Berger load data for 280 AI - can anyone help?

[sns2]

Just got my hands on a new rifle in 280 AI and a friend had some 168 VLDs kicking around that I bought off him. I'd like to shoot tomorrow and so don't have time to email Berger as I have done in the past.

Can anyone help me out with the max and min load charge using H4831, as well as the COL if they list one. I am gonna have to make em fit the magazine which is only 3.400.

Thanks for your help!

[IR_mike]

I can get you the data.........tomorrow night when I get home.

[JohnB]

280AI is not in the Berger manual. Here is the load data for the 280 Rem.

H4831 SC using 168 bergers
Start load 49.5
Max load 53.9

COAL=3.330

You can check your rifle to see what you can seat it to. I go 0.015 off the lands.

[DaleJ]

Nosler and Hodgdon have 280 AI load data for 168 gr bullets.?!

[ramonmark]

Originally Posted by DaleJ

Nosler and Hodgdon have 280 AI load data for 168 gr bullets.?!

I know Hodgdon does. I used the online website for my load.

Sns2 -I know you asked for H4831 but this is the only personal experience I have with my 280AI. I was planning of trying H4831 but after my initial ladder test with the Retumbo I didn’t even shoot the H4831 loads. I’m sure the results would have been similar but I don’t like picking fly crap out of pepper so I stopped there. Hope you find what you’re after. If not, head online to the Hodgdon load data engine and start there. Happy shooting!


Cooper Modlel 52 Excalibur/Leupold VX6 3-18/50mm CDS

Brass- Nosler 280AI premium Brass
Primer-CCI-BR2
Powder-Retumbo - 63.4gr (slightly over max, zero pressure signs with MY gun)
Bullet-168gr VLD Hunting (Berger)
COAL-Can’t remember but I know it's just 5 thou off the lands. And still fits in the mag, bonus!

Never even measured the 100m group it was one ragged hole. The 200m was just shy of .5"

Ran over 20 rounds through the chrony and its average was 2877fps. Doped the load and used 2912fps in the G7 BR2 range finders to get zeroed at 1000 yards on a 10" gong. After that it's been to easy to hit steel. Sometimes I feel like I'm cheating with the cooper 280AI and G7 rangefinders. The only guess work left is wind, bullet drift and Coriolis effect. This can be a lot on its own for the long shots (farthest shot was 1255yards with this gun). Although, on a calm day with shots under 700m. I'm confident I can put my first round through a pie plate in under 60 seconds. When hunting, that first round is all that matters anyways.