I need help with reloading a 280 Remington with 19 in barrel

MO Whitetails · Monday at 3:00 PM

I have reloaded for 40 years, .243,35 Rem, 7 RM. A friend wants me to reload some brass he was given for his 280 Remington. Rifle is a 1995 Browning X Bolt II LH Stalker, 22 inch OEM barrel has been shortened to 19 inches. 10 inch twist. He shoots Whitetail deer mostly, but an elk now and then. My thoughts are a faster powder and lighter bullet than the 160 ABs w/66 grains H4831sc that I shoot in my 7RM. A .4MOA load. A bedded 1984, 700 Remington BDL. I found Dr. Mike's QL data for node 5 using 150 AB/ PT's which I shoot at deer. Curious what 140/150s max out at with the short barrel, and percentage fill at max. Hogdon Reloading Center numbers show velocity and pressure at max loads but no percentage of case being full. Figured I need a faster powder and lighter bullet to compensate. PT's or AB's 140/150 grains likely. HRC shows H4350 and H4831 with decent speed and below 52 CUP/60Kpsi. StaBall 6.5 and Superperformance show promise as does Reloder 16,22. I live 15 minutes from Midway USA. Curbside pickup, no Hazmat or shipping fees. Grafs is 30 minutes away. 140ABs and all PTs are available. R16/23, H4350/4381sc, Superperformance are available as is Staball 6.5. Also can get Magpro, Hunter, Grand, Magnum, VV550/560, but think the slower powders will not get all burned. Nosler's Premium Ammo w/140AB's is rated at 3000fps likely from their 26-inch test barrel. I will likely lose 100-200+fps due to the 19 inch barrel. Likely use Partitions rather than AB's as they are more violent as they expand. I am open to suggestions. I have the dies, appropriate stud for my Lee case trimmer, shell holder, CCI 200 and Rem 9.5M primers. Attached is a picture of my buck euro I harvested Jan 3,2026 with a 50 cal muz w/290 Barnes TMEZ bullet. DRT 157 5/8 gross.

DrMike · Monday at 3:23 PM

Code:

Cartridge          : .280 Rem.
Bullet             : .284, 150, Berger Class Hunt #28571 G7
Useable Case Capaci: 61.340 grain H2O = 3.983 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.330 inch = 84.58 mm
Barrel Length      : 19.0 inch = 482.6 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 61000 psi, or 420 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

