Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Load Data 280 Ackley

My one and only 280AI was a reamed out Mod 700 Mtn rifle .280. I only used the nickle plated ( I hate that stuff!) Winchester case at the time ( early 90's) I worked up to 61gr R22/Nolser 150BT and a 9 1/2 primer. It shot around .5 to 1" for 3 shots, then would walk off. I killed some stuff with it here in Uath/Wy but when I went to Texas in Feb ( about 75 deg) I got a real sticky bolt. I determined that I would only use it in colder weather. When I finally got a chance to clock it....2950fps. 50fps gain was all I got out of that 22" barrel. I traded the rifle off. I remember when the Hornady manual ( late 70's) showed 7mm Mag 3400fps with the 139sp. I could not get there in a 24" 7mm mag Mod 700. I could only get 2950/160 PT either, not the 3100fps in the maual! ( IMR 4350) I later found Joy in both the 7mm STW and the 7mm RUM...but bigger/heavier rifles, which I found out that do not work for me here in the mountains. Nothing is as sweet in my hands as a standard caliber in a Mod 70 FWT Classic or Mod 700 Classic. My new to me older Tanger Mod 77 338WM with a very customized slimmed/trimmed/recheckered stock is a good candidate too. I now just have it and a Mod 70 FWT in 7x57. I'll shoot the 7mm Mauser to "modern" pressures, but sure won't try to make it like a properly loaded .280. I say "properly" as when I started loading for a regular .280 the factory ammo pressures were set for the Model 740/742. Jim Carmichael's writings turned me on to two magnificent calibers...the properly loaded .280 and the 338WM. I tend to judge all other by those two, even more so than the 30-06! I guess I got "tainted"..:)
I never clocked it but 55gr/IMR 4831/139 Hornady shot 1" perfect triangle, 3 shot groups from my first Mod 77 .280/22" bbl. Any guess as to how fast that was? I don't know is why I'm asking? Shot my first "Long Range" ( for East, Tx) buck at 276 long steps...and was called a liar about that even! ha