280 handloads

Tlewis81 · February 24, 2016, 12:21 AM

Anyone have any expierence with this caliber what powders were the best? Bullet weights?....i picked one up at a real solid price so im starting fresh

Mike / Tx · February 24, 2016, 05:00 AM

Bullet weights, me personally I would stick to the mid range weights, but a lot of folks like to use the lighter ones for more velocity. Thing is a 140 - 160'ish grain bullet out of this caliber is a great choice. It has plenty of SD to penetrate in just about anything, and will hold it's velocity well for longer range shots. Light might be faster to start with but will drift and slow down quicker.

Powders, I would pick something in the medium to slower burn rate. Ones like RL-19, any of the 4350's, or 4831's or similar types. If you browse around several loading manuals and look to see which powders are listed for say a .270 or 30-06 you will usually find that the .280 has these in there somewhere as well. They all have about the same case capacity and bullet weights, so a lot of powders you see listed should have data for them all.

Hope that helps.

William T. Watts · February 24, 2016, 11:06 AM

I use 150gr Nosler Partition with H4831 using R-P brass, the max load is 55grs, start with 52.5 grs and work up in .3gr increments. My load for my rifle is 54.3grs, at my age with my eyes this usually shoots an inch or less. If you will take the time to separate your cases + or - .3 of a grain to insure the case volume is near identical as possible this will help shrink your groups!! Good luck!! William

MEATSAW · February 24, 2016, 03:21 PM

I have had better luck with the slower powders. H4831SC and R-22 are good choices. I prefer the 154 gr Hornady SP or SST bullets.

WCWV · February 24, 2016, 11:45 PM

IMR7828 or IMR4350. I've had really good results with both

Tlewis81 · February 25, 2016, 03:27 AM

Im having a hard time finding new brass for the 280 also only seeing norma and nosler occasional hornady brass any ideas?

Mike / Tx · February 25, 2016, 04:59 AM

You might start out with a couple of boxes of Remington factory ammo. This will 1) give you a baseline from which to work, and 2) give you some once fired cases that came from your rifle to work with.

It wouldn't be a bad thing if you found Hornady, Fed, or Win, factory stuff. Any of it will be decent enough to work up loads with.

William T. Watts · February 25, 2016, 09:58 AM

You might be able to find brass on www.Gunbroker.com, there is such a demand on all ammunition and components at this time it may be difficult to find what you want. Additionally, I would suggest staying with a single head stamp only and not mix them together because the different head stamps will not all have the same internal capacity.. William

Mobuck · February 25, 2016, 07:42 PM

For deer, I'd suggest using a brand name 139-140 grain bullet and something similar to 4350.
For bigger game, I'd go with a 150 grain controlled expansion type bullet and 4350-4831 burn rate.

Over the past 3-4 years, I've bought 400-500 once fired 280 brass on GunBroker. It's not always(well, never) cheap and may take a while before you find the right auction but it's out there.

Nosab · February 25, 2016, 09:08 PM

Mike/TX is right, start with factory loads. I know it is more expensive but keep your eye open on some of the bulk sites like Ammoman.com and you can keep from being raped.

The baseline with your new gun is important. Take her out, get to know her. Make sure you want that relationship. It could end up like many ex-girlfiriends, they look good but once you spend sometime with them its time to trade it in for something better.

Back to a serious note, with factory ammo you know what you are getting. With online brass, who knows. Someone could have soaked them in an acid base mixture for too long. You could end up with one and done brass.

Roadkill2228 · February 25, 2016, 09:37 PM

correct me if I'm wrong (that invitation is for all), but couldn't you run .270 win brass through the sizing die to get the correct neck diameter and then just fireform for the .280's sharper shoulder?

As for powder, if it works in a .270 or a .300 win mag it should work in a .280, very similar case to bore ratios...although with the 160 plus grain bullets you'd want slow burners from that general spectrum... 7828, 4350 (for 140 grain) 4831, RL19, 22, and 25 (for the 175ers - H1000 too), perhaps win 760 for unusually lightweight <140 grain, if you have access to them you could give one of the new IMR Enduron powders a go (4451 or 7977, supposed to approximate the burn rates of 4350 and 7828 with the added benefits of temperature insensitivity and copper fouling eraser - I've got a pound of each and look forward to trying them in a few different cartridges)

the beauty of the 7mm bore is that there are so many useful bullet weights you can use. The 175s dont really do anything that the lighter bullets cant do...with 150s and under its just a slightly more powerful .270...if it were mine, with this case capacity I'd think the sweet spot would be in the 150-168 grain range for versatility and all-range ballistics.

Congrats on your purchase, keep us informed. Enjoy!

F. Guffey · February 26, 2016, 12:16 PM

Quote:

correct me if I'm wrong (that invitation is for all), but couldn't you run .270 win brass through the sizing die to get the correct neck diameter and then just fireform for the .280's sharper shoulder?

