What do you feed your pump?

[DeerMeadowFarm]

I have a 7600 in .280 caliber. I use Federal Classic, which uses their 150-grain “Hi-Shok Soft Point” bullet. I have taken a dozen or so whitetail, a bear, and two caribou with this set-up and never had a problem. I bought some of their Premium loads, which uses a 150-grain Nosler Partition. At the range, I haven’t noticed any difference in accuracy and the added cost per box doesn’t make too much sense to me unless there is a lot to be gained by the Nosler over the Hi-Shok…?

After subfan’s post on 7600 problems I’m wondering how many of you use reloads? I have been saving my brass from my rifle for years and I have quite a bit of it figuring that some day I’d try reloading.

[targshooter]

:-)
I owned and reloaded for a .30-06 Model 760 in the early 1980s. Used standard RCBS dies and never had a problem. I never loaded maximum charges, as I had good accuracy from those about 1 to 2 grains under max, and these matched standard factory offerings.

[Dave in WV]

So far I've only shot factory loads in my 7600. I had a 760 I shot many reloads in with no problem. My son now has it and he only shoots reloads. Reloaded ammo may not be subfan's problem. It may have been caused by a small sliver of brass under the extractor.

[High Brass]

Deermeadow,
 
  If it ain't broke, why fix it?  If those loads you were using has worked well for you, I wouldn't mess with it.  My experience reflects targshooter's.  I load for my M760 and I'm about 2 gr. under max.  No problems whatsoever.

[DeerMeadowFarm]

Highbrass - Oh, I don't really plan to change. I like the Federal rounds. Maybe I should sell off all my .280 brass? I had just been saving them forever with the intent that "someday" I'd get around to reloading...
My original intent of the topic was to see what other guys are using; handloads or factory, and if factory - what brand, etc.
Just something to talk about until hunting season rolls around again...sigh.

[Siskiyou]

I have reloaded a number of bullets in front of different powders for my M760.  I started loading for it in the late 1950's.  I settled on surplus 4831 and then H4831 to push 150 grain bullets out the barrel.  I used a Norma 150 grain match bullet for a number of years.  It was very accurate and left nice exit holes.  I have had very good luck with Remington bullets, Nosler solid base, and Hornaday bullets.

I started out loading IMR4064 and ran into pressure problems real fast.  I found that I had better results with IMR4350 and H4831.  I settled on H4831 because of lower pressures, better case volume, accuracy, and lower cost.  The cost savings on Surplus H4831 is now gone, but it is my powder of choice.

[High Brass]

DearMeadowFarm,

   I know what you mean by passing time until hunting season.  I don't know about getting rid of your brass, you just may decide to reload and 280 brass isn't everywhere.  

I reload using small based dies but my Dad (Dave in WV) used just regular full length resizing dies.  I shoot 165 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips over 55.2gr. of IMR 4350, WLR primers, and R-P cases.  I have had three shots cut the same hole one time, I say again ONE time.  Usually it ends up around .75" if I do my part.  I think that once the balistic tips are gone, I'll go to core-lokts like Dad used or Hornady interlockts.  Not too big of a fan of so much damage.

[Siskiyou]

I am still using the same Lyman standard dies reloading for my M760 and other .270 Win.   When I started to develope pressure problems with loads that had caused no problems early-on, I re-examined my loading process.  My next purchase was a case trimmer.  The pressure problem went away.  I should note that my first reloads were done by others using my brass.  My wife had an Uncle who was a very serious reloader, and gun owner.  He provide some very sound advice.

Over the years I have collected a lot of cases, but after discovering how effective the load with the Norma 150 grain match bullet, pushed by surplus 4831 was I bought 5 boxs of twenty primed Remington cases.  I loaded these as "hunting" ammo.  I load other cases for practice and coyote shooting.  But those original cases/loads are only carried when hunting.  It has been a successful, trouble free method.  The boxes are labeled "M760 ONLY."  Because I fire so few of those special rounds a year I still have a few boxes set aside.  Some years back I did the same thing but for another .270.  This has paid off in those years when work has conflicted with reloading time.

I agree with your finding that the higher price bullet is not needed for deer.  If I was to use a 130 gr. bullet in the .270 I might go to a bonded or partition.