What do you get when you take a .280 Remington case and blow it out to a sharp shoulder and straight walls? More powder room and more speed. That is the short version of 280 Ackley Improved ballistics. The Nosler AccuBond 140 grain lists 3,200 fps and 3,183 ft-lbs, about 200 feet per second more than common 140 grain .280 Remington loads.
This page lists the published muzzle data for the 280 AI loads we carry. It also explains how to read the numbers, how the round differs from the parent .280, and which bullets suit deer, elk and long shots.
What Is a 280 Ackley Improved?
P.O. Ackley was a gunsmith who “improved” many cartridges. He reshaped the case with less body taper and a steep 40-degree shoulder. That adds powder room without changing the case length much. The 280 AI was a wildcat for years. Nosler took it to SAAMI, and it became a factory round in 2007.
It fires a .284-inch bullet and needs a long action, like the parent .280 Remington.
280 AI vs 280 Remington
The two rounds are close in size but not the same. Never fire 280 AI ammo in a .280 Remington rifle. Many 280 AI rifles can chamber and fire standard .280 Remington ammo, which forms the brass to the AI shape. Ask your rifle maker before you try it. See our 280 Remington ballistic data guide for the parent round’s numbers.
280 Ackley Improved Ballistics Table
Maker data for our 280 AI ammo, sorted by bullet weight:
| Load | Bullet | Grain | Muzzle velocity (fps) | Muzzle energy (ft-lbs) | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nosler Ballistic Tip 280 Ackley Improved 140 Grain | Nosler Ballistic Tip Polymer Tip | 140 | 3,200 | 3,183 | 20-round box |
| Nosler AccuBond 280 Ackley Improved 140 Grain Trophy Grade | Nosler AccuBond Bonded Polymer Tip | 140 | 3,200 | 3,183 | 20-round box |
| Nosler E-Tip 280 Ackley Improved 140 Grain Lead-Free | Nosler E-Tip Polymer Tip (lead-free) | 140 | 3,200 | 3,183 | 20-round box |
| Federal Trophy Copper 280 Ackley Improved 140 Grain Lead-Free | Federal Trophy Copper Polymer Tip (lead-free) | 140 | 3,075 | 2,939 | 20-round box |
| Weatherby 280 Ackley Improved Hammer 139 Grain Select Plus | Hammer Custom Solid Hollow Point (lead-free) | 139 | 3,050 | 2,871 | 20-round box |
| Weatherby 280 Ackley Improved Scirocco 150 Grain Select Plus | Swift Scirocco II Bonded Polymer Tip | 150 | 2,925 | 2,849 | 20-round box |
| Nosler AccuBond Long Range 280 Ackley Improved 150 Grain | Nosler AccuBond Long Range Bonded Polymer Tip | 150 | 2,930 | 2,858 | 20-round box |
| Barnes LRX 280 Ackley Improved 152 Grain VOR-TX Long Range | Barnes LRX Polymer Tip (lead-free copper) | 152 | n/a | n/a | 20-round box |
| Federal Terminal Ascent 280 Ackley Improved 155 Grain | Bonded Polymer Tip | 155 | 2,930 | 2,954 | 20-round box |
| Nosler Partition 280 Ackley Improved 160 Grain Trophy Grade | Nosler Partition Jacketed Soft Point | 160 | 2,950 | 3,091 | 20-round box |
| Nosler AccuBond 280 Ackley Improved 160 Grain Trophy Grade | Nosler AccuBond Bonded Polymer Tip | 160 | 2,950 | 3,091 | 20-round box |
| Hornady Precision Hunter 280 Ackley Improved 162 Grain ELD-X | Hornady ELD-X Polymer Tip | 162 | 2,850 | 2,921 | 20-round box |
| Federal Berger Hybrid Hunter 280 Ackley Improved 168 Grain | Berger Hybrid Hunter Jacketed Hollow Point | 168 | 2,800 | 2,924 | 20-round box |
Reading the Data
Velocity is speed at the muzzle in feet per second. Energy is foot-pounds, a product of speed and bullet weight. Both are measured in the maker’s test barrel, often 24 or 26 inches.
Three 140 grain Nosler loads (Ballistic Tip, AccuBond and E-Tip) list 3,200 fps and 3,183 ft-lbs. The Nosler AccuBond 160 grain lists 2,950 fps and 3,091 ft-lbs. The Federal Berger Hybrid Hunter 168 grain lists 2,800 fps, slower at the muzzle but built with a high ballistic coefficient so it holds speed far out.
That is the main point to take from any table like this. Muzzle numbers rank loads at the start. BC decides who is ahead at long range.
Choosing a 280 AI Bullet
Deer and pronghorn
140 grain polymer tips like the Ballistic Tip open fast on deer-sized game. The AccuBond adds a bonded core for bigger bucks.
Elk and black bear
Bonded and copper bullets in the 150 to 162 grain range. The Federal Terminal Ascent 155 grain lists 2,930 fps and 2,954 ft-lbs. The Nosler Partition 160 grain is a classic tough bullet.
Long-range hunting
High-BC bullets such as the Hornady ELD-X 162 grain, Nosler AccuBond Long Range 150 grain and Berger Hybrid Hunter 168 grain.
Lead-free
Federal Trophy Copper, Nosler E-Tip, Barnes LRX and the Weatherby Hammer 139 grain. Check your state’s rules on bullet type.
Barrel, Altitude and Lot Caveats
Barrel length and chamber cut affect 280 Ackley Improved ballistics more than most people expect. Your rifle may run above or below the box. Altitude and temperature change the path too. Chronograph each new lot and update your ballistic app.
Shop 280 AI Ammo
See every load in our 280 Ackley Improved ammo section. Start with the bullet that fits your game, then zero with that exact load.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 280 Ackley Improved?
It is a reshaped .280 Remington case with less body taper and a sharp 40-degree shoulder. The change adds powder room and speed. It began as a wildcat. Nosler brought it to SAAMI, and it became a standard factory round in 2007.
What is the difference between a 280 Remington and a 280 Ackley Improved?
The 280 AI has straighter case walls and a steeper shoulder, so it holds more powder and runs faster with the same bullet. Never fire 280 AI ammo in a .280 Remington rifle. Some 280 AI rifles can fire .280 Remington ammo, but check with your rifle maker first.
Who makes 280 Ackley Improved rifles?
Several bolt-action makers and many custom shops chamber the 280 AI. Model lines change, so check current catalogs. When you shop, confirm the barrel is stamped 280 AI or 280 Ackley Improved and that the twist rate suits the bullet weights you plan to use.
How good is the 280 Ackley Improved round?
It is a strong choice for hunters who want 7mm magnum-like speed from a standard-size case. Recoil stays below most belted magnums. The trade-off is ammo choice, since fewer loads are made for it than for the .280 Remington or 7mm Rem Mag.
