Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 280 Ackley Loads with Barnes 140 Grain TSX or TTSX

I plan on looking at 145 LRX for mine when I get a round to it this year.

As I have too much H4831, that is what I am using. I'm sure some of the newer powders give more velocity, but I've been happy with it. I load 62gr with the 140TTSX. I have no reference for that load, but it seems to be fine in my rifle.

No sir. i load enough RL-22 to power a 175 gr partition to 2840 fps in my Montana, and it shoots sub moa too in case anyone here is considering a heavy bullet load for their 280 AI.

If your rifle is as light as a Kimber Montana, be sure to firmly grip the forearm while firing the little waify bucking torquing sombuck.

That's some serious medicine gunner. Ill probably give the 175 a try as I have a bunch of them. I hear you brother. Montana's and similar weight rigs can be difficult to manage. What I'm building will end up bout 3lbs heavier than that.

3 lbs will work wonders on that builds manners Otter6, my Montana is a rude little feller.

I though about building up a load with the 160 gr Accubonds for everything 280 AI, that bullet has got to be about perfect too.

Using 62.5 gr R22 with the 140 TSX, Accubond and Interbond. Shoots all of them well and with the same sight setting. Even mixing all three they will stay within an inch. I haven't really tried to get much better accuracy with this rifle. It's in a beater stock and I haven't gotten around to replacing it. Once I run out of the TSX I will give the TTSX a try.

I'll give R26 a try next time I work up new loads. This may be better for the 150+ gr. bullets, I'll see. But I hate to quit what works. VV165 is another good match for the 280AI.

RL23 would be a good one as well, for those that see issues with temp sensitivity in the RL22. 22 works great in mine, and if there is any temp issues, it's not enough to notice in all practical hunting/shooting temps.

Well I called Barnes and they didn't have any data for IMR4831.

So I'm starting with the Nosler data and loaded up some .05" off the lands and starting load was the minimum charge of 56 and worked my way up to 60.

56
57
58
58.5
59
59.5
60

I'll be watching the case head expansion and see where this goes.

I run IMR4350 with a 145LRX. Only clocking at 2970 but is sub .5" @ 100 yards

(don't remember my charge, have it written at home)

Bought my 280 AI used from a member here. The load pictured was his. I bumped it up .5 gr with the same accuracy.

Finally got some rounds down range, got the characteristic horizontal/vertical string at 59.5 and 60 grain. I'm going to stick with the 60 and adjust seating depth to tighten the string. Looking at case head expansion I could probably go to 61 grains. At 60 I'm averaging 2.5 thousandths expansion. Need to double check the expansion on factory loads, but no observed primer flattening. More to follow.

In mine, I pulled all the rest of the 140 TTSX bullets I had loaded, in favor of the 145 LRX. Gun likes them just as well, the performance is better, and the dial on my CDS is marked for those. The 140's shot to a different POI horizontally, so I decided just keep it simple and stick to what works best.

RL22 63.5 grains
Fed 210M primers
145 LRX
Nosler (Norma) brass
just a touch over 3100 in a 25"

Mine really liked 63 gr RL22 IIRC.

From what I've seen RL22 seems to be the go-to in this cartridge.

IF I didn't already have an established load, and so many components tied up, I'd for sure play with RL23, just to see how it compares. Word is though, it might take a grain or two more 23 to match velocities, and some are claiming better accuracy with RL22

Good thread. I have a 280 AI in the works as I write this. Im considering the 140 TTSX as the go to bullet. First hand experience is always appreciated.

I have so many different bullets to try I started with the 140 ttsx. We will see if the rifle likes them. My STW favored the 150 Scirocco and I have a bunch of them left over. Not married to anything until the rifle decides that is what it likes. I'd love to just step in one, but its always a lot of work. GL