“(that invitation is for all)”, yes; I have fallen for that one a few time but I just hang in there. It is not possible to help everyone.

The 280 and 270 along with the 30/06 etc., etc., have the same shoulder angle of 17¯30’. Then there is that other thing we have to be concerned with. That thing would be clearance; the clearance would be .051” between the shoulder and the chamber shoulder.

I have fired 8mm57 ammo in a 8mm06 chamber; what did I get? I got short cases because there is .127” difference in the length of the two cases. I know; reloaders are infatuated with head space. Head space this and head space that, and everything has head space. In the real world; not really.

So I would suggest necking the 270 cases up as far as the ability of the reloader will allow. And then? I suggest the reloader size the cases to 280 Remington. And then I would suggest the reloader become very familiar with the incline plane created by the threads.

Problem when necking cases up; the case gets shorter for those that measure before and again after.

F. Guffey

math teacher · February 26, 2016, 06:52 PM

See the "Making your own brass" thread today for making 280 brass.

My friends and I have taken over two dozen moose with the 160 grain Nosler Accubond. It works well on elk and deer too, though it is more bullet than necessary for deer. We just don't like re-sighting every time we change the game we are pursuing.

F. Guffey · February 26, 2016, 07:04 PM

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=573387

F. Guffey

scatterbrain · February 26, 2016, 07:10 PM

I've just finished making a new batch of 280 cases from 30-06 cases. There is the "new shoulder' on the neck of the case. If this doesn't give me support (headspace) I set the bullets to touching the grooves, back the powder down a little and fire form the true length shoulder. This has worked for me.
On another note, when did the military adopt the primer standard of today. I have some 1943 brass that has a slightly smaller diameter primer pocket. My pocket reamer will take care of it, but just wondering.

WCWV · February 26, 2016, 08:54 PM

The last time I checked, Midway had a few 280 rem brass

F. Guffey · February 26, 2016, 11:49 PM

Quote:

I have some 1943 brass that has a slightly smaller diameter primer pocket

I have a few cases for the old 03 before the 06, the primers are the same size. I have FA cases that are 80 years old. And then I have cases from the early 40s. I have thousands of 30/06 military surplus cases that were loaded before 1945; all of my early military cases had crimped primers. Once the crimp is removed the primer pocket is ready for a standard primer.

F. Guffey

F. Guffey · February 26, 2016, 11:51 PM

Quote:

There is the "new shoulder' on the neck of the case. If this doesn't give me support (headspace) I set the bullets to touching the grooves,

What rifle are you using?

F. Guffey

Tlewis81 · February 28, 2016, 07:25 AM

I found new hornady brass around a local shop at a nice price bought 300 lol im good for a bit and its a 7600 pump like all my rifles lovve them

Tlewis81 · February 28, 2016, 07:37 AM

Ballistically speaking seams to me the cartridge shines around 140 sooo ill start there for now...deer hunt anyways

February 24, 2016, 12:21 AM	#1
Tlewis81 Member Join Date: January 3, 2016 Posts: 75	280 handloads Anyone have any expierence with this caliber what powders were the best? Bullet weights?....i picked one up at a real solid price so im starting fresh

February 24, 2016, 05:00 AM	#2
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,102	Bullet weights, me personally I would stick to the mid range weights, but a lot of folks like to use the lighter ones for more velocity. Thing is a 140 - 160'ish grain bullet out of this caliber is a great choice. It has plenty of SD to penetrate in just about anything, and will hold it's velocity well for longer range shots. Light might be faster to start with but will drift and slow down quicker. Powders, I would pick something in the medium to slower burn rate. Ones like RL-19, any of the 4350's, or 4831's or similar types. If you browse around several loading manuals and look to see which powders are listed for say a .270 or 30-06 you will usually find that the .280 has these in there somewhere as well. They all have about the same case capacity and bullet weights, so a lot of powders you see listed should have data for them all. Hope that helps. __________________ LAter, Mike / TX

February 24, 2016, 11:06 AM	#3
William T. Watts Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2010 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 1,074	.280 Remington load I use I use 150gr Nosler Partition with H4831 using R-P brass, the max load is 55grs, start with 52.5 grs and work up in .3gr increments. My load for my rifle is 54.3grs, at my age with my eyes this usually shoots an inch or less. If you will take the time to separate your cases + or - .3 of a grain to insure the case volume is near identical as possible this will help shrink your groups!! Good luck!! William

February 25, 2016, 04:59 AM	#7
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,102	You might start out with a couple of boxes of Remington factory ammo. This will 1) give you a baseline from which to work, and 2) give you some once fired cases that came from your rifle to work with. It wouldn't be a bad thing if you found Hornady, Fed, or Win, factory stuff. Any of it will be decent enough to work up loads with. __________________ LAter, Mike / TX

February 26, 2016, 07:10 PM	#15
scatterbrain Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2015 Posts: 163	30-06 To 280 I've just finished making a new batch of 280 cases from 30-06 cases. There is the "new shoulder' on the neck of the case. If this doesn't give me support (headspace) I set the bullets to touching the grooves, back the powder down a little and fire form the true length shoulder. This has worked for me. On another note, when did the military adopt the primer standard of today. I have some 1943 brass that has a slightly smaller diameter primer pocket. My pocket reamer will take care of it, but just wondering.

