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280AI Load/Bullet Recommendations #5632750 03/04/15 12:12 AM
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So I have a Kimber Montana in 280AI on the way. I just ordered dies and brass last night though I'm holding off on bullets until I get some better information on what I might want to use. The barrel should have a 1-9.5 twist so I'm hoping that'll be fast enough for 168 Bergers if I decide to go that heavy. I'm leaning more towards bullets in the 140-150gr range. I currently have IMR-4350, H1000, and RL-22 that I can try along with CCI Large Rifle primers. My goal is to find a load that will at least shoot .75 MOA. This will be primarily a backcountry rifle when weight savings is important and could get used on elk depending on where I'm hunting but more than likely, my 300WSM will go with me if I draw and elk rifle hunts in the future. Thoughts?

Re: 280AI Load/Bullet Recommendations [Re: ltsheets] #5632927 03/04/15 01:22 AM
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The 150 Partition.


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Re: 280AI Load/Bullet Recommendations [Re: RiverRider] #5632964 03/04/15 01:38 AM
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Originally Posted By: RiverRider
The 150 Partition.


Or the 168 Berger, it's what I'd put in the 280 A.I.

But I'm a BC hound.


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Re: 280AI Load/Bullet Recommendations [Re: ltsheets] #5633069 03/04/15 02:37 AM
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Yes you are.

Take a look at the type of rifle the OP is getting. Why in hell would he want a "high" BC bullet? If he'd said "I've bought a rifle built on a 700 action with a heavy barrel, a tactical stock, and a bigass bolt knob, and it's chambered in .280 AI and I want to go long range shooting," I might have been the first to say take a look at the VLD type bullets.

Such is not the case.


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Re: 280AI Load/Bullet Recommendations [Re: RiverRider] #5633101 03/04/15 02:56 AM
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Doesn't have to be on a 700 action. His action is a very nice one.

Heavy barrels are for repetition shooting. Light barrels are for hunting. Light barrels can shoot shots 1-3 just as consistently as any heavy barrel.

Stocks are user preference.

Big [censored] bolt knobs are user preference, they have nothing to do with internal ballistics of the chamber.

High BC equals more retained velocity, equals more retained energy upon arrival. And less wind deflection on the way, and yes it matters at 200 yards, at least to me.




And you know all of these things, so I'm not real sure why I have to explain them. Oh wait, I'm not explaining them to you, but to on-lookers.


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Re: 280AI Load/Bullet Recommendations [Re: ltsheets] #5633108 03/04/15 02:59 AM
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Originally Posted By: ltsheets
So I have a Kimber Montana in 280AI on the way.



JG...think, man.


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Re: 280AI Load/Bullet Recommendations [Re: RiverRider] #5633116 03/04/15 03:07 AM
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Whaaaaat?

When he had a post in the rifles secion he mentioned taking this rifle on Antelope, Elk, and Muleys if I remember correctly. He also mentioned wanting the ability to go 300+.

Will a 150 partition do it? You bet. Will it do it's job upon arrival? Without a doubt. Just throwing another option out there. Thus far the Berger hasn't disappointed me, even on my one elk shot at 200 yards. Thasss all I's sayin...


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Re: 280AI Load/Bullet Recommendations [Re: ltsheets] #5633160 03/04/15 03:28 AM
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Thanks gents. Play nice haha. The 168 Berger is one I'll probably give a shot as ive been happy so far with how the 185 vld has worked in my 300wsm.

Re: 280AI Load/Bullet Recommendations [Re: ltsheets] #5633474 03/04/15 01:08 PM
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Another vote for the Nosler Partition in 150 gr (or 140 or 160 NPT, which I have more experience with, but in the 7mm RM).

I have to agree with RR in that a HUNTING bullet should be judged more by its construction and terminal performance rather than by its ranging ability. It's always fun to talk about 600-800 yard shots, but that's best left for debate around the wood stove. In real world situations, your elk and other game animals will be taken at much closer ranges.

The experienced hunter will always pay heed to the fact that, of all his gadgets and geegaws, the bullet is the only item that will touch the live animal. So it must do its job.

EDIT to add: I've recently become a big fan of the Barnes 140 TTSX. Out of two different 7mm RMs, my brother and I have used it to take a wagonload of game over the last 3 years in Texas, Argentina, and Africa ranging in size from eland and elk down to baboon and blackbuck. The velocity in our Big Sevens runs about 3250 fps, is accurate as all get-out, and will be around 100 fps faster than what you can safely achieve in your .280AI with IMR4350.

Last edited by dawaba; 03/04/15 01:47 PM.

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Re: 280AI Load/Bullet Recommendations [Re: ltsheets] #5633614 03/04/15 02:47 PM
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I think the 140 gr Nosler Accubonds would be an option too.

Re: 280AI Load/Bullet Recommendations [Re: dawaba] #5633689 03/04/15 03:29 PM
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Why is there always a stigma that Bergers don't do their job upon impact?

And I don't mean that being a smarta$$.

Myself and several friend have had great results. Last kill a bud of mine made was last fall. 430 yards 7 Rem Mag 180 Berger VLD, one shot she piled up. I double lunged a muley buck at 50 yards with the same bullet out of the same case, he ran 60 yards and piled up. Later that same day a friend in our hunting party killed a 200 pound muley buck from 230 yards, shooting a 300 Win Mag and 210 Berger, again, one shot and done.


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Re: 280AI Load/Bullet Recommendations [Re: ltsheets] #5633714 03/04/15 03:46 PM
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I've killed with Berger myself. Still would not be my first choice for hunting inside 400 yards.


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Re: 280AI Load/Bullet Recommendations [Re: ltsheets] #5633737 03/04/15 04:01 PM
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My dad's 280 (non-AI) loves 150 grain partitions. If long range shooting is not your goal I would heed RR's advice and find a bullet that will do more and better on the game end of the spectrum.


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Re: 280AI Load/Bullet Recommendations [Re: ltsheets] #5633759 03/04/15 04:15 PM
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140 AB's and H4831 is all you need(if you can find the AB's that is) If you want to shoot an elk, jump up to 160 AB's or the Partitions

Re: 280AI Load/Bullet Recommendations [Re: ltsheets] #5773032 06/04/15 02:04 AM
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I've had good terminal performance on whitetails and mule deer out of the 140 AB's pushed by H4831 SC. Shots have been 40 to just over 250 yards.


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