Advice on new caliber/cartridge

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mlp021

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Hello all,
Currently, I've got a 257 Weatherby and it does everything I need it do in Texas, but am wanting a new rifle for no other reason than I want one.

The new rifle will also be used for Texas hunting (WT, mule deer, pronghorn, and pigs), but hopefully one day go on a elk hunt.

I'm thinking about a 7mm-08, 280, 7mm mag, or the 300 wsm.

I'm looking to get a MRC rifle. They weigh (naked) somewhere around 7.5lbs, not the lightest for mountain hunting, but not the heaviest in the world either.

I've always lusted for a 280 and honestly don't know why.
 
Go with a 280, if that's what's on your mind. I just got my second back a few weeks ago from the builder. Built on a M70 SS action with a Broughton barrel.

280s get overlooked a lot. There's nothing another caliber won't do, but they are a solid classic caliber....
 
.300 Win Mag on an older Rem. 700 or a Ruger 77. I had a Ruger 77 in .300 Win. Mag., in a McMillan stock, topped by a Leupold VX-II 2-7x. Took it on a moose hunt. Would perform admirably on elk also. Would also cover your long range needs with appropriate glass on top.
 
If I get a 7mm something, the 300 win mag (or) 300 wsm could always be another excuse to get another rifle.
 
In your shoes I'd go 7-08 or 280. You'll never use the 257 again if you choose either. You know you really want the 280, so scratch that itch.

Really there isn't enough difference in any of them to worry about. I'm not opposed to magnum rounds, I own a 300 WSM, but unless you're talking elk size game at ranges beyond 400 yards the 7-08, 280, or even your 257 will kill anything just as dead.
 
If someone said: "We're taking ALL 20 or so of your centerfire hunting rifles, but you can keep ONE, it'd definitely be my Ruger M77 280. You just cannot go wrong with the caliber.

35W
 
Nother Vote for the .280!

Im an unabashed 7mm fan. Ive got a 7-30, 7mag, and 7stw....still need the 7-08 and .280...maybe .280 AI
 
"I want one!" is the best reason there is.
Wouldn't buy a magnum, of any kind, myself. Nothing in North America needs one to kill it. Along with the excessive muzzle blast and cost.
Not sure about a .280 though. More about the availability of ammo in small places than anything else. Ever see any in Wally World? 7mm-08 maybe.
 
I am partial to the 7mm-08.

Let me know what rifle you get - I have been debating Winchester Extreme Weather vs the MRC X2 for a long time now, still gathering funds!
 
If you want a .280, get a .280.

Now all the cartridges you listed are variations on a theme -- light caliber, high velocity. The .300 Mag is the exception -- and that's what I would choose for elk or moose.
 
Do you reload?

If not, you may want to stick to something with more load/bullet selection than what's currently available for the .280.

If you reload, the .280 would make an excellent choice for just about anything in the western hemisphere aside from brown bear.

Hmmm...
Before hitting "Submit Reply" I took a quick look at what Midway has available in .280.

The selection is sure a lot better than it was 15 or 20 years ago. Assuming that you don't mind spending $60+ for a box of premium hunting loads, the factory offerings seem to cover most uses pretty well.
 
Hard to beat the 7mm Rem Mag for long range hunting. Just about as much powder as you can burn through a .284" bore without being cruel and unusually punishing to the throats.

Can't complain about the 280, I personally favor the 7-08 over the 280, and favor the 7RM over the 7-08, owning all 3 (and then some).
 
.280 is a great caliber, I wouldn't hesitate to get one, especially if you reload.

Mine likes 160gr bullets and IMR 4350 powder.
 
Why not 30/06? Lots of over the counter ammo, almost universally available. Plenty of options on reloading. Good to go for anything in North America.

Lafitte
 
The .30-06 is my nemesis. Every time I want a new rifle, I ask "What caliber?" I run the numbers, read the tea leaves, gaze in the crystal ball, and it's always the same answer, ".30-06."
 
Unless you plan on shooting heavy bullets (like 200gr plus) I think the .280 actually makes more sense than the .30-06

Look at similar bullet weight for .308 diameter vs .284 / 7mm diameter, the 7mm bullets have better ballistic coefficient and sectional density. For example I'm looking at Hornady interlock boat tails:

165gr .308 diameter, B.C. = 0.435, S.D. = 0.248

162gr .284 diameter, B.C. = 0.514, S.D. = 0.287

All else being equal, a .280 shooting 162gr bullets should shoot flatter and hit harder than a .30-06 shooting 165gr bullets.
 
If you want a .280, get a .280.
Click to expand...

This.
The .280 Rem is a wonderful round. I had one in a NEF Handi Rifle. Loved the caliber, hated the rifle. I will end up with a decent bolt action chambered for it.

Don't let ammo availability limit your rifle choice. It is 2016. You can order any ammo you want on the interweb.

Midway has 17 options for the cartridge right now.

https://www.midwayusa.com/280-remington/br?cid=22159
 
My family uses a number of 280's with great success on mule deer and elk. My longest personal shot was 400 yds so I know it's capable.
I load the same 154 gr Hornady load for all our rifles.
The 7 mag will probably do about the same with 175gr.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
 
mlp021 said:
Hello all,
Currently, I've got a 257 Weatherby and it does everything I need it do in Texas, but am wanting a new rifle for no other reason than I want one.

The new rifle will also be used for Texas hunting (WT, mule deer, pronghorn, and pigs), but hopefully one day go on a elk hunt.

I'm thinking about a 7mm-08, 280, 7mm mag, or the 300 wsm.

I'm looking to get a MRC rifle. They weigh (naked) somewhere around 7.5lbs, not the lightest for mountain hunting, but not the heaviest in the world either.

I've always lusted for a 280 and honestly don't know why.
Click to expand...
Add me to the "Get A 280" list.

The 257 Weatherby is a lot of gun for Texas.
But what a cartridge!

Personally, I have a 300 Weatherby for Elk and it has never let me down.

A 7mm-06 (280 Rem.) is a fine choice.
Unless the occasional Elk will be hunted at extreme range, the 280 can easily get the job done, and will not knock you down and stomp all over you if used in a light weight rifle.

Good hunting,

Steve
 
This is exactly what you want: http://www.gunbroker.com/item/587020367

For a brief period CZ contracted MRC to produce a rifle for them in the USA. The CZ Model 3 is built on MRC's M-99 action. They go for a lot less money though...

I've got one just like it in LH version.
 
Get the 280 and scratch the itch. If you are a reloader and get itchy after a while find someone with a 280ai reamer to get it rechambered. Or just get the 280ai and be done with it.
 
7mm-08 or a .270 would be my choice. Both have what it takes up to elk at 300 yds, both are flat-shooting, and neither will break the bank or your shoulder if you shoot a lot.
 
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