280 loads

[DaveA37]

Well, hopefully getting some personal time after the holidays, anticipating loading some 280 Remingtons. Looking for a good load to get me started.
I have the following on hand

Powders
IMR 4831
IMR 4350
RL 22

Bullets
140 GR BT
150 GR PT

Primers
CCI 250
CCI 200
WLR (Lots of these)

Brass (Mixed, once fired)
Federal
Rem

Going to be used in a Model 700 Remington (only 3 shots fired in this one thus far).
(See my old post, "A Pair Of New rifles")

So where would you start and with what combination of items on hand?

 

[Guest]

Well, I'd start with separated brass all from the same lot, but that may not be possible with what you have on hand. Beyond that, I'd start with 150gr bullets over IMR4831, lit by either the WLR or CCI200 primers. If you're more partial to the 140gr bullet, use that, with the same combination of case, powder, and primer. COL is up to you. I'd start .030" off the lands or magazine length, whichever is shorter. Then work shorter from there after you find the velocity you want.

 

[DrMike]

Dave,

You will find that the Nosler 6th Guide will lead you in a generally correct direction. With the 140 grain BTs, work up to maximum charges of IMR 4831 (56.0 grains) and IMR 4350 (52.0 grains). These loads were worked up with a Federal 210 primer, but using either a WLR or a CCI200 primer, you can work them up to ensure you avoid pressure problems. Also, if you can lay your hands on some RL19, load to a maximum charge of 57.0 grains. With the 150 grain PT, work up charges to maximum charges with RL22 (56.0 grains), IMR 4831 (55.0 grains) or IMR 4350 (51.5 grains). The 280 is not a particularly fussy cartridge, devouring almost all medium burn powders while delivering good accuracy. Again, I don't believe you will go wrong beginning your workup with either of these bullets and selecting one of the powders you have on hand. If I had to pick one for each bullet, I'd go with IMR 4350 to charge the case when shooting 150 grain PTs, and RL19 when loading the 140 grain BT. These powders are listed as the most accurate tested in the Nosler publication; there is a reason for that. It is a good starting place.

 

[ScreaminEagle]

There is only one load that you need to know for the 280. 54gr of Imr 4350 pushing 140gr BT with CCI LR primer. Drills bugholes in my gun. good luck!

 

[tecumseh]

My 280 Rem loves the 140gr BT with 54gr of IMR 4831 with a CCI LR primer using Nosler Brass.

 

[JD338]

Dave,

I have have very good results loading the 280 Rem with RL 19 and IMR 4831 with 140 gr bullets.

JD338

 

[6mm Remington]

There is only one load that you need to know for the 280. 54gr of Imr 4350 pushing 140gr BT with CCI LR primer. Drills bugholes in my gun. good luck!

+1 That's what my 280 liked was IMR4350 54.0 grs. 140 gr. Partition. I used CCI 200's but then switched to Federal 210's. They both work equally as well.

H4831SC also looked like it might work great but I never had time to mess with it much. With that powder I worked up my load using large rifle magnum primers. I think with your selection of powders you will easily find a couple different loads that should work very well for you.

David

 

[nuke-cu]

I was not able, after much experimenting (including helpful suggestions form the members here), to make my 280 shoot 160gr Partitions (Cooper M52, 1:10 twist 24" barrel). I have found 2 accurate loads with 140gr bullets.

The most accurate is 140gr Sierra Gameking, 0.020" off the lands, Norma brass, Federal 210M primer, 55.4gr IMR 4831. I get on average 2925 fps. It typically shoots under 2" at 200 yards (5 shot groups). A few days ago I shot a couple of groups and 4 out of 5 shots in one group were under 1" at 200 yards (the whole group 1.6").

Hunting load 140 grain TSX, 0.055" off the lands, Norma brass, Federal 210M primer, 56gr IMR 4831. I get on average 3000 fps. It shoots under 2.5" at 200 yards (5 shot groups). It is somewhat less consistent than the Game King load. A few days ago I shot a couple of groups and 4 out of 5 shots in one group were under 1" at 200 yards (the whole group 2.5").

The hunting load took a mule deer buck and a small cow elk a couple of months ago. The buck dropped on the spot (broken shoulder). The cow elk, however, ran 100 yards. It was snowing and visibility was poor. I barely spotted her after 1/2 hour. There wasn't a single drop of blood on the fresh snow between the place I shot her and where she dropped. Will consider the Game King load for game this size. Hope this helps

Having digressed a bit, let me add that with the components that you list I will sort the cases (as suggested before), use the 140gr BT with 55.4gr and 56gr IMR 4831 and load 0.015 - 0.020" off the lands as a starting point.

 

[nvbroncrider]

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=17113


Here is my load 52.5 gr of 4350 with a 140BT.

 

[Desert Fox]

It seems like there is consensus among 280 shooters here on IMR4831 with either 140 or 150 grain bullet. My 280 shoots well with 55.5 grain of IMR 4831 and 150 grain Nosler BT. Never really work with 140 grainer.

 

[DrMike]

Rommel,

If I had to pick only one powder, it would be IMR4831. If only one bullet weight were allowed, it would be a 139/140 grain bullet. The 280 will shoot other weights, and shoot them well; it will use other powders without a hiccup. However, for day in, day out loads, IMR4831 and 139/140 weight bullets is the ticket.

 

[HTDUCK]

Rommel,

If I had to pick only one powder, it would be IMR4831. If only one bullet weight were allowed, it would be a 139/140 grain bullet. The 280 will shoot other weights, and shoot them well; it will use other powders without a hiccup. However, for day in, day out loads, IMR4831 and 139/140 weight bullets is the ticket.

My go to load
Nosler Brass
58.0 grs H4831SC
Fed 210
139 gr Hornady Interlock BTSP

 

[RiverRider]

I load 58.5 grains of H4831 with a 150-grain Partition. Shoots lights out in my econo-custom 98.

 

[DaveA37]

Bump

 

[Kodiak]

My load is the same as most folk's;

140 gr. spitzer
56.0/ imr4831
F210Match primer

It does a 1/2" or less @ 100 yds. from my old Rem. Mtn. rifle.

 

[Desert Fox]

Rommel,

If I had to pick only one powder, it would be IMR4831. If only one bullet weight were allowed, it would be a 139/140 grain bullet. The 280 will shoot other weights, and shoot them well; it will use other powders without a hiccup. However, for day in, day out loads, IMR4831 and 139/140 weight bullets is the ticket.

Jim Carmichael , former Outdoor Life shooting editor whom I admired, is the big proponent of 140 grain bullet for the 280 also. I stayed with 150 because it works well in my rifle even though the 140 shoot just as well.

 

[DrMike]

I hear what you're saying. My new 280 shoots 150 grain PTs very well and at a good velocity. I will likely load up these heavier bullets as the rifle does shoot them well. However, it does shoot the 140 grain AB equally well. Since my first 280 is shoot 140 grain PTs very well, however, I an leaning toward the 150s in this newer 280 just to have a different load available.

 

[nvbroncrider]

Has anyone ever came across a 280 that didn't shoot bugholes?

 

[6mm Remington]

Has anyone ever came across a 280 that didn't shoot bugholes?

Mine did (before I sold it )and hopefully by early summer I'll have one of those new Ruger Hawkeyes with the laminate stock to see if it too will shoot bugholes! :mrgreen: :shock: