.280ai and 145 gr Speer Hot-Cor, which powder to start with?

[wombat13]

I am finally going to get started loading for my .280ai (Kimber Hunter). I have ELD-X (forgot the weight), 120 gr and 140 gr TTSX, and 145 gr and 160 gr Hot-Cor. The 145 gr Hot-Cor is the bullet that I have the most of (200), so I thought I'd get started there. Also, no reason to burn through the very expensive TTSX while I'm getting used to the rifle. I plan to hotrod the TTSX because they like to be driven fast. I'll also probably try to drive the ELD-X very fast since it's relatively high BC is all about getting velocity down range.

I don't feel the need to drive 145 gr Hot-Cor super fast. I'd just like to find an accurate load that I can use to get comfortable with the rifle. Here's the problem: I can't find load data for the 145 gr Hot-Cor and the .280ai. Speer publishes data for .280 rem but not the Ackley. Hodgdon has data for 140 gr and 150 gr (not Hot-Cor). So what powder to use?

Here are the powders I have that seem to fit in the 140 - 150 gr bullets in .280ai:

IMR 4350, 4451, 4831, 7828ssc, 7977
H4831sc, Hybrid 100V
Alliant RL17 (only 1 lb), RL22

I have a lot of IMR 4350 and 4831, but those also seem to be the powders that often work best for my rifles, so I'd like to try something different. ALso, when I get to the Barnes bullets, IMR 4350, IMR 4831, Hybrid 100v and RL 17 are the powders that I have that are in the Barnes load data. RL17 seems attractive but I only have 1 lb. What would you try?

 

[GooseGestapo]

Nosler has online data for the .280AI.
They liked RL17 for 120’s, RL22 for heavier.
Impressive velocities with modest powder charges…
Use the 150gr powder charges for the 145gr bullets.

BTW: Midway has some 150gr PTSpt .284” blems that are the “cats meow” in my 7’s. 45.5gr of H4350 in my 7mm08. At under $13/100, better get plenty! I did!
Impressive exit wound. Bang flop at 148yds. The gun just likes 150’s.
I adjusted the scope because I thought 2 had shot under the target. I’m not accustomed to it shooting so good…


My Ruger RSI likes 7x57 45.5
And 7mmRemMag likes 78.0gr of WC860.

 

[wombat13]

Thanks, I look at Nosler data, but again, no data for a 145 gr bullet.

 

[wombat13]

Nosler has online data for the .280AI.
They liked RL17 for 120’s, RL22 for heavier.
Impressive velocities with modest powder charges…
Use the 150gr powder charges for the 145gr bullets.

BTW: Midway has some 150gr PTSpt .284” blems that are the “cats meow” in my 7’s. 45.5gr of H4350 in my 7mm08. At under $13/100, better get plenty! I did!
Impressive exit wound. Bang flop at 148yds. The gun just likes 150’s.
I adjusted the scope because I thought 2 had shot under the target. I’m not accustomed to it shooting so good…


My Ruger RSI likes 7x57 45.5
And 7mmRemMag likes 78.0gr of WC860.

Thanks for the tip. I bought 500 of those bullets. I figure for 14 cents each I can't go wrong. Most of our whitetail hunting shots are within 100 yards, so they should be accurate enough for that. Which bullet do you think it is?

 

[wombat13]

I'm still interested in powder recommendations for the 145 gr Hot-Cors, but now I've got 500 of the 150 gr blems on the way. I'm leaning toward trying IMR 7828ssc with those bullets. I've got 4 lbs which would be just about enough to load all those bullets, so if I find a good load, I'm all set. I've had the 7828ssc for years and just never tried it. I'd like to try it here to see if it will meter well enough in by RL550 that I can get acceptable accuracy without weighing and trickling each charge.

 

[TEXASJD]

Both of the 4350s work well
Edit. 4831ssc works well with 150-162. I normally use 140g h4350 for hunting but for some reason the IMR4350 seems to be a bit more accurate just not temp stable

 

[GooseGestapo]

Thanks for the tip. I bought 500 of those bullets. I figure for 14 cents each I can't go wrong. Most of our whitetail hunting shots are within 100 yards, so they should be accurate enough for that. Which bullet do you think it is?

At first I thought they were Sierras, but meplate is too large. They are identical to the Federal 150gr PowerShok in 7mmRemMag so possibly Federal.
They ARE accurate in three 7mm’s I’ve loaded/shot them in. When I ordered them, I expected Hornady, but have been pleasantly surprised.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I'm still interested in powder recommendations for the 145 gr Hot-Cors, but now I've got 500 of the 150 gr blems on the way. I'm leaning toward trying IMR 7828ssc with those bullets. I've got 4 lbs which would be just about enough to load all those bullets, so if I find a good load, I'm all set. I've had the 7828ssc for years and just never tried it. I'd like to try it here to see if it will meter well enough in by RL550 that I can get acceptable accuracy without weighing and trickling each charge.

