Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Mule Deer: 280 Ackley 7977 loads?

John, while going through past threads I noted with interest you were thinking of trying this combo.

Care to share your results?

I got the best groups with bullets in the 160-168 grain range when using IMR7977, using 62.0 grains with lighter ones for around 2900 fps, and 61.0 grain with heavier ones for around 2800.
These were from a 22" barrel, so would get another 50 fps or so from a 24", maybe 100 fps from a 26".

Thank you John.

Piggybacking on the thread.

JB, What would be on your short list of powders to try for bullets 160-168 gr in the 280AI?

I'd like to see his answer on this too.

According to my condensation of the handloads that worked best in various cartridges, aside from 7977 (if you have any!) the powders that resulted in the smallest groups with 160-168 grain bullets in the three .280 AIs I've handloaded for are H4831SC, Ramshot Magnum and Reloder 26.

This is from Gun Gack IV, The Little Book of Rifle Loads That Work, which appeared last fall. It's a collection of the handloads that worked best in 50 rifle cartridges from the .17 Hornet to the .45-70, when loading for various rifles in each chambering.

Thanks, M.D. I have gotten good results in my two .280AI's with IMR7828 too. But, its real advantage is it's often available.

Yep! And being available is often the most important factor these days....

Tagging, great info.

MD on 280AI loads GG IV

Thank you John

Model 70 Featherweight XTR rechambered from 7x57 to 280 Ackley Imp 40 degrees.
22" Barrel with all loads using Federal 210M primers and Remington 280 brass.
All loads chronographed at 15 feet using Oehler 35P

145gn Barnes LRX
65.5gn 7977 OAL 3.370" for 3001fps

150gn Nosler BT
64gn 7977 OAL 3,300" for 2898fps

160gn Nosler Partition
64gn 7977 OAL 3.300" for 2916fps

162gn Hornady ELDX
63gn 7977 OAL 3.351" for 2827fps

Please drop back a little and work up.