8 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant Reloder-26 *C              104.1     63.3     4.10    2924    99.8    61000   16598   0.994  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP *C                       104.8     61.8     4.01    2891    98.2    61000   16413   0.992  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 60 *T                94.9     56.3     3.65    2879   100.0    61000   14832   0.986  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 *C                 106.4     61.5     3.98    2874    94.8    61000   16429   0.989  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 70 *C                97.8     58.9     3.82    2872    99.6    61000   15497   0.985  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12                  108.9     65.7     4.26    2868    95.8    61000   16202   0.981  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517                109.0     65.8     4.26    2867    95.7    61000   16217   0.981  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO                    106.7     64.2     4.16    2862    93.1    61000   16408   0.994  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC                       104.8     60.9     3.94    2860    95.3    61000   15940   0.981  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation       106.7     61.0     3.95    2859    96.9    61000   15977   0.994  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 *C              106.7     61.0     3.95    2859    96.9    61000   15977   0.994  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15 *C                    106.7     61.0     3.95    2859    96.9    61000   15977   0.994  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP15                        109.5     61.3     3.97    2857    96.8    61000   15978   0.994  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR                     109.5     61.3     3.97    2857    96.8    61000   15978   0.994  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 76 *C               110.0     66.9     4.34    2855    97.5    56169   17302   1.019  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17 *T               93.9     55.7     3.61    2854   100.0    61000   14727   0.993  ! Near Maximum !
Elcho 17                            93.9     55.7     3.61    2854   100.0    61000   14727   0.993  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP36 ZT *C *T               108.7     60.2     3.90    2852   100.0    61000   14740   0.996  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-23 *C *T           108.7     60.2     3.90    2852   100.0    61000   14740   0.996  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-16 *C *T            98.8     54.4     3.53    2849    99.9    61000   14755   0.986  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RL16 TZ *C *T                98.8     54.4     3.53    2849    99.9    61000   14755   0.986  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213                        105.7     60.4     3.91    2844    95.1    61000   15718   0.980  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum                     106.2     65.4     4.24    2840    97.5    61000   15383   0.985  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N555 *C*T               105.5     58.5     3.79    2837    99.9    61000   15020   1.018  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828                           110.0     60.4     3.92    2835    94.9    59437   15817   0.993  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365                       100.5     56.5     3.66    2826   100.0    61000   14105   1.006  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 62                   97.3     57.7     3.74    2825    99.7    61000   14867   1.010  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 518                 99.4     58.0     3.76    2821    98.7    61000   15027   0.998  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 511                 95.4     57.5     3.73    2820    98.9    61000   14955   0.998  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter                      98.6     57.6     3.73    2819    98.9    61000   14934   0.998  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 *C              103.1     58.3     3.78    2817    96.8    61000   15161   0.992  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760                      93.1     55.7     3.61    2815    98.3    61000   14929   1.000  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414                        93.1     55.7     3.61    2815    98.3    61000   14929   1.000  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25 *C              110.0     61.9     4.01    2809    98.9    55548   15782   1.029  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N565 *C*T               110.0     63.9     4.14    2808    94.3    57887   16071   1.030  ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP *C                        98.1     54.9     3.56    2804    99.7    61000   14436   1.005  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 *C*T                95.3     55.1     3.57    2802    99.7    61000   14561   1.009  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350                       97.4     55.1     3.57    2800    99.8    61000   14463   1.021  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon LVR                         95.6     54.1     3.50    2800    99.5    61000   14378   1.000  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 *C                        97.7     57.1     3.70    2795    96.5    61000   14746   0.993  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 *T                   108.4     59.6     3.86    2789    94.5    61000   14772   0.989  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC *T                104.2     59.6     3.86    2789    94.5    61000   14772   0.989  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831                           103.0     55.8     3.61    2789    99.8    61000   14169   1.012  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385                       103.3     59.1     3.83    2786    97.7    61000   14626   1.010  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100                      106.7     60.3     3.91    2779    98.9    61000   14398   1.022  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V                100.8     55.1     3.57    2775   100.0    61000   13396   1.002  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780             101.6     60.6     3.93    2774    96.6    61000   14390   0.995  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165 *C                 108.7     60.8     3.94    2773    97.3    61000   14255   0.999  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160 *C                  95.3     55.0     3.56    2769    99.7    61000   13722   1.004  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380                        90.5     52.3     3.39    2764    99.6    61000   13876   1.012  ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World SW4350               97.7     54.6     3.54    2763    98.4    61000   14148   1.012  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S070                          97.7     54.6     3.54    2763    98.4    61000   14148   1.012  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4955 Enduron *C*T              105.3     57.9     3.75    2755    94.8    61000   14278   0.993  ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World Long Rifle           96.5     53.4     3.46    2745    99.2    61000   13686   1.012  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S065                          96.5     53.4     3.46    2745    99.2    61000   13686   1.012  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC                        92.4     53.0     3.43    2743    97.8    61000   13824   1.006  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4064                       90.3     50.0     3.24    2722   100.0    61000   12597   1.042  ! Near Maximum !

To be sure, I did run this projection at 61K max chamber pressure rather than the slightly lower max chamber pressure required by SAAMI. You should still get respectible velocities.

JD338 · Monday at 3:29 PM

Nice buck!
I used RL19 with excellent results in a 22" barrel.
IMR/H4350 might be good with a 140 gr PT.

JD338

Ralt71 · Monday at 5:33 PM

I've had good luck in a 280 with slow powder and mag primers, but not with a 19" barrel. N560 may do you well, or the powders JD mentioned. His load seems to consistently do well in the accuracy mark.

