Kimber Montana 280 AI owners.

[257 Wby Mag]

8" twist 3 groove PAC nor @24"

[bobcat]

Well, a 6.5mm 140 grain VLD at 3250 would be tough to beat with any cartridge. That's impressive.

[Magnum_Willys]

Pretty sure Landon reloads, and a 162 would have plenty of azz past 500...

Looks like 600-700 wouldn't be a problem with the 162/168's

[whacker1]

tagging along

[b23]

Dunno but I'm getting 3250 with a 140 vld outta my 6.5/06 ai, how's that compare to 270 performance?

Nice!

I get 3200 out of a 26in. tube with the 140 Bergers in my 6.5-06AI but I'm also standing on the gas fairly hard to get them there.  I'm using necked down 30-06 Lapua brass and it's pretty tough stuff, doubt I could get any other brand of brass to hold up like the Lapua stuff has. 

I'm guessing you're driving them near redline too if your getting 3250.

[257 Wby Mag]

Ya I'm using WW 25/06 and h4831...

Still like my 660 6mm rem ai squirting 80's at 3650. For 99% of my huntin it's $$

[b23]

Ya I'm using WW 25/06 and h4831...

Still like my 660 6mm rem ai squirting 80's at 3650. For 99% of my huntin it's $$

Holy moly, if you're getting 3250 with 140's using 4831, you are definitely packing the case full because 4831 is a great all around powder but speed is not really what it's known for.  You must be using upwards of 60gr of powder to get those speeds with 4831.

[bobcat]

I was figuring he was using Reloder 26. That's how I'm able to get 3100 fps with 140's in my 270 Win.

[257 Wby Mag]

Yep. I'm hearing good things about rl 26 and 147 elds too, .700 vs .600 on the Berger

[Taco280AI]

I love RL26 

No experience with a Montana, but I like your cartridge choice

[b23]

I love RL26 

No experience with a Montana, but I like your cartridge choice

RL26 is the new 4831 but on steroids because it pretty much universally gives better FPS/velocities.  Now, if they could just get it to be as temp stable as H4831 it would be perfect.

And it's not that RL26 is bad with regard to temp stability but it could certainly be better and it's not in the same class as H4831 or H4350.  Then again, none really are, either.

[257 Wby Mag]

The 280 Ackley Improved is a great cartridge, but I'd go with something a little more common such as the 270 Win, 30/06, or 300 WSM.   

Why?

Again why?

[bobcat]

The 280 Ackley Improved is a great cartridge, but I'd go with something a little more common such as the 270 Win, 30/06, or 300 WSM.   

Why?

Again why?

Because, that's what I like. I have a 223 WSSM and I can't buy brass or ammo for it. Never had a problem finding brass for the 243, 270 Win, 30/06, 338 Win Mag.

Also have learned over the years that the headstamp on the cartridge isn't as important as the rifle and the person shooting it.

[JimmyHoffa]

The 280 Ackley Improved is a great cartridge, but I'd go with something a little more common such as the 270 Win, 30/06, or 300 WSM.   

Why?

Again why?

Because, that's what I like. I have a 223 WSSM and I can't buy brass or ammo for it. Never had a problem finding brass for the 243, 270 Win, 30/06, 338 Win Mag.

Also have learned over the years that the headstamp on the cartridge isn't as important as the rifle and the person shooting it.

Brass for a 280 shouldn't be an issue.

[coop2424]

Can also fire form .280ai brass from .270 or 06 brass if in a serious pinch and shoot .280 bullets from the .280ai clambering.