Might I suggest you try the Barnes 140 TTSX instead of the 160? You will gain more in velocity and still shoot through any elk in the mountains! I like the Hogdon Extreme powders for the mountians, and either H4350 or H4831 work great in the 280 and that long 140 TTSx. I shot the 140 TTSx in a 7mm RUM even. The 160 is very long and "might" do better on big bear/moose than the 140. I like the Speer 160 HotCor bullet in a .280, but, of course it is shorter than the Barnes 160. Good luck to you whatever you use, that .280 is a great round. BTW, I only gained 50 fps when I had my 22" barrel .280 reamed out to the Ackley Improved. It really needs, and shines, with a longer barrel, say 24". I am an Ackley freak, ha, pay no attention unless you are wierd and into some form of wildcatting, ha.