I handload for my 280 Rem and plan to use it for an upcoming elk hunt this fall. My question is should I go with the flatter shooting 139 gr. Hornady Interbond or the heavier 160 gr. Nosler Accubond. Bothare very accurate, but the 160's do group better. I was told to expect shots out to 300 yards or slightly farther. Need some opinions. Thanks in advance for any replies.

IMO---bigger is better. I would go with the 160 grain----the 139 can't be that much flatter shooting. The 280 isn't in my circle of friends----the 7Mag is everyone uses 160 grain. 30/06--everyone I know uses 180 grain. I don't have much experience with the newer bonded bullets------I would recommend the old tried & true Nolser Partition. CB

You've said that the accubond is more accurate...

How much flatter is the lighter bullet ..?? Perhaps an inch or two at 300 yards..??.. You'd never see that difference under field conditions...Hardly a significant advantage...

Either bullet, applied to the ribcage of an elk, will get the job done, but the more accurate, heavier, bonded core bullet would logically be the better choice...

A handloaded .280 with 160 grain bullets probably would match the performance of some 160 grain 7mm Mag factory loads...

Having owned several 280 rems,I would say 140 Nosler,but then again you not losing much by going to the 160.
I would shoot wichever one shoots best IN YOUR RIFLE.
Practice,practice practice.
BBJ

Thanks for the feedback guys. I am leaning toward the 160's. Ireceived a chronograph as a gift from a friend and I plan to run some velocity tests later this summer and see how much the 140 and 160 gr differ. I like the idea of a heavier bullet even if it shoots a little less flat.

145 gr. Grand Slam...

I would suggest the 140 Barnes Triple Shock, haven't shot this caliber but would not hessitate from the performance I have seen with the bullet.

try a 140 gr. triple schock X-bullet. i use them for deer and they are somewhat overkill!

From personal experience with my own 280 I can tell you that there isn't an animal that can withstand a 140 gr. bullet through the vitals. That being said I would go with the most accurate load for your rifle.

I've harvested a lot of big game with my 280, and i'd use the 150 or 160 Nosler partitions... I like the way they penetrate deeper than 140's do, and they will easily out perform granslams on game...

DM