Inherited a 280 Rem.
- Thread starter Beaver78
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I have used IMR-4350 for years with 139 to 145 grain bullets with great results. 55.5 grains was my load for years. The 280 is easy to load for and gives great performance. Always start your loads at least 10% below max and work up carefully. Every rifle is different. Good luck with your 280. It's a great all-round cartridge. DD62
Bob Wright
Well-Known Member
Just go look at bullet and powder mfr. recommended data. It's the easy button.
This is the load I used on a 280 Rem, 1:9 Shilen barrel, 24 inches.
Brass: Norma (new)
Neck: 0.003
Powder: H4831 SC (57 gr)
Bullet: Berger 140 gr VLD H
Primer: Federal Match LRP
Primer pocket: uniformed
COAL: 3.302
CBTO: 2.590
velocity 2947, Sub MOa.
Good caliber
Enjoy.
Brass: Norma (new)
Neck: 0.003
Powder: H4831 SC (57 gr)
Bullet: Berger 140 gr VLD H
Primer: Federal Match LRP
Primer pocket: uniformed
COAL: 3.302
CBTO: 2.590
velocity 2947, Sub MOa.
Good caliber
Enjoy.
Justice1327
Well-Known Member
H4831 SC, @55.8 gr, 150gr SBT
Some peeps here think the 6.5 Staball is not a good powder, as with anything, YMMV. Contact Berger Tech support for the ideal powder recommendations and acquire what you can. Below is from Berger's manual.
As a reference/baseline, the 6.5 Staball is slightly faster than IMR 4350.
Good luck!
Last edited:
birddog 68
Well-Known Member
IMR 7828 worked well for me with 140 Berger followed closely by IMR 4831
txaggie1
Well-Known Member
I have a ruger 1 in 280 my son loaded 150 scirocco's shoots great - 280 is a great round you'll love it!
I like Staball 65. It is a newer powder so not as many using it yet. When H4350 was so hard to find, Staball 65 hit the market. I am using Staball 65 with 65CM with great results. I just loaded some 3006 with Staball (no range trip yet) and I plan on loading some 280AI with Staball 65. Try it.
xsn10s
Well-Known Member
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- Mar 7, 2016
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Many times I'll take a look and Nosler's load data to find the most accurate powder for a certain bullet weight class. If I can I'll cross reference that with Sierra's load data and Hornady's if they show the most accurate powder data. And then finally I'll search the web if the bullet manufacturer doesn't list the most accurate powder. These are just guidelines, nothing is set in stone. Staball 6.5 is between H4350 and H4831 so it should be safe to try. I'd give it a shot except I can't find load data for it. Like the others have said I'd contact Berger, they've been fast to respond to my emails.
Hugnot
Well-Known Member
Much like the .270W. I use whatever powder is available that would work in .270W. I make .280R brass from .270W by necking up to .30, making a false shoulder then fireforming, after that I turn necks to .310, for neck wall of .013 then trim. .280 R brass is difficult to find or real spendy. Now I am shooting 54 grains of IMR 4831 & 139 Hornady SST's. I plan to use VN165 with some 162 grain bullets.
I usually do the same with my manuals, but I'm starting all over right now. I lost twenty years of reloading supplies, equipment and manuals to a fire. Hopefully the new house will be finished soon, so I can start my hobby again.
65 StaBall should work excellent in your 280. It's great in the 7-08 Win yielding 2900-2950 easily and safely with multiple 140-150 projectiles.
