Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 280 Pet Loads...let's see'm....

I have had good luck with 150gr nbt and 54.5gr of imr4831.
Not sure of fps, but I've had good groups on targets and great results on deer. I am going to try the 150 partition with this loading as well. Also I have been just using the suggested cartridge length in the nosler book.
A.B.

58gr H4831 under Sierra 140 BTSP and RL22 under Horn 162gr BTSP, also 56gr H4831 under 150gr Nosler Partition

57gns RL19 with 140gn Accubond or 145gn Speer BT Spitzer

I have an old Remington 7600 made in late 80's that likes 53.5 grains of IMR-4350, Hornady 139 BTSP, Remington brass, and CCI 250 primers for a chrono'd 2888 f.p.s. This load is consistently accurate. I may try the 140 Nosler Ballistic Tip out of it just for the heck of it.

Range update......

Ran through a ladder of H4831sc, 140AB, CCI BR2, I moved the seating out to .010.

58.0 of H4831sc gave me about .7" group and 2990 MV.

59 and 60 gave 3050 and 3100 respectively, but the groups opened up to about 1".

I stopped at the clubhouse after I was finished and picked up a bottle of RL22.

Going to try that next.

I am getting the feeling that this rifle likes burn rates on the slower side.

Tony

I agree. I went through this same drill with the 280 years ago,when RL22 was new on the market.

I tried IMR4350,which gave great accuracy and low velocties(pushing harder gave pressure signs);then to IMR4831,which gave somewhat higher velocities but accuracy soured.

I noticed that some sources used MRP with good results, but it was not commonly available, so tried RL22,which was similar but not the same.

RL22 proved to be the ticket, giving vels in the 3100 fps range and excellent accuracy(bug hole type)with 140 Partitions and BBC's.

Found pretty much the same in other 280's as well.

A pal recently wrung out a KS Mountain rifle in 280...I told him to try R22;he insisted on R19.....which seemed OK until he burned R22,which was visibly better.

Can't guarantee the same results from all 280's,but if I bought a 280 tomorrow R22 would be first up,and I doubt I'll have to look much further.


I'd burn it with a Fed215 mag primer as well.

For some reason R22 and Fed 215's are a safe place to start in the 280 and 7RM.The combo is not chump change in the 270 Win either.

Would be unusual but that rifle might not like Accubonds??? It might also have something to do with the twist rate of the barrel?? Might be set up for heavier bullets?? You just got to find the right combo. I'd keep the seating depth just kissing the lands. The most acurate load I have ever seen out of any 280 is RL-22 & Fed 215 pushing a 150 Ballistic Tip. A true 1 holer load out of my Bansner. I'm just as sure a 150 Partition will do just as well. I always run magnum primers in my 280s. I've got a bunch already loaded if you want to try em out. I need to hit the range soon too... when you goin again???

Then again it could have something to do with the time i bent the barrel slammin it into a tree!!!!!

Ah, that explains why i have to aim 10ft to the rignt in order to hit the target!!

Maybe you should recount your "adventure", with a confirmed one hole rifle on one of the biggest bucks you've ever had in the crosshairs !!

BTW, Sat. morning was a perfect day at the range. Had Culver all to myself and had 5 rifles in tow....

My brothers 300Win was the star of the day. Loaded up another batch of 165AB for his rifle, nice little .5" cloverleaf. Remember, that is the rifle that he sent to Mcwhorter to have a new FACTORY take-off fitted to his rifle. It is scary accurate and is a testament to Mcwhorters work.

I doubt that you could have a Lilja et al. shoot any better.

Also got my 7STW back from Kampfeld, but am waiting for a new scope to come in before I shoot it. Came out awesome....

You owe me lunch (not sure why, but I am sure you do !!!)

Tony

PS: This gun will shoot 140ABs, I have pics from the original owner of bughole groups with Fed premium 140ABs factory loads...

Tony

You'll never see me put that "adventure in print...it is bad enough to have to look at the mounted buck when I go over to MBs house and have him re-tell it laghin his arse off the whole time!!! I may try to hit the range Wed if you are interested. We'll wrestle for lunch. I'm planning to go to W Va. this weekend for some shooting & plantin!! Sam

I had 2 280's that liked RL-19 with 140 partions

Ruger MKII 140gr Partition max load RL-19 1" @ 100 yards

Remington 700 same bullet max load RL-19 3/4 @ 100 yards
160gr Partition max load IMR 4350 1" @ 100 yards
with these 2 loads I had the same point of impact at 100 yards

Hicountry: My custom 280 Remington just loves Nosler 140 grain Partitions in Remington cases with Remington 9 1/2 primers and IMR 4831 powder.
I would say it would be worth a try getting some more IMR 4831 and thoroughly testing it.
Best of luck to you.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

tag

How about with 120's? I have some 120gr NBT I was thinking of using in on a SD deer hunt this fall if I'm lucky enough to draw.

VV N165 works very good in my 280 AI. See no reason why it would not be a viable alternative for the 280 Remington.

Imr 7828 has produced stellar velocity & accuracy in one of my 280's with 150 Partitions.

I loved the 150 BT's and 4831sc I loaded last year.

TZone- My rifle really likes 120's with H4350.

I run the Imp case, but I'm sure it'll be fine with a skosh less powder.

What Jordan said. powdr

Thank you!

This will be the first cartridge I've reloaded so fingers crossed.

I'm going to shoot it with 140fed Fusions tomorrow because that's what I have on hand from my last .280, to get it on paper.

My first big game rifle was a 280 Rem CS (22" barrel) and it took the brunt of my reloading experiments as well. That was many years ago, but my pet load was;

139 gr. Hornady SST
57 gr. IMR 4831
WW Nickle brass
Fed 215 primer
COL = 3.345

It put them into 3/16" and I'm a poor shot. The rifle was stock except for a free float and glass bed.

These are all from the same rifle,

140 Nosler Part.
57 gr. RL 19
RP brass
210 M primer
COL 3.275 ...... .75 groups. (3035 fps)

150 Nosler Part.
57 gr. IMR 4831
210 M primer
WW nickle brass
COL 3.30 ........ .25 groups

160 Sierra BT
53 gr. RL 22
RP Brass
WLRM primer
COL 3.275-3.280......... . 75 groups

139 gr. Hornady SST
56 gr. IMR 4350
WLR primers
COL 3.33 .......... 1" groups

139 gr. Hornady SST
56 gr RL 22
WLR primer
RP brass
COL 3.33. ......... .25 groups

150 gr. Nosler Part.
56 gr. RL 22
RP Brass
WLR primer
COL 3.310........ < 1"

This is what it shoots now,

140 gr. Barnes TSX
57.5 gr IMR 4831
RP brass @ 2.530"
WLRM primer
COL 3.250" ........ .5" groups

And a varmint load,

100 gr. Hornady HP
60 gr IMR 4350
WW Nickle Brass
WLRM primers
Gave .5" groups @ 3320 fps