I need .280 rem Load Data

[kneault65]

I'm about to start loading for my new .280. It's a Browning x-bolt with a 22" barrel. Not sure what bullet weigth I wanna shoot with yet. It will be primarily used for whitetail and maybe the odd elk. Just wonderind if anyone has had any luck loading it up to it's potential. By that I mean not going by the underloaded max loads from all the reloading manuals(in which the .270 outperforms it). I know this caliber is capable of being right on the heals of the 7mm mag I just don't know where to start. Let me know thanks!

 

[MichaelK]

First thing you need are some reloading texts. Hornady's 8th edition is on sale at midwayusa for 25$. Speer alternatively might be on sale.

I'd recommend a 130-140 grain bullet for deer, and a 160-175 for elk.

Any powder that works in the .30-06 will work in 7mm. Try IMR4831 or RL-22.

If you're going to go and purchase components for reloading, you might as well buy the books at the same time.

Good luck!

 

[Fat_46]

The 280 really shines with RL-19.

 

[Doug b]

Maybe what you need is a 7 mag. not data outside the manuals.

 

[Jim Watson]

.280 has been loaded all over the map.
Ken Waters and Nosler get higher velocity than Speer and Sierra.

But that is still not a license to overload. Nor are some of the scary stories back when it was popular to build a .280 on a Mauser action because it saved the expense of magazine and boltface changes for 7mm Mag. Then overload it to approach the magnum.


A friend reports that a handbook load in .280 will NOT bounce off an elk.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I'm not sure what manual you're referring to. The .280Rem is an excellent cartridge and performs similarily to either the .270 and .30/06. But claims that it's a LOT better should be disregarded, as that's a physical impossibility......

I suggest you use the Hodgdon data in their on-line manual. Their data is tested, and conforms to industry standards.

I've found that most of the older "hotter" data that used to circulate isn't compatable with most of the newer rifles such as the Browning A-Bolts. The newer rifles are made on CNC computer controled machining equipment and tend to have much tighter tolerances. Also remember that data gathered by Mr. Ken Waters is older, and were in "custom" rifles. Also, the powder though with the same mfg and ID # isn't likely to be the exact same lot# and should be "worked" up to.

That said, the 22" bbl of the A-bolt certainly isn't going to approach the 7mmRemMag with any "sane" loads. However, I have seen 26" bbl'd .280's approach the velocities of the 7mmMag with "factory" ammo.

Also, remember every rifle is an individual and "unique" to itself.
Do be careful.......

And, Like another poster stated, the bullets from my 7mm08 (140gr Nosler Partitions at 2,800fps) tend to make rather large holes in the elk that have been shot with them......

The .280 with 140gr bullets at 2,900-3,000fps or 150's at 2,800-2,900fps is not tossing nerf balls... And the advantage of the 7mm bullets is in the twist rate of the barrels and higer ballistic coefficient of the bullets... Not some mythical advantage. A 150 or 160gr bullet from the .280 isn't going to exceed the velocity or even equal the velocitiy of the same bullet from a .30/06, but it dosen't have to. The advantage of the .280 is how the bullets hold their velocity and therefore hit harder and drift less at ranges beyond 300yrd.
I doubt seriously I could tell the difference between a .270wcf w/150gr bullet, a .280rem w/150gr bullet, and a .30/06 w/165gr bullet with out looking at the gun inside 300yds........loaded to equal pressures in an identical rifle (ie: Browing A-Bolt).

 

[snuffy]

I think what kneault65 is talking about is the fact that the .280 was downloaded when it was first introduced. It was brought out for the 7400 Remington auto rifle, so it was anemic at first. The .280 began as a 7mm/06 wildcat, with some minor modifications.

Most book loads in modern manuals are full power loads.

If you consider 150 FPS less velocity as approaching 7 mag levels, then that's what you will get. I don't think the deer will notice the difference.

 

[35 Whelen]

I've been loading the .280 for about 20 years now. Mine is an old Ruger 77 that started life as a 7x57 then was rechambered by a 'smith in East Texas to the .280.
I began back then by trying all sorts of different powders with bullets from 140-160 grs. Eventually I settled on two powders and loads:

For 140 gr. bullets I use 55.5 grs. of IMR-4350. This load with a 140 gr Sierra FB nets right at 2900 fps. The same load with a 140 gr. Nosler Partition nets 3000 fps +/- 10 fps. I've killed lots of deer and hogs with both loads and they're both very effective. The 140 gr. Partition penetrates very, very well. I once shot a doe who was facing me square in the middle of the chest and the bullet game to rest under the hide at the back of the right hindquarter. Both bullets group into 1" or less.

