New reloader need powder advice

[ApacheHunter]

Hey all. This is my first post and I've been reading alot on here for the last couple months regarding reloading. Great site and some knowledgeable folks. I look forward to becoming a contributing member.

I've got my set up complete with a bench and all the gear but now need some advice from the group.

I will be doing my first reloading for my .280 Remington that I got last fall. It is a Rem 700 with a 24" barrel. I'll be shooting either 139gr SST or 140gr Accubond.

I'm trying to get an idea of which two powders would be a good start. I'm looking for that fine line between velocity and accuracy trying to get the most of each with a good balance. So far, I'm leaning towards IMR 4350 or Reloader 19. Those are the ones that are the most favorable in the 4 or 5 reloading manuals that I have.

Thanks ahead of time.

[Dom]

Welcome to HC ApacheHunter. Sounds like you're on the right track and off to a good start. I'd recommend that you do your load workups for both powders, as you've done your homework, and try those powders out that work for most. Then just fine tune them if they look promising. If you haven't already, check out Rocky Raab's website on Reloading 101 also. Since I don't reload for the 280 I don't have any possible loads for you, but I use Hodgdon (sometimes IMR) 4350 and it is a winner in lots of other calibers. Waidmannsheil, Dom.

[Joe Boleo]

I agree with Dom and have used IMR4350 in my .280s for decades. Good choice in caliber, bullets and powder. Take care...
Joe

[Dan Morris]

Welcome to the group! I agree with all of the above, IMR4350
would be my choice too. Any of us here will be happy to assist!
Dan

[Jack]

ApacheHunter, welcome to Huntchat!
I can tell you've been doing your homework- 4350 and Reloder 19 are among the first few powders I'd reach for if I were doing some load work up for the 280 with 140's. Another good choice would be 4831, if those 2 powders don't work out.
Very wise of you to check several manuals- every company uses a different test firearms- and they do sometimes show different results.
Now the bad news ...which powder is best? No one knows which powder will work best in your firearm. Only your rifle can tell you that. Firearms, like people, have personal preferences.
Here's what I did when I worked up loads for my 280: I tested both IMR-4350 and Reloader 19 with Nosler 140 Ballistic Tip bullets. The best 4350 load was a bit faster than the best Reloder 19 load, but the Reloder 19 load was surprisingly accurate, so I've been using Reloader 19 ever since.
In the more bad news department the loads that work well in my rifle won't tell you much about what will work well in your rifle. The only way to know for sure is do your load work up, go to the range, and let the rifle tell you what it likes.
Good luck!

[Rocky Raab]

I'll add my late welcome and congrats.

The only added comment I can make s that you can do all your routine shooting with standard bullets - regular old lead core/jacket softpoints. The premium bullets get all the hot press, but aren't absolutely needed for 99% of all shooting and hunting with a cartridge like the .280.

Regular Hornady, Speer and Sierra bullets will do just fine - and are quite a bit less expensive.

A mid-range load with 4350 or RL19 and a standard bullet will make you smile even if you're a novice. By mid-range, I mean about halfway between Start and Max powder charges. Begin with the Start charge listed in your manual, always. If that goes well, bump up to a charge halfway to Max. Much of the time, that's all the load development you really need to do.

[ApacheHunter]

Well, I found some IMR 4350 and H4381 here locally for 18.95 a pound plus tax. I think I'm going to get those to begin with. They are out of R19. It ends up being a lot cheaper than having it delivered.

I'm going to buy some Nosler Custom Brass and my bullets from online, though.