Loading the 7MM express

[elkslayer4x5]

Just traded a stock set that I made for a .280 barrel for a H & R break-action, and am wondering how many of you reload for the .280 Rem/7MM Express? I'd imagine that it will like the same powders as the others in calibers in the 06 cartridge family, IMR 4895, IMR 4350, H 414, RX 19, RX 22. I'd like to know what's the favored weight bullet for this round. My first thought is to try 150gr boattails, as my favorite load for my .270 is a 140 gr bullet and for the .30-06, my son and I like the 165 gr SSTs. Opinions please? Here's the stock set I traded.. with no finish, just a good rubdown with the 320 grit. I would also be interested in a set of .280 AI dies!

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[Arkansas Paul]

I hAve a Handi Rifle in .280 and can't get it to shoot for anything with hand loads. I've spent 3x what the gun is worth in cOnponents trying. Don't know if they're all that picky or not.

 

[moonzapa]

I have tried them all and ended up using Reloader 19 and 139 Hornady SST's. I shoot a weatherby ultra light in .280 Remington, another moniker for the 7mm Express. I was able to print a .525" group at 100 yards. This may not seem like an exceptional grouping, but with an ultra light rifle and it's whippy barrel it's darn good! I easily took a 9-point white tail buck this year at 105 yards. Fell like a ton of bricks. Good luck!

 

[Patocazador]

Great cartridge-very good for a beanfield gun especially when improved to 40 deg. (Ackley Improved).

I like IMR 4350 with Nosler Partitions (140 gr.)

 

[coyote315]

old thread, but I will jump in. I have been using blend powders and 150 grain bullets to tweak my autoloader. I'm chasing accuracy over muzzle velocity since my 7400 isn't going to get premium velocity anyway and experimenting w/ varget, benchmark and H1000.
I tried 4831 and 4831SC and never found a load that worked, but i hadn't for the record tried 150 grain bullets. When I tried a box of 150gr factory ammo, the bullets finally did what i wanted at 100 yards. I'm going to the range today so I will find out how it works!

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I have been using blend powders and 150 grain bullets to tweak my autoloader.

What do you mean by blend powders?
Please tell me it isn't what it sounds like.

 

[NCsmitty]

Blending powders without a full compliment of test equipment, is a rather foolish endeavor. We hope that you make it back from your range session safely. You gain nothing from the practice, and have so much to lose.


NCsmitty

 

[tahoe2]

no blending here

I just use IMR3031 with 150 grn Core Lokt's in my 1981 Rem 7400 in 7mm Express/280 Rem.
I don't remember grains off hand (44 or 45 grns I think) and R/P brass & CCI primers, which produces 7/8" to 1-1/4" @ 100 yards. and 3"-4" @ 200 yds.
Nosler 150 Ballistic Tips group well with this load also.

 

[280shooter]

I like the 140 - 150 noslers.I loaded with imr 4320 and Imr 4350..
I picked up some H 4831, I loaded both the 140 and 150 gr, But didnt get a chance to try it out. Its been to cold..I have used 3031. In the 140 gr, My win,70, feather, classic shot real well..

 

[4895]

H4831 is a great powder for the .280 especially with the heavier bullets.

 

[coyote315]

no no, not blending my own; I'm quite comfortable going through life with two working eyes and all ten fingers.
Blended powders like superformance, varget, and H1000, which are hybrids from the factory and as I understand it blended at the sub-granular level so it isn't in danger of settling out.

 

[coyote315]

Tahoe is on the right track as far as I can tell- my 7400 doesn't like anything as much as it likes the 150 core-lokt.

 

[coyote315]

I'm certain that the majority of .280s out there like 4831 and it's SC variant, but it doesn't work in my 7400... Of course, an autoloader is hardly a baseline. I am trying 3031 next, but for now varget and benchmark are what I am refining loads for because they're what i own several pounds of.
NCsmitty; I am still laughing at what your reaction must have been when you thought i was blending my own. LOL

 

[gamestalker]

I haven't found accuracy to be a difficult achievement for the .280. I've used IMR-4350 with upper end charges and 140 gr & 145 gr bullets and had great grouping with those. Sierra and Speer are the two I liked the most out of the M77.
GS

 

[coyote315]

i just picked up some 175 grain speers because a shoppe had them and I am curious. Gonna need to play w. some S-L-O-W powders

 

[jstein650]

Y'all may have seen this already in G&A. (just realized how old this thread was)
Anyway, if it comes over... It's from July, 2012

 

[MRH]

I use 139/140 on Pronghorns, and 160-165 on mule deer and elk.

 

[coyote315]

i just got some great results a batch of 52.5 grains of H100v under a hornady 162. Accurate, good results.. didn't get a chance to chrono but hopefully next time.
My 7400 auto mechanism function well and, didn't beat the crap outta my bead of permatex on the barrel nut so; looks like it's a go!

 

[gamestalker]

IMR-4350 worked well in the M77 I loaded for. But I don't know much about those handi rifles. I always thought that they had potential to shoot real good MOA's with a little bit of time and effort.

GS