Ruger M77 - .280 Rem Range Day

[Scott Spencer]

I finally got around to loading up my first test loads with the 140 AB. My rifle doesn't seem to like velocity right now. I tried RL19 and IMR4350 with pretty good accuracy but the faster the load, the worse it got. Both produced the best results with the less than max loads.

Again, this was my first day with the AB but if I don't find one with great velocity, I've surely found at least one damn accurate load (the last one below)!

Nos 140AB, Nos brass, Fed 210M, 55 gr RL19, 2707 fps avg

Nos 140AB, Nos brass, Fed 210M, 53 gr IMR4350, 2796 fps avg

Nos 140AB, Nos brass, Fed 210M, 51 gr IMR4350, 2627 fps avg

 

[DrMike]

Looks as if you are on the right track, Scott. The 280 is an excellent cartridge, and that one certainly looks as if it will hold up its end of the deal.

 

[JD338]

Scott,

Nice shooting. With RL 19, go up to 57.0 grs. This should get you decent velocity and sub MOA accuracy.
IMR 4350 is a good powder for accuracy but the velocity is lower than I like.
Also consider H4831SC.

JD338

 

[RiverRider]

JD steers you right. H4831 is THE powder for the .280 Remington.

 

[Scott Spencer]

Thanks, Doc, JD, and RR. I was discussing it with my dad (50+ years reloading experience) and he offered up trying the H4831SC as well.

JD - I tried the 57gr of RL19 and was well over 1.5". In fact, I think it was close to 2". I'll look at my photos and see if I took a pic of it. I didn't want to post the evidence of the worst of the loads. Especially if some of it was my doing.

I did try to shoot on Sat when a cold front was moving in and the winds were 15-20 mph. I tried to shoot when they calmed down but I realize that they weren't ideal conditions for trying to develop a load.

 

[6mm Remington]

Scott, my .280 really liked IMR4350 with a 140 gr. Nosler. 54.0 grs for 2940 fps in a 22" barrel. It also liked H4831SC with Federal Magnum primers and 59.0 grs. I never played with it enough before I sold the rifle unfortunately, but try some H4831SC with the Large Rifle Magnum primer!

Good luck.

 

[Guy Miner]

That's accurate for sure! I think with some load development, you'll get both accuracy and the velocity you desire.

 

[Scott Spencer]

I have CCI BR2, CCI250 Mag, Fed 210 match, and Fed 215 match primers. Which would be best to try next? My posted loads were with the Fed 210M.

Here is the 57gr RL19 - don't remember the velocity (notes are at my dad's house). I didn't measure the spread but it is obviously a 2" group, ctr to ctr, at 100 yds. Not good at all.

 

[JD338]

Scott,

Don't give up on RL 19. Reshoot the 57.0 gr load and also try changing the COL.
If this doesn't work, try H4831SC.

JD338

 

[Scott Spencer]

Don't give up on RL 19. Reshoot the 57.0 gr load and also try changing the COL.
If this doesn't work, try H4831SC.

JD338

Thanks, Jim.

As I mentioned before, I was shooting with some wind and even some gusting at times. Maybe that far right shot was just at the wrong time? Maybe I pulled it? If I could get it back close to dead center then I'd have an excellent sub moa group - based on the position of the other two shots in that last target photo.

 

[FOTIS]

Do not discount RL22 8)

 

[corbin9191]

That 3rd picture was a great group. Who needs magnum speeds when you have to accuracy to hit were you want. My 7mm wsm is under 3000 fps with every bullet I have tried, but the accuracy is always there. I will take accuracy over speed any day. Great shooting!

 

[Ryan46]

Hello Scott:
If you were looking for speed then your heaviest load was 4gr under book max for the 140gr bullet in the Alliant manual. Did you get pressure signs with your heaviest load? If not, work on up the groups may tighten up. Also, play with your seating depth.

Happy Shooting
Ryan46

 

[Powerstroke]

Scott,

My go to powder for the .280 has always been Viht N-165. The Viht powerder is a little on the expensive side to just "try" if you don't already have some on hand.
I'm getting right at 2830fps with the 150gr B-tip. I tried some RL-17 the last outing, but was having scope issues and wasn't able to shoot the max laods. I did see right at 2990fps with the 140gr AccuBond with a mid-range load.

 

[Scott Spencer]

Thanks Ryan and PStroke for the advice. I don't have any Viht so I'll probably skip that exercise.

I'll give the other powders discussed about a try but my loads came from the Nosler manual. My primers were pretty flat with the RL19 but not to a point that I feel like I was about to go too far. Ejection was smooth and I had no stickiness on any fired case.

Ryan, it is good to see you are so close to me. I actually live in Pelham. Small world isn't it. :grin: