Remington 740 in 280

[pohorsky]

I just received a Remington 740 chambered in Remington 280. Has anybody had experience in a good place to start from bullet weight and powder?

[pennstater]

A good bullet wgt would be between139/140gr to 154gr. Powders would be IMR4350 or H4831, both excellent powders for the 280. You may need "small base" dies for the 740. Sounds like a fun project. What will you use it for?

[pohorsky]

Thanks. I'm not sure yet. It belonged to a good friend of mine's father and the two of them used it every year for deer hunting, and he didn't use it for about 20 years. I figure first to see how good condition it is and make sure its still in good working. I just took it completely apart because it was pretty dirty.
Probably use it for deer hunting if everything shapes up. I have been cautioned that they do have weak metal in the action.

Do you think varget would work good? It is the one powder that I have that is listed for it in my manual.

[pennstater]

Varget will work, you're just not going to get the velocity other powders offer. As far as "weaker metal" in the action, I can't say. If you are indeed familiar with handloading, then you will be able to make some very good ammo for this rifle. You may want to call Remington to ask about the action metal and the possible use of small base dies[easily found].