Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 280AI Elk Bullets & Powder

I plan to try the 162 amax and 168 ablr in the 280 ks I just picked up. Might try some 120 ttsx's later too.

Bb

I was shooting 150 LRABs today with H4831SC, best 3 shot group .287 worst .600 the 150 LRAB shoots very well out of my 280AI I'm just a little afraid to use it on Elk but wouldn't hesitate to use it on deer or antelope..

I've quit using RL 22 because I've seen wide swings in velocity from cold to hot.

I've quit using RL22 for the same reason...

VV N165 works great in the 280AI!

I was looking at this bullet for elk hunting but before I spend $50 on a box I would like to know more now. Are these 150 LRABs known for poor performance on bigger game?

2013 was the first year they were out, so very little games actually been shot with any of the LRAB's. Much of what you are hearing about them at this point is still speculation.

My speculation:
I don't see any reason why the LR version would perform significantly different on game than the original AB. The outside shape is different but it's still a bonded bullet. I would expect it to be a little softer in front with thinner front jacket than the regular AB to expand at the lower velocity threshold of LR shooting. From what I've seen of recovered AB bullets, they seem to retain 60-80% weight and perform like a Partition.

At this point, I would put my money on the ABLR performing better in game than the Berger hunting versions, across the velocity spectrum.

I concur with your speculation, but won't know until I actually get to kill something with a few!!

I'm using the 140 TTSXs in my standard .280 at around 3020, and it does good things near and far to elk, bear, and deer.

Dave

Was at the range today, just putting a few out of my Kimber 280AI. 140g TTSX over RL22 with Fed215. As the day warmed up, the groups crept up. In fact 2inches at 100m after a 15 Degrees Celsius change (summer here)... time to try a different powder. A real shame, as they group at .5inch too...

Barrel temp could also have the same effect

Was the 150ablr very sensitive to seating depth due to the secant ogive or was it easy to get them shooting well?

My gun really seems to like the 150 LRAB I shot them with several different powders and primers .600 was the biggest 3 shot group I shot...as far as seating depth they seem to shoot alittle better with a jump..I have been working with the 168 LRAB it hasn't shot very well in my gun at any seating depth, the best group was in the .750 range. Sometimes a barrel just shows you what it likes and what it doesn't...My barrel favors the 150LRAB and the 160AB.. I haven't found the LRAB to be Critical to seating depth like some of the bergers I've worked with..

What twist barrel are you running ?

9 twist Brux..

Thanks. I have a 9 twist on order and am hoping that will be enough to shoot the 168 ABLRs well.

9 Twist should be plenty for the 168..

FWIW, last fall ran a box of 150 LRABs seated to touch thru a non-Weatherby 7mm WB, and it printed 1/2" 3 shot groups. Have yet to try different seating with it.

Turned out really impressive groups with 140AB for season--also 1 in 9.

A buddy of nine just showed me this yesterday afternoon. Shot by his wife, from his 280 AI @ 2900 fps. The 150 LRAB, killing the cow at 440 yds, rib to rib. They could not find the bullet but the butcher did find it stuck in the off side rib. Weighed 80 gr and I measured it at .5" across the widest point. The cow was up the steep angled hill side like you see in the back ground. Once she went down like a ton of bricks, DRT, she picked up speed and was absolutely cart wheeling/careening nearly to the bottom.









Alan