Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles .280 load encouragement

Been working up loads for a Sako in .280 Remington and after a lot of load development this thing really likes a combination of H-4350 and 139 SST’s. I’ve tested RE-22, 150gr Partitions, 162gr ELD-X, and I’ve gotten all kinds of velocities going up to approx. 2950 fps. This rifle shoots the 139’s great but in the low 2700 fps range. I should be ok with this right? I’m looking for a little bit of encouragement here… I really like pushing for speed, but the accuracy with the SST’s is far superior. What do y’all think?

I don't push for speed for speed's sake myself.

I like accuracy, barrel life, and brass longevity.

Hodgdons load data says you can shove a 140 bt to over 2900 fps with their listed max load of 53.5grs of H4350. 2,700 is slow.....I'd lean on it to see if i could reach the next node safely.

The 2700 is from 53gr. I’ve loaded it up to 54.5 gr but accuracy continued to degrade. I agree that it’s slow, but it ought to be enough for South Texas deer and hogs.

It is fast enough to modest ranges, but what range do you plan on hunting at?

It’s just a hunting rifle, relax. Before you bring something to the table, use common sense.

You don’t even know what his purpose is and what he’s loading for but seem to know what advice to give him.

No f-uck head, that's not giving a single shred of advice on anything. That's me stating what I do and why.

If the OP wishes to further that discussion with me he will address it, if not, that's where it ends.......you clueless window licking f-ucktard.

Just use common sense when ask questions and don’t dive too deep and you’ll be fine. Another thing… you assumed he was running something else other than a hunting rifle. He just mentioned a Sako and nothing else along with it. Common sense says it just that just the rifle. You are getting better but you still need to slow down a little.

BTW you're a lier when you say what you posted wasn't advice.

I just got one this summer, loaded book max of IMR 4350 and 120 Barnes TTSX. Sub inch groups, quit right there.

Ok guys, it’s just a hunting rifle, and it’ll only be used at moderate ranges. It’s going to go to one of my daughters boyfriend’s who’s been around for a long time. It’s a loaner not a gift until he’s more than a boyfriend. I know it’s enough speed for but it gets in my head that I’m leaving a bunch of performance on the table. I shouldn’t let it bother me.

Then leave that 2700 load be and call it a day! Good luck to ya!

A cup/core 140-150gr at 2700 is consistently drama free from the 7mm-08 and 7x57. Should be a dandy killer inside 300yds.

I would not stop at that level. I have 2 7x57's that shoot 2700-2800 with good accuracy and 7-08 that has no problem in the 2800-2900 range with 139gr bullets. My 280 loads with 140gr bullets easily run in the 2900-3000 fps range with really good hunting accuracy easily. My favorite 7mm rem mag load with the 139 gr Hornady sp runs 3175 fps. None of these loads are at max. A guy who has to borrow a gun will ask to borrow your watch and I sure don't want my daughter dating that cheap sob. You asked and that's what I think..mb

ok.. MAGNUM bob we got you !

Unless the young lad is a ballistic nerd ( like me!) I doubt he’d have a clue as to what the velocity is running. I seriously doubt he’s going to run it over a chrony or shoot it at long range and ever even know he’s shooting a “slow” rifle. I’d sight it in an inch or so high and tell him to aim dead on at 200 and on top of the shoulder at 300 and set him loose to slay game. I can’t recall ever shooting any game with a 139 .284” SST but I know 150SST .308” bullets at 2700ish kill deer sized game very well, can’t imagine the 139’s would be much different.

Good on ya for helping the young man out…. Seems to be fitting for this time of year!👍

Nothing wrong with 2700 fps, but if I was at this point with one of my .280s I would explore the headroom that appears to be there based on that velocity. There could be a sweet spot up around 2900 to 2950 fps, or even more. I AM assuming a 24 to 25 inch barrel, of course. Sometimes when fiddling with .280 I will look at .270 data using a very close bullet weight to see if a charge weight seems reasonable...for instance, a 140 out of a .270 with H4350 in this case, and with as similar a bullet as possible.

I understand your stance, but I’d rather loan a rifle to a young man who has the want to hunt but not the resources to do it. He wasn’t raised around firearms or hunting, and he’s only hunted with me. He’s not asking for the rifle or any rifle. He’s actually looking at buying one on his own. I have more rifles than I need and I’d like to see this one get hunted. I’d rather him hunt with a classic rather than going to Academy and buying some piece of [bleep]. If he ends up being a keeper, this could end up being a great gift.

I had an old M95 Mauser for a long time and all I ever shot in it were 140 grain Sierra Gamekings at 2450 fps. That rifle was a stone cold killer out past 200 yards which is as far as I shot it because it had a peep sight not a scope. I used it for a bad weather and loaner rifle. Ended up selling it to a young guy that killed his first deer with it. 2700 fps is plenty for a deer rifle. I think it was Dave Petzal that said if you need more than that your needs are getting specialized.

That load should work just fine for the purpose you have in mind. I have a load for a 30-06 that uses the 165 gr. Accubond. It only does about 2800 FPS. I hadn't finished a load work up but the load was accurate. I took that rifle and load as a back up to my .35 Whelen and damn me if the scope on the .35 don't turn toes up at the range in Raton NM. So the hunt was done with the 06 and the not truly full power load and took a nice fat juicy cow elk at just about 100 yards, one shot and down. Your load should work just fine.
PJ

Good on you.

Not enough people like you, or him, in this damn ol' world.