Back to Nosler basics with the 280 Rem.

[Greg Nolan]

In the style of reloaders everywhere I set about to develop a load for my new 280 Rem. First off, I tried to pick a bullet that would kill a heavy mule deer but not be too slow. I cameup with the 150 gr. Swift Scirroco. I tried every trick and powder and still had 2.5" drifting groups. I pulled off the Minox scope and re-torqued the mounts and changed to a Leupold VXIII and all around the scope chased the bullet. OK, I must have gotten a bad, used rifle. Just before I used it to stake the tomatoe plant I found a couple of boxes of 160 gr Accubonds and loaded some to max + 1.5 . I used three adjusting shots to finalize my sight in 1" above bullseye at 100 yds. Those three shots were still within a 1" group exactly where the leupold adjustments were supposed to put them. I always heard Scirrocos were good bullets and I've used A-Frames a lot. Never struck out with Nosler bullets. :wink:
Greg

 

[FOTIS]

I tried to use them in the 300 RUM. I went through 1 box of 180 Sciroccos and nada!..

200 accubonds all the way.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

That 160 grain AccuBond is THE 7mm bullet in my opinion. That will be a near perfect all-around load for that rifle. There isnt much of anything that combination cant kill!

 

[DrMike]

I've had good luck with Sciroccos, but if a rifle doesn't like them, there is little you can do but turn to Nosler. They won't let you down.

 

[normo]

If 140gr BT is not too light for your planned hunting, RL-19, 55grs, Fed 210 primer are shooting 1/2 inch or less in both a Ruger and Marlin (older model) 280 Rem.
My Dad just got his Oregon Antelope this season with his 280, this load and a single shot at 312 yards.

 

[JD338]

Greg,

The 160 gr AB is a solid choice for everything from mice to moose.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

Greg, hard to beat that 160gr AB! I tortured it and it still came out really well. Pretty happy with the accuracy as well. Scotty

 

[Scott Spencer]

I suppose this is a dumb question on my part but I've read where folks have said, "load to .270 pressures in your .280 and you'll be ok" What does that mean exactly? If I am using a 140gr PT in my .280, do I use the load data of the 140gr PT in the .270?

Looking at my Nosler6 book, here are the loads for that bullet in the .280 and .270 using RL19 & 4831SC for examples

.270 140gr PT RL19 55.0gr max 3003 FPS
.280 140gr PT RL19 57.0gr max 3152 FPS

.270 140gr PT 4831SC 58.0gr Max 3000 FPS
.280 140gr PT 4831SC 57.0gr Max 3002 FPS

I know I am missing something but what? To me they are pretty much the same loads with only a grain or so difference.

 

[DrMike]

It is really a pretty good question, Scott. SAAMI specs for a 270 Winchester allow 65,000 psi. For the 280 Remington, the pressure limit is set at 60,000 psi. To load to the same pressure means to load the 280 Remington to 65,000 maximum chamber pressure. The equivalent weight bullet from the 280 generates the same or slightly higher velocities because it has less bearing surface. A more accurate comparison would be to consider bullets having similar ballistic coefficents.

 

[JD338]

Greg,

The Nosler load data is to SAAMI spec. Factory loads are under it.
The 280 Rem loaded to 270 Win SAAMI pressures is no slouch.

JD338

 

[Scott Spencer]

A more accurate comparison would be to consider bullets having similar ballistic coefficents.

Looks like the .284 140PT has a BC of .434 and the .270 140PT has a BC of .432. I guess I am still confused.

I guess the easiest way to do it is to just keep adding powder in my .280 until I get signs of over pressure?

Sorry for stealing time in Greg's thread.....

 

[SJB358]

I think the best bet would be to have one of the fine folks with QL run a comparison Scott and see how the data stacks up. Looking pressure side by side is much easier than guessing at it. I would guess that data ran with a 60-63K PSI max would get you in the money.

Oh, I would also ask Charlie (OT3) for his data generated for the 160gr AB. He seemed to have really good luck with IMR7828. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

QuickLoad projects that the .280 Remington with a 22 inch barrel, loaded with 140 grain BTs and 56.0 grains of IMR4831 generates ~59759 psi and a velocity of 2967 fps. When maximum chamber pressure is set to ~65,000 psi, it requires 57.4 grains of IMR4831, projecting 64,842 psi and a velocity of 3038. Realistically, in this scenario, the additional 1.4 grains of powder generates slightly more than 5,000 psi additional pressure, but only 71 fps more velocity. There will be some scenarios, however, that generate somewhat more velocity due to other factors.

