.280 Rem. Mountain Rifle

[Capttom67]

Good morning folks, I have a 280 mountain rifle that I've had for years and it is a great deer and bear rifle. I have hand loaded everything from 140 grain to 160 grain
Bullets for it, and can usually get a one to one and a half inch group at 100 yd traveling roughly 2,900 to 3,000 fps.
I am scheduled for a moose hunt in Newfoundland this fall and was thinking I should try to hand load some 175 grain bullets. Any thoughts on powders and loads for this?
I have 90% been using 4831 hoddson. powder. Thanks Captain Tom

 

[Blkram]

Welcome to the group (or as some here may say, "asylum"! We're all admittedly "rifle loonies"!)

While the 175 gr bullet will add to the potential for penetration due to its weight and sectional density, the moose in Nfld are not as large and heavy as the Alaska/Yukon type, and if you have a good, accurate load with a 160 gr bullet, it will provide sufficient velocity and energy for reliable penetration and expansion on even the largest moose found on the Rock. (The 140 or 150 gr would also prove sufficient out to 400 yards for adequate retained energy.)
(Not saying that just wanting to have a good load with a 175 gr bullet is a bad thing! If it is for the added fun and adventure, go for it!)

The moose we have here in northeastern BC are similar in size to those found on the Rock, and are not overly tenacious of life, so can be cleanly taken with non-magnum cartridges that will produce 1500 ft. lbs of energy at the animals. Check with your outfitter for actual distances you are likely to be shooting, as there are open meadows and boggy areas that can present longer shots, but most shots at moose or not overly long, especially during the rut when they can be called in.
We have a lot of similar terrain here, and in 38 years of hunting moose, my longest shot on them to date is just 220 yards.

Best of luck on your quest, and your upcoming adventure!
Are you adding a bear if given the opportunity? I hear they have some good ones.
Look forward to your story and pics!
(I have long wanted to hunt caribou there.)

 

[Capttom67]

Thank you Bikram I sure appreciate your reply I think you are absolutely correct in your advice and it will be a good hunt.
I might try some 175 grain bullets if I can find some loading data just for fun really but if I get a good load then I will probably use it. Every deer I have shot with the 280 hasn't gone more than 30 or 40 yards max I love it. I shot a bear with my compound bow in Canada a few years ago and while the meat is okay don't really need another rug or mount. I shot an elk with my compound bow in Idaho some years ago also, and while I'm not a trophy hunter this one made it halfway through the Pope and Young record books Wow I was some
I am a retired deep sea ship captain after 43 years mostly tankers all over the place chemical ships black oil clean oils etc etc so am enjoying my retirement the best I can I will be 80 this summer and trying to stay busy and healthy Thanks again

 

[Capttom67]

My living room in Vermont (When my kids were small they used to bring Friends in to see the "dead animal room" LOL

 

[DrMike]

Welcome aboard. Your 280 will serve you well for about any game you will hunt in NA. BlkRam was spot on in the advice he gave. You can find data for 175 grain pills, but the 160 will serve you very well. I reviewed my data logs on three 280s I've owned and shot, and found I have never loaded 175 grain bullets. I have loaded a variety of 160-162 grain pills and a large number of 150 grain bullets. Inevitably, with each rifle I settled on 140 grain bullets for hunting here in northern BC. The mass of the bullet combined with the velocity obtained and the accuracy served me well with a variety of game animals available in my AO. Best of luck on your hunt. Let us know what you settle on for a load and tell us about the hunt.

 

[DrMike]

Here are combinations that may work for you.

Cartridge          : .280 Rem.
Bullet             : .284, 175, Nosler PART SP 35645
Useable Case Capaci: 58.781 grain H2O = 3.817 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.330 inch = 84.58 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 64000 psi, or 441 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

