I purchased this 280 on a G33/40 by Darwin Hensley last year. I mounted a scope and have about 100 rounds through it. Shoots very well but I think I've narrowed it down to these two. Leaning towards the H4831SC because of the load density and all the groups for various loads were a nice cluster with varying velocities. Any opinions out there on the two? Thanks.

Beautiful rig! I use both powders myself, I typically get a little more speed out of 4350, and more consistency with the H4831SC, I like the consistency, H4831SC is one of my favorite powders.

Tinker a little with your seating depth, and you'll wring the last little bit of accuracy out of her--she shoots good as is!

Good shooting.

absolutely beautiful rifle! congrats!

quote:

Originally posted by LBGuy:
absolutely beautiful rifle! congrats!

That's for sure. Nice gun!

Beautifull rifle !
I Know Darwins son Trez , I got to shoot a .280 his father built for him on a 1909 Argintine.
It had not been blued or checkerd yet,
But Man was it a fine rifle.
If you do a search on either name you will see some fine fine stuff.
As trez is a Guild stock maker too !
...tj3006

NICE!!! i like IMR-4350 IMR4831 & RL-19 .. RL-19 gave the best groups with 140s

I tried all the powders you mentioned but H4831sc and H4350 consistently gave the best groups. Now I'm just trying to decide between the two and then mess around with seating depths, etc. to get the last bit I can. Loaded H4831 again but this time with my last North Fork 140s to see how they do. My experience with Partitions is they haven't been my most accurate hunting bullet, but certainly reasonable in the accuracy department but very dependable.

Is that an English Walnut stock? Verty nice! What did you have done to the forend? Ebony tip or just the regular stock run to the end?

I used to own that rifle and it is a good one. I bought it at Custom Makers Guild show in Reno about 20 years ago from Darwin. I was second owner. It went away as part of a trade with Thad Scott for a Holland and Holland Riviera 2 barrels set pigeon gun. Should have kept the 280 as the Holland kept breaking parts and it went for a Piotti pigeon gun. WE need to have a geneology file for guns.
Great gun-- keep it.

Dodson we should talk. That is so cool that you owned this. I have a letter from Darwin/Trez that Darwin used this rifle as his submission for consideration to be accepted into the Guild. He wrote me a nice letter. I love the rifle and am looking forward to hunting with it this year. It feeds smoothly and shoots well too. Magazine box could have been a little longer but I can still get enough powder in, just have a littel trouble getting certain bullets to reach the lands. The North Forks are the closest. I think Darwin is much more known for his single shots than bolts.

I now remember that the magazine was a little shorter than I wanted---forgot about that. The grip seems a little too open as I recall. I bought that gun as a birthday present to myself as iwas in Reno on my birthday. I bought a Swavorski scope at the show to go on it.The rifle was shown in Gun Digest and in Rifle or one of the other magazines. Darwin was the master and favorite of the custom gunwriters in the 1980's. Pm me and I will call you.
Regards

It certainly has an open grip and they aren't for everyone and take some getting used to. It's real comfortable on me. I aslo have the Gun Digest and magazines it was pictured in to add to it's history. I will send you a pm.

Gorgeous rifle. WOW. I would use the H-4831. My $0.02

Prewar70

A real treasure, I love that styling. Built by one of the finest craftsman of his time and one of the nicest overall person you will ever run across.

Your H4831 load was my favorite in the last 280 I owned. Used it for deer and antelope and it performed very well for me. I just finally decided I liked my 270 better than the 280 overall so the 280 became expendable.

If I had a rifle like yours I without a doubt would still have a 280.

Both my 280 rifles like 4831 SC. I use the 210 match primers and get teeny groups from both guns with 140 Accubond bullets. Beautiful gun!!!! E-mail me if you ever get tired of it. I can always justify another 280.

Thanks for the info. I did end up loading H4831sc and 140s again. Just need to find time to get to the range. My rifle shot the 210 primers well but about 6 months ago I was in my local gunshop/reloading store and I noticed these big ziplock freezer bags full of brass. They were all 280 and there were several plastic boxes full of 280 brass with notes on loading, times fired, etc., evidently coming from a reloader that took the time to clean out all the primer pockets, trim to the same length, and very meticulous. The really good news was about 200 cases were ready to go and primed. Looks like cci primers and the cases are within specs and chamber just fine in my rifle. And they shoot good too. So I have about 150 rounds left and am working through them.

Only one thing I would have done different...Vari X III

If memory serves me right, I went with the varix II ultralight based on measurements between the bells so it would fit properly in the rings. The bases are custom made and it was a little tricky getting one to fit with the correct eye relief and the rear base clearing the power ring.

It looks fantastic a true beauty.

It looks like hell & you should let me have it for a screamin' deal.

Pick whatever you want, it shoots as good as you do and will do what you ask of it I'm sure. Nate