Looking For Some 280 Remington Loads with H4350 or Varget

[HTSmith]

I'm building a 280 Rem hunting rifle and looking for loads with bullets from 120 Gr thru 168 Gr. I only have only two powders--H4350 and Varget. What has worked well for you? Thanks

Addendum: I'm a careful reloader and have looked at all the sources I can lay my hands on. Seems to me the data for 280 Rem is low compared to other cartridges like the 270W. I'm not looking to hot rod it, just looking for some real world loads with the powders I have.

 

[Sheldon N]

Varget might be on the fast side, lots of extra room in the case. I'd lean towards 4350 of the two since it will get you closer to a 100% fill ratio at your target loads. Even with 4350 you'll likely have a fair bit of extra room when shooting the 168g loads. I personally run H1000 in my 280AI with 162 - 180g bullets.

 

[L.Sherm]

I would try the 4350 also,I tried imr 4350 years ago in my 280 Rem but had better luck with RL19. My brother had a browning 280 that loved H4831. All these loads were with 140 NP's. If your 280 acts like it likes the 4350 and you can get your hands on some RL17 I would try that also. 2950ish+ seems to be the sweet spot for speed with 140's that I have messed with in a 24" barrel

 

[centershot]

I use H4831 in mine. About as much as you can put in it. My rifle does not like 140 grain but loves 160. Think it is a 9 twist.

 

[dryhumor]

48.5 of IMR4831, with 162gr Amax. Norma cases, BR2 primers. 9 twist 24"

Amax performs like a Nosler ballistic tip.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I have been a .280 fan for 30 yrs. and have tried many bullet and powder combinations. I have ended up with 4831SC being my only powder for all bullet weights from 120 to 168. This is a Hart barreled hunting rifle and my accuracy requirements are 3 shot sub 1 in. groups at 200 yds.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

RL19 or 4831sc

 

[Exocet]

H4350 works okay with 139 grain bullets. I've found my max, i.e. pressure signs, at about 55 grains for about 3000fps.

Anything heavier and H4831 is really the best option. I'm currently running 58.5 grains of it with a 154 SST. I'm getting 2885 fps ave out of my 24" Shilen Rem 700. No pressure signs, could probably push it a little hotter but accuracy is awesome. YMMV. I've taken a few white-tail deer with this load in the past three years. Bang-flop.

I have not used RL19 so cannot comment on that.