MO Whitetails · Monday at 5:53 PM

DrMike said:

Code:

Cartridge          : .280 Rem.
Bullet             : .284, 150, Berger Class Hunt #28571 G7
Useable Case Capaci: 61.340 grain H2O = 3.983 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.330 inch = 84.58 mm
Barrel Length      : 19.0 inch = 482.6 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 61000 psi, or 420 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

8 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant Reloder-26 *C              104.1     63.3     4.10    2924    99.8    61000   16598   0.994  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP *C                       104.8     61.8     4.01    2891    98.2    61000   16413   0.992  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 60 *T                94.9     56.3     3.65    2879   100.0    61000   14832   0.986  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 *C                 106.4     61.5     3.98    2874    94.8    61000   16429   0.989  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 70 *C                97.8     58.9     3.82    2872    99.6    61000   15497   0.985  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12                  108.9     65.7     4.26    2868    95.8    61000   16202   0.981  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517                109.0     65.8     4.26    2867    95.7    61000   16217   0.981  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO                    106.7     64.2     4.16    2862    93.1    61000   16408   0.994  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC                       104.8     60.9     3.94    2860    95.3    61000   15940   0.981  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation       106.7     61.0     3.95    2859    96.9    61000   15977   0.994  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 *C              106.7     61.0     3.95    2859    96.9    61000   15977   0.994  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15 *C                    106.7     61.0     3.95    2859    96.9    61000   15977   0.994  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP15                        109.5     61.3     3.97    2857    96.8    61000   15978   0.994  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR                     109.5     61.3     3.97    2857    96.8    61000   15978   0.994  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 76 *C               110.0     66.9     4.34    2855    97.5    56169   17302   1.019  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17 *T               93.9     55.7     3.61    2854   100.0    61000   14727   0.993  ! Near Maximum !
Elcho 17                            93.9     55.7     3.61    2854   100.0    61000   14727   0.993  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP36 ZT *C *T               108.7     60.2     3.90    2852   100.0    61000   14740   0.996  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-23 *C *T           108.7     60.2     3.90    2852   100.0    61000   14740   0.996  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-16 *C *T            98.8     54.4     3.53    2849    99.9    61000   14755   0.986  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RL16 TZ *C *T                98.8     54.4     3.53    2849    99.9    61000   14755   0.986  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213                        105.7     60.4     3.91    2844    95.1    61000   15718   0.980  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum                     106.2     65.4     4.24    2840    97.5    61000   15383   0.985  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N555 *C*T               105.5     58.5     3.79    2837    99.9    61000   15020   1.018  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828                           110.0     60.4     3.92    2835    94.9    59437   15817   0.993  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365                       100.5     56.5     3.66    2826   100.0    61000   14105   1.006  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 62                   97.3     57.7     3.74    2825    99.7    61000   14867   1.010  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 518                 99.4     58.0     3.76    2821    98.7    61000   15027   0.998  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 511                 95.4     57.5     3.73    2820    98.9    61000   14955   0.998  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter                      98.6     57.6     3.73    2819    98.9    61000   14934   0.998  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 *C              103.1     58.3     3.78    2817    96.8    61000   15161   0.992  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760                      93.1     55.7     3.61    2815    98.3    61000   14929   1.000  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414                        93.1     55.7     3.61    2815    98.3    61000   14929   1.000  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25 *C              110.0     61.9     4.01    2809    98.9    55548   15782   1.029  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N565 *C*T               110.0     63.9     4.14    2808    94.3    57887   16071   1.030  ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP *C                        98.1     54.9     3.56    2804    99.7    61000   14436   1.005  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 *C*T                95.3     55.1     3.57    2802    99.7    61000   14561   1.009  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350                       97.4     55.1     3.57    2800    99.8    61000   14463   1.021  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon LVR                         95.6     54.1     3.50    2800    99.5    61000   14378   1.000  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 *C                        97.7     57.1     3.70    2795    96.5    61000   14746   0.993  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 *T                   108.4     59.6     3.86    2789    94.5    61000   14772   0.989  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC *T                104.2     59.6     3.86    2789    94.5    61000   14772   0.989  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831                           103.0     55.8     3.61    2789    99.8    61000   14169   1.012  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385                       103.3     59.1     3.83    2786    97.7    61000   14626   1.010  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100                      106.7     60.3     3.91    2779    98.9    61000   14398   1.022  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V                100.8     55.1     3.57    2775   100.0    61000   13396   1.002  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780             101.6     60.6     3.93    2774    96.6    61000   14390   0.995  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165 *C                 108.7     60.8     3.94    2773    97.3    61000   14255   0.999  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160 *C                  95.3     55.0     3.56    2769    99.7    61000   13722   1.004  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380                        90.5     52.3     3.39    2764    99.6    61000   13876   1.012  ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World SW4350               97.7     54.6     3.54    2763    98.4    61000   14148   1.012  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S070                          97.7     54.6     3.54    2763    98.4    61000   14148   1.012  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4955 Enduron *C*T              105.3     57.9     3.75    2755    94.8    61000   14278   0.993  ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World Long Rifle           96.5     53.4     3.46    2745    99.2    61000   13686   1.012  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S065                          96.5     53.4     3.46    2745    99.2    61000   13686   1.012  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC                        92.4     53.0     3.43    2743    97.8    61000   13824   1.006  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4064                       90.3     50.0     3.24    2722   100.0    61000   12597   1.042  ! Near Maximum !

