.280 rem loads

Tronneroi · #1 01-13-2021, 10:23 AM

So Dave Henry is currently building me a .280 rem and I'm anxious to start putting some loads together. Obviously I won't be doing anything on the press until the rifle is complete and I can measure CBTO etc...

Looking for bullet suggestions, particularly ones that would work best with an 8.5 twist. Barrel will be cut at 24" btw.

I'd like to hear about your favourite powders as well. I've usually got H4350, H4831, RL19, Varget on my shelf.

Thanks for any info you guys can provide.

Dick284 · #2 01-13-2021, 10:25 AM

Wow you could shoot 195’s outta that twist rate.

What’s you got planned for the rig?

Always had good results with 4350 and 140-150’s

Tronneroi · #3 01-13-2021, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick284

Wow you could shoot 195’s outta that twist rate.

What’s you got planned for the rig?

Always had good results with 4350 and 140-150’s

Sorry, should have mentioned. Just a plain old hunting rig. Deer, moose, elk (if I ever see one). I wouldn't mind going a little heavy. I like my .25-06 for light, fast projectiles.

Dick284 · #4 01-13-2021, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tronneroi

Sorry, should have mentioned. Just a plain old hunting rig. Deer, moose, elk (if I ever see one). I wouldn't mind going a little heavy. I like my .25-06 for light, fast projectiles.

140 monolithic’s, 150 Controlled expansion and a good stiff load of 4350 and you’d be set..........all subject to the big if!

lattery1 · #5 01-13-2021, 10:41 AM

Mine loves 168 grain Bergers and IMR 7828 SSC. I got the load data sent to me from Berger since I did not have their book. Happy to forward the info to you if you want.

Dean2 · #6 01-13-2021, 10:46 AM

With the heavier bullets, 154 and above, the issue you will have with the 280 is case capacity. Many powders like H1000, Hybrid 100 etc result in compressed loads, which is not something I care for in a hunting round. To get the speed you want you will have to be quite selective in the powder choices. With the heavy bullets I would suggest starting with H4831 SC(Short cut). It meters better than regular 4831, same burn rate, temp sensitive and packs into the case tighter. Other option worth a try is IMR 4955 if you can actually find some.

1100winger · #7 01-13-2021, 12:01 PM

I can offer two:
For a factory load the Win Supreme 140 gr worked extremely well in my rifle. Dropped deer dead, and was silly accurate. For a handload, I just completed development of a Barnes 150 TSX/R19 load. I do not have a chronograph, but it prints .75 - 1.25 when I am having a good day too.
next load will be a target load, maybe Berger?

rottie · #8 01-13-2021, 12:26 PM

DH did a .280 Rem for me last fall. This one really likes H4831 and the 139 Hornady BTSP. Previous ones have liker IMR 4350 again with the mid range weight bullets.

Maxwell78 · #9 01-13-2021, 12:29 PM

In the cooper 280 that i had. H4350 worked best for the 150's and 160's

brewster29 · #10 01-13-2021, 01:38 PM

Mine loves Barnes 145 LRX pushed to 3050 fps by RL 26.

SuperCub · #11 01-13-2021, 03:27 PM

I took my 280 as a back up on a moose hunt this year loaded with 160gr NPs.

The 275Rigby that got the moose was loaded with the same. If it was deer only, I'd use NBTs.

ruger300 · #12 01-13-2021, 04:38 PM

I’ve had good results with H4831. Not the fastest but most accurate in my ruger MII M77.

Ranger CS · #13 01-13-2021, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewster29

Mine loves Barnes 145 LRX pushed to 3050 fps by RL 26.

So does mine. Both the 145 Barnes LR and 140 Barnes TTSX in front of IMR 4831 and/or IMR 4350. Both powders shoot sub .5 inch with speeds in the mid 2900 fps.

Salavee · #14 01-13-2021, 06:58 PM

If you like the heavies you can easily stabilize the 175 ELD-X with that twist.

Try RL 26 for a comfortable 2750 to 2800 MV.

ruger300 · #15 01-13-2021, 07:11 PM

Good luck trying to find RE26 right now.

Salavee · #16 01-13-2021, 07:13 PM

If .

Bergerboy · #17 01-13-2021, 07:38 PM

I use H4831 in mine with 150 Nosler LRAB's and it shoots them well. Its an AI with a 9 twist but shouldnt be much different. I like the H4831 as it never seems to be short in stock. When you get it shooting, let un know how it works for you!

Tronneroi · #18 01-14-2021, 08:18 AM

Thanks for all the info guys. Can't wait to get my hands on this rifle. Will probably try some 140 monos and I like the sound of 175 eldx as well.

