What do you guys think of the .280 as a long range cartridge for deer size game up to elk? I'm thinking a 24" or even a 26" barrel to take full advantage of the round. Bullets would likely be ~140 grains for deer size game and ~160 and heavier for elk. I wouldn't really think of taking a shot over 300 yards on elk, but I was wondering what the potential of the .280 would be for longer range shots on deer and antelope if I do my part. I don't yet reload, but plan to start. Thanks for any input.
.280 Remington
- Thread starter Craiger12
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The .280 Rem is the factory name for the old 7mm-06 wildcat which combines the capacity of the 30-06 with the superior BC of the .284" bullets.
While not quite as good as the .264" slugs (6.5mm), the 7mm has been used to shoot accurately out to 1000 yards...and is very comparable to the 7mm Mag. I know hunters who use it for everything in North America short of the Big Bears...they use the .375 H&H for them
Just as an interesting side note, there is very little that the 7mm will do the the 6.5mm will not with less recoil. The .260 Rem (.308 size case) is very popular at 1k yards as is the 6.5mm-284 Norma (if you'd like a bit more powder capacity)
While not quite as good as the .264" slugs (6.5mm), the 7mm has been used to shoot accurately out to 1000 yards...and is very comparable to the 7mm Mag. I know hunters who use it for everything in North America short of the Big Bears...they use the .375 H&H for them
Just as an interesting side note, there is very little that the 7mm will do the the 6.5mm will not with less recoil. The .260 Rem (.308 size case) is very popular at 1k yards as is the 6.5mm-284 Norma (if you'd like a bit more powder capacity)
MachIVshooter
Member
Almost. The commercial .280 had the shoulder moved 1/20 of an inch forward, IIRC to prevent it's chambering in .270 rifles with sloppy throats.
It's a great cartridge, IMO the best of the '06 family. It's what I bought my sister for her first big game rifle, and it's served her well. Save for the heavyweight .308" bullets that would be used at close range on really big critters, the .280 gives up nothing to the .30-06, yet shoots flatter. And it uses heavier, higher B.C. bullets than the Jack O'Connor-popularized .270 Winchester. The .280 suffered from being introduced at the wrong time and being marketed poorly, like the name change to 7mm Express that confused the fudds and led to said cartridges being bought by idiots who had 7mm Mag rifles.
The .280 would serve you well for your big game ventures, even moreso if you handload. We settled on a general purpose load of a 150 gr. Sierra BTSP at 3,050 FPS for my sister.
lizziedog1
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The 280 Remington does have one major, serious drawback. The word magnum does not appear anywhere in its name. That reduces its versatility and capability.
It will do anything the 270 will do.
I got into the 280 for a while. It is a good round for sure, but in reality it is no better than the 270 and not as versatile as the 30-06. If you like hunting with something not every other hunter is hunting with it is a solid choice that does a lot of things well. But no better than either the 270 or '06. If I'm going to lug around a 24" or longer barrel it will be in a magnum chambering. Sold both of my 280's and upgraded to the 7mm Rem mag and I have no regrets.
I got into the 280 for a while. It is a good round for sure, but in reality it is no better than the 270 and not as versatile as the 30-06. If you like hunting with something not every other hunter is hunting with it is a solid choice that does a lot of things well. But no better than either the 270 or '06. If I'm going to lug around a 24" or longer barrel it will be in a magnum chambering. Sold both of my 280's and upgraded to the 7mm Rem mag and I have no regrets.
ZeroJunk
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I've hunted with a slightly modified 280 called an Ackley Improved for years. It's not enough different from the standard 280 to matter for your question.
I have killed deer with a variety of 140 grain bullets and elk with 160 grain Nosler Partitions. The cartridge does a great job.
Most of these discussions about cartridges such as 270, 280, 308, 30-06, and all others in the neighborhood is just an analytical jerk off, and contest to see who can come up with the most obscure detail. There is no quantum leap betwwwen one or the other. Just pick one you like and go with it. They all work.
I have killed deer with a variety of 140 grain bullets and elk with 160 grain Nosler Partitions. The cartridge does a great job.
Most of these discussions about cartridges such as 270, 280, 308, 30-06, and all others in the neighborhood is just an analytical jerk off, and contest to see who can come up with the most obscure detail. There is no quantum leap betwwwen one or the other. Just pick one you like and go with it. They all work.
GooseGestapo
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I had the occasion to chronograph an individuals rifle at the range one day. He had an NEF as sold by Walmart in .280Rem. Those rifles had laminated stocks and a 26" bbl.
The 140gr Federal/Nosler Partition ammo he had was chronographing at 3,100fps. Exactly 50fps less than some handloads I was testing for a friends 7mmRemMag from a 24" bbl the same day.
