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

I worked up to Nosler's max load using IMR7828SSC and the 150 gr. AB data and the 150 gr. ABLR bullet. Velocity was 3010 FPS Accuracy not so hot. Have a test series with various seating depths to try. It's my understanding that the ABLR bullets can be quite finicky regarding seating depth. Fairly short bearing surface on that bucket so not much to play with.
Paul B.

I'm using 61 gr of H4831 with a 140 Accubond for about 2975 fps with good accuracy in a Rem 700.

58.5 of H4831 sparked by a cci 250 topped with 150 gr B-tip makes 3/4" and less groups for me 'probably better when I do my part'.

Chrono'd the load starting at 2790 with a clean barrel. At the end of the ten shot trial velocity was still climbing @ 2850 and group size a tight 3/4".

First animal I killed with this load was a 300 lb dressed, skinned hanging carcass weight bull elk. First shot exited w/ a broadside mid-lung hit with a 1-1/2 inch exit hole from 80-ish yards. Second shot a B-tip angled in from rear of rib cage to BREAK the off shoulder and lodge under the hide with the core out of the jacket. He tipped over very shortly after. Second shot was not needed but elk started to head for a STEEP ravine and not good terrain.

I was a devout partition shooter for elk, but with different reports and smoke curling up from credible individuals and others about today's mid-caliber B-tips being used more and more on large game plus deer I had to see for myself.

145 Speer Hot Core with IMR4350 has been a steady performer for me for decades.

Just for grins (and because I've heard so many good things about it on the 'fire), I'm going to try the 120gr BTip with 4350.

Same for me but H4350

Mine likes 56grs IMR4831 with 140gr Ballistic Tips, Accubonds,or Partitions seated .020 off lands. Velocity is 2990 and 1/2" groups for all three.

I did it this weekend end. I'm going to have to look at my notes but I got better accuracy results with loads in the middle of the pack. The more it was pushed, the more accuracy opened up. I think (going from memory right now) on the max book load I had 1.5" group at 100 with IMR-4350.

Thanks for the data. Posted so I can find later!

The two loads I have worked up for the wife's 280 with 23" barrel are 59 grains of h4831 and 140 grain accubond for 2980fps and 56 grains of h4831 topped with a 160 grain accubond for 2870fps. Not sure which one I'll have her run for an all around load for antelope through elk but I'm leaning towards the 160 grain accubond

Around 60 Gr of RL 22 140 Gr Nosler E Tip great accuracy around .5" but shows pressure. Going to reduce it and try keep accuracy 24" LH KS Rem 700. Load shoots great in my wifes RH Ruger SS Hawkeye 22" 280 Rem also.

H4831sc & 154 interlocks

Old thread..........here are some additional loads tests done since my original post on it.

I pretty much use NBT's for testing, whether I intend to hunt with them or not.........never had a case of major deviation from what I see with them to most other bullets.........and in the rare case that I do, I then know that I likely have a bullet problem.

MM

I'm thinking enough RL22 to get a 150 NBT to 3,000 fps and I'll call it good. Maybe try Ramshot Hunter. Anyone used H-1000 with a 150?

I found a CDS dial for the 150 NBT at 3,000 in my scope drawer so will slap that on a VX3 3.5-10x40 and give her a try. Getting my KS geared up to shoot over New Years weekend!

Let us know if you make 3000 with a 150.............I've not been able to make myself push that hard in several 280's.

About 2950-2975 is a far as I've been able to make myself go.

I would love to get a hold of some RL-26 as I think that might be a better powder choice, but it been like un-obtainium.

MM

Yeah, RL-26 might do it...

As of this morning, Re26 is my preference for .280 Remington, so my H4831SC will be relegated to other duties.

I'm playing with one of the Model 70 Super Grades commissioned by Midway. I've been working with it for several months. It became apparent right off the bat that the velocity potential was outstanding with Re26 and 3000 fps was easily within reach with a 150-grain Partition. Having chased velocity before and ending up overly frustrated, I kept looking for *the load* at around 2930 fps, where I thought there was something promising. It just didn't work out so I went ahead and bumped the charge up. I had seen that seating about .031" off the lands seemed to work so I stuck with it.

So, this morning I had six rounds each at three charge weights, intending to shoot two three-round groups of each charge. Someone is bound to ask, so I'll reveal that the charge weights were 61.1, 61.3, and 61.5 grains. As I shot them, the groups got tighter as the load got hotter. At 61.5 I got a group measuring .78 inch and one measuring .70 inch. The groups superimposed measure about .80 inch. Velocity was measured with a Oehler 35P about 15 feet from the muzzle and averaged 3006 fps for this load. Extreme spread for the six shots was 14 fps. SD may be pretty meaningless for six rounds, but since the chronograph gives it to me free I record it, and it was 5 fps this time out.

I'm plenty happy with this and intend to load all my .280 brass up with the load and go out and kill stuff with it.

I forgot to mention that my Model 70 has a pretty generous chamber and a 24-inch barrel. Fireformed R-P brass had a capacity of 69.0 grains of water when fired in my old VZ24 econo-custom, and the same R-P brass fireformed in the Model 70 would hold 70.4 grains of water. I am using Nosler brass now, and it's capacity is 72.0 grains of water when fireformed to the Model 70's chamber. That could be important.

59.5 gr of H4831 and a 140 nosler leave ragged one hole 3 shot groups out of my m70 FWT

139SST with H4831

150NBT with 57.5 gr RL23