.280 Accuracy Issue

[petemi]

I've got a Handi .280 in my gun room that belongs to a friend.  He says it won't group.  He's shooting Federal 150 gr. Power-Shoks.  It's a factory complete rifle.  I'm going to go through lock-up, pivot, latch shelf, forend, etc.  And I'll check for foulding.  I don't know how many rounds have been through it, but I suspect few.  It probably needs breaking in.  Anyone got any other ideas.......ammo change, perhaps?  I should be able to bench rest it in another couple of weeks as the weather moderates.  I haven't heard of many, if any, accuracy problems with the .280.

Pete

[skifastchad]

Is it a 26" ?   Mine is and it works best with 139gr hornady products.

[FW Conch]

   Yep , could be it just doesn't like 150gr Power Shocks ?

[Stan The RT Man]

I went through hell trying to get mine to shoot. I did every thing that is in the handi 101, and finally got it to shoot dead on with 139 gr hornady sp, and a moderate load of 3031 (IMR). the load is in the Lyman loading book.
I can't tell you how important the optics are.
Also a .05 gr. powder change can make the difference between one ragged hole at 100 yrds and a 2 inch group with my 280.
After all I went through the 280 is my go to gun now. Three shots, three deer this last season.
Good luck, and don't give up. 
Stan

[petemi]

Yes, I'll try the Hornady's first.  Good idea.

Stan, that's "Damned Goodie O.K".....3 shots, 3 deer.

Pete

[jw1044]

Mine shoots Federal 140 grn under an inch at 100yds.

[buckslayer]

when i had mine i bought supreme ballistic silver tips, and supreme fail safe ammo from winchester, would group about 12" at 50 yards no joke.  i tried some remington ballistic tips, and they went into about a .5-.75 hole at 50.  try some more ammo.  i dont think the remington ballistic tips are made any more, but there are still some good choices out there.  hornady makes several .280 loads, the 2 winchester loads i mentions, and the plain jane remington express ammo.

[dpe.ahoy]

Mine likes the 139-140's and IMR 4350.  The 140 Hornady IB's did the best of all, 3 shots touching at 103yd.  DP

[aldar]

139gr or 140gr bullets using a full load of RL22 can get me a 3 shot group you can cover with a quarter @100yds

[jedman]

I have a 280 barrel that is a replacement for the first one I got from H&R that had a WAY off center bore at the muzzle. The one I have now is the most finicky SOB I have ever worked with.
I did get it to group handloads with 154 gr. Hornadys @ 1" MOA after a lot of trial and error.
To make a point of how much point of impact there is between my handloads and factory Remingtons w/ nosler BTs at 100 yards, would you beleive nearly 2 FEET !
I am not kidding, I am a better shot than that shooting a slingshot w/ 1/4 20 hex nuts that come out singin and curve like a boomarang.
All that aside I do love my handi's and of the ones I own that 280 sits in the safe and dont see much light. I guess when you have others that perform well and only so much time and patience to experiment with a gun, you give it / loan it to someone else and say" see what you can do with it "
               Jedman

[MNSHOOTER]

My 280 was a nightmare so was the 270 !!! The 243 was 4" groups out of the box. The 06 shot ok if you were looking for minute of bore hog. The only one that drove nails out of the gate was the 223 I bought off this sight and fit myself.  Now after load development and hours of forend work all of them will shoot better than I can and will regularly embarrass bolt lovers!!! I think I have finally figured out this handi addiction .... Thanks to all who have donated to the FAQ's .....as I have not!!!  Mark

[Chicken Man]

Pete, I've got a .280 that I wanted to shoot 150gr out of it but the only thing it ever liked was the Remington 140gr factory stuff.
  Steve aka Chicken Man

[petemi]

From what everyone has said, it sounds like the problem may be in the ammo.  Might have to poke around and try some other options.

Pete