To be sure, I did run this projection at 61K max chamber pressure rather than the slightly lower max chamber pressure required by SAAMI. You should still get respectible velocities.

Thanks. It's a bolt action, will take the pressure, still below the .270 ratings. I like Reloder 16 for a 150 grain bullet. Available, temp insensitive, it fills the case, and burns all of it while producing 2849 fps, which is fast enough to do the job. Curious if these pressures are calculated with magnum primers or standard. Nosler uses Federal 210 in their data. I will likely use standards as I have 2000 extra. You shoot a 280. Is a 140 PT/AB too small for elk? They would run ~100 fps faster, flatter but then again "size does matter"! 150 PTs carry 50ft lbs more @ 400 yds than 140PTs @100 fps faster. Similar to 30-06 150 loads. Same case!

MO Whitetails · Monday at 6:05 PM

JD338 said:
Nice buck!
I used RL19 with excellent results in a 22" barrel.
IMR/H4350 might be good with a 140 gr PT.

JD338

I shot the wrong buck just after sunset on a cloudy day. Thought he was another buck 20+ inches larger I had been seeing. Still a good buck. I ran ballistics for 140s vs 150s using partitions. At 400 yds the 150 has 50 more ft lbs assuming the 140 runs 100fps faster. 1883fps@500yds enough for good expansion. Less drift with the 150. RL 17 and 19 look good but are not available. I can get RL 16 and RL23. Magpro is available but is temp sensitive. RL23 is never available!

JD338 · Monday at 6:23 PM

MO Whitetails said:
I shot the wrong buck just after sunset on a cloudy day. Thought he was another buck 20+ inches larger I had been seeing. Still a good buck. I ran ballistics for 140s vs 150s using partitions. At 400 yds the 150 has 50 more ft lbs assuming the 140 runs 100fps faster. 1883fps@500yds enough for good expansion. Less drift with the 150. RL 17 and 19 look good but are not available. I can get RL 16 and RL23. Magpro is available but is temp sensitive. RL23 is never available!

I'm thinking IMR/H4350 may be your ticket

JD338

phil · Monday at 7:28 PM

MO Whitetails said:
I shot the wrong buck just after sunset on a cloudy day. Thought he was another buck 20+ inches larger I had been seeing. Still a good buck. I ran ballistics for 140s vs 150s using partitions. At 400 yds the 150 has 50 more ft lbs assuming the 140 runs 100fps faster. 1883fps@500yds enough for good expansion. Less drift with the 150. RL 17 and 19 look good but are not available. I can get RL 16 and RL23. Magpro is available but is temp sensitive. RL23 is never available!

Midway had some R23, but ol Larry isn’t in a hurry to get rid of it. Obviously!

