280 Rem- Test Loads - 02/06/15

[M7025-06]

Got out this morning run some loads through the 280. This was the first time I've had it to the range since bedding the new B&C stock. I've mentioned here that I've had some consistency problems lately with this rifle (or my reloads...depends on how you look at it I guess).

I loaded up 10 rounds using a recipie that once gave me a 0.635'' group at 200 yds...5 rds using 3-fired Winchester brass and 5 rds using 2-fired Remington. All cases were FL sized (headspace measured at 2.093'' with a Hornady Headspace Gauge) and trimmed to 2.530''. Powder was measured with an electronic scale for each round.

140 gr. AccuBond
59.0 gr. R-22
2.782'' OAL (0.030'' off lands)
CCI-200 LR

A.) Winchester brass case capacity: 71.25 gr. H2O / Avg. Vel.: 2927 fps / 3.00'' 3-shot group
B.) Remington brass case capacity: 70.10 gr. H2O / Avg. Vel: 2972 fps / 1.39'' 5-shot group

Using a starting pressure of 6330 psi & weighting factor of 0.39, QL matches up with my chrony pretty well. According to QL, both of these loads are within 3% of node #5 for a 23'' barrel (1.178 ms), but I'm a little surprised that the Winchester brass produced a group twice the size of the Remington brass.

Anyway...I'm more than happy with the results of the Remington brass loads. I'll double check this load Sunday...might load a few with the Winchester brass and bump up the charge 0.3-0.5 gr. to see what it does.

Load A.:

Load B.:

 

[DrMike]

Indeed, that will do. Looks to be a fine load that will handle most game you'd ever encounter in NA.

 

[Osprey78]

That's mighty fine. I didn't realize at first that it was 200 yards. Nice.

 

[muzz]

that's good shootin, Just for kicks if you have rl19 try it. That's what I was shooting out of mine before I went to an Ackley.
my load was
58g RL 19
140 gr AccuBond
fed 215 primer
just barely off the lands.
I could get 3 shots in one hole at 100 yards with that load.

It was hell on elk and mule deer.

 

[6mm Remington]

Very nice, you just have to love the .280 Remington! I'd be curious to see if you bump the load in the Winchester case if it doesn't tighten it up and look just like the one with the Remington brass.

 

[Horsethief]

You're off to a great start. If you get a chance to use H-4350 with 140gn bullets then I suggest you take it. My 280 Rem loves the 4350.

 

[M7025-06]

that's good shootin, Just for kicks if you have rl19 try it. That's what I was shooting out of mine before I went to an Ackley.
my load was
58g RL 19
140 gr AccuBond
fed 215 primer
just barely off the lands.
I could get 3 shots in one hole at 100 yards with that load.

It was hell on elk and mule deer.

I've been searching for some R-19 for a couple of months...none to be found. IMR-4831 was the next powder on the list to try (I still might). I've got some other loads worked up with some H-4831sc that I'm gonna give a go Sunday. I don't think I'll get the velocity R-22 is giving me, but I'm willing to give up 30-50 fps for a little more consistency.

 

[M7025-06]

Very nice, you just have to love the .280 Remington! I'd be curious to see if you bump the load in the Winchester case if it doesn't tighten it up and look just like the one with the Remington brass.

Loaded some up tonight. Bumped up the load to 59.3 & 59.6 gr.

I noticed something tonight going through some old targets. Back in June, this load at 58.5 gr went 1.30'' at 200 yards (same as today at 59.0 gr). I'm guessing this jug of powder is a touch slower than the last jug even though they were from the same lot.

 

[M7025-06]

You're off to a great start. If you get a chance to use H-4350 with 140gn bullets then I suggest you take it. My 280 Rem loves the 4350.

I might try that.

Thanks for the heads-up.

 

[muzz]

I was getting 3100fps with the rl 19 loads.

 

[Mountain Goat]

IMR4831 has been stellar for me in the 280

 

[preacher]

My first ever 280 (1977) loved the Hornady 139SP/RP cases/R9 1/2 primer/55gr IMR 4831. In an off the shelf factory Mod 77 with a hard trigger pull ( thankfully it broke clean) and a Montgomery Wards 3x9 (Tasco) it would go under an inch at 100 if I held my mouth right! At 200 it would right 1.5-1.75...I was just ecstatic, shot a buck that fall at 276 looong steps down a pipeline ROW. I haven't tried 140s in my present 7mm Express, but when I do, I am going to try that load first! I am still looking for some Hornday 139 BTSP to try out. Good luck to you Pard!

 

[JD338]

Nice shooting.
RL19 shot very well in the 280 Rem for me, as did IMR4350 and IMR4831.

JD338

 

[M7025-06]

Well...I found some R-19 online but they want $130.00 for a 5 lb jug with $43 in hazmat fees. I'd like to get my hands on some, but not that bad.

 

[wvchevy3]

My .280 loves 140gr BT with RL19 as well.Lee

 

[RiverRider]

Well...I found some R-19 online but they want $130.00 for a 5 lb jug with $43 in hazmat fees. I'd like to get my hands on some, but not that bad.

Let me guess...Bruno?

 

[M7025-06]

Reloading Unlimited out of Tennessee.

I looked at Bruno's...they might've had some Ramshot Hunter but it was way over priced too.

 

[M7025-06]

Retested the Remington case loads today. The groups size and velocities were pretty consistent from the other day. I bumped up the powder charge in the Winchester cases which got me a little closer to the group sizes with the Rem cases, but it looks like they need another 0.3-0.5 gr. of powder.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to lower the velocity spreads I'm seeing, or is it worth worrying about if the groups are acceptable?

Winchester case:

Remington case:

Also got through a few sets with 140 gr AB's & H-4831sc. Looks like 57.0 gr is the winner here but I'd like to see a tad more velocity. This is max load according Nosler #7 but it didn't show any pressure signs so I might creep up the powder charge a little.

 

[RiverRider]

I wouldn't be afraid to bump that charge all the way up to 59.5 or thereabouts in search of another accuracy node.

 

[bobnob]

Yeah I'd bump up the charge further in the Win cases.