Black Widow Initial Range Result

[Desert Fox]

As promised, here's the initial result of our range session this afternoon with the Black Widow. I loaded 10 round each using 5 different bullets. I used 54 grain of IMR 4350 for all the 140's and 53 grain for the 150's. I choose this particular powder since it works well with my 280 in the past. Nosler Reloading Manual number 4 recommends a maximum of 55 grain for the 140's. This has 84 percent loading density and a velocity of around 2987 fps. I had Frank did the shooting while I manned the spotting scope and watched the velocity reading from the Beta Chrony. I set the target initially at 50 yards just to see what kind of grouping I'm gonna get.

Here's what the group looks like at 50 yards

First 3 shot with 150 grain Nosler BT. I re-tightened the action screw after Frank shot this group.

I told Frank to try the Berger next. 3 bullet cloverleaf at 5 oclock the 2 in the center was shot later on to bring the reticle to center.

I cleaned the rifle and then had Frank shoot the 139 grain Hornady SST next. here's the result.

We then move to 140 grain Barnes TTSX. Frank fired a total of 6 rounds and not sure what happen here. Two sets of one holer and two was out of the group.

Back to the Berger 140 VLD's and on to 110 yards. I had Frank shoot this four shot group with the last four Berger load at 110 yards. Someone took a shot at our target, which pissed me off, after we finished shooting this group. The range was jam packed today.

Observation:
Kenny Jarrets said that 3150 fps for 140's is the norm for this cartridge. I'm getting 2900+ but still a grain less than max. I will get there, but I'm not gonna do it with the 4350. The 280 was crying for a slow burning powder. I will try Reloader 25, a 7828 or maybe H1000 next time and I pretty sure I'll get my velocity. Also the rifle have shown preference for a secant ogive bullet rather than the tangent, as you can see from the grouping I get from Hornady and the Berger. Maybe I have to play with the setting depth a bit more with those bullet. This is still too early in my load development to come to the conclusion. Overall though, the rifle will shoot.

 

[SJB358]

Looks pretty good for the initial tests. I Imagine slower powder will get it amped up some. Great day on the range though. Scotty

 

[JD338]

DF

Are you shooting a 280 Rem or 280 AI?
The best powders I have found for the 280 Rem are IMR 4350, IMR/H4831 and RL 19. For the 280 AI, best powder hands down is RL 22.

JD338

 

[Desert Fox]

DF

Are you shooting a 280 Rem or 280 AI?
The best powders I have found for the 280 Rem are IMR 4350, IMR/H4831 and RL 19. For the 280 AI, best powder hands down is RL 22.

JD338

JD,

It's 280 Ackley. I don't have R-22 on hand but I got 10 lbs of R-25. I also have 7828 and Retumbo. But, I believe either the 7828 or the R-25 will get 'er done

 

[Desert Fox]

Looks pretty good for the initial tests. I Imagine slower powder will get it amped up some. Great day on the range though. Scotty

Thanks Scotty. It's was a very short session today. We stop early... too many shooter. That's the reason why I don't like going to our club range on weekend.

Frank want to stick with Barnes and Berger, so I'll work up loads for those bullet.

 

[DrMike]

Indeed, some impressive initial results. It is always a trial when someone takes the liberty of poking a hole in your target. I've actually witnessed guys do this on some of my own targets.

 

[Desert Fox]

Just got back from the range with my buddy Frank. As I alluded to in my last post-The 280 was crying for a slower burning powder. I did a little research on Reloader 25 for 280 Ackley application, and what I found out was that, the consensus out there for people who have used Reloader 25 on the 140 grainer is between 65 to 67 grain. Frank want's me to stick with Barnes and Berger, which had shown promising result during our last session. So I went ahead and assembled 3 sets of 5 loads in half grain increment starting with 65, 65.5, 66 respectively. The load density of these loads were between 93-95%, which leave me no wiggle room for seating the bullet. I can seat the Berger slightly compressed with no problem. Barnes on the other hand had run out of room... it maxed out to 64 grains. So I went ahead and assembled 3 set of 5, starting from 63, 63.5 and 64 grain.

Here's the result. Frank did the shooting while I manned the Chronograph and the spotting scope.

First 3 shot group with Berger 140 VLD's at 110 yards. Velocity averaging 3065 fps.

After seeing the number on the Chrono, I told Frank to forget about 65.5 and go right ahead and shoot the 66.0 grain loads. Here's the result. He put 5 shot on this target. The velocity was around 3125 fps. No signs of pressure whatsoever.

We move on to Barnes. I told Frank let start with 63 grain loads. Here's the result. First 3 shot at 110 yards. Average velocity 3080 fps.

I told Frank, go ahead and use the 64 grainer and see what kind of velocity we gonna get. Well the Chrono start acting up and it kept showing error, so we were unable to get a velocity reading on this one. Here's 5 shot group@110 yards.

Frank then shoot the Barnes 63.5 grain load after we cool the barrel and here's the result. The first 4 shot clustered together and Frank pulled the last one out.

Conclusion: I believed I found the load for the Black Widow. I can squeeze another grain of powder more for the Berger to get to my velocity goal of 3200 fps plus, which is attainable. Barnes however can be loaded up to 64.5 grain, which can be done using a neck size brass and probably gain another 35 to 40 fps more in velocity or, switch to a slightly faster burning powder to get to the desired velocity. Frank however was still unsure what bullet to use. I told Frank, it doesn't matter which bullet to choose. You can fed this rifle with anything and it'll shoot.

 

[DrMike]

Very nice. It is always satisfying to see our work come together at the bench.

 

[SJB358]

Great load work DF. Looks like an excellent shooting rifle. Speed seems pretty darn decent also. Scotty

 

[Desert Fox]

Thanks gentlemen. Frank's got himself another shooter. These pair will cover all of his hunting needs, that's for sure.

Just to get the cobwebs off the 257 Bee, Frank fired a total of eight shot here. The two hole outside of the group was his first two shot. He got the Bee settled and fire the next 6 shot into a ragged hole. Average velocity of the 115 grain Barnes TSX was around 3360 fps.

 

[DrMike]

Yeah, that'll do. You are correct: he has a couple of shooters in those rifles. Thanks for sharing.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Looking good. Rifle doesn't seem to be to picky, which is always a good thing, but makes load development kinda boring sometimes lol.

Is that a vortex on the left rifle?

 

[Desert Fox]

Looking good. Rifle doesn't seem to be to picky, which is always a good thing, but makes load development kinda boring sometimes lol.

Is that a vortex on the left rifle?

Sure is. I don't have to work hard on this one.

Yes, It's a Vortex Viper in 6.5X20X50. It's an excellent scope for the money. Frank has two of them and I have one in my 6.5-284. Vortex had been turning out some really excellent optics. I peek into their Razor a couple of weeks ago, during our match and I really like what I saw. I heard their PST is just as good, if not better than the Leupy MK-4.

 

[Elkman]

Mike

As always very nice, great loads and excellent shooting skills as well. Those bullets don't make those tiny little groups without the help of an excellent shooter. Thanks for sharing great day!!! :grin:

 

[jmad_81]

I never tried it with the 140 BT, but with the 160 AB 7828 worked very well in my 280 AI, as did Mag Pro. I'm usind RL-22 with the 140 BT and am betting 3147 fps, and .3xx groups on a regular basis. Looks like Frank will have himself one sweet shooting rifle!

 

[6mm Remington]

That sure is some impressive groups! Nice looking rifle too and I imagine one happy rifle owner!