Thanks for the case capacity info too Dean, I've thought about switching over to SC.

Will post results when I get my hands on this sucker!

aardvaark · #19 01-26-2021, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tronneroi

Thanks for all the info guys. Can't wait to get my hands on this rifle. Will probably try some 140 monos and I like the sound of 175 eldx as well.

Thanks for the case capacity info too Dean, I've thought about switching over to SC.

Will post results when I get my hands on this sucker!

Do you know where David H is getting the barrel from?

Tronneroi · #20 01-26-2021, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aardvaark

Do you know where David H is getting the barrel from?

I got it from Proof Research in Montana.

I have a box of Hornady precision hunter to put through it for a break in before I start my handloads.

I'm already loading 150gr ELDX in my wife's 7mm-08 so I figured I would start with those and grab some TTSX when I come across some. H4831 and H4350 will be on the menu as well.

catnthehat · #21 01-26-2021, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salavee

If you like the heavies you can easily stabilize the 175 ELD-X with that twist.

Try RL 26 for a comfortable 2750 to 2800 MV.

My Ruger single shot 280with the 1:9 Shilen has made 5 shot groups 1/2MOA and better at 500 meters with the big ELDX bullets.
Cat

Tronneroi · #22 02-08-2021, 02:01 PM

So, I've loaded up a few rounds to test when I get some free time.

I decided to start with 150gr ELDX seated 0.020 off the lands. I use these in my wife's 7mm-08 so I've got no shortage. Hornady brass, CCI BR2 primers.

Went with H4350 ranging from 50gr to 54gr. I'm above published loads but will back off if I note any pressure signs.

If these loads don't perform, I've got some RL19 and H4831 that I'd like to try.

I tried to find 140gr Barnes but had no luck at all. Found some 150gr TSX that I'll be putting something together with as well.

huntingfamily · #23 02-08-2021, 03:42 PM

My 22" Browning X-Bolt is an absolute tack driver with the following load:

140 ttsx
53.3 grs H4350
CCI BR2 primers
WW brass

3 shots @ 150 yds 5/8"-13/16" groups consistently

Tronneroi · #24 02-08-2021, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huntingfamily

My 22" Browning X-Bolt is an absolute tack driver with the following load:

140 ttsx
53.3 grs H4350
CCI BR2 primers
WW brass

3 shots @ 150 yds 5/8"-13/16" groups consistently

What kind of velocity are you getting out of those?

Dean2 · #25 02-08-2021, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tronneroi

So, I've loaded up a few rounds to test when I get some free time.

I decided to start with 150gr ELDX seated 0.020 off the lands. I use these in my wife's 7mm-08 so I've got no shortage. Hornady brass, CCI BR2 primers.

Went with H4350 ranging from 50gr to 54gr. I'm above published loads but will back off if I note any pressure signs.

If these loads don't perform, I've got some RL19 and H4831 that I'd like to try.

I tried to find 140gr Barnes but had no luck at all. Found some 150gr TSX that I'll be putting something together with as well.

With that long a bullet are you seated out far enough not to be compressing those 4350 loads? If they are compressed are you slightly crimping the necks.

Tronneroi · #26 02-08-2021, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean2

With that long a bullet are you seated out far enough not to be compressing those 4350 loads? If they are compressed are you slightly crimping the necks.

According to the Gordon Reloading Tool, I'm sitting at 88.6% capacity with the 54gr load. Bullets seating depth is 0.450. When shaken you can hear room in the case (my scientific method).

If this program is accurate I should see just over 58000 PSI at 54gr.

Dean2 · #27 02-08-2021, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tronneroi

According to the Gordon Reloading Tool, I'm sitting at 88.6% capacity with the 54gr load. Bullets seating depth is 0.450. When shaken you can hear room in the case (my scientific method).

If this program is accurate I should see just over 58000 PSI at 54gr.

Sounds good. Be interested to see how they shoot and what kind of speed u get.

huntingfamily · #28 02-08-2021, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tronneroi

What kind of velocity are you getting out of those?

2850 fps

Tronneroi · #29 02-21-2021, 10:14 AM

150gr ELDX seated .020 off the lands
52gr H4350
2753 fps average

Out of all the ELDX loads, this one performed the best

150gr TSX seated 0.125 off the lands
50gr H4350

I followed Barnes procedure for testing CBTO with TSX bullets. Starting at 0.050 and backing off 0.025 for five loads. The 0.125 was definitely the tightest.

I increased powder charge from 52gr to 54gr of H4350 and busted out the chrono to see what this guys would do going a little faster. HOLY wind yesterday... I'm really happy with the 54gr TSX load. Speed is good, no pressure signs. Going to blame the horizontal stringing on the wind. Going to go forward with this load.