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if if I did 5 sets of 5 at 120 (my max is 280), I wouldn't get anywhere - just because my muscles weren't being challenged.
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Actually, I think it's just the opposite. And if you're max is 280, you'd more than likely be closer to 245 lbs static LOL.
Personally, when I'm pyramiding to a top set, the first THREE sets aren't bad at all.. Fairly easy, which is good. All that matters is hitting your TOP set of however many reps. Increments could be spaced out more or less depending on your goals. On the other hand, keeping the weight constant for all the sets is MUCH more challenging from beginning to end. I'll refer to last week in my journal (bench). On my ME day, I had a 3 set pyramid to a top set of 365 x 3. (295 x 3, 330 x 3, 365 x 3) The first two sets weren't bad at all. The 330 went up fast (video posted). Now, later on that week I had to do 345 lbs for 3 x 3.. Now THAT was a grinder! Now do the math:
295 x 3
330 x 3
365 x 3
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2,970 lbs
345 x 3
345 x 3
345 x 3
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3,105 lbs!