280 Rem

[TXJohn]

All you 280 Rem shooters just started loading for the 280 and was wondering what powder you guys are having the most luck with? Rifle is TC Encore Pro hunter 28'' barrel 1/9 twist. I loaded some 140 gr. Sierra spbt last night with R-19, rem brass, cci 200 primers. I will also load some Nosler 150 BT and 160 Accubonds. I have just about any powder needed R-19, IMR-4350, IMR 4831, H-4831, and just thought I would ask the 280 shooters what they think.

Thanks John

 

[snuffy]

John, you're on the right track. The .280 loves the slower end of the powder burn rates, like your selections.

My favorite load is using AA-XMR-4350, and 140 ballistic tips. The same powder for the 139 Hornady interbond.

My rifle is an old tang safety Ruger M-77 heavy barrel. It was never a tack driver, but it has accounted for over 20 whitetails. I never felt the need for anything heavier that 145 grain bullets. I shot the Speer 145 BTSP for the first 10 years, it performed well.

 

[TXJohn]

Thanks Snuffy, some of my manuals are also saying the 4350s and some are saying the 4831s just thought I would ask some experienced 280 shooters. I have been reloading a long time but this is the first 280 I have loaded.

Thanks John

 

[Shoney]

TXJohn

I had the best accuracy/velocity with IMR4831. Other good powders were IMR4350, IMR4895 (for superb accuracy at around 2750fps), and RL-19.

 

[TXJohn]

Thanks Shoney, I think I will try both some of my manuals state that the most accurate powder is 4350 and some say 4831. I have both so think I will try them both, but leaning towards IMR-4350 for the 150s and either H4831 or IMR 4831 for the 160S.

John

 

[GeauxTide]

My son and I have 280s and they love 55gr of RL-19 under 140 NBT or 139 Hornady. CCI200 and Rem Brass. This is 2 gr under max in the Nosler 5&6 manuals. In his 26" Mark X/Shaw, the clock is 3027, SD 9.9, and ES 26fps. Sub MOA. In my 22" Ruger Hawkeye, I clock 2957 with the same numbers. I've gone to 56 grains, but the groups open up 2x with only about 50fps more. SD goes to 13 and ES to 83.

 

[TXJohn]

GeauxTide, I have worked up 140 gr. Sierra spbt with R-19 to 54grs, waiting on scope to be delivered will then take to range to see what works best, also worked up some 150 gr Nosler BT with IMR 4350 to 51.5 grs. which shows to be max in Nosler 6 reloading manual started at 48 grs this seems a little low for the 4350 but they know better than me. The new Sierra manual shows 54.6 max where the Lyman 49 manual shows 52.5.

Thanks John

 

[William T. Watts]

I've tried both IMR4350 & H4350, IMR4831 & H4831, H4831 produced best accuracy for me with Nosler 150gr Solid Base & Partitions. I was never satisfied with 140 gr grouping so I stayed with what grouped best, 55gr of H4831 and either a 150gr Nosler Solid Base or Partition COAL 3.285 + or - .005"! Start at starting load and work up as pressure signs permit! William

 

[Hog Buster]

I’ve had success with R19 in the .280 using both Hornady and Cor-Lokt 150 gr.bullets.

Addendum:

I seem to remember that somewhere I heard or read that reloading data for the .280 was on the mild side because of fear of blowing up them damn 742’s. I never found out if that was true, but the older manuals seem to have data that’s less than that for the .270. So be advised.