.280 REM Fav/Best Powder?

[Prerylyon]

My only experience is using Accurate 4350. And its limited to one load I developed and used back in 2014 using 140 gr bullets. It was the only powder my local shop had on the shelf. It worked, but I can't leave well enough alone.

I have read RE-19 is the 'one'. What powder is working best for those who load .280 REM?

Regards,

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[Work2hunt]

I use R19 with 140gr Nosler Partitions.

 

[6mm Remington]

In my 280 Remington I used IMR4350 with 140 gr. Partitions. In my new .280 AI I am using IMR7828SSC with 140 gr. Partitions but am going to try it with the Accubonds also.

 

[provoflyfisher]

I have only tried one powder in my 280 AI, not sure its the best but no complaints to date. Using H4831SC and 160g Accubond right at 2900fps.

 

[nmmuledeerhunter]

Based on my indirect experience with the 280 Rem, RE 19 is a great choice. My friend uses 140 Accubonds and a load of RE 19 that is 1/2 grain under max based on the Nosler reloading guide #7. He gets 5/8" groups at 100 yards and 1.75" groups at 300 yards. I don't recall the velocity, but I believe it is a touch under 3000 fps from a 22" barrel. Good luck with tinkering, I suffer from the same bug!

 

[shootbrownelk]

I have had the best results with IMR 4350 and 140 gr. bullets in my old .280.

 

[7mag]

Ive been having pretty good luck with imr4831 lately with 140 gr accubonds

 

[Prerylyon]

So, did some armchair data mining the last week and seen some folks able to push 150 to 160 gr pills to nearly 3,000 fps out 22" barrels w/o pressure signs. Accuracy was not mentioned in all cases, but some got good results.

The powders used were Magro, RE-26. I think too they were using .270 pressures as the limit, going over the SAAMI max for .280 REM (I know, sorta like driving 70 in a 55 zone, you're on your own if something bad happens)

Anyone have any positive experiences with those powders giving reasonable accuracy and velocity bump?

I've not used those powders before, nevertheless, the possibilities are intriguing.

Regards,


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[SansSouci]

Every single time I read about a hunter who hunts with a .280 Rem, I become wistful. I own a 7MM Rem Mag. It will kill big game as advertised. While I cannot write definitively because I don't own one, my guess is the .280 Rem is every bit the cartridge that is the 7MM Rem Mag. If Remington had introduced the .280 Rem in its Model 700, we might not have the 7MM Rem Mag. There ain't arguin' difference between the two, and the .280 Rem comes with a 22" barrel, which I like, even more so when elevation starts to make breathing difficult.

While this is merely my opinion, I think that the .280 Rem is the best cartridge for all North American big game hunting. BTW, I do have healthy respect for the venerable '06.

The .270 Win is pretty close to the .280 Rem. With H-4831 & H-4831 SC, both of my .270 Win rifles will print .25" groups. My guess is that it'll work well in a .280 Rem.

 

[Prerylyon]

The story of the .280 is an interesting one, for sure. Both in reality and my gun itself.

I got my 1985 vintage model 70 featherweight at a bargain, a hardware store owner with a small gun sales area convinced me to buy it back in 1994 (I was only 21) touting its similarity to the new 30-06 rifle they had that I really wanted, but he wanted to move that .280 and priced it to move. Apparently no one in that part of PA knew what it was, it was the white elephant on the store gun rack.

It took me 20 more years to realize what a cool rifle caliber it is!

Regards,

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[ThreeTikkas]

RL 19 & a 140 gr bullet is a combination worth pursuing. IMR 4831 and H 4350 arent bad either. But,I have and use a lot of RL19 in the 280 Rem and the Ackley version. Both with 140 gr bullets. I save the 160s and 175s for the 7 Rem mag. My buck fell last season to a 280 AI and a 140 gr Sierra Pro Hunter over 60 gr of RL19. He made one lunge at the shot and piled up hard. There was no heart to speak of,and the far shoulder was broken. I generally avoid the running gears,but he was moving across a narrow right of way I was watching. Following 2 other bucks to be exact. a dink,a monster,( huge bodied pig of a buck with one antler completely gone and the other broken off 3" up), then my buck. The first 2 never stopped so I had no reason to believe he would. At any rate,a lightning strike wouldnt have dropped him any quicker. I load 3 grains less in the 280 M77 with the same bullet.

 

[sdebrot]

Depending on the length of your barrel Re22 works well. I have had great groups and velocity using it in a 22 inch barreled Ruger.

 

[manitou1]

H4831 SC is all I use in my two .280s... mainly because they both shoot .500" groups regularly. 26" tubes. I run the 140 gr Accubonds at 3045 fps. give or take.

 

[Prerylyon]

Just waiting now [emoji352]to see if I pull some antelope tags; if so, my reloading summer project will be seeing how fast and accurate I can get. I don't really have a fast load worked up with a high BC pill for my .280 REM. I know its not necessary-my 140 gr deer load (Sierra HPBT) is adequate for pronghorn, but its fun to reload and see how much performance you can safely wring out.

140, 145, 150 pills pushed by RE-19, RE-22, 4831, 4350 are on the table.

Ran some numbers and a 145 pill looks pretty interesting in what I think I can can safely get for a top end velocity.

Regards,

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[280ackimp]

I'll say that the RL 19 folks are spot on, considering the variables of the gun itself. I have had great luck with RL19 and IMR 4831 in the standard 280 and in the 280 Ack. I use RL19 as my only powder now for these rounds in the 140/150 weight class
I used a 150 Bal Tip Nosler as an antelope/deer load for a while, I liked the weight when facing the winds usually present in goat country. However I now question the need and when I gear up for goats again it will be with the 140 Accubond.

 

[Prerylyon]

As the OP, I know this thread is from last year; but I wanted to just reach out and thank everyone who has contributed-and continues to contribute. [emoji6]

Last year, I was working up a heavier load for my cow elk hunt. I got good results on paper with 7828 SSC and a 160gr Speer GS. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to shoot it at an elk-yet.

This yr, I put in for antelope tags-hence my change in focus from 2017 to 2018-either way, its all good!

Regards,

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