The recently "legitimized" as in SAAMI standardized .280AI from a 26" bbl will match the 24" velocities of the 7mmRemMag and do it with 10gr less powder and noticealbly less recoil.
Whats ironic is that I had planned on rechambering a Remington Mod-7 I obtained in 2004 to .284win which is a short-fat version of the .280. I made the "mistake" of chronographing it with factory ammo before dispatching it to a gunsmith. I'm getting 2,900fps with a 140gr bullet and have seen 3,000fps from a couple of handloads...... from a 20" bbl !!!!
For elk, even a 140gr bullet properly placed will drop elk where they stand. The 160gr is even better. Particularily a "premium" such as the Nosler Partition or Swift A-frame.
However, my 7mm08 has recently been upstaged by another Mod-7 in .260Rem. Not quite as much gun as the 7mm08, it's twice or better more accurate. Individual groups with 120 and 140gr bullets for 3-shots have been one-hole, and 5-shot groups under 1.0".
You'll enjoy a .280, and perhaps even more so, a .280AckleyImproved. You can even shoot .280Rem ammo in the .280AI.....
The 140gr Federal/Nosler Partition ammo he had was chronographing at 3,100fps. Exactly 50fps less than some handloads I was testing for a friends 7mmRemMag from a 24" bbl the same day.
The recently "legitimized" as in SAAMI standardized .280AI from a 26" bbl will match the 24" velocities of the 7mmRemMag and do it with 10gr less powder and noticealbly less recoil.
Whats ironic is that I had planned on rechambering a Remington Mod-7 I obtained in 2004 to .284win which is a short-fat version of the .280. I made the "mistake" of chronographing it with factory ammo before dispatching it to a gunsmith. I'm getting 2,900fps with a 140gr bullet and have seen 3,000fps from a couple of handloads...... from a 20" bbl !!!!
For elk, even a 140gr bullet properly placed will drop elk where they stand. The 160gr is even better. Particularily a "premium" such as the Nosler Partition or Swift A-frame.
However, my 7mm08 has recently been upstaged by another Mod-7 in .260Rem. Not quite as much gun as the 7mm08, it's twice or better more accurate. Individual groups with 120 and 140gr bullets for 3-shots have been one-hole, and 5-shot groups under 1.0".
You'll enjoy a .280, and perhaps even more so, a .280AckleyImproved. You can even shoot .280Rem ammo in the .280AI.....
USSR
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Probably the most under-rated American rifle cartridge. A much better choice than the .270, due to a wider selection of bullets to choose from.
Don
Don
X-Rap
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It easily makes my top 5 rifle cartridges. My daughter has hunted with a M77 in 280 since she was 13 and killed a few elk and many deer, my step mother uses a M70 in 280 and has done the same.
I have a M77V and my dad has a 760 carbine both in 280.
The best factory round for the money IMO is the 165gr Rem Core-lokt I load the 154gr Hornady Interlock in all our 280 hunting rounds now and get fantastic performance.
The round seems to be inherently accurate and even in the pump carbine 3 shot groups of 1"-1 1/2" are common.
I have a M77V and my dad has a 760 carbine both in 280.
The best factory round for the money IMO is the 165gr Rem Core-lokt I load the 154gr Hornady Interlock in all our 280 hunting rounds now and get fantastic performance.
The round seems to be inherently accurate and even in the pump carbine 3 shot groups of 1"-1 1/2" are common.
DM~
Member
I built my "mountain" 280 back in the 70's, before mountain/light weight rifles became popular. I've taken caribou, deer and blk. bear, among other big game with it, and like was already said, it's an very under rated cartridge.
Personally, a 22" bbl. is as long as i'd want with this cartridge in std. form.
DM
Personally, a 22" bbl. is as long as i'd want with this cartridge in std. form.
DM
MachIVshooter
Member
Oh, yeah, forgot to mention......
Those 150 gr./3,050 FPS loads (Chronographed, not just book data) were out of a Ruger M77 with a 22" tube.
The .280 is fairly efficient, doesn't really need 26". 22" or 24" will do you fine, and not snag every single tree branch in the forest. 26 inchers are kind of a pain.
Those 150 gr./3,050 FPS loads (Chronographed, not just book data) were out of a Ruger M77 with a 22" tube.
The .280 is fairly efficient, doesn't really need 26". 22" or 24" will do you fine, and not snag every single tree branch in the forest. 26 inchers are kind of a pain.
That's the problem. Savage doesn't offer it. Winchester doesn't offer it. Sako doesn't offer it. Ruger doesn't offer it. AFAIK, only Remington chambers for 280 Rem, in three variations of the Model 700.
