Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Accubond Load, 280AI

I am working with the 160 grain accubonds in my 280AI

2 groups just under an inch at approximately 2800fps (as listed in the book, no chronograph)

would you guys try and get it a bit faster for black bears 150 yards would be a long shot most under 100 probably, or be satisfied with that velocity and go with it.

I am loading ramshot magnum with the 160 AB for 2920 fps...as far as velocity goes 2800 is plenty for black bears at 150 yds...

If your using Nosler data they use 26" long barrel and starting loads for the 160AB in a 280AI are low to mid 2800fps and they have 7 loads over 3000fps.

I worked up one load using Nosler data with IMR-7828 for the 160AB @ 3038fps and another using 56/R-17 @ 3046fps.

Not knowing spec on your rifle and not much info on loading data and no chronograph I be guessing on your velocity.

I've never used Hodgdon for the 280AI so can't comment.

limited to IMR 4350, RL 19, and H4831

after running the number through a ballistics calculator it looks like the 55 grains of H4831 should suffice

i know my barrel isn't 26" so when I put my numbers in I put them in at 2700fps just to be on the safe side but looks like it will keep above 2300fps out to 200 yards which should provide adequate expansion and penetration

if i'm missing something let me know, not too late to change my load yet, still hoping more people weigh in on the issue

Black bear dont strike me as being that hard to kill. Only seen hunts for them on TV, but again they are no grizz. Work your way up till you find pressure signs. Then back off and tweak for accuracy. Any black bear at 200 or less wont stand a chance if you put the boolit where it needs to be

My last 280AI loved IMR 7828 with the 160 Accubond, right around 2900 out of the 23 inch Brux barrel.

If you think your flying a 160 NAB in the neighborhood of 2700fps with good accuracy then you you all the gun you need plus some for black bears to well past 200yds.

That said if your only getting 2700 your likely leaving a few hundred fps on the table not co suffering rifle and specific load.

My 280AI's most accurate load is with the 160AB over 54.5 IMR 4350 in Rem brass with Fed 210 (typical 1/2 to 5/8" 3 shot groups). It only clocks 2730, but my barrel is only 20".

My M700 has a 24" Hart barrel ans shoots the 160 gr AB at 3019 fps with RL22 into bug hole groups.

JD338

IMR 4831, H4831SC & RL22 - all 3 have worked great for me when matched up with a 160 AB. I get lower 2900's from a 24" barrel.

My go to is a 150 BT and that's what I would use for Black Bear if it were me. The 160 should serve you we'll.


Randy

Kimber Montana



160AB (Accubond)
RL22,58.5gr,"3.340, 1.5", 2888fps
59gr,Same, .9",2900fps
60gr,Same, .8",2940fps

I run the 160AB at 3030 fps out of my 26" Hart barreled 280AI

Just recovered my first, usually get a complete pass thru. This was on a 150 pound hog at 50 yds quartering toward me going thru the front shoulder and recovered just under the skin at the junction of the opposite rear leg and the belly, about 30" of penetration






About 60% weight retention and plenty of penetration

Perfect is as perfect does.

The bear will not be able to tell the difference between a MV of 2700 or 2900. I always load for accuracy assuming I'm getting near the desired perforamance range.

Can't go wrong with a 160 in the larger cased 7mm cartridges. My old and my huntings partner's 7 RM love the 160 grain bullets. His shoots the AB extremely well and has accounted for at least 3 elk as I watched. My old BDL loved all 160 and 175 grain bullets, but I thought the 160s offered the best balance of velocity, accuracy and performance on game.

My 280 AI went for the 140 grain TSX/TTSX right out of the box and I had no need to go further. That bullet can handle anything I'm likely to want to put a hole through.

I'm running the 140 accubonds at a little over 3200 with a 25" tube. Load is 64gr of VVN560. Hope to try it out on a whitetail sometime this winter.

tag

Can I ask what twist you guys have? Wondering if a 10 would work well for this 160gr AB?

I've never owned a 280 AI but have its ballistic twin - 7mm SAUM. In a 24" barrel gun, I ran 160's in the low 2900's. If the gun shoots well at 2800 and change, go with it.

10 twist might be a little slow for the 160s, I am running a 9 twist...Sako runs a 9.5 in the 7mms and it seems to stabilize the 160s..