The other load is 55.5 grs. of IMR-4831 with a 160 gr. Nosler Partition. It'll do 2910 fps day in and day out. I've not shot nearly as much game with this one, but penetration is remarkable. I loaned the rifle and this load to a buddy who took a huge Wyoming bull elk with it. This particular load and bullet always group less than 1".
To a lesser degree I've used this same load with a 150 gr. Remington Cor-Lokt bullet. For whatever reason velocities ran between 2800-2850 fps and groups were around 1 1/4".

With both loads I typically use CCI-200 primers. I don't know where these loads fall in the manuals, but it doesn't matter as all rifles are individual and a prudent handloader should start at about 50 grs. and work their way up.

Hope this helps.

35W

 

[GooseGestapo]

I failed in my previous post to mention that my velocities for my 7mm08 is from a 20"bbl.

If I were to take a 7mm Elk hunting and wanted to use the same load for deer, I'd look no farther than the Nosler 150gr Accubond. It has superior down range ballistics and typically better acccuracy than the 150gr Nosler Partiton with similar impact performance. A distant second and third place tie would be the 154gr Hornady Interbond and 150gr Swift Scirocco. The Hornady due to personal previous bad experiences with Hornady's on "high-dollar" hunts, and cost of the Scirocco's.

 

[gamestalker]

55.5 to 59.0C of H4350 120 gr. Barnes TSX Listed OAL 3.230"
Velcoti is up to 3254 fps.

 

[kneault65]

Thanks GooseGestapo, Snuffy, 35 Whelen and Gamestalker. Finnaly my question wasn't misunderstood and/or misinterpreted. I just wanted advice on loading for the .280 and maybe a recipe or two for a cartridge I'm really anxious to reload. I'm not trying to turn a .280 into a 7mm mag I just want to get the best potential out of my rifle. I appreciate the advice, thanks.

 

[Doug b]

Sorry I mis-understood your original post. Welcome to THR.

 

[kneault65]

No prob doug b , i guess i shoulda used better words. I had a 7mm mag but I started to shy away and pull the trigger when trying to develope a load, so I knew it wasn't for me.

 

[Stack]

