Info on .280

rickjordan · #1 10-02-2006, 06:29 PM

I was at a gun shop the other day and saw a used model 70 in .280. Anyone know anything about this caliber? What it is comparable to and if it is a reliable caliber? The gun was fairly inexpensive so I figure bullets must be hard to reload or find to buy. Any info will be helpful.

Esox357 · #2 10-02-2006, 11:49 PM

The .280 is a awesome caliber. It is a 30.06 case necked to a 7mm bullet. It is flatter shooting then the 30.06 and a good deer cartridge. I believe there are still some manufatures that produce cartridges for it. Reloading for it should be a snap. I would buy it if I didn't already have 3 30.06's. Esox357.

Andy L · #3 10-03-2006, 12:11 AM

A guy I hunt with alot has a 280 in a Rem 700 Mountain Rifle. I have killed a couple deer with it and it impressed me.

On paper, I dont know what to compare it to. Its flatter than a 270. The BC and SD of the bullets are more comparable to a heavier bullet in a 30 cal. I think its an all around excellent round, IMO. I wouldnt have any trouble gettin one.

When I was debating on rifles for my son, it made the short list. As for the bullets, it was second to being most impressive to the 6.5s in BC and SD.

In the real world, the deer I killed with it and all the ones Ive seen my buddy shoot were bang flops. Very impressive. And Ive seen him take some mighty pokes at deer and still get bang flops.

As for the Win rifle, I have never owned one. Dont know alot about them. I have seen a few shoot and most didnt impress me with the grouping. Maybe bad luck, cant help you there.

Good Luck
Andy

gd357 · #4 10-03-2006, 03:26 AM

Very good caliber that seems to have been overshadowed by the 270 and 30-06 for its existance, not to mention the 7mm rem mag. Still a fair amount of ammo made for the 280, and in a store with a good supply you should be able to find some. As far as comparisons, it'll do anything a 270 and 30-06 will do. If you're interested, buy it. You won't be sorry.

gd

rickjordan · #5 10-03-2006, 06:30 AM

Thanks for getting back to me so soon- I will get it after work today. Once again, thank you- knew you guys would have the info.

Gil Martin · #6 10-03-2006, 05:54 PM

The .280 Remington is one of my favorite cartridges. All the best...
Gil

Esox357 · #7 10-04-2006, 12:21 AM

Write back or check out the reloading forum for some advice on reloading for it? We can see what we can find out for ya. Esox357.

rickjordan · #8 10-04-2006, 06:32 AM

I will do just that. Thanks

Brant Buster · #9 10-21-2006, 06:02 AM

And out of the same-length barrel, the .280 will out-perform the .270 Winchester.

The .30/06 case (and .25/06, .338/06 A-Square and .35 Whelen) are all 2.494 in SAAMI length.

The .270W and .280R are both 2.540 in length, but the .280's shoulder was moved slightly forward - giving it a very slight increase in powder capacity over the .270.

The three reasons the .280 hasn't achieved the same success as the .270W is that is was first introduced in a non-boltaction rifle, factory ammo wasn't loaded to equal pressures with the .270, and when the 7mm Rem Mag was introduced in 1962, the newer round overshadowing the smaller non-mangle-um.

The .280 Remy was introduced @1958.

The .280 Remington is considered by many knowledageable hunters and shooters as THE BEST all- around cartridge for North America and one-rifle hunter.

Jack O'Connor, for what its worth, called both the .270 and .280 - "sisters!"

Are you familiar with O'Connor's affinity for the .270? If so, then you'll appreciate how ballistically similar the two rounds are.

The .280 however, shoots heavier bullets at the same velocities.

FIJI · #10 10-21-2006, 02:44 PM

leaving in a couple days for CO with my A-Bolt .280 Rem for elk & mulies. Its taken many deer, mulies and pronghorns for me, but so far I have not pulled the trigger on an elk.

That should change shortly though.

I'm sure that if I do my part... ole "Ma Bell" will do hers !

dakotah · #11 10-27-2006, 02:30 PM

My first 280 was a heavy barrel Ruger 77. It shot every load I tried in accurately. The second 280 was a Mauser 98 7x57 reamed to 280. The fired cases had a slight step on the neck, but caused no problems - it shot Speer magtips very well and was effective on game up to elk. The third 280 is the one I use now. It is the cheapest Remington 700 with plastic stock. After I polished the bore it shoots very well with all loads tried so far. I have only had it long enough to try on antelope. bang flop - the second goat was 440 paces. The first shot on the second goat was too high in the shoulders - above spinal cord. The second shot - bang flop.
I like the 280 and the 30-06 a lot, though I have many rifles with similar size chamberings, 7x57, 270, 308, 280, 30-06, 300 & 338 Win Mag and other from time to time.

If I had one rifle to choose for all the game I go after, it would be either a 30-06 or the 280. If I were to hunt elk more I would go with a heavier caliber, probably 338 but would feel comfortable with the 280 or 30-06.