If you had to choose ONE bullet for .280ai...

Seems like a common theme for the accubond. I also like the federal fusion which i believe they sell as just bullets now along with factory ammo. Take a look at the trophy bonded tip, the marketing for it is good enough to peak my interest at least.

I like squishy bullets so Eld-x, or Eld-m in the 162gr
Id also be happy with 168 ABLRS and a faster than 1:9 twist.

Depends what id use the gun for, was shoots best would be my first concern. I'd think the accubond for a good all around bullet, but I'm cheap so shooting some speers would be my first try it you could find any, seems I haven't seen any speer bullets in stock in 2 years.

140 Hornady Ballistic Tips

I load for 2 - 7mag, a .280 and a 7x57

They shoot the Hornady 140 gr BT or Nosier Partition 140 gr, better than any bullets in have tried.

troy fairweather said:

Depends what id use the gun for, was shoots best would be my first concern. I'd think the accubond for a good all around bullet, but I'm cheap so shooting some speers would be my first try it you could find any, seems I haven't seen any speer bullets in stock in 2 years.

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I've never been able to get accubonds to shoot to suit me in anything. In the same guns ballistic tips will drive tacks the accubonds are lucky to shoot MOA groups.

Nosler ballistic tips.

Cowhide Cliff said:

I've never been able to get accubonds to shoot to suit me in anything. In the same guns ballistic tips will drive tacks the accubonds are lucky to shoot MOA groups.

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Ya for some reason I've seen where guys can't get the accubonds to shoot, even seen the same with partitions but I've never had any trouble. The btips shoot but all the ones I've used just are to soft, under 2800 fps there good tho.

I like ballistic tips, but for the cost I'll shoot tipped match bullets or eld-x. I tend toward the heavier weights also tho.

I've never had any real issues getting accubonds to shoot, but I've had inconsistent results with the ABLRS, but again sub MOA is plenty accurate enough for me.

For a 280AI I'd look at any bonded high bc bullet available around the 160 grain bullet weight.
I shoot a 140gr Nosler Accubond in my 7mm08 and have found it to be outstanding and it leaves me wanting nothing else from it.

If I had a 280 AI if Nosler makes a 160gr Accubond the non ABLR version that would be my only choice.

175 gr Partition. No question.

NMachine said:

175 gr Partition. No question.

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I am supprized the partition is not on the vote, the 175 May e overkill for most game but a killer combo.

troy fairweather said:

I am supprized the partition is not on the vote, the 175 May e overkill for most game but a killer combo.

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Imo 175s are a little heavy for general use, but on larger game they do offer some added penetration. I ran 175SGKs out of my 7mm STW for awhile.

LoonWulf said:

Imo 175s are a little heavy for general use, but on larger game they do offer some added penetration. I ran 175SGKs out of my 7mm STW for awhile.

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Poll did say ONE bullet for All game. I really think it can probably all be done with the 160 grain Partition, but if it has to be one choice for all game I choose the 175. Covers it all- even plains game in Africa.

LoonWulf said:

Imo 175s are a little heavy for general use, but on larger game they do offer some added penetration. I ran 175SGKs out of my 7mm STW for awhile.

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yes the sgk where good I !killed a few deer but for the price the edl m are cheaper and work as good.

Nosler Partition

I'd use 160 Partitions if elk or moose were being hunted. I'd sacrifice a little BC for the performance I know you get with Partitions.

troy fairweather said:

Ya for some reason I've seen where guys can't get the accubonds to shoot, even seen the same with partitions but I've never had any trouble. The btips shoot but all the ones I've used just are to soft, under 2800 fps there good tho.

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In my 30-06 with a 26 inch barrel I use a 165 grain Nosler BTBT over 57 grains of IMR 4350. I haven't run it over a chrono but it should give me close to 3000 FPS. The only thing is under 40 yards they tend to fragment. I have never lost a deer to one tho. The exit wound is usually smaller than the entrance but the heart and lungs are totally destroyed.

troy fairweather said:

Ya for some reason I've seen where guys can't get the accubonds to shoot, even seen the same with partitions but I've never had any trouble. The btips shoot but all the ones I've used just are to soft, under 2800 fps there good tho.

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You are right there, the B tips explode in my 7wsm at closer ranges. Blows a hole in a deer you can put a softball through but I figure no such thing as too dead and no problem with a blood trail as if you need to trail them. Out around 400 yards they perform real well. I did shoot a big buck yesterday at around 150 and it didn't even exit though, hit shoulder and rib going in and I assume came apart but lungs were mush. First I ever recall them not at least leaving an exit wound. I typically try to use my 7-08 if I know the shots are going to be closer so I'm running the B-Tips slower.

hawg said:

In my 30-06 with a 26 inch barrel I use a 165 grain Nosler BTBT over 57 grains of IMR 4350. I haven't run it over a chrono but it should give me close to 3000 FPS. The only thing is under 40 yards they tend to fragment. I have never lost a deer to one tho. The exit wound is usually smaller than the entrance but the heart and lungs are totally destroyed.

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I've seen same experience at close ranges with them but they are deadly accurate. I can regularly heart punch deer at 400+ with my 7wsm. I use the 140 grain in the 7mm and same as you in the 30s

Typical problem, not enough info to answer properly...

Most folks worry about what caliber their rifle is, instead of matching the bullet to the game they are hunting. The key to having any caliber rifle to have good performance on game, is to match the bullet weight/style/construction to the game hunted.

In .280 caliber on deer sized game, 140 to 150 grain bullets do well, and I prefer Nosler Partitions because the nose is soft, and the back two thirds of the bullet is hard to drive in deep or on through.

Sure, many other bullet designs will give deep penetration, but they don't have the added soft nose for fast, good expansion on softer targets, or at lower velocities.

DM

Another vote for the Partition. Not necessary and expensive for deer and smaller but if you're limited to just one bullet for all around use without velocity concerns I don't know how you can beat it.

Too expensive?

At $0.20, $0.50, or $1.00 for a bullet vs rifle, scope, hunting trip, and clean kill; if $1.00, even $2.00 is too much or main concern, you may want to rethink why you are hunting.

Granted, after working up load, using premium, expensive bullets to punch holes in paper doesn't make sense. I use a plain, 140 gr Sierra SPS to punch holes. Much cheaper, almost as accurate and allows for lots of practice.

I use the Sierra's to shoot coyotes, hogs and other vermin, out of deer season.

For one bullet for EVERYTHING I'd probably lean toward 160 gr bullets. Probably heavier than needed for most game, but if I were taking it after elk, moose or bear I'd want it. Most of those bullets have a high enough BC to hold up better for long range work than the lighter 140 gr bullets. The 175's start to become more specialized IMO.

Which bullet? Probably the Ballistic Tip. While they do have a reputation for fast expansion anytime you start going heavier for caliber that improves. AND, Nosler listened to consumers and several years ago started making the jackets a little thicker on the Ballistic Tips which helps hold them together better. While the reputation is still out there, newer versions of that bullet now perform very close to the Accubond.

TTSX.

These things shoot well and always seem to punch well above their weight. Since I live in Ca I have to use the monometal bullets, I’ve had good luck shooting the TSX ones in a variety of guns.



Good luck finding a bullet/load combo your gun likes .

Stay safe.