.280 Remington (Hodgdon Data Maximum Loads) Reloading Data
Printable Version
Load Image
Warning! Notes: case: Remington; barrel length: 24"; twist: 1:10"; trim length: 2.530"; primer: Remington 9 1/2; bullet diam.: .284"; NEVER EXCEED MAXIMUM LOADS
Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.
Wt. Bullet Powder Manufacturer Powder Charge Velocity (FPS)
100 Sierra HP Hodgdon H-4831 63.0 3,266
Remarks: compressed load; COL: 3.180"; 46,000 cup
100 Sierra HP Hodgdon H-4350 60.5 3,379
Remarks: COL: 3.180"; 49,200 cup
100 Sierra HP Hodgdon H-414 57.5 3,395
Remarks: COL: 3.180"; 47,100 cup
100 Sierra HP Hodgdon H-380 55.5 3,368
Remarks: COL: 3.180"; 47,800 cup
100 Sierra HP Hodgdon Varget 51.3 3,433
Remarks: COL: 3.180"; 48,300 cup
100 Sierra HP Hodgdon BL-C(2) 53.0 3,409
Remarks: COL: 3.180"; 48,300 cup
100 Sierra HP Hodgdon H-4895 50.5 3,418
Remarks: COL: 3.180"; 49,000 cup
100 Sierra HP Winchester W-760 57.5 3,395
Remarks: COL: 3.180"; 47,100 cup
115 Speer HP Hodgdon H-4831 62.0 3,190
Remarks: compressed load; COL: 3.180"; 47,300 cup
115 Speer HP Hodgdon H-4350 58.5 3,234
Remarks: COL: 3.180"; 48,100 cup
115 Speer HP Hodgdon H-414 56.0 3,192
Remarks: COL: 3.180"; 47,400 cup
115 Speer HP Hodgdon H-380 52.0 3,090
Remarks: COL: 3.180"; 48,600 cup
115 Speer HP Hodgdon Varget 49.0 3,170
Remarks: COL: 3.180"; 47,700 cup
115 Speer HP Hodgdon BL-C(2) 49.0 3,118
Remarks: COL: 3.180"; 48,400 cup
115 Speer HP Hodgdon H-4895 49.0 3,175
Remarks: COL: 3.180"; 48,300 cup
115 Speer HP Winchester W-760 56.0 3,192
Remarks: COL: 3.180"; 47,400 cup
140 Nosler Part Hodgdon H-4831 58.5 2,927
Remarks: COL: 3.230"; 48,500 cup
140 Nosler Part Hodgdon H-4350 53.5 2,918
Remarks: COL: 3.230"; 48,500 cup
140 Nosler Part Hodgdon H-414 51.0 2,867
Remarks: COL: 3.230"; 47,900 cup
140 Nosler Part Hodgdon Varget 45.5 2,838
Remarks: COL: 3.230"; 48,100 cup
140 Nosler Part Hodgdon H-4895 45.2 2,830
Remarks: COL: 3.230"; 48,400 cup
140 Nosler Part Winchester W-760 51.0 2,867
Remarks: COL: 3.230"; 47,900 cup
145 Speer SP Hodgdon H-4831 53.0 2,727
Remarks: COL: 3.160"; 50,000 cup
145 Speer SP Hodgdon H-4350 48.8 2,714
Remarks: COL: 3.160"; 49,900 cup
145 Speer SP Hodgdon H-414 46.5 2,639
Remarks: COL: 3.160"; 48,900 cup
145 Speer SP Hodgdon Varget 43.0 2,690
Remarks: COL: 3.160"; 48,000 cup
145 Speer SP Hodgdon H-4895 41.0 2,596
Remarks: COL: 3.160"; 48,400 cup
145 Speer SP Winchester W-760 46.5 2,639
Remarks: COL: 3.160"; 48,900 cup
150 Nosler Part Hodgdon H-1000 60.0 2,797
Remarks: compressed load; COL: 3.300"; 49,300 cup
150 Nosler Part Hodgdon H-4831 53.7 2,709
Remarks: COL: 3.300"; 49,500 cup
150 Nosler Part Hodgdon H-4350 49.7 2,700
Remarks: COL: 3.300"; 49,300 cup
150 Nosler Part Hodgdon H-414 47.3 2,640
Remarks: COL: 3.300"; 49,400 cup
150 Nosler Part Hodgdon Varget 42.0 2,611
Remarks: COL: 3.300"; 49,800 cup
150 Nosler Part Hodgdon H-4895 41.5 2,588
Remarks: COL: 3.300"; 50,000 cup
150 Nosler Part Winchester W-760 47.3 2,640
Remarks: COL: 3.300"; 49,400 cup
160 Swift SP Hodgdon H-1000 61.0 2,714
Remarks: compressed load; COL: 3.240"; 47,500 cup
160 Swift SP Hodgdon H-4831 55.0 2,660
Remarks: COL: 3.240"; 49,500 cup
160 Swift SP Hodgdon H-4350 49.5 2,610
Remarks: COL: 3.240"; 48,900 cup
160 Swift SP Hodgdon H-414 47.5 2,558
Remarks: COL: 3.240"; 49,700 cup
160 Swift SP Hodgdon Varget 42.5 2,555
Remarks: COL: 3.240"; 49,300 cup
160 Swift SP Hodgdon H-4895 41.5 2,535
Remarks: COL: 3.240"; 49,500 cup
