Guys, I have a friend that has asked me to load up 100 rounds for him of the .280AI with Barnes bullets. I have a ton of reloading experience, but have never used Barnes bullets. I have most powders on hand. He has bought Nosler brass. Any suggestions. Much appreciated, Goodshot.

Grab your mate and go to the range and work up loads for his rifle using the projectiles in question...it will do you both the world of good and will probably get him interested in loading for himself.

Always good to have a mate you can borrow components from in an emergency.

Barnes bullets are very finicky to seating depth. Figure that out first. Also if you have loaded 140's for him or used a powder that has worked for his rifle I would look into using that powder? I imagine the 280AI shouldn't be too difficult to load for?

[Insert kissing vs. jumping Barnes argument here]

I've started every mono I've shot at .050 off the lands. Most are seated to the front of the first band and I've shat in tall cotton.

Can't argue with success.

Don't worry, someone will....

How true!

Yep; that is my experience as well. Never found em the least bit "finicky" just start em way back from lands and VIOLA! Tight little clusters.

I just finished fire forming some 280AI cases w/ my new rifle & have some 140 TSXs loaded up w/ RL22. I don't have the data in front of me, but IIRC my start was 59 & highest I went 63?

I'd suggest having your friend check that .280 AI Nosler brass for fit in his chamber. A lot of guys w/ old .280 Rem Ackley Improved chambers have had issues with it. He might be best off to buy some factory 280 ammo & fireform to his chamber.

Thanks for the feedback guys. My buddy lives in Fairbanks Alaska, I live in Sequim Wa. He is a dentist that has a very tight schedule. I run H4831SC for my 280ai and have both RL19,&22 on hand.I have used Nosler brass in the past with this gun w/o issues so we are safe there. My biggest question was bullet jump. Thanks for the feedback. this gun is a custom 700 w/ 26" shilen barrel & trigger. Gun shoots everything well. He wants the Barnes for less meat damage and more flexabilty on Elk etc. He is a very good shot, just does not reload. Thanks again....goodshot

I agree with the jump on the Barnes. I have been shooting them for a long time. The first time that I read in a Barnes manual about starting at .050" off the lands I thought B.S.

Well eventually I realized strangly enough the people that make the bullets actually knew what they were talking about.

Most of my Barnes loads end up around .100" off the lands and some even more.

So far as powder and load for my 280AI it likes 60 Grains of IMR 4831 about 140 TTSX's at .075" off the lands.

Good luck.

twofish

Had a "find pressure" outing today w/ 140 TSXs, RL22, CCI-200s, & freshly formed R-P 7mm Exp cases. 4 shots... 62, 63, 63.5, & 64 gr:



Needless to say I'm excited for the possibilities!

I have never loaded Barnes bullets in my 280 A.I. but I have had good luck with RL19, RL22, H-4350 and H-4831 with a variety of 140 gr bullets in my rifle over the years. If you can find any of these powders that would be a good starting place.