I have a ton of these Btips left so I'm taking my new 280 Remington as a back-up to CO next month for mule deer. Nosler's manual says IMR 4350 was their top tested powder. Anyone have a favorite load with a 150 bullet, maybe even the Btip in 150 grain?
I have on hand: IMR4350, 4831, 4064 H4350, 4831SC, 1000 Re19, 22, 25 VV N160, 165 Ramshot Magnum
Curiously, 51.5 gr IMR4350 was top load as well as max load. This is the same charge I used in my 270/150 VLD combo.
Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
Yep I'm limiting the couple lbs I have left to rifles that only behave with it.
I found the first RL22 I bought was hotter by a couple grs over my MRP. Second purchase was right one gr for gr with my MRP. I bought what I could find of the same lot and have enough of it to last me.
As usual just my $.02 Paul K
Posts: 12881 | Location: Mexico, MO | Registered: 02 April 2001
Since the rifle is brand new, I wasn't sure if what I was seeing was a fluke or not. I was getting 1+" groups with 5 shots but cleaning after every 5 shots as well. I'd get shots 1 and 2 with a good space between them, then a 3 shot cluster in the 1/4 minute size up to 3/8" size several times in a row. So I loaded some confirmatory rounds and went to the range again, this time w/o cleaning but only doing 3 shot strings. All of the shot strings were 3/8" at 100 yards or less. One group measured .2 so I cleaned and reprepped those brass and loaded all 100 Norma cases so this rifle is set for a few years and I don't even have 40 bullets through it. Shilen recommends cleaning after every 5 shots up to 50. I didn't do it.
I had about 3 pounds of the VV N165 on hand dated 2001. I usually use it for break-in purposes because it burns so cleanly. As always, I go ahead and check for an accuracy load while getting some rounds down a new barrel. This time the N165 surprised me right out of the gate.
Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
You have a lot of choices - H or IMR 4350, Re 19, VV N160, N165 & probably the best of the lot N560. One of the Ramshot powders is also supposed to be great - check John Barsness' loads on Load Data website.
You should get a safe 2950 fps with 22 inch barrel.
"When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick."
Posts: 11388 | Location: New Zealand | Registered: 02 July 2008
Originally posted by Nakihunter: You have a lot of choices - H or IMR 4350, Re 19, VV N160, N165 & probably the best of the lot N560. One of the Ramshot powders is also supposed to be great - check John Barsness' loads on Load Data website.
You should get a safe 2950 fps with 22 inch barrel.
Thanks. Already finished loads with VV N165. See above. Barrel is 24". I'll chrony tomorrow or Monday.
What's the link to the load data website?
Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
Slightly changing the topic. I am also reloading a 280 Remington with a 150 grain Nosler Partition. I'm using IMR-4350 and Winchester large rifle primers (not magnum). I find that I need to use 3-5 grains of powder more than the loading manual to get the same velocity. I measure velocity with an Oehler 35 and get very small velocity spreads for three shot groups. I have checked and rechecked my load weights and I'm confident I have them right. 54 grains of IMR-4350 results in 2716 fps. What am I missing
Originally posted by nimrod 375: Slightly changing the topic. I am also reloading a 280 Remington with a 150 grain Nosler Partition. I'm using IMR-4350 and Winchester large rifle primers (not magnum). I find that I need to use 3-5 grains of powder more than the loading manual to get the same velocity. I measure velocity with an Oehler 35 and get very small velocity spreads for three shot groups. I have checked and rechecked my load weights and I'm confident I have them right. 54 grains of IMR-4350 results in 2716 fps. What am I missing
What is your barrel length? Is it factory or a match grade lapped barrel? Oh, and you aren't missing anything. I concluded YEARS AGO that load manuals are inflating their velocities and I won't be convinced otherwise.
Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
My barrel is 22". The Nosler manual shows load data go a 26" barrel but the Sierra manual data is based on a 22" barrel. I am about 175 fps below the Sierra data. I'm going to try 55 gr. of I-4350 and another load based on I-4831 but I expect 2800 fps will be the limit.
Originally posted by nimrod 375: My barrel is 22". The Nosler manual shows load data go a 26" barrel but the Sierra manual data is based on a 22" barrel. I am about 175 fps below the Sierra data. I'm going to try 55 gr. of I-4350 and another load based on I-4831 but I expect 2800 fps will be the limit.
I bought 2 Shilen barrels from a member of this forum. Mine is 24". Other than my 30.06, all of my barrels are 24" or longer. 4831 may produce more velocity for you. Try Re19 and 22 also.
Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
Lots of damage. Out here in Western Oregon it can be very brushy and rough country. I prefer a bullet that will anchor them as I'm getting old enough to where tracking in this environment is no longer fun.
Used a 150 Btip on a mule deer a few years back. The bullet did not exit on a neck shot at 150 yards. The bullets shot accurately though. Ended up trading the rifle off.