10 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
ReloadSwiss RS 76 *C               110.0     64.1     4.16    2864   100.0    61486   14144   1.130  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-26 *C              102.6     59.8     3.87    2853   100.0    64000   13137   1.131  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP *C                       103.5     58.5     3.79    2830    99.9    64000   13293   1.129  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 *C                 105.2     58.3     3.78    2824    98.3    64000   13623   1.125  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO                    105.5     60.8     3.94    2815    97.1    64000   13706   1.131  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828                           109.7     57.8     3.74    2810    98.6    64000   13169   1.116  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC                       103.8     57.8     3.74    2810    98.6    64000   13169   1.116  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N565 *C*T               110.0     61.2     3.97    2802    98.4    63608   13481   1.145  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 *C              105.5     57.8     3.74    2801    99.4    64000   13095   1.131  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR                     108.3     58.1     3.76    2800    99.3    64000   13114   1.132  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25 *C              110.0     59.3     3.84    2789   100.0    60600   12714   1.147  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum                     105.1     62.0     4.02    2785    99.7    64000   12521   1.122  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-23 *C *T           107.4     56.9     3.69    2768   100.0    64000   11689   1.137  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17 *T               92.8     52.7     3.42    2767   100.0    64000   11671   1.134  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-16 *C *T            97.8     51.6     3.34    2767   100.0    64000   11664   1.126  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N555 *C*T               104.2     55.3     3.59    2760   100.0    64000   11855   1.158  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 *C              102.2     55.4     3.59    2758    99.3    64000   12457   1.131  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter                      97.7     54.6     3.54    2751   100.0    64000   12024   1.138  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760                      92.2     52.9     3.42    2749    99.9    64000   12064   1.139  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414                        92.2     52.9     3.42    2749    99.9    64000   12064   1.139  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 *C                        96.9     54.2     3.51    2735    99.2    64000   12126   1.132  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation          100.0     54.2     3.51    2735    99.2    64000   12126   1.132  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4                        100.0     54.2     3.51    2735    99.2    64000   12126   1.132  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC *T                103.3     56.6     3.67    2735    97.9    64000   12286   1.128  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 *T                   107.5     56.6     3.67    2735    97.9    64000   12286   1.128  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 *C*T                94.4     52.3     3.39    2729   100.0    64000   11629   1.149  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon LVR                         94.7     51.3     3.33    2725   100.0    64000   11463   1.141  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350                       96.3     52.2     3.38    2724   100.0    64000   11437   1.162  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780             100.7     57.5     3.73    2715    99.2    64000   11834   1.136  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100                      105.5     57.2     3.70    2712   100.0    64000   11538   1.163  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831                           101.9     52.9     3.43    2712   100.0    64000   11236   1.154  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165 *C                 107.7     57.7     3.74    2710    99.5    64000   11624   1.140  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160 *C                  94.4     52.2     3.38    2691   100.0    64000   10890   1.146  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V                 99.7     52.3     3.39    2688   100.0    64000   10584   1.146  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H1000 *T                   110.0     59.0     3.82    2665    97.3    55450   12477   1.189  ! Near Maximum !

 

[DrMike]

Cartridge          : .280 Rem.
Bullet             : .284, 175, Nosler Accubond LR 58517 G7
Useable Case Capaci: 57.014 grain H2O = 3.702 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.330 inch = 84.58 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 64000 psi, or 441 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

