Need help for .280 Antelope load

N

Northwoods Hunter

Beginner
Aug 2, 2005
222
0
I have a Sako 75 Hunter in .280 Rem and am going on my first Antelope hunt near Douglas Wyo. :lol:

I have gotten pretty good results... with 140gr partitions in front of 58.5gr of H 4831....OAL 3.26... 0.75"@ 100yds... but they opened up to 2.50"@ 200yds :roll:

I tried 140gr Accubonds with the same set up and they did not group well. My buddy has really good luck with accubonds in his 7MM . 1.00@300yds

If anyone has a pet load for 140 Accubonds in the .280 Rem I'd appreciate it :grin:
 
northwoods hunter,

You might want to try the 140 gr BT, more than enough bullet for WY goats.
My pet load for the 280 Rem is 57.0 grs (MAX LOAD) RL19, R-P case, and Federal GM210M primer. COL is 3.70" in my M700 Classic.
My buddy and I both get sub MOA accuracy.
I have used this load to kill several UP bucks and a couple of Caribou.

Where are you located in the UP, my wife is from Moran. I hunted North Delta county for 20 yrs. Also pulled a bear tag for this fall and will be hunting south of Ispuming out of my buddys camp.

Regards,

JD338
 
I live in Iron Mountain but I hunt near western Delta cty close to Hardwood
MI.
I also drew a Bear tag for Iron Cty( Amasa Mgt area). I am a guide for Bear/Deer/fishing. I have killed 14 Bear so far...all with bow & arrow...but am thinking of using a little .356 Winchester mod 94 with 200gr loads.

I loaded up some RL 19 today but not that hot. My buddy used 140gr BTs last year at 200yds with his 7MM and they blew the Goat up bad! His son shot a nice buck at 150 yds with a mild (2500 fps) 30/06 load and 150 BTs and blew the off shoulder up with a 9" hole.
Thats why I am leery of Ballistic Tips.

I have a Browning SS Stalker in .280 that shoots MOA at 200yds with Sierra SBTs but I hear they are pretty soft too.

I moved my OAL out to 3.33 for my .280 SAKO...thats all the clip will allow...I hope that will tighten up the Accubonds at 200yds...We'll see tomorrow. :lol:
 
Just curious, do you have a solid set-up for shooting at 200 yards? I only ask because if your shooting consistent 3/4 inch groups at 100 yards then your 200 yards groups should be better than you say. That extra inch in there might be a result of your set-up. I would suggest having someone else try their hand at 200 yards and verify your results. My buddy has shot a lot of Sako 75's and the groups tend to stay the same or get smaller out to 300 yards, they really shoot. Trigger squeeze, scope reticule, surface you're laying the gun on, where you place your hand at, breath control, and parallax all can play a part in either opening up or closing groups at longer ranges...good luck. Douglas has lots of antelope.

Brad
 
I shoot off shooting bags...front and rear

I've had several Sako rifles over the years and most would shoot under 0.50" @ 100yds...with the right loads.
I can get Sierra 140 gr SBTs to hold 0.40@100yds and 0.50 @ 200yds...but the Partitions just dont stay tight at 200yds??? :(

Today I shot 140 Accubonds behind 53.5gr of H 4350 at a 100yd range and got good results...0.60". I will go to the 300yd range next and see what happens at 200 and 300 yds. :roll:

I guess I could just shoot the Sierras...I don't know how they would hold up if I got a closer shot...I've heard they are pretty soft. :?

Thanks for the tip! :grin:
 
Your 2 1/2" groups may just be you. H4831sc has been good for me w/ 140gr bullets, but you may want to try Imr4831 or RL19 or H4350. Every rifle is diff. I also like IMR7828 under the 140gr-160gr bullets. It's very uniform. I agree w/ the guys on the NBT, never been big on a bullet that explodes @ any impact speed. You may get a shot @ 100yds like I did one year. I use the 160grNP in my 7mag just ofr that reason.
 
The Sierras would work fine on antelope, but the Accubonds would give you a better all around load for deer/caribou. Definetly shoot whatever load you choose at 300 yards. Antelope offer small targets and it's very windy in Wyoming so knowing how your load performs in the field is paramount.

I too will be in Wyoming hunting antelope next month. I shoot 160's in my 7mm Remington magnum...good luck and look at a lot of antelope pictures before you go so you don't wind up taking a smaller one. If you need more advice let me know. Antelope and elk are my speciality.

