Lasiocarpa
Well-known member
With a 1:8 twist I would be shooting 180 eldms.
280 AI help
- Thread starter Derek-307
- Start date
I was hoping to get 175 eldx shooting. But I would like more velocity at the muzzle.
Here's the Grok AI answer. It seems pretty good.
The **280 Ackley Improved** (280 AI) is a high-performance 7mm cartridge known for excellent velocity with mid-to-heavy bullets like the 168gr Berger ABLR (Applied Ballistics Long Range, often similar to or the same as Berger's Hybrid Target or VLD Hunting lines in loading discussions).
Factory ammo provides a baseline: Federal Premium's 280 AI with 168gr Berger Hybrid Hunter lists **2800 fps** muzzle velocity (barrel length not specified, but typically from ~24" test barrels in such data).
Handloaders report higher velocities, often in the **2900-3000+ fps** range from longer barrels (22-26"), with common powders including:
- RL-26, RL-23, RL-22 (Alliant Reloder series — often top performers for speed and consistency with heavy-for-caliber 7mm bullets)
- H4831SC, H1000 (Hodgdon — temperature stable, good for long-range loads)
- IMR 7828SSC, RL-19, N560, etc.
From real-world reports:
- In 23-26" barrels, 168gr Berger (VLD/ABLR/Hybrid) loads commonly achieve **2950-3000 fps** or slightly higher with max loads of powders like RL-17, RL-22, RL-26, IMR 7828SSC, or Retumbo (e.g., 2950 fps with RL-17 from 23.5", 2969 fps with IMR 7828SSC, ~2925-2950 fps with Retumbo or RL-22/23).
- One report from a **20" barrel** showed **3028 fps** average (likely with a fast powder like RL-26 or similar, 62gr charge, low ES/SD, no pressure signs noted).
A 20" barrel is on the shorter side for the 280 AI (which shines in 24-26" setups to maximize its case capacity advantage over standard .280 Rem). Velocity loss is roughly **20-50 fps per inch** shorter than a 24-26" reference (depending on powder burn rate, load, and bullet), though some users note it can be more pronounced with slower powders.
For a **20" barrel** with 168gr ABLR, expect realistic handload velocities in the **2850-2950 fps** range (possibly touching low-3000s with optimized fast-burning powders and careful workups). This is conservative compared to longer barrels but still delivers strong ballistics (close to or exceeding many 7mm Rem Mag loads from similar lengths, with less recoil and better efficiency).
**Powders that commonly produce high velocities** with 168gr Berger-style bullets in 280 AI (start low and work up safely using published data from Nosler, Berger, Hodgdon, Alliant, etc., always cross-reference multiple sources, use a chronograph, watch for pressure signs):
- **RL-26** — Frequently praised for top-end speed with 168gr bullets (often cited in recent loads for 2900+ fps in longer barrels; likely best for high velocity in shorter ones too).
- **RL-23** — Excellent consistency and speed (reports of 2930-2950 fps in 26" barrels).
- **RL-22** or **RL-19** — Solid performers (e.g., 2950 fps averages reported).
- **H4831SC** or **H1000** — Temperature-stable favorites, slightly lower velocity than Reloders but very accurate (often 2850-2950 fps range).
- **IMR 7828SSC** — Good velocity (e.g., up to ~2970 fps in some tests).
- Others like **Retumbo** (slower, fills well, ~2925 fps reported) or **N560** for magnum-like performance.
Always use current reloading manuals (e.g., Hodgdon, Nosler, Berger) for starting/max charges, as data varies by bullet (ABLR is long, may seat differently), brass, primers, and chamber. The 280 AI responds well to magnum primers in many loads. Barrel twist (typically 1:9" or faster recommended for 168gr stability), seating depth, and node tuning affect final results.
If you're developing loads, prioritize accuracy nodes over max velocity, and consider a chronograph to confirm your actual speeds.
The **280 Ackley Improved** (280 AI) is a high-performance 7mm cartridge known for excellent velocity with mid-to-heavy bullets like the 168gr Berger ABLR (Applied Ballistics Long Range, often similar to or the same as Berger's Hybrid Target or VLD Hunting lines in loading discussions).
Factory ammo provides a baseline: Federal Premium's 280 AI with 168gr Berger Hybrid Hunter lists **2800 fps** muzzle velocity (barrel length not specified, but typically from ~24" test barrels in such data).
Handloaders report higher velocities, often in the **2900-3000+ fps** range from longer barrels (22-26"), with common powders including:
- RL-26, RL-23, RL-22 (Alliant Reloder series — often top performers for speed and consistency with heavy-for-caliber 7mm bullets)
- H4831SC, H1000 (Hodgdon — temperature stable, good for long-range loads)
- IMR 7828SSC, RL-19, N560, etc.
From real-world reports:
- In 23-26" barrels, 168gr Berger (VLD/ABLR/Hybrid) loads commonly achieve **2950-3000 fps** or slightly higher with max loads of powders like RL-17, RL-22, RL-26, IMR 7828SSC, or Retumbo (e.g., 2950 fps with RL-17 from 23.5", 2969 fps with IMR 7828SSC, ~2925-2950 fps with Retumbo or RL-22/23).
