New rifle, New cartridge: Methodology

[hidesert]

I purchased a new rifle, a Ruger No. 1 Light Sportster in .280 Rem. It will be my deer rifle with a maximum range of 500 yards, although most likely ranges will be much less than that. My previous rife was a Ruger M77 in .284 Win and the cartridges are almost identical ballistically.

I'd like to shoot a bullet in the 160-168 grain range. There are perhaps 4 to 5 that seem possibilities. There are potentially that many powders that would suit. I would be looking for the most accurate combination that would give me 2800 fps.

Could someone suggest a logical methodology that would get me where I want to go?

 

[FearNoWind]

I'll be watching your post with much interest to see what I can learn. IMO, the 2800 fps mark with160 - 168 grain bullets is going to be a long stretch. 2600 - 2700 perhaps, but I don't see 2800 fps in that rifle's future.
I would, nevertheless, work with H4350 to achieve a consistently accurate load with that rifle.

 

[Barrelnut]

Seems you have a bullet weight and target speed in mind. So I would look at published data and see what's avaliable. Nosler is pushing the 160 at a little over 2800 with Magpro in a 26" barrel. Alliant has RL17 over 2800 with a 160.

I would really try RL26 though. Alliant has no published data for the 280, but a guy on campfire seems to have some good data with RL26. RL26 has been providing some phenomenal speeds in various cartridges. Guy on Campfire was hitting 2900 in a 280 with RL26. Here's the link.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...opics/11470108/Testing_RL_26_in_the_280_Remin

 

[MallardAddict]

Being that it is a #1 that alleviates the dreaded magazine issue with high BC bullets so you are still a little hamstrung to reach your goals due to the barrel length and possibly twist. If a quick peek was correct that rifle has a 22" 1:9.5 barrel so it may not want to stabilize the better 160-168 bullets and the 22" barrel likely won't reach that velocity and if it does it will be a huge flamethrower.

 

[hidesert]

I will add that I have a large white box of unbranded 160 gr bullets someone gave me. Will it help any to use these to test powders and then once I have narrowed down powders to switch to my hunting bullets of choice?

I am flexible and am prepared to either step down to a 150 gr bullet or reduce my velocity expectations if it appears I'm going down a blind hole.

 

[CUTTER1]

I've used RL 26 in a ruger #1 with 26" barrel with great velocities using nosler brass and 168 Berger Vlds and 150 GR Swift Scirocco's
I also have a couple of 7mm/06 Ackley improved and it works well there too! I've found it very stable and consistent lot to lot

 

[HARPERC]

I don't have a .280 so temper the following against that, but loaddata.com list multiple sources, and powders reaching 2800 fps, in 22" barrels. H-4831 comes up regularly.

My #1 is a .30-06, and is very long in the throat. I'm going to guess you can seat out quite long.

 

[hidesert]

I don't have a .280 so temper the following against that, but loaddata.com list multiple sources, and powders reaching 2800 fps, in 22" barrels. H-4831 comes up regularly.

My #1 is a .30-06, and is very long in the throat. I'm going to guess you can seat out quite long.

My other #1 is a .300 Win Mag and also long in the throat.

Not so this .280. I tried Sierra 160 gr BTSP at the SAMI OAL spec 3.33" and they wouldn't chamber. I had to go down to 3.20". I'm guessing high BC bullets like the ELD-X 162 will be a different story

 

[benchracer]

I purchased a new rifle, a Ruger No. 1 Light Sportster in .280 Rem. It will be my deer rifle with a maximum range of 500 yards, although most likely ranges will be much less than that. My previous rife was a Ruger M77 in .284 Win and the cartridges are almost identical ballistically.

I'd like to shoot a bullet in the 160-168 grain range. There are perhaps 4 to 5 that seem possibilities. There are potentially that many powders that would suit. I would be looking for the most accurate combination that would give me 2800 fps.

Could someone suggest a logical methodology that would get me where I want to go?

Once you decide which bullet you are going with, you need to measure the distance to the rifling, which will determine how much usable case volume you have. That may have an effect on which powder(s) you can use.

RL-17 will get you to 2750 or so. RL-22 and RL-23 will get you very close to 2800. RL-23 is less temp sensitive than RL-22, but it is bulkier. RL-26 will take you to 2850ish with the 162 or 168 class bullets. It can take you to 2800 with the Berger 175 EH, as well.

I have a #1A in 7x57. It runs right at 2700 with 160 Partitions, 162 AMAX, and 168 Berger Classic Hunters and RL-22. It runs around 2750 with 175 EH and RL-26.

 

[hidesert]

Just a bit of an update:

I haven't found any accurate loads with 160 gr and up bullets with the powders I have on hand: RL17, RL19, RL22, IMR 7828, IMR 4831.

However I have been delighted with the accuracy of this rifle with lighter bullets. IMR 4831 is the accuracy powder with 140 gr Nosler BT and AB. Using a friend's Led Sled I shot a 3/8" 3 shot group with BT's and 4831 at 2838 average fps. I shot a 5/8" 5 shot group off of bags prone. I found some 150 gr ELD-X's and they also shot 5/8" with 4831 at 2784 fps. All at 100 yards.

 

[mechengr]

2800 is definitely achievable with the 160-168 class bullets. I have a Browning X-Bolt in .280 with the sporter weight 26" barrel. Couldn't get it to shoot with 7828ssc but was just able to try RL22 under the Hornady 162 ELD-X. Ran a few charge weights and 54.5 gr is getting me right at 2800 fps. Primers look very healthy yet and the Hornady manual goes all the way up to 56 gr I believe. Must say I'm really happy with that!