Swift 280 Rem Load Data

[MRBlack]

Friends,

I have recently acquired a Dakota 76 in 280 Rem. I am in the process of loading for it and have considered using 140gr Swift A Frames for plains game this summer. I typically use Nosler Partitions and feel that I can safely load a 140gr between 3000 and 3100 fps using Alliant Reloader powder. I have never used Swift bullets and thus do not have a manual for them. I have noticed that they are slightly shorter in length than the 140gr Partition, so I suppose the load data should be very similar. Does anyone have a Swift load manual and could give me an idea of the expected velocity given an Alliant Reloader powder and no compressed load using the 140gr A Frame? I just want to get an idea of possible performance before I purchase a Swift manual and bullets. Thanks

 

[YancyW]

I don't have any load data for you, but a Dakota 76 in 280 is a damn fine plains game rifle. I say near perfect.

I shoot a 280ai often, I am partial to the 160 partitions. I can say say you are going to have no problem reaching 3000 with a 140gr.

 

[sestoppelman]

Depending on barrel length and other factors you should be able to safely reach 3100 fps with your .280 Rem. In my Douglas 24 inch bbl, I safely acheived somewhat over 3100 for 140's, over 3000 for 150's, and over 2900 for 160's. Best powders were IMR 4350, IMR 4831 and a case full of H 4831 for the 160 load. Reloder 22 according to most charts is slower than H 4831 but that is counter to my experience. Real world difference between R19 and R22 is slight. IMR 7828 is another good choice for slow powder.
My barrel may have been "fast", as I had a shooting buddy with an AI version and he could never quite get to where I was, drove him nuts too, LOL.

 

[sgt_zim]

Swift shows for 140 gr AF in 280 Rem, 24" barrel

RL19 51.2 gr to 55.0 gr top speed 2863
RL22 53.9 gr to 58.0 gr top speed 2880
RL25 55.3 gr to 59.5 gr top speed 2925

 

[shootist~]

The Swift manual lists three Reloader powders for the 140 A-Frame in the 280 Rem: Rl19, Rl22, and Rl25. Fastest and the Max load is for the RL25 at 59.5 grains for 2,925 fps @ 94% load density. 24 " barrel.

The accuracy (lowest SD) powder is H-4831, which tops out at 2,863 fps.

Ha! I see @sgt_zim is a faster typist...

 

[bruce moulds]

56 gn imr4831 is right on 3000 in my 280 with both 140 swift and partition.
i find this a good load.
my rifle has a 24" shilen barrel on a dakota 76 action.
re 19, imr4831, h4831sc(ar2213sc) and re22 can all go faster, but i just like the load.
if you are taking one bullet, go with the swift.
bruce.

 

[sestoppelman]

3000 fps is sort of a magic number in my opinion, in many calibers. In 7mm, pick your round, 3K/140gr is a fine load. My boys .284 win drives a 140 TSX at just over 3K and is a dragon slayer load. It just works.
Load is 55.5grs of Win 760/H414.
Not a max load either, this with a 22 inch barrel.

 

[MRBlack]

Thank you all for your input! I am having trouble finding any partitions so I am strongly considering the A-Frame. Is there any benefit going with a 160gr over a 140gr? I think, again without a swift manual, I can safely get 2800 fps with the 160s per Nosler data

 

[bruce moulds]

on bigger game 160 gn is better.
however, a 140 gn swift might well be better than a 160 nosler partition on big stuff.
there is of course the compromise of 150 gn when available.
bruce.

 

[sestoppelman]

Thank you all for your input! I am having trouble finding any partitions so I am strongly considering the A-Frame. Is there any benefit going with a 160gr over a 140gr? I think, again without a swift manual, I can safely get 2800 fps with the 160s per Nosler data

You will easily get over 2800 with a 160. Same old story bigger bullets usually win, dig deeper, hit harder. Depends on the game too. For kudu on down including wildebeest a premium 140 is adequate, think a 160 would be better for eland, sable, roan etc.

