The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting Custom rifle for PG- .280 or 7x57?Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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I recently purchased a second hand rifle made by Winston Elrod. In the American Classic style, it has all the features I look for. It is chambered in .280 Rem and here lies the problem, the previous owner supposedly could not get the cut rifled barrel to shoot to his satisfaction and sent it off to Mcgowen to be rebarrelled, again in .280, and to duplicate the original contour(Featherweight) so as to not screw up the beautiful inletting of Mr. Elrod. Needless to say there is a fair bit more gap along the sides of the barrel than it came with and it detracts from a beautiful gun. I called up Mr. Elrod and discussed having him rebarrel it, restoring its dignity, so to speak. He is a hell of a great guy, remembered the gun down to the T and agreed to do the job for a reasonable price. Now my dilemma, I really like the 7x57, like its history and overall utility, and the fact that it is a traditional African caliber. There are no flies on the .280 and when I talked to Mr. Elrod, he seemed surprised that I would change caliber. He had built the gun for a charity auction. I almost feel that changing caliber on a custom like this would sort of be like modifying an artists work. It is on a G 33/40 action so there are no issues there. For plainsgame, I doubt that many animals would know the difference between the two. so I decided to get some feedback from Y'all. What say you? .280 or 7x57? DRSS(We Band of Bubba's Div.) N.R.A (Life) T.S.R.A (Life) D.S.C. | ||
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lee Several of my buddies hunt with a 280... But... I would say 30/06.  DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY | |||
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Come on Tony! You know what a traditionalist I am! Hell, I used a .318 last time! Seriously though, it is between these two 7's. Lee. DRSS(We Band of Bubba's Div.) N.R.A (Life) T.S.R.A (Life) D.S.C. | |||
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No brainer! Has to be a 7x57 and I hunt with a 280. This would be an excellent time to include a quarter rib and a banded front sight. Make it a classic !!!  | |||
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It sounds like you have a soft spot for the 7x57 and Mr. Elrod has one for the 280. You view the 7x57 as a classic, steeped in tradition. He probably sees it as the 280's weak little sister. Just explain that you would like a 7x57 and ask if he can foresee any problem switching over(feeding, etc.) If he seems really hesitant to make the switch, then you can honor his wishes and keep the rifle a 280. My guess is that if you talk to him again, after he has had time to get used to the idea, he will be willing to change it to 7x57. Jason "You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core." _______________________ Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt. Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure. -Jason Brown | |||
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7X57 is an excellent choice. Of course .280 is great, but not traditional. Besides if you kill them dead with the 7X57 how much deader do they get with the .280? Jim | |||
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Split the difference and go with the 7x64 Brenneke  | |||
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Lee there are only two cartridges that I have never liked, but not from a ballistics point of view, but strictly a personal bias. Those two cartridges are the 7X57 Mauser, and the 270 Win, and prefrer the 280 Rem over either of them. I know this is no help to you with your decision here, but just my view. However, if you want the 7X57 Mauser in that rifle,it is yours, tell him what you want, and be done with it. The reason both are made is because people like both enough so that they're popular enough that both are still available as factory ammo. As you say, I don't think any animal hit properly with either will die any deader! Sattisfy yourself!  ....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1 DRSS Charter member "If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982 Hands of Old Elmer Keith  | |||
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your kidding, right? Mike Legistine actu? Quid scripsi?[/] [i] Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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If you are going to Hunt in South Africa with it then you should go with 7x57. I have not seen many gun shops that carry .280 at all. The 7x57 however is stocked in even the smallest backwaters and there are bound to be a few rounds within easy driving distance should you need to get for whatever reason. Good luck Ian | |||
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Just to make it a bit more complicated... consider the 7X64! Originating in 1912 it's just a bit younger than the 7x57 and essentially IS the 280Rem. or at least what became the (7mmExpress) 280Rem. in 1964 I think. Seriously though, it is your rifle and you are the customer. Respect the man's work but tell him what YOU want. He can still make the outside fit! An old man sleeps with his conscience, a young man sleeps with his dreams. | |||
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Is a .280 AI out of the question? | |||
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I have a soft spot for the 7x57 so I would go for that. The 7x64/280 Remington will give you about 300 - 400 fps more velocity across the various bullet weights but inside of 250 yards this difference is not that important. | |||
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I too love the 7x64, but only with good bullets. Clayton hunts with one, a beautiful little CZ that shoots on the mark every time. You can get 7x64 ammo in more shops in SA than 280 but not as many as 7x57. I have to echo the other opinions though, its not the smiths place to second guess you. I do what my heart dictates and in this case I think you should go with the 7x57 | |||
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No real big decision, 7-57 delivering 170 gr quality bullets.  SUSTAINABLY HUNTING THE BLUE PLANET! "Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful, murder respectable and to give an appearence of solidity to pure wind." Dr J A du Plessis | |||