DrMike · Tuesday at 7:04 AM

MO Whitetails said:
Thanks. It's a bolt action, will take the pressure, still below the .270 ratings. I like Reloder 16 for a 150 grain bullet. Available, temp insensitive, it fills the case, and burns all of it while producing 2849 fps, which is fast enough to do the job. Curious if these pressures are calculated with magnum primers or standard. Nosler uses Federal 210 in their data. I will likely use standards as I have 2000 extra. You shoot a 280. Is a 140 PT/AB too small for elk? They would run ~100 fps faster, flatter but then again "size does matter"! 150 PTs carry 50ft lbs more @ 400 yds than 140PTs @100 fps faster. Similar to 30-06 150 loads. Same case!

A 140 grain bullet will work, if you do your part in putting the bullet where it belongs and if it is a premium bullet. I prefer more mass when hunting elk, but I wouldn't decline a good shot when toting a 280 loaded with 140 grain pills.

MO Whitetails · Tuesday at 7:22 AM

I can now get Reloder 17. Ramshot Grand peaks my interest. Made in USA, temp stable, spherical, next to Magnum on the burn rate chart. HRL shows 62.8(C)@2914@56800psi

phil said:
Midway had some R23, but ol Larry isn’t in a hurry to get rid of it. Obviousl

salmonchaser · Tuesday at 7:37 AM

You might try the Rl 17 now that it is available. I get just under 2950 out of my 275 rigby (7x57) with 140 accubonds, but that is with a 24 inch barrel, that is a dandy buck.

JD338 · Tuesday at 7:44 AM

MO Whitetails said:
I can now get Reloder 17. Ramshot Grand peaks my interest. Made in USA, temp stable, spherical, next to Magnum on the burn rate chart. HRL shows 62.8(C)@2914@56800psi

I think Grand would be too slow for optimum results, especially with the shorter barrel.
Someone mentioned IMR4064 and that might not be a bad choice in a 19" barrel.

JD338

MO Whitetails · Tuesday at 7:51 AM

Typo: RE 23 is available. RE26 impossible!

Dr. Vette · Tuesday at 8:04 AM

I'd probably do a Barnes 140 TTSX or 139 LRX. But, that's just me.
I've been very impressed with the TTSX on elk as well as all plains game in Africa.

MO Whitetails · Tuesday at 8:24 AM

JD338 said:
I think Grand would be too slow for optimum results, especially with the shorter barrel.
Someone mentioned IMR4064 and that might not be a bad choice in a 19" barrel.

JD338

IMR powders are mostly non-existent other than 3031 which is way too fast. VV560 is my fastest option but is bulkier. RE16,17,23,Hunter all get decent speed, case fill and burn their powder in a 19 inch barrel according to QL. H4350 is available. IMR 4350 one of my favorites but not available. H4831sc is my favorite powder, but the 4350 speed area gets great results in 280s. Accuracy is #1 priority, just trying to recover a few fps from this shortened barrel. If it was my gun, I would sell it and buy one w/longer barrel. Great caliber.

Ralt71 · Tuesday at 9:14 AM

MO Whitetails said:
IMR powders are mostly non-existent other than 3031 which is way too fast. VV560 is my fastest option but is bulkier. RE16,17,23,Hunter all get decent speed, case fill and burn their powder in a 19 inch barrel according to QL. H4350 is available. IMR 4350 one of my favorites but not available. H4831sc is my favorite powder, but the 4350 speed area gets great results in 280s. Accuracy is #1 priority, just trying to recover a few fps from this shortened barrel. If it was my gun, I would sell it and buy one w/longer barrel. Great caliber.

I started using N160 as a substitute for RL19. I'm actually very happy with it, burns cleaner for sure. I would have to check the charts again, but I'm pretty sure it lands right between 17 & 19. N560 is just a touch slower than 19. The short barrel can be handy in thick hunting conditions and luckily, those conditions typically yield closer shots anyway haha! For an elk hunt out west, I would agree with you that take the barrel length and get those speeds back haha.

JD338 · Tuesday at 10:41 AM

Ralt71 said:
I started using N160 as a substitute for RL19. I'm actually very happy with it, burns cleaner for sure. I would have to check the charts again, but I'm pretty sure it lands right between 17 & 19. N560 is just a touch slower than 19. The short barrel can be handy in thick hunting conditions and luckily, those conditions typically yield closer shots anyway haha! For an elk hunt out west, I would agree with you that take the barrel length and get those speeds back haha.