I'm thinking 7828 might be a little slow for the 280, but I haven't tried it.
As mentioned previously, RL 17, 16, 22 all probably good. I'd probably try Superformance and Staball 6.5 as well.

 

[rayatphonix]

I got a 280 AI about a year ago. I tried Hornady 180’s and 162’s, Speer 160’s and Nosler 140 CT’s. I have good loads for the Hornady 180’s and the Noslers. I am using IMR 4831 for the Noslers and IMR 4350 for the 180’s. I’m running tests tomorrow on the 160’s with IMR 4350. In addition to the powders above I’ve tried RL19, H4831SC, and 7828SSC.

I actually have some Speer 145’s, but I’ve not tried them yet. Let’s keep the information flowing.

 

[troy fairweather]

Just use the 280rem data max as your starting Ackley load. That 145 at 2800-2900 is a deadly bullet.

 

[wombat13]

At first I thought they were Sierras, but meplate is too large. They are identical to the Federal 150gr PowerShok in 7mmRemMag so possibly Federal.
They ARE accurate in three 7mm’s I’ve loaded/shot them in. When I ordered them, I expected Hornady, but have been pleasantly surprised.

PowerShok would be great. The 180 gr PowerShok was the most accurate factory ammo I tried in my .300WM. Looking foward to loading them.

 

[wombat13]

I'm thinking 7828 might be a little slow for the 280, but I haven't tried it.
As mentioned previously, RL 17, 16, 22 all probably good. I'd probably try Superformance and Staball 6.5 as well.

Yes, Hodgdon's data indicates it won't give the highest velocity, but pretty good. I have Superperformance, but Hodgdon doesn't publish any data for it with .280ai. I want to try the 7828ssc to see if it really will meter well enough that I don't have to weight and trickle every charge. If I can get 1.5 MOA with out weighing every charge, I'd be very happy. I could have an easy to load 200 yard hunting load.

Edit to add: Hodgdon's data indicates that 7828ssc gives up about 150 fps to the highest velocity powders with a 150 gr bullet. On the other hand, Nosler data shows 7828ssc as the highest velocity powder with 150 gr bullets. So, who knows? If it meters well it will be plenty fast enough. Even Hodgdon's data is showing 2,863 fps with 150 gr bullet. Nosler's data shows 3,100 fps.

 

[rayatphonix]

I haven‘t had much luck with 7828SSC with my 280AI, but I’ve not tried it on bullets lighter than 160 grains.

I did find a good load for the Speer 160’s I have. This was the second load I tried. 0.3 grains more and the group opened up to almost 2”. Bullet is seated about 20/1000 off the lands. Next time I have my Chrono out I’ll check velocity, but I doubt I’ll spend any more time chasing a load for this projectile.

I’ll see what I can do with Speer 145’s next.

 

[Random 8]

I shoot a .280 Rem, not AI, and IMR 4350 has been the gold standard for all bullet styles and weights for me, including the Speer 145HC, 145BTSP, 145 GS and Nosler 140 Part as well as others. That being said, I haven't experimented much. I found loads that gave the accuracy I needed and stopped there. I'm not a velocity monger. I'll stop below max at "enough" if the accuracy is there.

Of the powders you list, I think the 100V is the most replaceable at the moment. You might source some AA 4350, or H414/W760. These should all be in the same burn range. I would think any of these, or any of the ones you have in inventory and wish to use up would be a good place to start experimenting with your new rifle.

For casual shooting, you should be fine using 280 Rem data and working up carefully, comparing as many similar .280 AI options as possible. For anything red-line I would source .280 AI specific bullets, powders and data.

I really applaud your approach of using an inexpensive bullet with a milder load to get a feel for your rifle before moving on to more exotic stuff. Leave the bench behind and sling some rounds sitting, kneeling, (gasp) offhand and field expedient rest and I could consider you a kindred spirit.

Do try something in the 160 grain range, specifically the Speer Hot Core. Your cartridge will utilize it effectively, and you may never look back. They're cheap and they work, and the BC is quite good for a flat based bullet. I'm a bit handicapped in my rifle by a short magazine/throat, and I don't tend to hunt at extreme range, so 145s do it for me.

 

[wombat13]

At first I thought they were Sierras, but meplate is too large. They are identical to the Federal 150gr PowerShok in 7mmRemMag so possibly Federal.
They ARE accurate in three 7mm’s I’ve loaded/shot them in. When I ordered them, I expected Hornady, but have been pleasantly surprised.

The bullets I received are flat-bottomed jacketed soft points with a crimp groove. I think you're correct that they are Federal PowerShok. The bullets look similar to the PowerShoks I have in .300WM. Federal offers 150 gr PowerShoks in 7mm rem mag and .280 rem. Unfortunately, they do not offer the PowerShok component bullet or any soft-point bullet in 150 gr 7mm. No other soft point bullet matches up: Speer doesn't offer a 150 gr 7mm; Sierra GameKing is a boat-tail and lacks the crimp groove; Hornady's Interlock is 154 gr; Nosler's Partition lacks the crimp groove. Any others it could possibly be?