Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles StaBALL 6.5 and the 280 Rem

Anybody know where there is some loading data for this combination? My manuals are all too old. And I couldn't find any on the Hodgdon website, the Nosler website, or LoadData.com. Thanks for any assistance.

If I were faced with this problem, I would look at load data for the 270 Win/130 grn & 30-06/165 grn and I would see that the starting loads are around 51 & 52 grns. I would then load 2 each safety check rounds at 49.5, 50, 50.5, 51, and 51.5. If I saw no pressure signs I would then start load development at 52 grains.

But that is my approach and is within my risk tolerance. You may not be comfortable with that approach from a risk perspective. The preceding is not without risk.

An even simpler approach is to select the bullet weight that you want to use in your 280. Look up the exact same bullet weight load for the 270 Win with STABall 6.5 take 1 grain off (for add'l safety) of the minumum 270 Win starting load and use that as your starting load.

Because the 280 has a greater expansion ratio the pressure will be less than the 270 with the same bullet weight.

Thanks, Mike. Guess I'll have to try your techniques since there doesn't seem to be any published data. I do find that curious, since the burning rate seems like a good fit. We'll see!

I use 6.5 Staball in my 280AI. Hodgdon website has the load listed. Would it not be prudent to reduce starting loads by 5% and work up from there?

I’ve just started experimenting with it in the AI and so far I am liking it.

Thanks Jeffrey, good info!