February 24, 2016, 03:21 PM	#4
MEATSAW Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2009 Location: Burnet, TX Posts: 727	I have had better luck with the slower powders. H4831SC and R-22 are good choices. I prefer the 154 gr Hornady SP or SST bullets.

February 24, 2016, 11:45 PM	#5
WCWV Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2015 Posts: 137	IMR7828 or IMR4350. I've had really good results with both

February 25, 2016, 03:27 AM	#6
Tlewis81 Member Join Date: January 3, 2016 Posts: 75	Im having a hard time finding new brass for the 280 also only seeing norma and nosler occasional hornady brass any ideas?

February 25, 2016, 09:58 AM	#8
William T. Watts Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2010 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 1,074	You might be able to find brass on www.Gunbroker.com, there is such a demand on all ammunition and components at this time it may be difficult to find what you want. Additionally, I would suggest staying with a single head stamp only and not mix them together because the different head stamps will not all have the same internal capacity.. William

February 25, 2016, 07:42 PM	#9
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	For deer, I'd suggest using a brand name 139-140 grain bullet and something similar to 4350. For bigger game, I'd go with a 150 grain controlled expansion type bullet and 4350-4831 burn rate. Over the past 3-4 years, I've bought 400-500 once fired 280 brass on GunBroker. It's not always(well, never) cheap and may take a while before you find the right auction but it's out there.

February 25, 2016, 09:08 PM	#10
Nosab Member Join Date: February 26, 2015 Posts: 21	Mike/TX is right, start with factory loads. I know it is more expensive but keep your eye open on some of the bulk sites like Ammoman.com and you can keep from being raped. The baseline with your new gun is important. Take her out, get to know her. Make sure you want that relationship. It could end up like many ex-girlfiriends, they look good but once you spend sometime with them its time to trade it in for something better. Back to a serious note, with factory ammo you know what you are getting. With online brass, who knows. Someone could have soaked them in an acid base mixture for too long. You could end up with one and done brass.

February 25, 2016, 09:37 PM	#11
Roadkill2228 Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2014 Location: Nipawin, Saskatchewan Posts: 311	correct me if I'm wrong (that invitation is for all), but couldn't you run .270 win brass through the sizing die to get the correct neck diameter and then just fireform for the .280's sharper shoulder? As for powder, if it works in a .270 or a .300 win mag it should work in a .280, very similar case to bore ratios...although with the 160 plus grain bullets you'd want slow burners from that general spectrum... 7828, 4350 (for 140 grain) 4831, RL19, 22, and 25 (for the 175ers - H1000 too), perhaps win 760 for unusually lightweight <140 grain, if you have access to them you could give one of the new IMR Enduron powders a go (4451 or 7977, supposed to approximate the burn rates of 4350 and 7828 with the added benefits of temperature insensitivity and copper fouling eraser - I've got a pound of each and look forward to trying them in a few different cartridges) the beauty of the 7mm bore is that there are so many useful bullet weights you can use. The 175s dont really do anything that the lighter bullets cant do...with 150s and under its just a slightly more powerful .270...if it were mine, with this case capacity I'd think the sweet spot would be in the 150-168 grain range for versatility and all-range ballistics. Congrats on your purchase, keep us informed. Enjoy!

February 26, 2016, 06:52 PM	#13
math teacher Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2012 Location: Southwest WA Coast Posts: 561	See the "Making your own brass" thread today for making 280 brass. My friends and I have taken over two dozen moose with the 160 grain Nosler Accubond. It works well on elk and deer too, though it is more bullet than necessary for deer. We just don't like re-sighting every time we change the game we are pursuing.

February 26, 2016, 07:04 PM	#14
F. Guffey Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Posts: 7,249	http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=573387 F. Guffey

February 26, 2016, 08:54 PM	#16
WCWV Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2015 Posts: 137	The last time I checked, Midway had a few 280 rem brass

February 28, 2016, 07:25 AM	#19
Tlewis81 Member Join Date: January 3, 2016 Posts: 75	I found new hornady brass around a local shop at a nice price bought 300 lol im good for a bit and its a 7600 pump like all my rifles lovve them

February 28, 2016, 07:37 AM	#20
Tlewis81 Member Join Date: January 3, 2016 Posts: 75	Ballistically speaking seams to me the cartridge shines around 140 sooo ill start there for now...deer hunt anyways