I just obtained a used #1 produced in 1994 according to serial number on rifle.
I would appreciate any dat if someone owns a 280 around this date period.
Pros or cons, bullets/loads you may be using.
Any recommendations to upgrade or watch for a problem sign on the rifle.
I have shot 10 rounds thus far...IMR4350 53.0gr 162 Hornady spbt...seems to shoot good out to 500 meters.
Thanks for any response

Bill, I have had great luck w/ IMR7828 & H4831sc w/ 160gr bullets in my M70/.280. I have a couple of #1s, but not in .280, great rifles.

Bill,

My .280 #1b of the sasme vintage is my favorite rifle and goes into the pine box with me.

It has never failed me or let a deer walk away from an encounter. I will have it with me for a mule deer hunt in the Sand Hills of NE this November. It also made me a fanatic about #1s -- I own four now!

The .280 is deadly accurate, after being accurized by a pro. Before that, it was unremarkable to unreliable as a shooter.

Where I live, extremes in humidity can do a number on a stock and any wood to metal contact in the barrel area is trouble. There are also some other problems with the factory issued #1s that have given them a reputation for erratic results. The fundamantal design is sound and just a little tweaking can make all the difference.

I use 140 gr. moly-coated Hornady light magnums which the rifle loves. I have tried reloading for it w/o much improvment, so why mess with success?

Good luck with yours.
1B

In the U.S. West, at least, factory .280 Remington chambered Ruger No. 1's are somewhat of a collector's item. I tried for several years to find one to convert to 7x65R, with no success. I finally re-barreled a 7 m/m Remington Mag.

My advice is, DON'T "upgrade" your rifle. Its value is growing just fine, just the way it is.

AC

I have been in gunshops and gunshows for years and have seen only one 280 and promptly bought it.I later sold it for a nice profit.I liked it but could never get the eye relief to where I could shoot it quickly I now have a 25-06 varmint that I really like. w/regards

1B, who did the work on yours?

I get good results with Hornady Light Magnums. Under an inch. Have not tried much else since that works well and I do not reload