Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles .280 remington advise.

So I have a 1976 m77 bull barrel 24in in 280. It shoots 139gn with one-4350 beautifully. However my 4 year old loves eating deer. So I’d like to avoid leaded bullets. I got some gmx’s to try out. Curious if anyone has shot gmx in a 280. Do they work well? I have some one-4350, rl-19 and some Norma magnum powder.

Would also love to hear your favorite loads for the 280 that work well in your rifles.

First, you’ll never get lead from leaded bullets. That’s a California myth.
I’ve used GMX’s in several cartridges. I could not get as good of accuracy as with other bullets. If you really think you can get lead from lead bullets I’d advise TSX or TTSX for pinpoint accuracy.

GMX accuracy has been just fine for deer though.

AFAIK, any lead ingested will pass through the system well before it can do any bodily harm. i've ben eating venison killed with pure lead (cast) bullets, regular cup and core bullets and have worked with bullet casting with lead alloys since 1954. I had the heavy metals blood tests done and the amount of lead in my system is slightly below normal for a person my age. (82YO).
Paul B.

I have killed plenty of deer with both Cor-Lokts and Federal Blue Box 150 gr soft points...nothing fancy

H-4350, Nosler 140 Accubonds!

Mth281
I've had good luck with 56.0 gr of Hunter and the 140 TSX. I'm getting 2909 fps, 3 rounds go .320 out of 22' 700. This is safe in MY gun so start lower of course.
Hope this helps

Were there any truth to the game shot with lead in the bullet most hunters who eat their game would either be dead or have severely effected brain function. Neither of which are remotely true. Have another glass of Kool-Aid....and static electricity from the plastic hopper on your powder measure will ignite black powder.....never.

And that's a fact, Jack.
Paul B.

Since you have the GMXs, give 'em a whirl.

But, I'd be more worried about lead poisoning from # 7 1/2 or # 8 shot dove/quail loads, which have helped stock my freezer for decades.

My typical deer (and we eat a lot of venison) is taken with a Sierra Pro-Hunter through the chest. We skin and quarter, saving also the backstraps and tenderloins. Rib cage gets left to the coyotes/bobcats/pigs/vultures anyway, along with practically any potential lead contaminants. I've never given lead a second thought!

If your rifle likes brand x of 4350, I'd start there. My 24 inch .280 prefers RL-22 (should be almost identical to Norma MRP) behind the 140 gr. Sierras, with RP brass and Fed 215 primers. Muzzle velocities with my rifle, and a carefully-worked-up-to charge, kiss 3000 fps with consistent accuracy. YMMV.