Nosler ABLR for Oryx

[Fartrell Cluggins]

Sounds like a 223 pushing a 77 TMK would be a better choice.

 

[theotherlandon]

Because every rifle is different and I don't want to be responsible for blowing up your new rifle I can't list every load I've tried and had success with in my 280s. I will tell you I use Nosler brass, standard match grade primers like CCI BR2 or Fed 210 golds, and my favorite powder is Reloader 23. Reloader 26 is faster sometimes but not as accurate in my rifle. For anything 168 for the Rldr 26 start in the 56 grains area and work up carefully. You'll max out at 62ish. For Rldr 23 start 54 and work up. Max will be 59ish. H4831 will shoot accurate but velocity is slowwww. Pay attention to primer flattening, case swipes or ejector marks and bolt lift. If you want brass to last longer than 5 shots back off a half grain and enjoy. If your building from scratch keep a 25 to 26 inch barrel and the slower powders will work really well. My 280 AI is literally 40 fps slower than my 7 mag with 8 grains less powder. They're very efficient cartridges.

I’ve got a 22” barrel for mine so I’ve been leaning towards the faster burning powders. What kind of velocities were you getting with rldr 23 and 26. Also barrel length? Really appreciate the response

 

[NorCal 707]

I have a 26" on mine and my wife's is a 24". I'm sure the reloader powders will still work well but Retumbo and H1000 are probably a no-go. 7828SSC and Reloader 17 will also make good velo for you in the 160-168 grain range. You'll be down in the 2800 most likely. With 175 Berger Elite's mine with the 26" barrel has velocity at 2935 fps. And with a 168 VLD I get 3020 fps. With the 168 ABLR because of it's longer bearing surface I get 2940 fps. My wife's is about 88 fps slower with 2 inches less barrel length. 22" barrel will be down 150 to 170 fps from my data. To get a little more speed you may want to switch to a Berger bullet which has less bearing surface or shoot a little lighter bullet. 160 to 162 grains. What do you plan on hunting? If it's deer sized game and bear the 168 Berger vld will do great for you. If elk is on the menu I'd go 160 grain Accubond. The 168 ABLR and 162 Eld-m bullets are longgg and have a ton of bearing surface down the barrel which can really slow you down in the velocity dept. 2800 and above are great but if you find yourself in the 2700-2750 area I'd drop down in weight of projectile to get your speed back up.

 

[theotherlandon]

I have a 26" on mine and my wife's is a 24". I'm sure the reloader powders will still work well but Retumbo and H1000 are probably a no-go. 7828SSC and Reloader 17 will also make good velo for you in the 160-168 grain range. You'll be down in the 2800 most likely. With 175 Berger Elite's mine with the 26" barrel has velocity at 2935 fps. And with a 168 VLD I get 3020 fps. With the 168 ABLR because of it's longer bearing surface I get 2940 fps. My wife's is about 88 fps slower with 2 inches less barrel length. 22" barrel will be down 150 to 170 fps from my data. To get a little more speed you may want to switch to a Berger bullet which has less bearing surface or shoot a little lighter bullet. 160 to 162 grains. What do you plan on hunting? If it's deer sized game and bear the 168 Berger vld will do great for you. If elk is on the menu I'd go 160 grain Accubond. The 168 ABLR and 162 Eld-m bullets are longgg and have a ton of bearing surface down the barrel which can really slow you down in the velocity dept. 2800 and above are great but if you find yourself in the 2700-2750 area I'd drop down in weight of projectile to get your speed back up.

I have some 168vld and Eldx but I’d like to stick with Accubonds. I’m gonna try shooting them all tho and see what my gun likes. I’ll be hunting everything with it. Elk deer antelope bears and in a few years I’ll likely move to alaska and hunt sheep and moose with it. Maybe some bears up there too. I’ll use this gun for everything.