 

[Scott Spencer]

Thank you, Mike! (and Scotty). I don't have my reload books with me right now but I will have them this weekend. I'll shoot you a PM, Mike, if that is ok? I'd like you to run a couple of QL's for me and my .280 with the 140 PT. I'm shooting the 22" barrel Ruger M77.

Thanks!!!

 

[Greg Nolan]

A lot of good info has been generated on this subject. The AccuBond has traditionally , at least for me, taken 1 to 2.5 gr. more powder than the Partition to reach the same velocity and that's why I went 1.5 over. I did work up to that load from 2 grains under and saw absolutely no pressure. It looks like the Scirroco has a faster taper than the AccuBond and that may make the jump to the lands farther and with a longer freebore Wby. it may not be possible to get closer and fit in the magazine. Don't know if it's so and maybe I'm just getting spoiled and complacent due to the unfailing sucess of the Accubonds that I didn't experiment more before switching.
I agree with everyone that the 160 AccuBond will do the job on big mule deer and wolves. Probably on elk too but I wouldn't admit to saying that for fear my RUMs feelings would be hurt :roll:
Thanks everyone
Greg

 

[Oldtrader3]

I suppose this is a dumb question on my part but I've read where folks have said, "load to .270 pressures in your .280 and you'll be ok" What does that mean exactly? If I am using a 140gr PT in my .280, do I use the load data of the 140gr PT in the .270?

Looking at my Nosler6 book, here are the loads for that bullet in the .280 and .270 using RL19 & 4831SC for examples

.270 140gr PT RL19 55.0gr max 3003 FPS
.280 140gr PT RL19 57.0gr max 3152 FPS

.270 140gr PT 4831SC 58.0gr Max 3000 FPS
.280 140gr PT 4831SC 57.0gr Max 3002 FPS

I know I am missing something but what? To me they are pretty much the same loads with only a grain or so difference.

I pay closer attention to sectional density numbers then to bullet weight. A 130 gr .277 bullet is the same as a 140 .284 caliber bullet. Likewise a 150 grain, .277 bullet would be about the same SD as a 160 grain, .284 bullet.

I have been getting <MOA groups with my .280 Rem, A-Bolt and the 160 AccuBond with 58.0 grains of IMR 7828 SSC and magnum primers (Fed 215 Match) at 3009 fps in a 22 inch barrel FWIW.

 

[nvbroncrider]

Scott,

I just worked up some 140 gr BT loads in my M-77 with a 22" barrel using 4350 I can run it up to 57.5 gr of powder I didn't chrony them but I'm guessing your going to be around 3200 but I may be wrong. I backed it down to 52.5 trying to extend my case life and shot a .75" group at about 2950 or so. At that velocity it makes the tables out to 600 yards really easy to memorize. Not bad for a stock rifle.

 

[Scott Spencer]

Scott,

I just worked up some 140 gr BT loads in my M-77 with a 22" barrel using 4350 I can run it up to 57.5 gr of powder I didn't chrony them but I'm guessing your going to be around 3200 but I may be wrong. I backed it down to 52.5 trying to extend my case life and shot a .75" group at about 2950 or so. At that velocity it makes the tables out to 600 yards really easy to memorize. Not bad for a stock rifle.

Awesome!! Thanks for the information but is it the H4350 or IMR4350? I know they are close to the same but knowing which one specifically would help.

 

[nvbroncrider]

That's IMR. 52.5 is the max in the #2 Nosler book I think they claim 2970fps if I remeber right. And that group I shot was under half an inch forgot to subtract the bullet diameter.

 

[Oldtrader3]

The Nosler #6 lists IMR 4350 at 52.5 grains for 140 grain Partitions (or?) at 2900 fps but! This load in my .280 Rem A-Bolt 22 inch barrel only averages about 2725 fps MV with the 140 Partition! To get 2930 fps MV with a 140 grain Partition bullet in my .280 Rem rifle, I have to load to 54.5 grains of IMR 4350 with Fed 210 primer. This load equals actually chrono'ed 140 CT Silvertips, Winchester Supreme factory loads.

Your mileage may vary!