Early attempts with new Ruger .280

[Scott Spencer]

As some of you may remember, I bought a new Ruger hawkeye in .280 Rem back in December. After waiting for the weather to cooperate for almost two months I finally made the time to get to the range.

After bore sighting and two verification shots at 25 yds, I moved it to 100 yds. I was really only looking to break in my barrel so I loaded up some Hornady 139 gr BTSP, with Fed 210M primers, 56 gr (moderate load) of RL19, and Rem brass.

I cleaned my barrel before shooI shot, cleaned barrel, shot, cleaned barrel, and shot the third shot. Here is the results. The target was actually right side up but to get a photo of the group size I had to lay the calipers in a way that you can read it. As you can see it shoots a little right but that can be fixed.

I went out yesterday and tried the same bullet and case but used IMR4350 and a 215M primer. A good group with better velocity but a little more open.

I believe I have a decent factory rifle and look forward to working up my 140 AB hunting loads with it.

 

[JD338]

Scott

Nice shooting. What bullet, powder/charge weight are you using in your 280 Rem? Change the COL and you should be able to tighten up the group. :wink:

JD338

 

[RiverRider]

That's a great way to start off. Looks like you've got a shooter!

If you happen to have any H4831 on hand, be sure and at least give it a try. Best powder in the world for the .280, IMO.

 

[DrMike]

Scott,

You have to love those 280s. I've had two and I'm thinking of getting another. It has to be my favourite cartridge. That Hawkeye of yours is shooting very smartly. I believe it is a keeper.

 

[longwinters]

Your problem is going to be that when you have that load under MOA you will have to try some other bullets and loads....yep, you have your hands full now. :lol:

Long

 

[buckfever]

My wifes .280 is a Ruger M77 and it likes 57 grs of RL 19 with 140 gr pts velocity was 2975 fps 3 shot groups were under .5 @ 100 yards it also likes 120 bt

 

[SJB358]

Great shooting buddy. Those are great groups for a brand new rifle. Seems like those Hawkeyes are really turning out to be excellent shooters. My wifes 308 Hawkeye is a pretty consistent rifle also. Good luck with your load work. Always feels good to get a good shooting load right outta the start gate. Scotty

 

[Scott Spencer]

Thanks everybody. That first picture was the best of three groups from last Saturday. As I originally mentioned, I was just shooting to break in the barrel and wasn't even looking for a load. Velocity was only around 2675 with the 56 gr of RL19 with that 139 gr Sierra bullet.

Yesterday I tried RL 19, H4350, and IMR4350. The IMR produced the best velocity and that 1.02" group. Again, I wasn't really looking for a load and simply wanted to get out and shoot my rifle, clean the barrel in between 1-2 shots, and just have some fun. The serious work will come but I am hoping that if it shoots this well "just toying around" it will do this and even better when I start fine tuning it.

JD - I was shooting 56 gr RL19, Hornady 139 gr BTSP, 3.27" OAL, and Fed 210M primers in the first photo (avg about 2670 MV). Those three shots were the 3rd, 4th, and5th shot ever shot out of my rifle.

The second photo was 54 gr IMR4350, Hornady 139 gr BTSP, 3.27" OAL, and Fed 215M primer (avg about 2894 MV).

 

[FOTIS]

Nice shooting but Sierra does not make a 139. Only Hornady does.

Just academics! :lol:

 

[Scott Spencer]

Nice shooting but Sierra does not make a 139. Only Hornady does.

Just academics! :lol:

You are correct, Pop. It was Hornady 139 gr. I'm tired and completely had a brain fart.

 

[DrMike]

I used Hornady 139 grain BTSP in my 280 for years. A good number of mule deer and whitetails were taken with that bullet. It worked very well. My current 280 had a slow barrel. When I first began working with it, that load was about 2700 fps. Now, 139-140 grain bullets give me between 2800 and 2900 fps. Break-in took a long time (about 200 rounds), but it did get the velocity up. Accuracy was always good, but it has only become better. I suspect, Scott, that you will see a measurable increase in accuracy as you continue working up loads.

 

[Polaris]

Mine especially loves 150-160 grain bullets with IMR 4350. Got decent accuracy with 4831 but my velocities got crazy below 10 degrees. Run the numbers on some heavier BTs, even though they start a bit slower, they carry better farther out. If your rifle likes them, and you don't have the mag. length restriction I do loading for a stock K98 mag well, they're the way to go.

 

[Scott Spencer]

I used Hornady 139 grain BTSP in my 280 for years. A good number of mule deer and whitetails were taken with that bullet. It worked very well. My current 280 had a slow barrel. When I first began working with it, that load was about 2700 fps. Now, 139-140 grain bullets give me between 2800 and 2900 fps. Break-in took a long time (about 200 rounds), but it did get the velocity up. Accuracy was always good, but it has only become better. I suspect, Scott, that you will see a measurable increase in accuracy as you continue working up loads.

Thanks, Doc! I hope to see some great results when I get to doing some shooting with the 140 gr AB. I even thought about trying the new Hornady GMX (I think that is what they are called) bullet to see how much velocity and accuracy I can get with them.

 

[DrMike]

Scott,

The 139 grain GMX should be a good bullet for the 280, and when you can lay hands on some of the 140 grain E-Tips, you should be pleased. I used a 130 grain E-Tip from a 270 WSM to drop my moose this past year. I was very impressed with the performance. I quite eager to try the E-Tip in my 257 Bob and in my 280 as well as my 325 WSM.

 

[Desert Fox]

Another 280 shooter. Welcome to the club. There must have a large concentration of 280 shooters in the Nosler forum. It seems everyone has one. :lol:

 

[DrMike]

There must have a large concentration of 280 shooters in the Nosler forum. It seems everyone has one.

Discriminating shooters who recognise quality!

 

[buckfever]

We know a good thing when we see one :grin:

 

[6mm Remington]

Scott, looks like you have a good one. My understanding is that the Ruger barrels are a lot better.

My .280 liked IMR4350, 54.0 grs with a 140 gr. Partition or AccuBond. 3/4" groups at 100 yards and 2940 fps. It also like H4831SC with Federal 215 Large Rifle Magnum Primers. It was the same velocity as the IMR4350 with about the same grouping. Both seemed good in this rifle. No pressure signs with either load also.

Good Luck on your new rifle. The Hawkeye is a really fine looking rifle now!!

 

[wildman]

:grin: 280 rem. 2 words It Works :grin:

 

[6mm Remington]

Scott, sorry the H4831SC load was 59.0 grs.