280 AI information Blog

[GSells]

Ok I’ve workes up a good 300 -600 and even 800 yds load . My barrel is worn in , so work up loads carefully. But 52.8 2209 and cci br2 of 2770 FPS. 51 gr 2209 gave me 2660 FPS.

617A4219-44BC-4C4C-83A1-C85CCD6F1C32.jpeg

83C67704-4501-42B9-83BF-DD6B12E757AD.jpeg

A good fireforming load that can be taken to a prizemeet or club event.

[GSells]

Cop that young Harry !! Yes it’s only 5 shots but an indication sd of 1!!
From my experiences , the sd would go up by about 3 as more shots went on . 280 Ackleys can do it . And I know 2950 FPS is right in the Sweet zone at 1000 from previous testing .
I’ll take it to the 1000 yds paddock at the Melon farm ! See if I can consistently brake static shot gun clays at that distance???
I’ll keep u posted .
Ps 60.2 gr 2213 sc and cci primers and weight sorted 180 ELD’s .Pretty well much max load for reliability and case and barrel life .

3CFE65FA-6F4D-4644-8DF7-36DF0D106A71.jpeg

82086E88-E44E-41D5-9E3C-FD79AB5ED54E.jpeg

[GSells]

Ok , did testing this morning at 937 m’s . I had trigger problems which now have been fixed . Did I break any clays ? Well I was a little optimistic setting up 9 of them . The wind started out at 3 moa and finfished at 5.5 moa . But the clay I was going for was siting about 40 -50 mm high and I shot all around it ( it was scared !!) . Looking back at the video I shot , it showed good vertical . I then threw the mag speed on for 6 shots and had 2920 to 2935 FPS . If I took out the flyer of 2935 the extreme spread dropped to 7 FPS .

I then went to my 96 m range just to fine tune back up to 2945 FPS . But my v 2 magspeed finally died. I put 9 shots on trying to fix it , with 2 eronous shots both saying 2905 FPS if u believe that ? However I was pleasantly surprised at the 9 shot group ( bit of mirage too ) . Nearly got the load right , remains to be seen if it’s reliable and I really need to compete with it at the longs and earn my keep with it !!
But I am very impressed for an Ackley especially a long case too of the low ES ‘s .
Anyway that is enough for now!

D8F0CE2C-679D-475B-A160-8946F5A90A2C.jpeg

[pjifl]

If the MS has died, get yourself a LabRadar.
It is very problematical that one can expect sufficiently precise results from a MS that will be meaningful especially when working with really small SDs because the instrument error is more than that.
Also, the LR lets you truly measure 10 shot (or more) SDs during a proper shoot without any effect on the barrel vibrations. In terms of STATS, 3 and 5 shot SDs (or worse Extreme Spreads) are always very suspect.

Yes - the MS is worth having but maybe it is time to move on to something better. HINT - IT IS XMAS.........

Peter Smith.

[GSells]

If the MS has died, get yourself a LabRadar.
It is very problematical that one can expect sufficiently precise results from a MS that will be meaningful especially when working with really small SDs because the instrument error is more than that.
Also, the LR lets you truly measure 10 shot (or more) SDs during a proper shoot without any effect on the barrel vibrations. In terms of STATS, 3 and 5 shot SDs (or worse Extreme Spreads) are always very suspect.

Yes - the MS is worth having but maybe it is time to move on to something better. HINT - IT IS XMAS.........

Peter Smith.

Too late , I bought a ver 3 . I’ll save up for a lab radar , they are very good . Magspeed are good on batteries and are more portable eg flying . Both would fix the problem. Pete , thanks for your comments, I really respect your opinion. With 5 shot sd’s is merely an indication and I’ve been , told a few times by numerous people about the dangers of small samples and I know Dave Mac would be one of them . My thoery behind it is statistical in taking a sample and then proving it on target . But mainly and especially with fast 7 mm’s , I’m trying to extend barrel life as much as I can . Same as changing out barrels for the right job .
And belated Merry Christmas and a prosperous and Healthy new year to you to Pete .

Kind regards Graham .

[GSells]

Well last Sunday at a Belmont fundraiser at 1000, 900 , 900 in challenging conditions, I had a shocker!
I thought this may be the obituary I was writing this afternoon for the 280 ai. I even wrote to my gun smith to say don’t chamber that new Bart in 280 ai !! Also Iooked for Saum components ( which seem very hard to find !)