160 Swift SP Winchester W-760 47.5 2,558
Remarks: COL: 3.240"; 49,700 cup
162 Hornady A-Max Hodgdon H-1000 60.0 2,711
Remarks: compressed load; COL: 3.330"; 47,200 cup
162 Hornady A-Max Hodgdon H-4831 54.5 2,644
Remarks: COL: 3.330"; 49,300 cup
162 Hornady A-Max Hodgdon H-4350 49.5 2,614
Remarks: COL: 3.330"; 49,900 cup
162 Hornady A-Max Hodgdon H-414 47.5 2,669
Remarks: COL: 3.330"; 49,900 cup
162 Hornady A-Max Hodgdon Varget 42.0 2,573
Remarks: COL: 3.330"; 49,500 cup
162 Hornady A-Max Hodgdon H-4895 41.5 2,567
Remarks: COL: 3.330"; 50,000 cup
162 Hornady A-Max Winchester W-760 47.5 2,669
Remarks: COL: 3.330"; 49,900 cup
168 Sierra HPBT Hodgdon H-1000 60.0 2,700
Remarks: compressed load; COL: 3.330"; 49,300 cup
168 Sierra HPBT Hodgdon H-4831 54.5 2,605
Remarks: COL: 3.330"; 49,200 cup
168 Sierra HPBT Hodgdon H-4350 50.0 2,586
Remarks: COL: 3.330"; 49,400 cup
168 Sierra HPBT Hodgdon Varget 42.2 2,523
Remarks: COL: 3.330"; 49,900 cup
168 Sierra HPBT Hodgdon H-4895 41.2 2,468
Remarks: COL: 3.330"; 49,600 cup
175 Hornady SP Hodgdon H-1000 57.0 2,583
Remarks: compressed load; COL: 3.300"; 49,600 cup
175 Hornady SP Hodgdon H-4831 51.0 2,477
Remarks: COL: 3.300"; 49,800 cup
175 Hornady SP Hodgdon H-4350 46.5 2,447
Remarks: COL: 3.300"; 49,300 cup
120 Barnes TSX IMR IMR-7828ssc 64.0 3,234
Remarks: compressed load; COL: 3.230"; 58,300 psi
120 Barnes TSX Hodgdon H-4831 63.0 3,124
Remarks: compressed load; COL: 3.230"; 53,100 psi
120 Barnes TSX IMR IMR-4831 61.0 3,259
Remarks: compressed load; COL: 3.230"; 57,400 psi
120 Barnes TSX Hodgdon H-4350 59.0 3254
Remarks: compressed load; COL: 3.230"; 57,400 psi
120 Barnes TSX Hodgdon H-414 56.2 3,191
Remarks: COL: 3.230"; 56,900 psi
120 Barnes TSX IMR IMR-4350 59.0 3,210
Remarks: compressed load; 56,800 psi
120 Barnes TSX IMR IMR-4007ssc 56.3 3,230
Remarks: COL: 3.230"; 57,400 psi
120 Barnes TSX Hodgdon H-380 55.0 3,210
Remarks: COL: 3.230"; 58,000 psi
120 Barnes TSX Hodgdon Varget 50.7 3,177
Remarks: COL: 3.230"; 57,200 psi
120 Barnes TSX IMR IMR-4064 50.6 3,160
Remarks: COL: 3.230"; 57,000 psi
120 Barnes TSX Winchester W-748 50.0 3,061
Remarks: COL: 3.230"; 56,400 psi
120 Barnes TSX Hodgdon BL-C(2) 50.6 3,125
Remarks: COL: 3.230"; 55,800 psi
120 Barnes TSX Hodgdon H-4895 49.9 3,171
Remarks: COL: 3.230"; 57,200 psi
140 Nosler Part Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 54.0 2,847
Remarks: compressed load; COL: 3.230"; 47,000 cup
145 Speer SP Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 54.0 2,866
Remarks: compressed load; COL: 3.160"; 49,100 cup
160 Swift SP Winchester Supreme 780 56.7 2,718
Remarks: COL: 3.240"; 49,500 cup
160 Swift SP Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 52.0 2,712
Remarks: compressed load; COL: 3.240"; 48,600 cup
162 Hornady A-Max Winchester Supreme 780 55.5 2,735
Remarks: COL: 3.330"; 49,400 cup
162 Hornady A-Max Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 51.5 2,746
Remarks: compressed load; COL: 3.330"; 47,500 cup
168 Sierra HPBT Winchester Supreme 780 55.0 2,701
Remarks: COL: 3.330"; 49,100 cup
168 Sierra HPBT Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 51.0 2,704
Remarks: compressed load; COL: 3.330"; 48,100 cup
175 Hornady SP Winchester Supreme 780 55.0 2,593
Remarks: COL: 3.300"; 49,200 cup
175 Hornady SP Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 49.5 2,569
Remarks: compressed load; COL: 3.300"; 47,400 cup

 

[Stack]

There ya go!