First Post/My .280 Remington Load

RiverRider · November 30, 2000, 08:11 PM

Greetings. This is my first post here.

I have just returned from the range, and have successfully tested a new handload for my Ruger M-77 Mk.II in .280 Remington.

I tested the Nosler 140-grain Partition, using varying charges of Alliant Reloader 22 and federal 210 Match primers. Cases are R-P.

Charge weights were 58.5, 59.0, and 59.5 grains. I also varied bullet seating depth to a limited extent.

My best results were with the 59.5 grain charge. With the bullet .035" from the lands, the three-shot group went into very slightly less than one inch, but I think I pulled a shot slightly left, but the group would have been no smaller than 3/4 inch had I not. My load with the bullet .040" from the lands shot .57", and I am well pleased with this.

I did not chronograph any loads today. One reason is that I did not want the distraction. Another reason is I don't think I want to know too much. When I first bought my chronograph, I thought it would answer all kinds of questions, but the truth is, it just raises twice as many new questions. But that's another story altogether. Anyway, I think this load is moving anywhere from 2900 to 3000 fps, which is just fine with me.

Has anyone else handloaded the .280 Remington? And what discoveries did you make?

[Edited by RiverRider on 11-30-2000 at 08:56 PM]

HankL · November 30, 2000, 09:06 PM

River Rider, Welcome Aboard! Check your email for a short discussion on the Ruger Mk II.
HTH

RiverRider · November 30, 2000, 10:03 PM

Editing is a great thing. Thanks for the headsup Hank. I did mean M-77 MkII!

griz · December 1, 2000, 09:56 AM

My first post was in reloading too. Congratulations on your good results with the 280.

Jay Baker · December 2, 2000, 01:17 AM

River Rider, the .280 Remington is my favorite caliber for most hunting. I have two of them and have been reloading for them since 1963. My first, purchased in 1961, was a Remington 725 bolt action. The second was a from-the-ground-up custom bolt action I had Frank Packmayr build for me in 1978. With my handloads, both will shoot 3/4", hot or cold, rain or shine, if I do my part.

I've killed elk, mule and blacktail deer, antelope and black bear with them, and never had to fire twice, but once, and that was my fault. Poor shot placement, better known as a gut shot.

I've played with a lot of loads over the years, different bullets, different powders, and primers, but what I settled on long ago are these.

New Rem. cases, 160 gr. Nosler Partition bullet, 56 grs. IMR 4350 powder, CCI LR primers. 2,880 FPS. 22" bbls.

139 gr. Hornady Interlok PSP bullet, 58 grs. IMR 4350, CCI LR primers, 3,000+ FPS.

Although I have other rifles, and have for years used a .338 Win. Mag., for elk, the .280 is the one I use most, and when I elk hunt, the .280 is always a "backup."

Best of luck with your .280 Rem. You won't regret having it.

J.B.

November 30, 2000, 09:06 PM	#2
HankL Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 1999 Location: The Sunny South Posts: 2,174	River Rider, Welcome Aboard! Check your email for a short discussion on the Ruger Mk II. HTH __________________ Check 6

November 30, 2000, 10:03 PM	#3
RiverRider Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2000 Posts: 341	Oooops! Editing is a great thing. Thanks for the headsup Hank. I did mean M-77 MkII!

December 1, 2000, 09:56 AM	#4
griz Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2000 Location: Middle Peninsula, VA Posts: 1,395	Welcome River Rider My first post was in reloading too. Congratulations on your good results with the 280.

November 30, 2000, 08:11 PM	#1
RiverRider Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2000 Posts: 341	Greetings. This is my first post here. I have just returned from the range, and have successfully tested a new handload for my Ruger M-77 Mk.II in .280 Remington. I tested the Nosler 140-grain Partition, using varying charges of Alliant Reloader 22 and federal 210 Match primers. Cases are R-P. Charge weights were 58.5, 59.0, and 59.5 grains. I also varied bullet seating depth to a limited extent. My best results were with the 59.5 grain charge. With the bullet .035" from the lands, the three-shot group went into very slightly less than one inch, but I think I pulled a shot slightly left, but the group would have been no smaller than 3/4 inch had I not. My load with the bullet .040" from the lands shot .57", and I am well pleased with this. I did not chronograph any loads today. One reason is that I did not want the distraction. Another reason is I don't think I want to know too much. When I first bought my chronograph, I thought it would answer all kinds of questions, but the truth is, it just raises twice as many new questions. But that's another story altogether. Anyway, I think this load is moving anywhere from 2900 to 3000 fps, which is just fine with me. Has anyone else handloaded the .280 Remington? And what discoveries did you make? [Edited by RiverRider on 11-30-2000 at 08:56 PM]

December 2, 2000, 01:17 AM	#5
Jay Baker Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2000 Location: S.W. Idaho Posts: 1,295	River Rider, the .280 Remington is my favorite caliber for most hunting. I have two of them and have been reloading for them since 1963. My first, purchased in 1961, was a Remington 725 bolt action. The second was a from-the-ground-up custom bolt action I had Frank Packmayr build for me in 1978. With my handloads, both will shoot 3/4", hot or cold, rain or shine, if I do my part. I've killed elk, mule and blacktail deer, antelope and black bear with them, and never had to fire twice, but once, and that was my fault. Poor shot placement, better known as a gut shot. I've played with a lot of loads over the years, different bullets, different powders, and primers, but what I settled on long ago are these. New Rem. cases, 160 gr. Nosler Partition bullet, 56 grs. IMR 4350 powder, CCI LR primers. 2,880 FPS. 22" bbls. 139 gr. Hornady Interlok PSP bullet, 58 grs. IMR 4350, CCI LR primers, 3,000+ FPS. Although I have other rifles, and have for years used a .338 Win. Mag., for elk, the .280 is the one I use most, and when I elk hunt, the .280 is always a "backup." Best of luck with your .280 Rem. You won't regret having it. J.B.