But the beauty of ET’s is one can go back and see what’s going on . And this morning I had 4 rounds left over from last weekend and a Fowled barrel still . So I fired a few odd rounds to make sure the LIlja was truly warmed up . With 4 shots giving an INDICATION SD of 3 . It most definitely not wild velocity spreads. The load had sped up 20 FPS out of the 2940 FPS node goal.

So causes would be the nut behind the butt and having a long break may have eventually taken its toll on form! So it’s just plain hard work to get that back again I guess . But for the sake of teams , the 280 ai project will take a reserve roll and I’ll have to stick to what is proven and back to .284 w !

I’ll keep developing the 280 ai but it’s not number 1 priority now !
If there is any good and or bad news as long as it’s not teams related I’ll share and be true to the blog .
Also increasingly 2213sc and br 2’s seem to be the go to powder for this cal . Load now is 60.2 2213 sc for the loads for 180’s 2870 FPS to 2950 FPS range . And 2209 around the 52 gr area is showing promise in the short range load of 2770 FPS with good low SD’s .

So personally I have a lot of work to do to get over this form and technical slump . Wish me luck .
Ps from 1000 yds in November including any 600 yds in December and obviously 1000 and 900 yds . In Hexta plot sheets. You can look up my name and see the low shots are all in the same area . Then u can see me correct and then a high shot at the same correction would come up . I suspect rear plate is wobbling all over the place and I’ve installed spikes again . I did some group exercises today and found some issues with my shooting and I started grouping again 100 m .
Also there is a u tube vid of a spotting scope on target , showing pretty good elevation in atrocious mirage at Dalby where I had to shoot on 15 x and 2213sc again , done 12 months ago now or more . . It’s the left had target.https://youtu.be/1h6e4SRF8Pw

[williada]

I enjoy watching your clips Graham. Did you chase the elevation?

[GSells]

I enjoy watching your clips Graham. Did you chase the elevation?

The vid taken 13 months ago no I didn’t, from memory it was fishtailing conditions from 1-5 o’clock. And thanks . I’ve stopped doing them for now as it does take a bit to do.

[GSells]

Ok , true to the blog as I said good or bad . Last Saturday at the 500 yds Saturday at Crowsnest Opm (results on Nraa site ) using the 2770 FPS slow load I got a 3 rd for the day with a 58.2 and 59.5 in challenging conditions . So it would seem the slow load could be a winner and worth trying up to 600 yds or even up to 800 yds .

I’m hopefully shooting a 900 yd fly shoot tomorrow in my home town with the 2940 FPS fast load . Trying to get back into form ! I’ll let you know how that goes if I get some time ?
Ps the Sunday at crows nest was pink bits Bart .284 w . Yes I changed barrels and again was challenging conditions with many good shots copping a lesson ! I’d rather shoot at Northarm lol! I’ll have to go and visit 600yds Crowsnest and visit more often ! Another tough Qld 600 yd range !

[GSells]

Got some 280 ai dies going cheap !!

[Tim N]

Not showing much determination there Graham.
I may have been lucky with my 280AI but it was a good thing.

[GSells]

Not showing much determination there Graham.
I may have been lucky with my 280AI but it was a good thing.

Yeh it is very much a temperess lady , taunt me on that she can shoot but very finicky. Like I’ve retuned it 3-4 times with varying speeds and would stay in tune not for long . I don’t know I gave it a good shake !
I suspect like the 7-08 ai I am pushing it too hard !! Would be better around like Kieth says 2870 FPS area and the slow load was brilliant! But can’t beat em join em!! 7 mm Saum . It maybe too late for worlds , I might be another keyboard sniper cheering them on !! I gambled and I lost ! 18 months prep for the big comp but it didn’t work out ! See what happens I know noms will be soon and I don’t even have a kelby mag bolt let alone any barrels that shoot ! I’m a long way behind , about 18 months I would say ! Again never give up but yeh !

[GSells]

Anyway , you don’t have to put up with me and this blog anymore lol!

[Tim N]

2870 was around where my 280AI was happy
The saum is the world team caliber so if you get one you will have a well proven cartridge in your quiver, not as exciting as winning with an oddball cartridge but maybe more likely.
It’s been interesting to watch this experiment anyway.
How about a 6.8-284 could be the next hot item...

[RDavies]

2870 was around where my 280AI was happy
The saum is the world team caliber so if you get one you will have a well proven cartridge in your quiver, not as exciting as winning with an oddball cartridge but maybe more likely.
It’s been interesting to watch this experiment anyway.
How about a 6.8-284 could be the next hot item...

A 6.8/284 (270/284) with the 170 VLDs could be a Trentham ballistics limit friendly wind bucker.