The 280 Remington is a fine cartridge in it's own right, but it's too similar to the far more popular 270 and 30-06 to be commercially viable. Unless you simply must have something different for the sake of having something different, you would be better off with a 30-06. The game won't know the difference, but you'll have a much easier time buying a rifle and a vastly better selection of ammo.
If you are partial to Savage, just get an aftermarket barrel for it. The change is easy, you'll need a gauge to set the headspace
You are going to almost go with a custom or look for a used rifle. I recently sold a Ruger and Winchester in 280.
Same with ammo. You can find factory ammo, but choices are limited and prices are high. You will really need to handload. It is a great round, but does not offer enough advantages over existing rounds to justify manufacturers offering a lot of choices. If it had been developed first there may have never been a 270 or 30-06. The problem is that it wasn't developed first. I still like the round, if nothing else for the cool factor.
Same with ammo. You can find factory ammo, but choices are limited and prices are high. You will really need to handload. It is a great round, but does not offer enough advantages over existing rounds to justify manufacturers offering a lot of choices. If it had been developed first there may have never been a 270 or 30-06. The problem is that it wasn't developed first. I still like the round, if nothing else for the cool factor.
The .280 is a great choice for your purposes. And IMO is better the the .30-06. Flatter, faster, more retained energy at long range.
A Savage would be my first choice too. You can get one in 7mm-08 and it can easily be rechambered for .280. Make sure you get the 1:9.5" twist. I think the 24" barrel will be fine.
The .280, .284, and 7mm-08 are the most versatile cartridges IMO, but I might rather have a .260 Rem for deer and antelope and a .338-06 for elk, and have a "switch barrel" setup, starting with a Savage 110 (long action).
Savage is now chambering for the .260 but not in a long action, however I believe it can be special ordered that way.
Another alternative for a switch barrel is to get a .325 WSM in a short action, then get a custom .260 large shank barrel made and swap the bolt face, or the entire bolt.
DM~
Member
Rechamber a 7-08? How will you stuff the longer 280 into the short action??
DM
DM
Good point. I was getting ahead of myself in my post.
As a mentioned a few lines down you can special order any chambering that Savage has ever made. However by the time you special order something, you probably could have paid for a used Savage long action in XXX chambering and send it off to McGowen for a barrel swap for $300 and have a much nicer barrel.
As a mentioned a few lines down you can special order any chambering that Savage has ever made. However by the time you special order something, you probably could have paid for a used Savage long action in XXX chambering and send it off to McGowen for a barrel swap for $300 and have a much nicer barrel.
ZeroJunk
Member
Browning offers the 280 and they make a fine bolt action, little more expensive than the Savage.
Also, if you look at Gunbroker they have 89 bolt actions in 280 listed right now both new and used.
Also, if you look at Gunbroker they have 89 bolt actions in 280 listed right now both new and used.
jimmyraythomason
Member
I had an A-bolt Browning in .280 Rem. It was an awesome shooter!
NCsmitty
Member
T. Center Venture has the 280 Rem in their list of calibers, and it has a 1in10" twist barrel, 24" long.
Strangely, the 7mm-08 has a 1in 9" twist, which is good, but you would think that it would make sense to have both .284 dia barrels at 1in9" twist.
When I converted one of my Turk Mausers, there was no .284 caliber Remington barrels available other than magnums, and there was a bunch of 270 Win takeoffs available. So the Turk became a 270 Win and I never looked back.
I had planned on a 280 Rem, but it wasn't to be.
NCsmitty
Strangely, the 7mm-08 has a 1in 9" twist, which is good, but you would think that it would make sense to have both .284 dia barrels at 1in9" twist.
When I converted one of my Turk Mausers, there was no .284 caliber Remington barrels available other than magnums, and there was a bunch of 270 Win takeoffs available. So the Turk became a 270 Win and I never looked back.
I had planned on a 280 Rem, but it wasn't to be.
NCsmitty
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RugerMcMarlin
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Your plan is perfect, only thing I would add was H mantel bullets like Noslers for the elk.The 280 is an awesome cartridge, fully as versatile as the 7-08. If memory serves they called it a 7 Remington Express first time out of the gate, and it kept getting compared with 7 mag. Brought it back out as 280 now it has a following.
You know there might have been a difference in barrel twists too, cant remember.
You know there might have been a difference in barrel twists too, cant remember.
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leroyz
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.280
The .280 also known as the 7mm express is a good round with good ballistics. I have two 7mm rifles in 7-08 and I am very pleased with their performance.
The .280 also known as the 7mm express is a good round with good ballistics. I have two 7mm rifles in 7-08 and I am very pleased with their performance.
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