.280AI Bullet Choice

[SCHUNTER73]

I am thinking ahead to my next trip to SA and the larger plains game that will be on the list. Think kudu, waterbuck, maybe sable. On my first safari, I used the camp guns and didn’t shoot as well as I would have liked. Old habits with my own gear I guess…… I have been been using a very accurate hand load with 162 gr ELD-X for deer, hogs and similar sized game including a big aoudad for 4 years and have been extremely happy with it. Thoughts on that same bullet choice for the plains game noted? I know there is a lot of well earned love for partitions and a frames. But I just wonder if what I already have is suitable for what I want to shoot?
FWIW, I also have a a 308, but would rather take the .280.

 

[mms45]

I shoot 160gr accubonds largest animal I have taken with it so far is a bull moose, I haven’t made it to Africa yet. I certainly would take a 280 ai over a 308 to Africa.

 

[BFaucett]

I know Patrick Petroff from another forum. He recently (in 2025) took a nice Gemsbok with his 280 AI. I thought I'd post the video of his recent hunt. His Gemsbok hunt starts at timestamp 8:33. His load was a 175 gr Nosler Accubond at 2800 fps MV. (He took some other plains game but it's not on video.)

His friend hunted a Zebra using a 30-06 with a 178 gr Hornady ELD-X at 2750 fps MV. The Zebra hunt starts at timestamp 7:30.

Now, I realize that a sample size of one load and one animal isn't definitive proof of a load's effectiveness but at least it's something.

Cheers! Bob F.

Getaway To Africa – Episode 26: Stripes & Horns
video posted to YouTube on Aug 14, 2025


screenshots from the video:

Patrick Petroff

 

[404Pruitt]

I shoot 160gr accubonds largest animal I have taken with it so far is a bull moose, I haven’t made it to Africa yet. I certainly would take a 280 ai over a 308 to Africa.

Mine shoots lights out with the factory 160 accubonds

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I shoot factory Federal 155gr Terminal Ascent out of my 280AI with great success. This is likely the gun/bullet combo I’ll use on my sheep hunt in a couple years. As such, I wouldn’t hesitate to use it in Africa on Plains Game.

I’ve taken a 308 to Africa on 3 separate Safari’s without issues and also shot the Terminal Ascent Bullets out of it with great success.

 

[KCSafari]

I have had really good results out of my 280 AI shooting Accubond, Hornady CX, and Federal Trophy Bonded 155g. Everything from impala to eland.

 

[112Savage]

I have only killed whitetail deer with my 280AI. Last year I used a 22” 1:9” twist 280AI with 162ELDX on a small doe at 64 yds and a large buck that weighed 178 pounds dressed without the legs and head at less than 30 yds. Both had exit wounds and died in short order. I always shoot into or tight to the shoulder. I would tell you the 162 ELDX started at 2920fps SHOULD work on the animals stated, but if I take mine to Africa, it will have partitions or 145gr LRX in it.

 

[FlyGuy]

Stick to bonded or mono bullets for Africa.
You seldom get that perfect broadside shot angle, and sable have a pretty heavy bone structure too.
Decent accuracy and terminal reliability in the bush is way more important than a load that shoots 0.020” groups off the bench.

 

[TnKen]

I've used the 162 eldx in my 7mm Rem Mag for elk at probably close to the same velocity as your 280AI. I'm not a fan of them for larger game, they seem too light for large animals. I had two blow up on the shoulder of bull elk at 330 and 443 yards. I now use accubods or barnes ttsx without complaint.

 

[Firebird]

I would agree the eld-x seems a bit frangible for bigger game. My suggestion would be one of the many variations of bonded bullet available. Your chosen caliber will be just fine-I have always used my own rifles, it is part of the enjoyment of the hunt for me. Good luck with your planning and execution!

 

[Mwag]

If your rifle will shoot them you will be very pleased with sciroccos. My wife was very successful with them out of 7mag.
Springbok, black wildebeest, golden wildebeest, zebra and hartebeest. Performance was stellar.

 

[woods0824]

I've had great luck with the 145 Barnes LRX in 280ai rifles.

 

[SCHUNTER73]

Thanks all. Keep it coming. Love the wealth of info here.

 

[Old3Toe]

Although my experience doesn't extend beyond N America, I've nothing but good experiences with the 162 hornady AMAX bullets at 7x57 velocities. IF the twist rate of your .280's rifling will handle it, maybe step up to the 180gr ELDM bullet?

 

[BryceM]

The majority of my larger PG African critters (a few dozen) have been killed with Barnes TTSX bullets. With them, I have had no complaints so far. I've also used a handful of A-frames and who-knows-what-we-were-using in camp guns.

Zebra, wildebeest, and gemsbok are surprisingly tough. For them, I'd favor a mono-metal bullet (Barnes, Hammer) or something in the A-frame camp. Cutting Edge Ballistics has some offerings that look interesting.

Honestly, most of the time, a cast-lead bullet or even a simple round ball would work just fine. But, trophy fees are expensive and bullet construction does occasionally make a difference. Don't overthink it too much. Pick one that shoots, one that you can reliably obtain, and one that you trust. Then, put it where it goes.

 

[Ryan]

With a 280AI I'd handload some 150 grain TTSX and have confidence it'd drop anything you mentioned no matter the angle or bone you hit. Honestly, I'd say the same weight and bullet for a 308 at the distances most PG is taken. They have worked perfectly for me and a pretty good track record around here.