Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles .280 load encouragement

"A while back I chronographed some 280 Factory loads in a 22" Model 70. RP factory 150SPCL averaged 2652fps, the RP factory 7mm Express 150 SPCL load averaged 2794fps, & the Norma 150 Semi pointed SP averaged 2731fps. I realize these are 150s rather than your 139s, but the point is that they are all well below the expected velocity written up in the catalogs."

I've noticed the same thing. I rarely shoot factory ammo but whenever I buy a new gun I always run a couple of boxes of factory through it to get an idea of how it will work with a chosen bullet weight.
Some Winchester .398s came reasonably close and were actually a few FPS faster than the same bullet in a 30-06
I think where the question arises is that advertised sped is based on the maximum average pressure (MAP)and the ammo is loaded to a level that insures the loads don't exceed that MAP. I had one batch of 175 gr. 7x57 that was stated as doing 2400 FPS and change that barely passed 2200 FPS. I might as well have used a 30-30.
PJ

I went with the slow load. Loaded some rounds up and handed him the rifle. We’ll practice soon and if he gets something, I’ll post pictures. Later on, I’ll show him how to work up loads and we’ll hopefully find something that suites the caliber better. We’ll see…and I’ll keep you guys up to date. Merry Christmas!

You have chosen wisely.....

I think your load will work well for deer. I too look for the best accuracy. I read Jim Carmichel's writings (favorite writer, BTW), and he liked the 280, 338 and others. So, the first chance I got I reamed a $10 M98 7x57 Mauser chamber to 280. I would not recommend that. But it shot some loads very well. I've had quite a few 280's over the years. The following loads all shot under 1 MOA out of my 700 BDL. I don't recommend H414 due to it's temperature sensitivity. IMR4350 seems to be a favorite.

162 SPBT Hornady 53 IMR4350
120 Sierra 58 MR3100
150 SPBT Sierra 56 IMR4350
139 Hornady 54 IMR4350
150 Nosler PT WLR 56 IMR4350
150 SPBT Sierra 55.5 IMR4831
120 Hornady 52 H414
140 Barnes TSX 56 IMR4350
154 Hornady 53 IMR4350

I know the following load is more for "bigger than deer", but it is sweet and it kills deer rather well.

H4350 has been excellent in my 280 Rem. Beating even Superformance in speed with great accuracy. I have renewed appreciation for H4350. Used it for years in the 30-06 where it also shines

I have a couple of 280s. My hunting load is a 140 grain Sierra Game King atop 51 grains of IMR 4350. It isn't a barrel burner, but is very accurate and has claimed the life of many, many whietails. If it works, it works.

54 to 55 grains of 4350 and your 139 sst will fly. I shoot 54.5 with A4350 and get 3k with it. Bullet is explosive and there are way better options to burn powder on BTW.

140 gr./.280 is analogous to 130 gr./.270.

Somewhere around 58.0 gn./H4831 should give you a very good load.




GR

Well the load worked really well, He was able to kill his first buck (DRT) and this turkey later in the weekend. I said I would update this thread if he got something, well JoJo did good.

Congrats to him on the buck and bird!

Great looking rifle as well!

Congrats to him! Nice first buck and a gobbler to go with it!

Congratulations JoJo!