8 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant Reloder-26 *C              103.8     58.7     3.80    2848   100.0    64000   12797   1.131  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP *C                       104.6     57.4     3.72    2823    99.9    64000   12943   1.130  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 *C                 106.4     57.1     3.70    2814    98.1    64000   13239   1.127  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO                    106.6     59.6     3.86    2806    96.8    64000   13310   1.132  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC                       104.8     56.6     3.67    2798    98.4    64000   12787   1.119  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 *C              106.6     56.6     3.67    2792    99.3    64000   12737   1.133  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR                     109.5     56.9     3.69    2791    99.2    64000   12754   1.133  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828                           110.0     56.2     3.64    2776    98.2    62305   12717   1.132  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum                     106.2     60.8     3.94    2775    99.6    64000   12170   1.124  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-23 *C *T           108.6     55.8     3.62    2762   100.0    64000   11380   1.138  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17 *T               93.8     51.7     3.35    2761   100.0    64000   11363   1.135  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-16 *C *T            98.9     50.6     3.28    2759   100.0    64000   11350   1.128  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N565 *C*T               110.0     59.4     3.85    2759    97.8    61048   12995   1.168  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N555 *C*T               105.3     54.3     3.52    2753   100.0    64000   11542   1.159  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25 *C              110.0     57.5     3.73    2750   100.0    58341   12336   1.169  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 *C              103.2     54.2     3.51    2748    99.2    64000   12109   1.133  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter                      98.7     53.6     3.47    2743   100.0    64000   11705   1.140  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation         103.9     54.6     3.54    2742    99.2    64000   12024   1.134  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760                      93.2     51.8     3.36    2739    99.9    64000   11736   1.142  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414                        93.2     51.8     3.36    2739    99.9    64000   11736   1.142  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 *C                        97.8     53.1     3.44    2724    99.0    64000   11781   1.135  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 *T                   108.5     55.4     3.59    2724    97.7    64000   11925   1.131  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC *T                104.3     55.4     3.59    2724    97.7    64000   11925   1.131  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 *C*T                95.4     51.2     3.32    2720   100.0    64000   11320   1.151  ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP *C                        98.2     51.0     3.31    2720   100.0    64000   11174   1.148  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon LVR                         95.7     50.3     3.26    2716   100.0    64000   11155   1.143  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350                       97.3     51.1     3.31    2715   100.0    64000   11129   1.164  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780             101.6     56.3     3.65    2704    99.1    64000   11496   1.138  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831                           103.0     51.8     3.36    2704   100.0    64000   10934   1.156  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100                      106.6     56.0     3.63    2703   100.0    64000   11228   1.165  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165 *C                 108.7     56.5     3.66    2700    99.4    64000   11296   1.143  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4955 Enduron *C*T              105.5     53.9     3.50    2690    97.9    64000   11549   1.136  ! Near Maximum !

You can certainly get enough velocity. Anyway, just some ideas of what might work in a modern firearm.

 

[JD338]

Welcome to the forum. I agree with the others, a 160 gr PT is indeed an excellent choice. My wife used the 160 PT in her 280AI at 3050 fps to take her bull moose in Newfoundland. She shot him 3 times at 262 yards. First two shots through the lungs exited, third shot went into the off shoulder and was recovered under the hide.
Personally I would go with the 160 PT over a 175 gr bullet as it will shoot faster and flatter.
Nice trophy room!

JD338

 

[Capttom67]

Thank you sir I appreciate all the advice I am hearing! Currently in NC for about another 3 weeks came out of VT January 21st to get out of some of the ice and snow tired of plowing and shoveling
Vt Had a hard winter this year. They even had snow yesterday
Again, I appreciate all the advice and comments and we'll have fun this spring when I am home getting my mountain rifle ready

 

[longrangehunter]

Welcome to the forum!

blkram and Dr. Mike are spot on unless what you’re using isn’t accurate!?!

That said, if you’re wanting to test the 175 grain bullets IMR 7828 ssc is one of the best powders in a 280 with a 175 Partition! Those have been available in the last month, so you should be able to order them online at most places.

Good luck!

My brother took numerous Moose in Newfoundland with his 270 Win and 130’s I believe. Never had to use a second shot either.

 

[6mm Remington]

Good luck on your hunt and that 280 Remington should serve you well as other fine intelligent gentlemen here have stated. Anything from an excellent 140-160 gr. bullet in your rifle would work very well. The 160 gr. Partition or 160 gr. AccuBond would be outstanding of course. Cannot wait to see pictures of your moose come fall!

 

[8MMX57JS]

I used 280 rem data in my 7x64. 175gr Hornady Interlock with 57.5 grs of IMR 7828SSC at 2740 fps w/22 inch barrel. Took a spike fork bull with it in 2017. Worked great!

 

[Capttom67]

Welcome to the forum!

blkram and Dr. Mike are spot on unless what you’re using isn’t accurate!?!

That said, if you’re wanting to test the 175 grain bullets IMR 7828 ssc is one of the best powders in a 280 with a 175 Partition! Those have been available in the last month, so you should be able to order them online at most places.

Good luck!

My brother took numerous Moose in Newfoundland with his 270 Win and 130’s I believe. Never had to use a second shot either.

Great info thank you what I'm seeing is I probably don't need a 175 grain bullet but it'll be fun to play around with it and I just might try that 7828 powder that was suggested

 

[Capttom67]

I used 280 rem data in my 7x64. 175gr Hornady Interlock with 57.5 grs of IMR 7828SSC at 2740 fps w/22 inch barrel. Took a spike fork bull with it in 2017. Worked great!