Brad
 
They certainly could... :lol:

except I was shooting three rifles that day...

the .280 Sako shooting 58.5 gr of H 4831
0.50"@100yds....2.50"@200yds with

a .280 Browning w the same H 4831 58.5 gr load 0.40"@100yds....0.50"@200yds with Sierra 140gr SBTs

a Remington 7MM STW H 4350 73.5gr load
0.55"@100yds....0.75"@200yds with 140gr Accubonds

I shot well with the other two so I dont think I shot bad with just one group. :?
Other accomplished shooters I know have told me Partitions are not known for long range accuracy...I just think they would be a good bullet for thin skinned game at fairly high ballistic speeds with lighter bullets...to minimize meat damage.
 
Thanks guys.... :grin:

Now I'm really felling good! I know the Browning will hit whatever I aim at If I do my part. I put a secondary aim point about 7 inches above the bull at 300yds and put three shots in just over an inch on the bull. That gave me a lot of confidence! :lol:

I'm going to try that 75gr IMR 7828 load with some 160 gr accubonds just for kicks too Fred, in my 7MM STW! 8)
 
northwoods hunter,

As an FYI on long range accuracy of the PT's, I have shot some very tight groups at 300 yds.
My 338 RUM printed a 3 shot c/c group with the 210 gr PT of 1.285", two of three were .590" @ 300 yds!

Don't give up just yet, maybe a change in powder or primers will give you the accuracy you are looking for.

I used to hunt in Osier between the rivers. Lots of deer (some big), lots more hunters. Good luck with the bear hunt, and the goat hunt too.

Regards,

JD338
 
Let me know how the 7828 works in the STW . . . I recently shot some RL 25 and was pleased with the results.

Thanks,
jd
 
Good News!
I pulled the stock on my .280 Sako Hunter and found a high spot(barrel rub mark) carefully sanded it down,resealed the stock and reassembled it. My first reloads today were 140gr Partitions in front of 53.5gr of IMR 4350....WOW! :eek:...0.336" at 100yds!!! That was the problem....

Although the Accubonds with the same recipe were at 1.15" :cry:

I got a 0.70" group with the STW using 70.5gr of RL-19 with the NABs.

next I try 79.5 gr of RL-22 for the high performance end effort. :grin:
 
northwoods,

Good Shooting with the Sako.
I told yoou that the PT's can shoot :wink:

Regards,

JD338
 
Nice post guys, your making me want to add a 280 Rem too my collection. RL-19 was our most accurate powder in Nosler #5. Any .280 Ackley shooters out there?
 
Nosler2,

I just got a 280AI. Shooting 160 gr AB's in the .2's!

Regards,

JD
 
Just what does it entail to convert a std .280 Rem cal to an Ackley Imp?


Yesterday's range report....

.280 Sako 60.0 gr of H 4831.... 0.58"......140 gr Nosler SB
59.5 gr of H 4831 SC ....0. 66".... " " "

I'm going to up the SC to 60.0gr and see if it tightens up a bit.

7MM STW 75.5gr of IMR 7828....0.55" .....150gr Nosler BT
79.5gr of IMR 7828....0.310 .....140gr N AccuBond !!! :shock:

Brad your favorite was 80.0gr of 7828....I'll try it next time but I don't think I can handle a 0.25" group out of the 7MM STW!!! :oops:

Thanks Buddy!
 
northwoods,

The 280AI is based off the standard 280 Rem case. The case has less taper and the shoulder angle is changed from 17.30 to 40 degrees.
This allows for more case capacity. The best part is that you can shoot standard factory 280 Remington or fireformed 280 AL loads from the same rifle.
Basically, you get 7mm Mag performance out of a 280 case with less powder and recoil. I am pushing the 160 gr AB close to 3000 fps MV.

Any good gunsmith can rechamber a 280 Remington to a 280 AI.
I had my action blueprinted and had a Hart #5 flutted 24" barrel installed.

Regards,

JD338
 
Your killin me JD. Geez .2 groups and a Hart barrel. Jealousy is such an ugly thing. :wink:
 
I'll say! :eek:

Hmmmmmm ...wonder if I should convert my Sako 75 Hunter to .280 AI or my .280 Browning Stainless Stalker? :roll:

Since the Sako has the heavier barrel contour I think I'll do the Sako...maybe switch to a cool looking McMillan synthetic stock? :twisted:
 
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