Wby ultralight in 280 Rem.

[Greg Nolan]

I'm looking at a trade for a Wby ultralight in 280 Rem. How would that caliber work out for Mule deer? I know a lot of you have 280 AIs . How much trouble is it to have it reamed out to AI? Any info before the trade is imminent would help a lot.
Thanks Everyone
Greg

 

[SJB358]

Greg, I think you are about to get pounded by the 280 guys here! I think it would be pretty much ideal for any deer with 140's. I would think anyone with a 280AI reamer could handle it for a decent price without too much trouble. Stand by for those AI'ers. I know they are probably firing up their keyboards right now! Scotty

 

[BK]

I would probably leave it as is. I like the .280AI as much as most, but I'm not sure you really gain that much velocity. The biggest appeal to me is less case trimming. And while 140s would be fine for mulies, I'd probably load 150s if available.

 

[brianwyo]

Greg,

I have many rifles set up for big game. I use this same rifle more often than the rest put together. It is a really light rifle. I didnt expect much from it but it shoots 160gr partitions @ 2930fps. 3/4 group too. What is there not to like!! Last time I checked Weatherby does not offer the .280 in the Ultralight. Brian

 

[JD338]

Greg,

The 280 Rem is flat shooting, hits hard and light recoil makes it the perfect all around deer hunting round. The 140 gr can get close to 3000 fps, the PT for deep penetration and the AB for long range. The Ultralight chambered in 280 Rem is one that you will keep reaching for. :wink:

The 280 AI is a simple to convert to and will gice you 100-200 fps more than the 280 Rem. Lots of cool factor with the 280 AI.

JD338

 

[brianwyo]

280AI does have the cool factor. I cant bring myself to mess with mine. I am afraid to mess with success.

 

[DrMike]

Greg,

I have two 280s (a Winchester Featherweight and a Remington LSS). Either will work just fine for mule deer. I have only shot 139/140s in my Featherweight, and it has taken quite a number of mulies very cleanly.

 

[Greg Nolan]

DrMike,
What loads do you use. I was thinking of 160 A/Bs or what do you suggest?
Greg

 

[Greg Nolan]

Jim and Scotty, Can I take your replys as a "YES" . I know there are a legion of 280 AI lovers out there and there must be a reason.
I'm pretty happy about this. This will be the only "non military" non magnum in my collecton. I've taken overkill to a new level and it's time to swing back to a more practial caliber for deer. Any load info would be appreciated.
Greg

 

[sask boy]

I really believe that the 280 is one of the most under utilized calibers.
I know a few people that shoot them and have never had a bad word to say about them.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[DrMike]

Greg,

I have used several loads with good success for mule deer and whitetail. For many years, my "go to" load was Hornady 139 BTSP with a 59 grain charge of WXR (or WMR--same velocity and same POI). More recently, I've used either a 140 grain BST and 59 grains of WXR or a 140 grain BT and 59 grains of WXR. Again, same POI and identical velocities. Partially because my supply of WXR (and WMR) are running low, I worked up a load last fall, though I haven't used it yet, that is likely to accompany me during deer season this year. It consist of a 140 grain PT and 54 grains of H100V. Excellent velocities and good accuracy. There is no reason that a 160 AB wouldn't work, but I have never felt that much mass was needed deer. By and large, deer and elk seasons do not overlap here, so I haven't felt the need to go to a heavier bullet with this calibre as I use it almost solely as a deer gun. Looking at my data for the Featherweight, I've worked up loads for 150 grain Sierra GK, 162 grain Nosler Solid Base, 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, Hornady 162 grain SST and Hornady 154 grain SP. All shot well and gave me anticipated velocities, but I've never used them. Loaded with 140 grain PTs, I wouldn't be terribly uncomfortable using this load on either moose or elk. My Remington will likely receive more time with 150 grain PTs as the initial loads indicated excellent groups with that bullet, which was quite satisfying for me.

 

[JD338]

Greg,

Yes, get the 280 Rem. You will become a believer.

Here are my loads for the 280 Remington...

140 gr BT or PT
57.0 grs RL 19
R-P case
Fed GM210M primer

140 gr BT or PT
52.5 grs IMR 4350
R-P case
Fed GM210M primer

160 gr PT
54.0 grs IMR 4831
R-P case
Fed GM210M primer

These loads were never clocked but they all shot .5 MOA from a M700 Classic.

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

That sir is one hell of a rifle!
8)

 

[HTDUCK]

Before you have it reamed shoot it.

My Rem 700 loves
58 grs H4831SC
Nosler Case
Fed 210
139 Horday BTSP.

1/2 MOA all day long.
Just over 3000 FPS at the muzzle.
Kills deer like lightning.

IMR 4350 and RL19 work well too.

Howard

 

[taylorce1]

Honestly I don't think you will gain a whole lot by going AI if you are going to handload. Factory .280 Rem ammunition is pretty anemic. In the Weatherby you should be able to load to much higher pressure than the factory ammunition, and you will get much superior performance from hand loads. There is no reason that a .270 can operate at 65K psi and the .280 should be relegated to 60K psi in a solid bolt action platform like the Weatherby.

 

[Oldtrader3]

My A-Bolt .280 clocks at 2930 fps with 140 grain factory loads (Winchester Black Box Supreme). The loading manual listings are pretty anemic because the round was originally chambered in the Model 742 Remington Auto. With handloads, my rifle handles 55 grains of IMR4350 with great accuracy and generates just over 2900 fps. This is close to a maximum load.

I honestly can not tell any difference when shooting deer between the 130 gr .270 and the 140 gr .280. Both loads kill mule deer stone dead. I have never been particularly willing to rechamber my .280 to AI because I have a 7mm Mag and because the chambering is a pretty good deer rifle as it sits. My rifle is also very accurate chambered as it is and I don't want to mess that up. However, a lot of people really like the .280 AI. Your choice on that, I guess.

 

[ROVERT]

This is what my .280 did on Saturday:

.280 154 SST @ 2945 fps

It was hot on Saturday, but the velocity in Feb. was only about 10 - 15 fps slower. This is out of a 22" barrel. I would stick with the standard .280 and see what you can do. As OT3 mentioned, load data for the .280 is very anemic. I'm roughly five grains over book max and am not getting any pressure signs. The brass I believe has been fired six times now and is doing fine. Someone ran QuickLoad on this for me and my pressures should be right around what is max for the .270. There is no reason a .280 in a modern bolt action can't be run at the same pressure as a .270.

P.S. The targets don't typically look like that with this rifle, I wish they did. Bedding or a new stock might get me close.

 

[Greg Nolan]

Ok, I'm awaiting word on my offer. I'll know tomorrow morning. I won't go AI untill I try some of the loads you've suggested. I'm surprised at the Hornady 139 gr. I've used that sucessfully in a 7mm-08 and I have some on hand.. I'll give a report in a couple of weeks when it arrives and I get past the 10 day wait. If I can get 3000 fps with a 140gr or 28500 with a 150gr I'll save the 160s for the RUM.
Thanks again for all the good info :grin:
Greg

 

[DrMike]

28500 with a 150gr

That seems a bit excessive for a 150. :shock:












Sorry, I couldn't resist noting the typo. I don't believe you'll have too much difficulty achieving the velocities you are seeking.

 

[wildgene]

...not sure about the .280 AI, but some of the AI's require cutting a couple threads off & re-threading the barrel so the new chamber is reamed past the original case shoulder, which might also affect your throat length, something to ask about before you jump off w/ both feet...