Think of your 19" barreled 280 Remington as a 7-08. Don't worry about the speed, there's a lot of 7-08 shooters killing deer and elk at 400-500 yards with the right bullet in the right spot.

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JD338

xphunter · Tuesday at 11:40 AM

MO Whitetails said:
I have reloaded for 40 years, .243,35 Rem, 7 RM. A friend wants me to reload some brass he was given for his 280 Remington. Rifle is a 1995 Browning X Bolt II LH Stalker, 22 inch OEM barrel has been shortened to 19 inches. 10 inch twist. He shoots Whitetail deer mostly, but an elk now and then. My thoughts are a faster powder and lighter bullet than the 160 ABs w/66 grains H4831sc that I shoot in my 7RM. A .4MOA load. A bedded 1984, 700 Remington BDL. I found Dr. Mike's QL data for node 5 using 150 AB/ PT's which I shoot at deer. Curious what 140/150s max out at with the short barrel, and percentage fill at max. Hogdon Reloading Center numbers show velocity and pressure at max loads but no percentage of case being full. Figured I need a faster powder and lighter bullet to compensate. PT's or AB's 140/150 grains likely. HRC shows H4350 and H4831 with decent speed and below 52 CUP/60Kpsi. StaBall 6.5 and Superperformance show promise as does Reloder 16,22. I live 15 minutes from Midway USA. Curbside pickup, no Hazmat or shipping fees. Grafs is 30 minutes away. 140ABs and all PTs are available. R16/23, H4350/4381sc, Superperformance are available as is Staball 6.5. Also can get Magpro, Hunter, Grand, Magnum, VV550/560, but think the slower powders will not get all burned. Nosler's Premium Ammo w/140AB's is rated at 3000fps likely from their 26-inch test barrel. I will likely lose 100-200+fps due to the 19 inch barrel. Likely use Partitions rather than AB's as they are more violent as they expand. I am open to suggestions. I have the dies, appropriate stud for my Lee case trimmer, shell holder, CCI 200 and Rem 9.5M primers. Attached is a picture of my buck euro I harvested Jan 3,2026 with a 50 cal muz w/290 Barnes TMEZ bullet. DRT 157 5/8 gross.

Just shoot the same powders you would for a regular length barrel

xphunter · Tuesday at 12:10 PM

@MO Whitetails,
For a 18 inch 7mm Rem Mag Ackley Improved with 180's...I use H-1000
For a 18" 6.5-300 WSM with 130's and 140's...I use H-1000
Just giving examples.

PJGunner · Tuesday at 1:12 PM

MO Whitetails said:
Nosler's Premium Ammo w/140AB's is rated at 3000fps likely from their 26-inch test barrel. I will likely lose 100-200+fps due to the 19 inch barrel.

I don't see why a 140 gr. B wouldn't work just fine for deerat 2800 FPS and possibly even a little faster. The only bullets I've played with in my .280 Rem are the 150 gr. Remington Corlokt which would be just fine on deer although you can get them quite going a bit quicker and the 160 gr. Speer Grand Slam.
I won't say a 140 gr. AB or PT wouldn't work on an elk but my preference would be for something a bit heavier, thus the 160 GS. I'm running the older two core version of the GS using a now long discontinued power, Winchester's Magnum Rifle AKA WMR. Rifle is a heavy barrel 1909 Argentine Mauser made by DWM. Barrel is 24". Bullet velocity is 2910 verified by chronograph. I could easily reach that speed with IMR 7828 but at least accuracy was not quite as good as with WMR.
This at last brings up the question as to why a cartridge that has the same capabilities as the .270 Win. is limited to the same lower pressure data of the 30-06? Blame the source, Remington and not SAAMI. Remington waned the pressure kept lower and SAAMI agreed to go along with the lighter load program so that Remington would not have to worry about repairing their semi and pump action rifles.
Probably the best way f trying for top speed for the rifle is to use your friend's rifle during the work up. Hint: I used .270 Win. data with the same weight bullet. I compared .270 data for the 160 gr. bullet with .280 data for the same weight .280 bullet. The system works for me.
Paul B.

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