What is the best place to start with 280 bullets

PABuck_HNTR · 07-02-2005, 02:06 PM

What I mean is what grain is used most often in the 280 Remington? The 270 is the 130 grain the 7mm 08 seems to be the 140 grain and the 30.06 seems to be the 165 grain. Thsere are mant other instances of bullet weights especially in the 30.06, but for whitetails and paper punching where would you start? I know there are probably dozens of posts already on this, but I don't have time to do alot of searching.

biscuit jake · 07-02-2005, 02:16 PM

I like the BC on the 165-162 grain bullets.

doubleA · 07-02-2005, 02:24 PM

I would opt for the 140 grainer in the 280 Rem. It's all you need for whitetails. It's probably the most common weight used in .284" calibers such as the 7X57 Mauser, 7-08 Rem, 7mm Rem Mag, 284 Win. In the bigger mags ie. 7mmSTW and 7mmRUM one might want to stick to the premium bullets due to their higher velocities.

life is good.......doubleA

Roskoe · 07-02-2005, 04:06 PM

Just about everyone I know who shoots this caliber uses bullets in the 140 to 160 grain range. Any of them will work for deer. For elk -the 140 Partition, 150 Swift Scirocco, and 160 Sierra BT are are proven performers.

RedAllison · 07-02-2005, 06:03 PM

f4yg, my 280 will shoot just about anything I stick in her (she's from Rem.s Custom Shop) but for deersized game I prefer 140s. I have yet to see a 280 that didn't like that weight and it will allow you to maximize all the good qualities the 280 has. My particular loads are Fed Prem 140 TBBC and Hornady Light Mag 139SST, the gun doesn't know there's any difference between them. The 139s just fly a lil flatter at longer ranges.

If/when I begin reloading again I will probably stoke up some Barnes 120 TSXs. 7mag performance from a 280 (and will likewise load that same bullet in a couple 7s I have as well). A super bullet like the TSX allows you to go light to gain velocity and trajectory while not giving up penetration and construction.

If someone asks me the proverbial, "One gun (a 280 in this case), one bullet for ALL types game, what would it be?" Without hesitation I say 160 Barnes and forget about changing anything, just remember to sharpen your favorite skinnin knife.

Good luck,
RA

popeye · 07-02-2005, 06:56 PM

My 280 really loves factory loaded Winchester Ballistic SilverTips in 140gr but gives excellent accuracy with every 140gr I've tried.

PABuck_HNTR · 07-02-2005, 08:45 PM

Thanks Guys! I'll try a few different brands in 140 grain and see how she shoots.

skeeter 7MM · 07-03-2005, 12:18 AM

140gr for deer is a great place to start in the rem 280. I knowa number of individuals who shoot factory ammo in the 280 for deer in various 140 gr flavours. Federal Premium offera large selection of rem 280/140 offerings such as the: Nosler Partition, Nosler Accubond, Nosler Boattail & Nosler Ballistic Tip..all would work well on whitetails!

My partnerhandloads 160 Speer Grandslams for everything in his 280 rem and it works like a charm as well. So like said anything from 140-160gr will get her done, just have to find which load (or loads) your gun likes and then matchthe bulletto your situation!

ejpaul1 · 07-03-2005, 09:06 AM

My pal that shoots a 280 reloadsand says that he has the best accureacy with the 140 grain nosler ballistic tip. I forget what powder he uses, but he says factory federals in this round with 140's works just as well for him. EJ

PABuck_HNTR · 07-03-2005, 07:02 PM

ejpaul1, I made up a real good load for my 7mm08 that shoots 3/4 inch groups with the Nosler 140 grain ballistic tips. I'm not reloading anymore so I'll have to use a factory load. Makes me wish I had kept all my loading equiptment.