Thread: Bullet Choice 280AI

Just wondering what is everyone's favorite projectile in the mid powered 7mm's

Have been using factory Nosler 140Bt which can be a bit rough on smaller deer.

Also have a reload with 162 Eldx. Seem's to be question mark around them on closer ranges. I haven't had a problem but I only have a sample size of 1.

I'm thinking of splitting the difference and trying 150's. Interested if there is a clear winner.

Cheers.

162gr ELD-M

Your Nosler 140 ballistic tips are the best kept dead deer secret..... they're even a "bit rough" on the bigger deer.

I like 150 lrab it is finicky though Berger classic hunter is another both expensive options cheaper option would be 162 eldm good reliable killer inherently accurate

Still running 162 AMAX (2980 fps) & 150gn Swift Scirroccos for close stuff. Recently been working up loads for Berger 175gn Elite Hunter 2865 fps with N560 & 143gn Hammer Hunters w RL22 at 3200 fps. Yet to try the latter 2 on deer but expect good results.

Originally Posted by chainsaw

Still running 162 AMAX (2980 fps) & 150gn Swift Scirroccos for close stuff. Recently been working up loads for Berger 175gn Elite Hunter 2865 fps with N560 & 143gn Hammer Hunters w RL22 at 3200 fps. Yet to try the latter 2 on deer but expect good results.

Currently running the 175 in my 22” saum same here hanging out to try it on a big bodied red

They like a bit of jump aye.

Originally Posted by Hunty1

162gr ELD-M

+1. Tried a range in my 7mmWSM after I couldn't get 150 LRABs to work, and this was the winner for me.

I own three 280AI and they all like the 162gr ELD-X which I am loading in front of RL26 for some good performance. One really does well with the 168gr Nosler LRAB. Another also really performs well with the 154gr SST with Superformance. Looking forward to see what others are running as I haven't tried anything lighter at this stage.

RL26 is the magic sauce for just about anything. Pity it’s sooooo pricey & supply unpredictable. I’ve rationed my RL26 to a couple of loads & rifles. Others I’m not needing the extra 50-80 fps so choose to run other powders.

Originally Posted by chainsaw

RL26 is the magic sauce for just about anything. Pity it’s sooooo pricey & supply unpredictable. I’ve rationed my RL26 to a couple of loads & rifles. Others I’m not needing the extra 50-80 fps so choose to run other powders.

They certainly do I don’t no how far mine a jumping but it’s a fair bit my smith obviously done his research because I had the barrel chambered for the 175 and thought he’d stuffed it up when I measured vs mag length so I started with what would have being a single feed job and it didn’t shoot until I came back into max mag length it’s over 50 thou I no that

I’m running 70thou jump in 280ai with good accuracy (0.75 moa) & used to run them in 7 RM at 90 thou jump.

Same here .75 blimen excited to use them

I used to use 162 ELD-X in my 7mm mag and had no problems. I now use the 168 Berger VLD in my 7 SAUM and really rate them - hammers things.

I used to run 180grn eldm in my 280ai at roughly 2840fps It hit like an absolute hammer.