280 rem

[Kelly & Beth]

Hey all I just picked up a new gun today on an impulse. I've never had anything to do with the caliber but I bought a 280 rem in a Browning A-Bolt stalker. Now I know the gun is because I had a 7mm in a browning a bolt for years its just the caliber i don't know anything about.
I guess I was curious as to what everyones thoughts on that caliber is. and what loads work best for deer, elk, moose, etc.


Thanks in advance
Kelly

[Dick284]

It can and has taken pretty much everything N. America has to offer.

As my handle dictates I've owned a 284Winchester for many years, and with it being a close ballistic cousin to the 280 Remington(7mm Remington Express), I will reply to your query.
Take a 139-140 grain bullet like a Hornady and drive it at 3000-3100fps and watch stuff die.

If the game gets tougher put in a tougher pill like a Nosler Partition. I'm guessing the TSX would be good to but never tried it cause the two above mentioned bullets always did it for me.
Moose no problem, bears were toast, and deer fell like they were struck by lightining, so whats to worry about.

[Hilgy]

I have a couple 280s and I love them. In MY opinion it is the best all around cal.
I shoot 150g Nosler Partitions and have killed everythimg I have shot at from deer to elk and moose.

I have several other guns in other cals but they have become safe queens because I cant seem to leave the 280s behind.


Hilgy

[Kelly & Beth]

I bought some ammo to try I went with the fusion 140gr I might try the hornady 139 if I can't get the 140 to group. I still have to mount a scope and get to the range though.

Kelly

[badbrass]

Just getting into my Stainless Stalker 280 also! I like it alot, shoots 5 rounds into a inch with hornady 139gr SST's.When I got it I picked up a box of Federal Classic 150gr. This is one target from them. Just trying some TSX -150gr right now and they are coming together. Enjoy that rifle!

[catnthehat]

Ive owned a few 280's and liked the csartridge.
My younger brother shoots one that is called "spare parts" because that is wha it is made of, and it will drive tacks!
I load 154's or 160's for him, his shots on his moose and deer are typically about 50-150 yards, mostly about 100 yards.
bang flops always.

Rag don't care jack for ballistics tables, or trajectory tables for that matter, what does care about is that when he drops the pin on that ol' P14, stuff does the "funky chicken".
And stuff does it a lot when tapped with that rifle!
Cat

[Kutenay]

I LOVE the .280, am on my third custom one and have a special custom planned on a Brno 21H action I have put away.

I load and use 150 or 160 NPs for hunting and with RE-22 or H-4831, IMR-7828 does REAL good with 160s as well.

This is my favourite round, after the .338 WM and only the .270 Win. and the 9.3x62 and 74R rate as high with me...and I have and have had a WHACK of rifles/calibers.

Good choice for Alberta and use WW brass as it's best in that chambering.

[SakoAlberta]

Great chambering. Great traj, little recoil, and a whole slew of bullet options. My buddy uses his Sako .280 a lot and it is his favorite light rifle. Deadly accurate too. One advantage over the .270 is the huge selection of bullets and weights.

I don't actually own a .280 but I do own a 7X64 which is close enough that I actually use .280 loading data. Its a great rifle.

Enjoy!

[chuck0039]

I have the remington 280 mountian rifle, I love it. I shoot remington 165 grain core locks and have had no problems with moose or deer.

[Couleestalker]

I also have a remington 280 mountain, I shoot a 140gr Remington Core lokt. I have taken Moose, Elk, and deer and I wouln't hesitate at any of Alberta big game species.

[deerslayer]

If you really want to have fun get your 280 opened to a 280Ackley , did that to my mtn rifle , gained 100fps , shoots like a dream.

[Dick284]

deerslayer:
And 100fps did what for you?

100fps is chicken feed.
With a 139gr. bullet it's a wopping 1.4" flatter at 400yds, packing a bone crushing 100ftlbs more energy.
160's gain you 1.6" less drop at 400 and 125ftlbs. more energy.
I doubt anyone one of us on here would notice any diffrence or be able to hold within 1.5" at 400yards.
and I doubt a deer would notice it either.

Certainly not worth the expense nor the trouble of frigging with fireforming cases etc. etc.
And this coming from a self professed gun loonie of the first order.

[catnthehat]

The biggest advantage of the improved cases is case life, not velocity!
I've owned more than a few wildcats, and can atttest to that part.
The velocity thing does not hold water however, as it cannot be measured on a dead animal.....
Cat

[deerslayer]

Dick284,If you never owned a wildcat cartridge, you wouldn't understand.
Nosler has started making 280AI brass and also has a very nice rifle chambered for the 280AI. Is this the first step to mass factory production of the 280AI? As for the extra velocity , I keep my loads reasonable, you can get a lot more out of the round.Thanks for the info on trajectory , can you let me know what 100fps extra makes when your trying to knock down a big white screaming across a field.

[sullijr]

Deerslayer If it's in a factory rifle it ain't a wildcat anymore and if that doesn't count with you, Dick shoots a 25-06 which makes it a wildcat so I guess he does own a wildcat.Velocity has no effect on a big whitetail screaming across a field first you got to hit it and so far Dick has proved he is better at it than anyone else that has showed up at a rifle rodeo.It doesn't hurt that he is shooting 75gr at about 3700fps or so.

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by deerslayer

Dick284,If you never owned a wildcat cartridge, you wouldn't understand.
Nosler has started making 280AI brass and also has a very nice rifle chambered for the 280AI. Is this the first step to mass factory production of the 280AI? As for the extra velocity , I keep my loads reasonable, you can get a lot more out of the round.Thanks for the info on trajectory , can you let me know what 100fps extra makes when your trying to knock down a big white screaming across a field.

I dont currently own any wildcat calibres but I sure have.
Try 6.5x284, 6.5'06, 240 gibbs, 30 gibbs, and well I worked up the loads in sa lefites 30'06AI, and it only gained about 30fps from my old 30'06 SPRG.
100fps is still insignificant in any practicale application. If it makes you feel better then go for it, but for 98% of the fellers out there it does'nt warrent the extra everything.
And for the record I dont shoot the 75's at game, I shoot the 100gr. TSX or Partition.
Also Sulli dont let the fact that I have 9 titles in DV and only 4 are with the 25'06, the rest were, 4 with my 284Win.(139's), and 1 with a 300 Win. Mag(190's) stand in the way of my claims.
And a course record on our running deer, 13/15 that was year two of its existance and with the 300 too boot.( oh what a day that was)
What the young lad has yet to derive is that perhaps even you and Cat are more experienced at this game of loonieness than I am.

[deerslayer]

Fast rifles for fast critters , good luck in the up coming season , myself I'm going for a walk in the rocks.

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by SakoAlberta

One advantage over the .270 is the huge selection of bullets and weights.
Enjoy!

Huh? I'm confused. I agonized over whether I should get a 280 or a 270, and finally chose the 270 simply because of the greater ammo selection. That seems dead opposite to what you just said.

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by Okotokian

Huh? I'm confused. I agonized over whether I should get a 280 or a 270, and finally chose the 270 simply because of the greater ammo selection. That seems dead opposite to what you just said.

I think he's refering to reloading bullets OKO.
A while back I did an available bullet count and the 7mm/.284", came out ahead of 30cal bullets.
Again only if you reload.
Yes, for factory offerings the 270Win has more offerings, but still there are enough available in 280Rem to do what ever you want it to do.

[Okotokian]

Thanks for the clarification Dick.