Ruger Model 77 MKII RS Question

[SwampWolf]

I have a Ruger Model 77 MKII rifle, chambered in 7x64 Brenneke that I want to start loading for. A friend has a Remington Model 700 rifle, chambered in .280 Remington that he has spent several decades loading for and has developed some very accurate loads for his rifle. My question is how safe would it be to extrapolate loading date developed for his rifle to mine (he never loaded "hot" and I would start "low"). The cases for these two cartridges aren't interchangeable but they look very similar dimensionally and they seem to be ballistic twins.
I'm just wondering if I can take advantage of the time and work my friend has spent developing loads for his rifle over the years, if for nothing else, a good "starting point".
I'm also curious as to what scope members would recommend for this rifle. I don't like scopes any bigger than they have to be and I'm considering getting one in a 2x7 format.
Thanks for all advice and suggestions.

 

[ford8nr]

I'd get a reloading manual for the 7x64 and start from there. There's so much that affects that "perfect load" that it's not transferable from rifle to rifle in the same cal, much less between rifles in different cals. My son and I both have Ruger 77's, one's a MKII the other a Hawkeye. Both are .308 Win. The IDEAL load for each is slightly different, very close but different. For hunting rifles I just split the difference, they both shoot just under MOA for 3 shot groups at 100yds. Most importantly the first cold bore shot is where it needs to be.

 

[LoonWulf]

^ I agree.
While the 7x64 actually has a little more capacity than the .280, and using starting loads from one in the other should prove no problem unless your jamming bullets into the lands, or doing something else weird, Its not horribly likely that your buddies loads will be the beezneez in your rifle.

If you want to post the loads your thinking of using i can check them in Quickloads for you, to see where your at in the operational range. If you want more accurate data a corrected water weight/capacity for the cases your using will help.