lancetkenyon Report post Posted October 31, 2017 Two updates.... 6.5mm 150 SMKs should arrive tomorrow! AND..... I am done with load development for the .280AI pending some long range verification. 175 Berger Elite Hunter, on the ragged edge of too hot (1 of 3 showed a very slight ejector mark), but I can live with that for a hunting load. I will more than likely work up a lower node round at slower FPS to practice with. I need to dial it down .1 or .2 MIL. But.....this should do nicely on deer and elk. AxisWorks builds a mean butt lightweight rifle. To be honest, it seems to defy physics. Nosler .280AI brass Fed GM210M 58.0gr. RL23 175 Berger Elite Hunter Touching lands @ 2.690 CBTO Do not mind the tiny .204" hole. 3 shot group on the top measures .213". 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rumhunter84 Report post Posted October 31, 2017 So I take it youre happy with proof research barrels ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted October 31, 2017 I am. I would do another one. I can say, the 175 Elite Hunter (basically a Hybrid shape with a thinner hunting jacket) are less finicky for seating depth. I had to play quite a bit with the 168 HVLD this time to get it to shoot really well, and had to go from RL23 to a stiff charge of H1000 to bring it in. The 175 was much easier to get shooting well. And with the RL23, it is screaming fast for a .280AI. When they say a .280AI can almost match a 7RM, this is close to fact if you don't necessarily compare apples to apples. A change of powder really helps improve speed. If my 7RM wasn't shooting the 180 Hybrid so darn good at 2996, I might think about giving RL23 or RL26 a try to pick up some speed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted October 31, 2017 I think I am going to try and push my son-in-law To use the .280AI on his elk hunt in December. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rumhunter84 Report post Posted October 31, 2017 I cant wait to get mine from Eric . what I did get to look at looked amazing ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cell4soul Report post Posted October 31, 2017 Nice! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted November 6, 2017 Shot a total of 1 shot from my .280AI to check my cold bore at distance w. The 175 Berger Elite Hunter.... Yeah...that will do. I also got my 150 SMKs in the mail and threw a couple together. 142 SMK vs 150 SMK Seated to lands Plenty of case space CBTO @ lands COAL @ lands (still fits in my Wyatt's extended box too) Unsure where to start with RL26, I went a grain below my fire forming loads Ladder test loaded up (bottom left 20 pcs are last of the fire forming loads) 150 SMK (top row) meplat seem to be a bit more open than the 142 SMK (below) I got pressure at #7, 59.0gr & 3209fps These things are so flat shooting, hardly any vertical dispersion until I hit #7 Where I got pressure. I think I am going to work around the 2/3/4 (56.5/57.0/57.5) range. A 6.5mm 150 @ 3120 w. a .713 BC will be heck on deer hides. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
300RUM Report post Posted November 6, 2017 is it just me or does that 150 look a little bit like a SMK and VLD had a baby together? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
452b264 Report post Posted November 6, 2017 I think I am going to try and push my son-in-law To use the .280AI on his elk hunt in December. If he doesn't want to use the 280 AI I have a late bull hunt and you and the 280 are welcome to come along for the ride. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted November 13, 2017 I forgot to take photos of the targets. But the 6.5 SS is shooting the 150 SMKs pretty well. I tried 6 different charge weights. All were under .6" 3 shot @ 100 yards. 3 were under .3". And two of those were the top charge weights that didn't show any signs of pressure. Average velocities were: 3070, 3080, 3091, 3131, 3154, 3157fps. And the two hot groups were really consistent in speeds with a very small sampling, but variations of only 4 fps in those two groups. At 200 yards, I shot a total of 12 rounds out of my .280AI to verify speeds for my ballistics before late elk season. Just need to go verify drops. Average speed for the 175 Berger Elite Hunter is 2974.4fps, with an ES of 13 & SD of 4.3. 4 different 3 shot groups. Groups sizes were .701", .498", .404", .425". 6 hours at the range, 66 rounds fired between 4 rifles. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coueser4 Report post Posted November 13, 2017 Those numbers are super impressive! Comparing the two it looks like the 6.5 SS load should have the edge on the 280 AI load even taking over on energy beyond 600 yards. Both loads are very impressive. That 6.5 SS is intriguing though. May have to look more into it. With these being lighter weight builds hows the recoil on them? Thanks again for posting this stuff. Always learning something new on your threads. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted November 13, 2017 The .280AI weighs 8lbs 15oz all in. Recoil, even with pushing a 175 @ 2974fps is light. The Hawkins brake works very well. Once I take it and stretch it out, I would believe I will be able to spot my own distant hits. It is significantly lighter recoiling than my 10# .260Rem pushing a 140 HVLD @ 2850fps. I would think similar to a hot .22-250 round or a lazy .243Win. The 6.5 SS has quite the bark to it, a very sharp crack, not the deep boom of a big bore. But the bite is like a well trained retriever with a soft mouth holding a Gambel's Quail for your inspection and praise. Easily see my own hits on target immediately following the shot, even pushing a 150 @ 3150+. More than my .223, but not by a ton. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted November 14, 2017 .280AI groups @ 200 later after the winds slowed down. I stand corrected on the group sizes above. .597", .547", .495", .447". I was remembering the wrong targets, those were from a different rifle's load development. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big or Bust Report post Posted November 14, 2017 Got the 2 in, 1 out going Lance? Or just this specific range session? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
452b264 Report post Posted November 14, 2017 Lance Have you tried RL 26 with 175 gr. EOL in the 280 AI? Mine will be coming together very soon, and I have 8 pounds of RL 26? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
