loading for the 280 rem

[jhalcott]

I am looking for loads for the 280 Remington . I want to get about the same velocity as I'm getting with the 30-06 and 35 whelen, about 2000 to 2400 fps. I have the 135 grain "soup can" mold and several others in various weights up to the 160 grain fn. All are gas checked designs. I am presently getting about 17 to 1800 fps with good to excellent accuracy. Neither of MY books show loads over about 1800 fps. The gun has shot JACKETED bullets of 160 grain into 3/8ths inch in the past. I don't know if I or the gun can still do that, but I'd rather use a cast bullet these days. I have a "Hunt From Vehicle" permit so I don't have to carry it into the fields. I want to shoot ground hogs with the rifle this summer. Any and all help will be appreciated.
By the way, Happy Easter!

[felix]

Tell me here what loads you are using now, and for what boolits, and how you feel about them. ... felix

[jhalcott]

I'm using PB with the 112 and 135 grain bullets .15 grains and getting 1800+ fps from the lighter one and 1700-1750 from the 135 grain. With the 160hrain FN , Iam using unique, 16 grains, for about 1700 fps. No filler. Accuracy is normally about 2" off a rest and with a 3x12 scope. This barrel is a rebored 25-06 varmint weight. What I'm thinking of is a load with Varget or IMR 4064 as I have a good supply of them

[jhalcott]

The 168 grain mold is actually the RCBS one 28-168 is what's marked on it. This mold works quite well in every thing from the 7TC/U thru the 7-08. I am looking at the Lyman 287641 (160) mold and considering using that data. I can get to/near my target fps but I'm not sure if this is a GOOD idea.

[felix]

I think you are OK with the lighter boolit for the time being. We will work on that one later. So, let's work on the 168 grainer exclusively until you are perfectly satisfied. Would there be any problem in purchasing a jug of that slow machine gun powder? Anything around your local area with H870 or slower? Need to have a "filler" with attitude (Deputy Al's terminology) to keep the velocity reasonable for that twist (is it 9 or so?). ... felix

[jhalcott]

I'm thinking of using the imr 3031 that I have on hand. This "living" on a fixed income SUX! Having medical bills to boot makes it even worse. I also have the Varget and IMR 4064 as noted earlier. With the 3031 powder I may have to settle on a faster velocity,but I do NOT see that as a problem.

[jhalcott]

The 50 qnd 100 yard ranges were crowded to day. So I shot the 280 at 25. I wanted to be sure I'd hit paper with the first shot anyway! My loads were 33.5- 35-37 and 38.6 grains of IMR 3031 168 fngc RCBS and WLR's. The first 3 (33,5) shots went into .896" But they were hard to chamber. The next 2 groups ,each The next higher charge,went 1 1/2" and 1 1/4". Also hard to chamber. The first 38.6 round went off.The NEXT 4 did NOT ! These are all seated to the same depth. I think The seater die may have gotten some lube in it and pushed the last bullets a bit deeper. There is definite evidence of engraving on the extracted bullets.The miss fires are 3.275"COL and the un trie ones are 3.289" .The diameter in front of the drive band is .276 and the drive band is .284". IF I seat them deep enough to seat easily the gas check will be way down in the case. I gotta find a good plan B!