Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 280 Remington happiness...perfect deer rifle!

What a difference when you switch to a new lot of powder. This time for the better!

I was getting about 2900 from my first jug of H-4350. That is decent velocity that will kill any whitetail on earth, but I was honestly expecting a little more.

Today, I loaded 12 rounds using a different lot of H-4350 powder and the new jug averaged 2996! In fairness, I also switched to Remington brass instead of Winchester nickel brass. The charge is the same 56.0 grains and CCI-200 primer.

I'm very pleased to finally be getting the velocity I was hoping for when I had Pac Nor install this barrel on my rifle. The best part is the 3-shot group today was 3/8". I'm obviously not expecting that group every time. However, it is nice to know this Ruger/Pac Nor 280 is a keeper.

Ruger 77 MK/II stainless
McMillan Classic (50/50 black/white)
Timney trigger
Pac Nor SS 22" factory contour barrel
Nosler 140 Accubond
56.0 H-4350
3.345 OAL
CCI-200
Remington brass

And yes, I did work up to this charge watching for signs of pressure. This works in {my} rifle.

As you know, you need to safely work up all loads in {your} rifles.

My first rifle I ever handloaded for was a ruger 77 Tanger, .280! I used 55gr IMR 4831 under the Hornady 139sp. I never clocked it, but I did kill deer and hogs. Great round!

Congrats , I shot my 6.5 SLR TODAY . Used a new jug of H-4350. Same load as always . Blew two primers. Need to start over!!!! I use Lapua 260 brass and have loaded cases 12 times . Primers still tight But new jug is hotter! I know better but first time for everything . Congrats on a GREAT CAL!

DR...good luck. I shot-out several 280 barrels before I moved on to the 270. Your 280 is a really great choice for everything up to and including eland. I had the best results with the 140’s using IMR4831 and R17. IMR4831 got a bad rap for being temperature sensitive. I used it between 40-100 degrees F. I got a little over 3000. Today I would try the Enduron powder that is slower than H4350...closer to H4831.

Incidentally the 270/130’s move about 100 FPS faster than the 280/140’s. Same holds true with 140/150 and 150/160.

I have a Ruger 280, tanger, anyone willing to share a good load using RL-17, RL-19, RL-22? I have a good variety of bullets weights. Any help welcomed. Thanks Daniel

Think of your reputation!

My .280 is a custom on a 1909 Argentine Mauser, action by DWM with 24" barrel. Metal work by the Harry Lawson company here in Tucson and the stock by Sterling Davenport also located in Tucson but now retired..I worked up to a bit over 2900 FPS with IMR7828SSC and the 160 gr. Speer Grand Slam but accuracy was not what I expected from that rifle. I had some long discontinued Winchester Magnum Rifle powder (WMR) that works wonders in the .270 Win. and .300 Win. Mag. so I gave it a try in the .280 with the 160 gr. GS. Velocity was 2910 FPS and groups between .50" and .75". I'm kind of glad I had a good supply of WMR. Bras life is good and at five loadings so far primer pockets are still tight. Brass is Winchester nickel plated, CCI200 primers and all brass has been trimmed, flash holes reamed and primer pocket uniformed. I'm happy with my results.
Paul B.

FWIW,

I recently worked up a load for my .280 Rem., with 22" PacNor barrel.
I used the Hornady 150 gr. ELD-X bullet, which has a very high BC, I believe .574. Powder is RL 26, with a 60 grain load being the most accurate. This load is consistently sub-MOA, with a chronoed MV of 3020 fps.
Very pleased with the results!

It just might work for elk too......................

MM

DLALLDER
I am using RL23 57.5 gr 210M under 150 NBT for 2950 fps.

Deans

D, you have two rifles w/almost the exact capabilities. RL 19 us an excellent powder in the 280 as well as the 7x57 Ackley Improved. Start w/your finishing loads for the 7x57AI and work up to 57-57.5gr. powdr

In my Ruger M77 .280 tanger, 57gns of RL19 and a 140gn Accubond always worked well.

I load one with 120 Ballistic Tips and the other with 150 LRAB

60.0 gr RL22 with 140 gr Sierra SP works well for my 280 Rem. This is a near max load, so work up to it carefully. 3025 fps in my rifle (24 in barrel, in warm weather).

Powdr, Thanks Again!

Rabst, Thank you also! I will give it a try.

Went to the rifle range this morning and came back with 2 good loads thanks to the guys & their information. Best load was Noslers 140 AB & 56 gr of RL-19 with Rem brass had all 3 shots touching, 2nd best was Hornady 139 SST with 52,4 gr of RL-19 with Rem brass had 2 touching with 3rd close. I will check out both loads again later this week but I think the Nosler load is going to be load for that gun. Thanks Daniel

Dixie Rebel: Daiyam! You got that 280 Remington dialed in!
Good for you and the 280 Remington is absolutely in the running for "best Deer Rifle"!
I have been using the 280 Remington since it was called the "7m/m Remington Express" and still have some brass thus marked.
I use the wonderful 140 grain Nosler Partitions in my 280. Never know when you will run across a 6x6 Bull Elk where I Hunt and indeed I kill't a 6x6 with with one shot from said Rifle/caliber set-up.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Do state laws insist you take and use the meat on these pigs or can you leave 'em to the varmints and buzzards?

I have 280 Happiness about 8 layers deep.