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

xphunter · Feb 3, 2026

Nosler factory ammunition with 140 AB, 17” barrel has MV of 2920 FPS

MO Whitetails · 2026-02-10T07:16:52-0800

I appreciate all of the input. I picked up a pound of RL 16 and a bag of 7mm 150 grain seconds from Midway thinking the bullets were NABs but they were ABLRs which are too long to stabilize in a 10 inch twist barrel. NABS and NPTs in 140/150 grain stabilize between 160 and 200 using Berger's calculator. Litz and others have shown that bullets are most accurate when barely stabilized. I will return the bag of bullets when I pick up replacements and get a pound of H4350 to give me 3 powders(H4832sc)⁰ to find a satisfactory load. Midway customer service confirmed that none of their "seconds" are NABs. I think I will likely load NPTs instead. Shorter bullets will accomodate more powder. While 140s and 150s will have virtually same energy at distance, the 150s will give up approx 7% more lead (fragments) mass during penetration. While shot placement is most critical, we don't always hit our desired spot, nor is a classic broadside shot always available. NPTs have better expansion at 400 yds than NABs. I shoot 150NPTs from my 7mmRM at deer and have blown hearts completely in half. I turn down shots that destroy meat which is why I will not load or shoot blow up bullets like SSTs, VLDs, ELD-X. etc for hunting. High BC is worthless under 500 yds and I consider longer shots unethical on all game animals.

MO Whitetails · 2026-02-10T11:56:32-0800

xphunter said:
Nosler factory ammunition with 140 AB, 17” barrel has MV of 2920 FPS

Appreciate the input, but the Nosler Trophy Grade 280AI 140ABs ammo shoots 100fps faster@3100fps. Nosler Trophy Grade 280 Remington 140 ABs have an advertised MV of 3000fps. Nosler rates with a 26 inch barrel. The 19 inch 280 barrel I am reloading for would not come close to 2900 fps. 2800-2850fps is much closer to reality. Max load of RE16 per QL yields ~2850fps.150 grain bullets have nearly an identical SD of a 180 grain 30 cal bullet. Similar speeds to a 30-06. Plenty fast to kill elk at 400yds. Attached are ballistics for 150 NABs and 150 PTs both at 2850fps MV. 7mm150 AB's not available but are overdue at Midway. 150PTs are in stock. ABs have ~60 fps more at 400yds, but both are either side of 2100fps for good expansion.