Hunting bullet recommendations for .280 AI

[Poor Knight]

I'm brand new to reloading but should receive my Wilson dies tomorrow! Reloading for a brand new Weatherby Mark V .280 AI and looking for bullet recommendations for antelope, mule deer and elk. I have a .280 Rem and have a case of Norma Oryx ammo and have been saving the brass, which has now been cleaned and deprimed. I have a pound of IMR 4350, a few hundred Federal 210 primers and 50 Nosler 120gr ballistic tips. My plan is to reload the .280 Rem brass with the 120gr Noslers and fireform some .280 ai brass, then work up some hunting loads with different bullet sample packs. So far I have a 12 pack of Hornady 150 gr ELD-X and a 12 pack of Barnes 145gr LRX. Any other bullet recommendations for me to try? I'm snatching bullet sample packs up as they come back into stock.

 

[CApighunter]

Hammer bullets sells sample packs as well, I shoot the 155 hunters out of my ackley. May be worth a try if you like copper options.

 

[Harvey_NW]

I wouldn't waste the components just to fireform an Ackley, and I wouldn't waste them on sample packs either, unless you're trying to experiment and learn. Otherwise just pick a projectile and do load development. I haven't hit fur with it yet, but my 280ai loves the 162 eld-m.

 

[eoperator]

143 hammer hunters, 150 sierra tipped game kings

 

[Slugz]

I go a little heavier to buck some wind.
175gr ABLR
55gr H4831SC

 

[Hooknbullet2]

I’m an Accubond fan. 140 and 160 grain.

 

[MuleyFever]

I would go with something in the 150-160 grain range. Better down range potential. I think in a SAAMI chamber anything longer will take away case capacity.

 

[manitou1]

160 gr Accubond or 168 gr ABL. If they shoot well from your rifle you will be done looking or needing anything else.

 

[MuleyFever]

160 gr Accubond. It they shoot well from your rifle you will be done looking or needing anything else.

Except more Accubonds.

 

[snarkscarbine]

160 gr Accubond or 168 gr ABL. If they shoot well from your rifle you will be done looking or needing anything else.

That sounds great…. You got some you want to sell? I don’t think anyone has seen them in months, lol.

 

[manitou1]

Ha, ha. No sirree. I am keeping what I have.

 

[MuleyFever]

I hit the jackpot and got 100 off the classifieds 2 weeks ago.

 

[sneaky]

Those 145LRX will kill everything on your list. The 155gr Federal Terminal Ascent bullets will as well, but they're unobtainable like everything else. My 280AI also shoots 140gr Sierras into bug hole groups.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[EdP]

160 gr Accubonds or Gamekings. Both shoot good from my .280AI, the GKs a bit better than the ABs but I prefer the ABs for bigger game.

Nosler sells .280AI brass and you can even find it available. Having the correct headstamp is an advantage I think, especially since you also own a .280.

 

[Poor Knight]

I wouldn't waste the components just to fireform an Ackley, and I wouldn't waste them on sample packs either, unless you're trying to experiment and learn. Otherwise just pick a projectile and do load development. I haven't hit fur with it yet, but my 280ai loves the 162 eld-m.

I'm trying to experiment and learn - that's part of the fun!

 

[Poor Knight]

Thanks for the suggestions - signed up for back in stock alerts for 150 and 168 Accubond LR and the 160 gr Accubonds.

 

[finner]

Exit from a 143 HH loaded with RL16 out of my buddy's 280 AI this year...

Didn't go 20. Everything was jello inside, only the core exited. Talk to Steve at Hammer, he'll put you on the right track

 

[Bull_n_heat]

I shoot 140 gr TTSX from mine, and they shoot fast. Never left me wanting for anything else and the speed helps them open up

 

[cooperjd]

i love 160 ABs but since there aren't any, i'd load hammers. I'm guessing you have a ~9" twist since its a factory rifle, so i'd get the 143gr hammer hunters and kill things. find some load data here:

Hammer Hunter Load Data, (See page 1, Post 8)

OK, folks. Steve at Hammer Bullets has been getting requests for load data on Hammer Hunter bullets. There is an extensive spreadsheet for Absolute Hammer Load Data developed and shared by members on this Forum. Data for Hammer Hunters is on the Hammertime Forum, but it has not been placed...

www.longrangehunting.com

150gr scirocco's from swift are another badass bullet.

 

[wildcat33]

Im loading 55gr of IMR 4350 with fed 210 and nosler (norma IIRC) brass with 145 LRX. Shoots 3/4". Worked on the only elk Ive shot with it so far.