Question for DA or Timintn or anyone

[jman 125]

Well I went down the rabbit hole and acquired a 280 AI in a savage axis 22 in Bbl 1:9 twist
I bought 1 box of Nosler factory loads but I won't spend 90.00 every time I need to shoot.
So here is my question I want to start reloading and I have loaded shotgun for a long time but never rifle and looking for some guidance on what I need as far as components and general guidance and was wondering if y'all could help??
PM if you need to. Please help
Thank you in advance

 

[jman 125]

Don't know why it's a sticky please move

 

[Jcalder]

Brass, h4831, large rifle primers, and whatever projectile you choose. I'd start around 140 and maybe work up. I currently load 150eldx in mine but will move up to 162s if they'll shoot good.

 

[hunter0925]

I have been loading for a 280ai for a while. Need to know what bullet you intend to use but 140s plus is my recommendation. H4831sc will give great accuracy but slow velocity. Re16 is great for lighter bullets and Re23 is awesome for heavys. Peterson is by far the best factory brass you will find. I have shot everything from 130gr absolute hammers to 180gr berger hybrids. It is by far my favorite round and is probably one of the most versatile chamberings out there. Good luck!

 

[jman 125]

Brass, h4831, large rifle primers, and whatever projectile you choose. I'd start around 140 and maybe work up. I currently load 150eldx in mine but will move up to 162s if they'll shoot good.

Thank you for the reply I really appreciate it

 

[jman 125]

I have been loading for a 280ai for a while. Need to know what bullet you intend to use but 140s plus is my recommendation. H4831sc will give great accuracy but slow velocity. Re16 is great for lighter bullets and Re23 is awesome for heavys. Peterson is by far the best factory brass you will find. I have shot everything from 130gr absolute hammers to 180gr berger hybrids. It is by far my favorite round and is probably one of the most versatile chamberings out there. Good luck!

140 is what I'm really hoping will shoot best thank you for the reply just a little nervous when it come to trying to figure all this out.

 

[hunter0925]

140 is what I'm really hoping will shoot best thank you for the reply just a little nervous when it come to trying to figure all this out.

If you are shooting 140s anything from h4350 to h4831sc will work. Re16 will still give the best velocity. I have used the 280ai for LR hunting with 180hybrids and shot deer close range with 160nab. I still have a stock of 140nab just in case I get a wild hair but am currently shooting the 130 absolute hammer at 3400fps.

 

[jman 125]

If you are shooting 140s anything from h4350 to h4831sc will work. Re16 will still give the best velocity. I have used the 280ai for LR hunting with 180hybrids and shot deer close range with 160nab. I still have a stock of 140nab just in case I get a wild hair but am currently shooting the 130 absolute hammer at 3400fps.

I really appreciate your input. A little on what I'm looking to do is I have some fields I have access to hunt and want to be able to comfortably be able to shoot 350 if needed but realistically only 150 is as far as I will have to. This is why I love this site the wealth of knowledge and willingness to help is always great here. Thank you

 

[Jcalder]

If you are shooting 140s anything from h4350 to h4831sc will work. Re16 will still give the best velocity. I have used the 280ai for LR hunting with 180hybrids and shot deer close range with 160nab. I still have a stock of 140nab just in case I get a wild hair but am currently shooting the 130 absolute hammer at 3400fps.

How stable are the Reloder powders. That's one reason I left 22 behind and went to h4831.

 

[hunter0925]

How stable are the Reloder powders. That's one reason I left 22 behind and went to h4831.

16 and 23 are both very stable. That's the only reason I use them. I can't stand a warm season load that falls on its face in the cold or vice versa. Plus, both powders have a different pressure curve and deliver higher velocity. It's a win win.

 

[Jcalder]

16 and 23 are both very stable. That's the only reason I use them. I can't stand a warm season load that falls on its face in the cold or vice versa. Plus, both powders have a different pressure curve and deliver higher velocity. It's a win win.

Thanks. I'd rather give up a bit of velocity than chase my tail lol. But finding a selection of powder these days is like finding hens teeth

 

[hunter0925]

Thanks. I'd rather give up a bit of velocity than chase my tail lol. But finding a selection of powder these days is like finding hens teeth

I agree completely. I still keep a jug of h4831sc back in the closet but Re23 has gotten the nod for everything from 280ai to 300wm.

 

[TiminTN]

A lot of great advise already given for sure. I have tried several powders, mostly prior to RL16 and 23's existence. The best powders I tried with a 140 gr bullet was RL19, IMR4831, and N165. The 165 was best.

 

[jman 125]

A lot of great advise already given for sure. I have tried several powders, mostly prior to RL16 and 23's existence. The best powders I tried with a 140 gr bullet was RL19, IMR4831, and N165. The 165 was best.

Thank you so much

 

[markwondi]

My only advice is go with 160+gr bullets to take full advantage of what the cartridge is capable of.

As mentioned, RL23 and RL26 will be top performers while H4831SC will provide outstanding accuracy at lower velocity.

 

[jman 125]

My only advice is go with 160+gr bullets to take full advantage of what the cartridge is capable of.

As mentioned, RL23 and RL26 will be top performers while H4831SC will provide outstanding accuracy at lower velocity.

Thank you.

 

[rickyk280]

Built a 280AI 30 years ago before Nosler made it a standard cartridge. Its my favorite cartridge for these beanfields here west KY, I have never shot the newer powders just IMR4831, RL22 and H4831SC, I shoot IMR4831 behind a Barnes 140 TTSX, it's fast, flat shooting and deadly!

 

[jman 125]

Built a 280AI 30 years ago before Nosler made it a standard cartridge. Its my favorite cartridge for these beanfields here west KY, I have never shot the newer powders just IMR4831, RL22 and H4831SC, I shoot IMR4831 behind a Barnes 140 TTSX, it's fast, flat shooting and deadly!

Thank you that's actually what I bought this rifle for bran and corn fields.

 

[TiminTN]

On the subject of brass, when I saw that 270 win was the only case the same length as the 280, and Winchester 280 brass could only be had in nickle, I decided to neck 270 win brass up to 30 caliber, then screw my 280 AI die in and neck it down to 280 AI till there was a slight crush fit in the chamber. It worked great. Give that a try if components for the Ackley are scarce. It will need fireforming for the shoulder to take shape.

 

[jman 125]

On the subject of brass, when I saw that 270 win was the only case the same length as the 280, and Winchester 280 brass could only be had in nickle, I decided to neck 270 win brass up to 30 caliber, then screw my 280 AI die in and neck it down to 280 AI till there was a slight crush fit in the chamber. It worked great. Give that a try if components for the Ackley are scarce. It will need fireforming for the shoulder to take shape.

About the only thing i am having troubles finding are large rifle primers as in no one has any in Tn Mississippi Alabama. It is getting pretty darn frustrating thank you for the advice it is really appreciated.