- One report from a **20" barrel** showed **3028 fps** average (likely with a fast powder like RL-26 or similar, 62gr charge, low ES/SD, no pressure signs noted).
A 20" barrel is on the shorter side for the 280 AI (which shines in 24-26" setups to maximize its case capacity advantage over standard .280 Rem). Velocity loss is roughly **20-50 fps per inch** shorter than a 24-26" reference (depending on powder burn rate, load, and bullet), though some users note it can be more pronounced with slower powders.
For a **20" barrel** with 168gr ABLR, expect realistic handload velocities in the **2850-2950 fps** range (possibly touching low-3000s with optimized fast-burning powders and careful workups). This is conservative compared to longer barrels but still delivers strong ballistics (close to or exceeding many 7mm Rem Mag loads from similar lengths, with less recoil and better efficiency).
**Powders that commonly produce high velocities** with 168gr Berger-style bullets in 280 AI (start low and work up safely using published data from Nosler, Berger, Hodgdon, Alliant, etc., always cross-reference multiple sources, use a chronograph, watch for pressure signs):
- **RL-26** — Frequently praised for top-end speed with 168gr bullets (often cited in recent loads for 2900+ fps in longer barrels; likely best for high velocity in shorter ones too).
- **RL-23** — Excellent consistency and speed (reports of 2930-2950 fps in 26" barrels).
- **RL-22** or **RL-19** — Solid performers (e.g., 2950 fps averages reported).
- **H4831SC** or **H1000** — Temperature-stable favorites, slightly lower velocity than Reloders but very accurate (often 2850-2950 fps range).
- **IMR 7828SSC** — Good velocity (e.g., up to ~2970 fps in some tests).
- Others like **Retumbo** (slower, fills well, ~2925 fps reported) or **N560** for magnum-like performance.
Always use current reloading manuals (e.g., Hodgdon, Nosler, Berger) for starting/max charges, as data varies by bullet (ABLR is long, may seat differently), brass, primers, and chamber. The 280 AI responds well to magnum primers in many loads. Barrel twist (typically 1:9" or faster recommended for 168gr stability), seating depth, and node tuning affect final results.
If you're developing loads, prioritize accuracy nodes over max velocity, and consider a chronograph to confirm your actual speeds.
Wind Gypsy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2017
- Messages
- 2,767
Oh man, the Berger applied ballistics long range! Sounds like a bitchin bullet! That’s enough AI slop to make the rest of it questionable.
Sheltowee
Well-known member
Please don't source reloading data from AI.
I agree, but don't source it from the internet either. All guns aren't equal. Just to add, standard reloading rules apply.
Last edited:
It's not slop really. I should have just put Accubond Long Range. In any case, it was mostly a play on AI.
6mm Remington
Well-known member
It was in 2019. I used the 140 gr. Accubond.
Addicting
Well-known member
I messed with that and didn’t find any value to it. The case size doesn’t appear to use the benefit of the hotter primer.
BAKPAKR
Well-known member
I am at just under 3000 fps with the 160 gr Accubond and RL26 out of a 22” barrel.
Brian in Montana
Well-known member
You're going to have trouble pushing a 168gn bullet 2800fps with a 20" barrel. I'm afraid that's just physics. I'm not saying it's impossible, just tricky. I can readily do that in mine with several powders, but mine has a 26" barrel. I don't have experience loading 280AI in a short barrel like that, but I'd be inclined to try some powders that are a little faster burning for the cartridge, maybe in the RS Big Game range. Maybe N150 or 160? RL16? (I forget what you said you've already tried.)
Here's one way to look at your current results. Basically, you have approximately .308 velocity with a bullet that has a much higher BC and sectional density. As long as your load is consistent/accurate, you can shoot a long way with some practice and a decent scope. And performance on game will be more than adequate.
Here's one way to look at your current results. Basically, you have approximately .308 velocity with a bullet that has a much higher BC and sectional density. As long as your load is consistent/accurate, you can shoot a long way with some practice and a decent scope. And performance on game will be more than adequate.
Brian in Montana
Well-known member
I was curious and took the liberty of plugging some #s into Gordon's Reloading Tool. The closest I was able to get with any powders I know anything about were RS Hunter - 58.5gn, RL23 - 59gn, and RL19 - 59.9gn. These were all like 2803fps and were all literally RIGHT UP TO THE RED LINE. Meaning: any more pressure at all and the program gave me the big yellow exclamation point saying "This load is dangerous! Do not use!" I started not to post this, but I figure we're all reasonable adults who are opposed to blowing up our faces.
Brian in Montana
Well-known member
One last thing, my 7's all shoot the heck out of 150gn standard Accubonds. I've killed several elk with my .284 Win (23" barrel) shooting a 150gn AB at about 2850. I'd be surprised if you couldn't get similar results in your 280AI.
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