. It's the speed king among all powders that I tried for that weight. With 150 and 160 gr bullets I burned RL-22 for many years, though recently switched to RL-23. Alliant says it's temperature stable, which I have no cause to doubt, but can say that it offers a pretty good boost in velocity over RL-22. My rifle seems to favor the heavier charges, with accuracy and chronograph data sometimes showing erratic results on the way up. Seems to burn dirty at lighter charges too. Alliant also says that the burn rate is similar to RL-22, which leads many in cyber land to claim that data is interchangeable, but in my experience it shows pressure a few grains shy of favorite old RL-22 loads. Perhaps it's lot variation, or more likely some other characteristic beyond my comprehension. For hunting I now use the Nosler 150AB and RL-23.

While I confess to a bias toward Alliant powders, H4831 was the first powder that I tried, and also the path of least resistance regarding accuracy with various bullets. It likes most anything. Regrettably the velocities tended to disappoint, often well short of the published data, so I kept looking. No experience with IMR7828 except in the 7mm Rem Mag.

Not much out there, but a few guys have posted Quickload data with RL-23 and Noslers. Sorry I don't have the path, but hopefully it's still posted somewhere.

I have used: R22, MRP, R-26, VV-165, and probably some others. I would also snag any R-23, 7197, VV-560 & 565, 7828, H1000 or anything available in that approximate burn range. I would start with R-23 if you can find some. R-16 works well for 140 and under bulllets.

i have lucked into 2 pounds of R-23

I run IMR 7977 in my 280ai with 140-160’s. Roughly the same burn rate as H1000, good temp stability and pretty easy to find.

For my 280 Ai's the top powders have been RL, 22 RL 17 and lately with the 145 LRX it's RL 16.

It might be "pretty easy to find "in Idaho, in Utah there is NONE !!!!!

If I had to pick one powder for the 280 AI, it would be Re23. Over several bullets it has given good velocity and groups. Recently tried IMR 4451 under a 145 LRX. Shoots sub MOA in my rifle. Re 26 under a 145 LRX does almost as good.

RL26 and H4831sc with 160 AB and 162 ELDX. RL 26 runs about 100fps faster.

IMR 7828
Fed 210's....shocking
175g Nosler long accubond
Formed Lapua 30/06 brass
groups in the 3's are normal, 2900+....about 21 shot load development with the bullet seated .010 off the lands


Hell of a bullet, shoots holes though hogs and deer from any angle. Up the Azz and out the shoulder....call'r done!

I shot 140's for a long time, R#22, N160, IMR 4831 all shot very small groups, 3100-3230 fps, using nosler ballistic tips and Barnes ttsx.

Start at the start with good tough brass, this is the down fall for a lot of AI shooters, as this case loves really hot loads! Lots of Schitt brass out there.

If you are shooting some distance, the 180 eldm will simply impress all takers...something you have to see to believe. I appreciate another board member bringing this to my attention.

That 175 AB load above has my interest.

I shoot 160s in mine.

H4831 slings then 2,860fps; RL23 2,950fps

I have other powders, but haven’t seen the need to try them.

A 160 partition at 2,950fps is adequate for everything but large bears.

R-26 with 150 and 160 grain bullets in mine.

I've had five different .280AIs, over the years, and there are a number of powders that have worked really well with bullets ranging from 120 - 162 grains. The powders that gave me consistently good results (in all of my rifles) were: IMR 4831, H4831, H4831SC, RL17, RL22, and N165.

The current .280AI loves RL23, as well. I don't think I ever tried in my previous rifles.

I have some RL26 and IMR 7828SSC, that I'd like to try, and I never really gave Ramshot Hunter a solid look. It's good to have options!

Why would a 160 Partition @ 2950 FPS not be adequate for large bears?

My 280 AI loves 63 gr of RL 22 and a 140 gr Nosler Accubond. Best group is around .250 . This load runs at 3225 fps.

Large is a relative term; my reference was grizzly.

I’ve had one grizzly encounter while hunting moose; it was a non event, but I was glad I had my 375 in hand.

I had a grizzly encounter and shot him with my revolver. Can't see a 160 grain 7mm as being inadequate, Phil Shoemaker killed a 900 pound grizzly with a 9mm

R17 for 140 gr is my current choice

Good for you. I love the 7mm caliber, but will personally be carrying something larger when in grizzly country. To each his own. Happy hunting.

I carried a 7RM with 175 Nosler partitions as a fishing rifle while I guided in Alaska, now if I was paying big money to hunt them the 375 would get the nod.

Back to the 280 AI get some R23 or 7977 if you can and get a big jug

I would not have the least reservation on using the 280 AI with any premium 160 or 175 on interior grizzly's.

What kind of velocity did you get with 7977 and 160s?

I haven’t tried that powder yet.

Choice wasn't the discussion, you posted the 280 was adequate for all game except large bears and I asked why not large bears. Moose are more difficult to penetrate in my experience

Choice wasn't the discussion, you posted the 280 was adequate for all game except large bears and I asked why not large bears. Moose are more difficult to penetrate in my experience

This was your post

4350, 4831, Re-19, Re-22, 7828, Re-23, Re-26

Sucks when someone is trying to derail a thread. I comfortably get 2900fps with 160AB’s out of a 24” Kimber using 7977.

Hoping my 280AI likes the 145 LRX. Anyone running these? I'd suppose 150 TTSX's would be just as effective at the ranges I shoot. Planning on RL17 since I have a fair amount of that powder. Anyone having luck with Barnes in the AI?

So is the general rule of thumb when working up loads for RE-23 to start 2grs under RE22 data and work up?

I have a 280 rem with a 22” pacnor barrel and with RL26 I am pushing a 140 grain Ballistic Tip at 3180. This is producing 1/2” groups with no pressure signs, so with the AI it should be able to get you around 3300fps.

I also tried H4831sc and was going at a Nosler book max of 57 grains. Accuracy was awesome but speeds were only at 2800fps.

Tada!

Federal has RE23 and RE22 load data for the 155 terminal assent in 280AI. Charges are within 0.3 of each other.

Federal website, reloading, bullets, find 155TA page, bottom of the page has a link to a pdf file.

Not a lot of mention of RL-19 but I have used it for years with 140 grain bullets. The most accurate loads in my 280 AI are with RL-19 and H-4350. RL-22 works well with 160 grain bullets.

Back in the day when I used a Ruger M77 in .280Rem, 140gn Nosler Accubonds and 57gns RL19 was my standard load.