I just picked up a 700 Mountain Rifle in .280. I am only interested in shooting two bullets out of this rifle, the 120 ballistic tip and the 140 accubond. If it won't shoot those it is going down the road. I have never played with .280s before and looking for some "tried and true" loads for a place to start, hopefully with what I have on hand.
Thanks Ken! I shoot RL22 in my .300 win mag. Never worried about the temp issue as that is strictly a Fall/Winter rifle. When I started shooting my 6mm-06 I planned to shoot it year round so went to RL 23 as I got similar performance with (supposedly) better temp sensitivity.
I have a 700 with a 22” magnum contour pacnor barrel. It loves the 140 grn accubonds with 57.0 grains of H4831SC. I think this in around a grain over max in some books but never noticed any pressure signs. I believe I am just off the lands as well. This load has always produced 1/2” groups in this rifle for me.
No problem. I also shoot the 140 ballistic tips with the same load. The accubonds seem to group just a tad better, but on deer I seem to get better blood trails with ballistic tip. I go for the lungs and have had no issues with ballistic tips blowing up either.
Thanks Ken! I shoot RL22 in my .300 win mag. Never worried about the temp issue as that is strictly a Fall/Winter rifle. When I started shooting my 6mm-06 I planned to shoot it year round so went to RL 23 as I got similar performance with (supposedly) better temp sensitivity.
Do you do your load development and sight in at hunting weather temperature?
If your 700 Mountain doesn't end up grouping for you, I have a mid-80s Remington 700 KS Mountain in 280 w/ Brown Precision stock and beautiful bluing I'm probably going to list in classifieds. It dead nuts with 140 ABs and BTs and 55.0gr of H4831SC.
Thanks Ken! I shoot RL22 in my .300 win mag. Never worried about the temp issue as that is strictly a Fall/Winter rifle. When I started shooting my 6mm-06 I planned to shoot it year round so went to RL 23 as I got similar performance with (supposedly) better temp sensitivity.
Do you do your load development and sight in at hunting weather temperature?
I have done both. That particular rifle had the load worked up years ago in the summer and early fall and then I regularly check the zero throughout the year. I know it is safe in warm temps and any velocity variation between fall work up and late season cow elk temps won’t make any difference at the ranges I kill elk.
I worked up an accurate and fast load for my kids .243 that was no problem at Montana fall temps. Took him to CA on a pig hunt and he shot a coyote at 100 degrees and almost locked up the bolt. Lesson learned going from cool to hot.
Thanks Ken! I shoot RL22 in my .300 win mag. Never worried about the temp issue as that is strictly a Fall/Winter rifle. When I started shooting my 6mm-06 I planned to shoot it year round so went to RL 23 as I got similar performance with (supposedly) better temp sensitivity.
Do you do your load development and sight in at hunting weather temperature?
I have done both. That particular rifle had the load worked up years ago in the summer and early fall and then I regularly check the zero throughout the year. I know it is safe in warm temps and any velocity variation between fall work up and late season cow elk temps won’t make any difference at the ranges I kill elk.
I worked up an accurate and fast load for my kids .243 that was no problem at Montana fall temps. Took him to CA on a pig hunt and he shot a coyote at 100 degrees and almost locked up the bolt. Lesson learned going from cool to hot.
Lower velocity doesn't necessarily mean purely a little more drop. That's what I was thinking about.
in 2018 I built two 280AI rifles and bought one. I shot 3 antelope and two mule deer with them. I just used two for hunting; 2018 Kimber 84 factory and 1949 Win M70 with Bartlein 7mm/.284 5R 1:9 Twist, #3 Fluted Barrel and Mcmillan stock.
For all three rifles I used 140 gr Nos Accubond moly coated 56.2 gr IMR-4166 3.34" OAL. I was getting about 3100 fps.
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. -Ernest Hemingway The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything.-- Edward John Phelps