Thank you sir

 

[Blkram]

Tom,
I forgot to mention in my first post that I have owned 3 Rem 700 Mtn Rifles in 280 Rem over the years, but unfortunately never could get any of them to shoot less than 1" groups with factory ammo or handloads with 140-160 gr bullets. I attributed it to the pencil thin barrels, but there were bedding issues that I did correct on the latter two rifles after learning more, but only gained some improvement. Was disappointed because I really liked the mtn rifle configuration, weight, and checkering pattern. The 280 Rem is a favourite cartridge of mine!
I am happy to hear that yours is performing well for you.

I never did try the 175 gr bullets, in any of my previous, or current, 280 Rem rifles (current is a LH Rem 700 XCR that also has a LSS stock for fair weather/not so rugged terrain hunts), so couldn't provide any advice or other comment on 175 gr loads for you.

Hopefully the info others have provided will net you a good load!
A 175 gr bullet at 2800+ fps will be a tough combination to beat for large game!

 

[PJGunner]

My .280 Rem. is based on a 1909 Argentine Mauser by DWM in Germany. Barrel is a 24" Douglass. The rifle was built by the now retired Sterling Davenport. The only bullet I've done any hanloading with for that rifle is the now discontinued Speer Grand Slam. (Older two core version) I have yet to try the current cup and core version of that bullet.
Powders used in testing are IMR 7828SSC and the now long ago discontinued Winchester WMR.
Data is from my IMR7828SSC testing with the Speer Grand Slam mentioned.
57.0 gr./2861 FPS accuracy 2.00""
57.5gr./2892 FPS accuracy 1.25"
58.0gr./2934 FPS accuracy 3.1" this load showed signs of higher pressure.

WMR showed greater results in this rifle and the Speer bullet. Velocity was 2907 FPS average and two 3 shot groups one .75" and one .50" I think that my rifle doesn't like IMR7828. Naturally, YMMV.
FWIW, I shot three rounds of Remington factory 150 gr. for comparison. Velocity was 2844 FPS and a one inch group.
Paul B.

 

[Capttom67]

Tom,
I forgot to mention in my first post that I have owned 3 Rem 700 Mtn Rifles in 280 Rem over the years, but unfortunately never could get any of them to shoot less than 1" groups with factory ammo or handloads with 140-160 gr bullets. I attributed it to the pencil thin barrels, but there were bedding issues that I did correct on the latter two rifles after learning more, but only gained some improvement. Was disappointed because I really liked the mtn rifle configuration, weight, and checkering pattern. The 280 Rem is a favourite cartridge of mine!
I am happy to hear that yours is performing well for you.

I never did try the 175 gr bullets, in any of my previous, or current, 280 Rem rifles (current is a LH Rem 700 XCR that also has a LSS stock for fair weather/not so rugged terrain hunts), so couldn't provide any advice or other comment on 175 gr loads for you.

Hopefully the info others have provided will net you a good load!
A 175 gr bullet at 2800+ fps will be a tough combination to beat for large game!

Boy you are so right ! when I first got this gun, I couldn't get better than a 4-in group I was pretty upset because I loved your rifle! I got it when it first came out many years ago my
I saw an article by a knowledgeable going writer might have been Warren Page?
It was all about four and upward pressure on the barrel and how to check it with the piece of note paper and holding the barrel on a bathroom scale
I did that and was shocked to see 18 lb of upward pressure Wow! So I took a dowel and some sandpaper and honed out the foreign till there was about six or seven pounds pressure.
When I went to the range, I was immediately shooting 1 in or less groups
When the barrel started to heat up they started to string a little vertically
I took a little more out so maybe it has five or six pounds but still shoots 1" or a little more groups It was all I ever needed so I never went beyond that. I am getting excited to try some of a suggestions that have been posted on this forum.
I have several rifle shooting friends who will be excited also
Many thanks
Capt. Tom

 

[grry10]

My 280 700 Remington Mountain Rifle shoots a ragged one hole group with 140 gr Sierra Game Kings and a stiff load of IMR-4350. Groups do open up as I try to increase bullet weight. If your Mountain Rifle is the same model as mine, you may see your groups open up with 175 grain. I believe, it's due to the light contour barrel and harmonics. But, I've never checked the twist rate either. I agree with some of the feedback that you are receiving, a 160 should be plenty.