 

[bruce moulds]

speaking of 150 gn swifts, they only make 150 gns in scirocco for 7mm.
does anyone have any experience with this bullet compared to 140 and 160 aframes.
it would certainly be a better bullet than a nosler partition as a bottom line.
bruce.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Thank you all for your input! I am having trouble finding any partitions so I am strongly considering the A-Frame. Is there any benefit going with a 160gr over a 140gr? I think, again without a swift manual, I can safely get 2800 fps with the 160s per Nosler data

@MRBlack
@bruce moulds is always singing the praises of the swift Aframe and he has a loathing for the partition that is only matched for my dislike of the 243.
The Aframe is a far better bullet than the partition.
Bob

 

[bruce moulds]

bob, in many situations cup and core bullets are better than the partition.
we tend to deride cup and core, but for a lot of jobs, they as good as any and in some the best.
the partition has a very narrow window where it is the best.
the aframe has the widest window.
bruce.

 

[sgt_zim]

On the subject of .284 and Swift bullets, I'm planning on buying a 280AI as soon as one becomes available.

Anybody have Swift load data for 280 AI? There isn't any data in the #2 manual. I wrote Swift, but have not heard back from them.

My 2 preferences are 160 and 175 gr.

 

[shootist~]

The only person I know with a 280 AI likes H4831sc, but he shoots Hornady ELD-X, not Swift. His rifle is a spectacular shooter, btw.

 

[sgt_zim]

I shoot ELD-X 178 and 143 out of my 308 and 6.5x55, respectively. At modest velocity, they're terrific bullets and insanely accurate out of those rifles.

But the 308 is a target rifle, and I consider my Swede to be something of a brush gun.

 

[Scrumbag]

The 7x64 is very similar.

Viht produces data for the 7x64 with the 140 gr Swift.

Obviously do this carefully and at own risk but should have you an idea of what you can do.

Rifle reloading data | Handloading | Rifle calibers | Centerfire Rifle bullets | Reload your own ammo - Vihtavuori

Vihtavuori offers rifle reloading data for numerous calibers and bullets for match and hunting purposes. Never exceed maximum loads.

www.vihtavuori.com

Best,

Scrummy

 

[CBH Australia]

I have a .280ai,
Sourced some Hammer Bullets.
Found this thread as I'm looking to use the Win 760 powder I have. Any thoughts?

I have used ar2213sc to date, also used in my .300wm, just looking to use old stock first.

 

[sgt_zim]

I have a .280ai,
Sourced some Hammer Bullets.
Found this thread as I'm looking to use the Win 760 powder I have. Any thoughts?

I have used ar2213sc to date, also used in my .300wm, just looking to use old stock first.

I talked to the fellows at Hammer. Their recommendation was to go for loads of comparable weight Nosler bullets.

For the 131 gr hammer hunters, you could probably use the 120 gr data

win760 55.5 gr to start, and 59.5 at max. and I would absolutely start at 55.5 gr. and any group that's under 1 MOA at 3100 fps or faster, well, that would be my load.

 

[CBH Australia]

Thanks Sgt,

Yes 1 moa and 3100 would be fine. I can usually achieve 1moa or close on my hunting rifles.

With practice I hope to improve my technique and get consistently under 1moa on this rifle. I think it has potential and I want to improve.

I have a Speer book not Nosler. The Nick Harvey book shows .280ai win760

I have 101gn and 120 in the cupboard

I guess I'm interested in people's thought on this.powder, 7lb will go a fair way but it's probably worth turning over as it's not currently imported. ADI will be our main line up in the future I think.

It's a rifle I had built, it's a lightweight and might shoot better than I can. I originally hoped to put a .2.4-12x50 Swarovski on it. The idea was for one rifle to be as versatile as it could. My Hunting and shooting conditions vary..

I won't get to do anything for 2 weeks now.