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I own several .280's and have never had a problem killing what I was shooting at with this round. I have taken one to Africa, twice. Once on a plains game hunt in RSA, and then in 2008 I took it to Zimbabwe where I killed my Leopard with it and a beautiful Kudu. Also taken on that hunt were several Impala for bait, a couple of Baboons and a Bushbuck. My personal feeling is that it is your gun, have it made in the caliber of YOUR choosing. I have no experience with the 7x57, but I am a .280 nut and I feel it is a wonderful round. | |||
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7X64 is quite common in Namibia... Very classic... but not in the states. I had a chance to buy one once and passed it was a guild gun with full rib... $750... about 6 years ago... I really regret not buying that rifle... it was sweet. 7X57 is also very classic world wide. So i think this is the most logical choice. 280 for sure is a fine round... but I think it is the least classic. | |||
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My .280s have never let me down. Reloading offers a multitude of choices and this is one flat shooting, long distance round. IMHO I wouldn't change. LDK Gray Ghost Hunting Safaris http://grayghostsafaris.com Phone: 615-860-4333 Email: hunts@grayghostsafaris.com NRA Benefactor DSC Professional Member SCI Member RMEF Life Member NWTF Guardian Life Sponsor NAHC Life Member Rowland Ward - SCI Scorer Took the wife the Eastern Cape for her first hunt: http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6881000262 Hunting in the Stormberg, Winterberg and Hankey Mountains of the Eastern Cape 2018 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4801073142 Hunting the Eastern Cape, RSA May 22nd - June 15th 2007 http://forums.accuratereloadin...=810104007#810104007 16 Days in Zimbabwe: Leopard, plains game, fowl and more: http://forums.accuratereloadin...=212108409#212108409 Natal: Rhino, Croc, Nyala, Bushbuck and more http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6341092311 Recent hunt in the Eastern Cape, August 2010: Pics added http://forums.accuratereloadin...261039941#9261039941 10 days in the Stormberg Mountains http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7781081322 Back in the Stormberg Mountains with friends: May-June 2017 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6001078232 "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running...... "If you're being chased by a Lion, you don't have to be faster than the Lion, you just have to be faster than the person next to you." | |||
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I'd pick 7x57 over 280 and 30-06 over both.  | |||
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.280 Remington. In fact .280 Remington Ackley Improved 40 degree. | |||
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I showed in SA on a plains game with 10 other hunters. I was the only hunter with a 7x57 and mine was the only rifle the PH asked to look at. When asked what he uses it was a 7x57. | |||
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7x57 = pure classic 280 = marginally better ballistics This is a No Brainer...you are a self avowed traditionalist... The G33/40 action = pure classic The 280 is a good candidate for a plastic stock and a stainless barrel. Get want you WANT DRSS & Bolt Action Trash | |||
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You said you are a traditionalist, you answered your own question. Post some pics when you get it, can't wait to see it. | |||
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When I read your post the second time, here is what I really read: 1. You want a 7x57 for perfectly valid reasons. 2. You probably would not have given it a second thought if the smith had not questioned it. He may have built the rifle originally, but its your rifle and your money. Thank him for giving you a good deal on the work, then request the chamber that suits your needs and gives you the greatest satisfaction. P.S. I own and use both 7x57 and .280. I would get the 7x57. | |||
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My bias is exactly the opposite. I have multiple rifles in both 7X57 and 270 Win. I have one 280 Rem (on a G.33/40) and I just can't warm up to it. Just as Mac said, this is purely personal bias - no animal could tell the difference between the three cartridges. Lee, if I were in your shoes, I'd rebarrel in 7X57, 30-06 or make it a lightweight 9.3X62. Defintely put some traditional sights on the barrel if for nothing more than tradition. ______________________________ "Truth is the daughter of time." Francis Bacon | |||
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I would submit that having posted on this forum rather than the "medium bore" forum gives an indication of your direction. You are, I believe, a hunting rifle crank rather than a ballistics crank. Welcome to the club. All are fine cartridges, but yours sounds like a classic rifle, and if it were mine, I would pair it with a more classic cartridge. | |||
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I love my 270, it's never failed me in 35 years, but if the Rem 280 had come out prior to the 270 instead of well after it, I think the 270 might well have never happened. Sometimes timing is everything. A 280 will do everything a 270 will and some things better (heavier bullets available). Regards, Chuck "There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit" Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness" | |||
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Go classic 7x57 and never look back, or .275 Rigby would look good on the barrel. A shot not taken is always a miss | |||
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You guys just confirmed what my gut was telling me. A 7x57 it shall be! 35 years ago when I got really serious about guns and handloading, I believed you had to wring out every possible FPS out of every cartridge. As I have gotten older, I have come to realize that most animals cannot tell the difference. My .318 with a 250 gr. Woodleigh lumbering along at 2360 seemed to work just fine on Zebra and Hartebeast and impala. I am learning a new appreciation for the old 6.5's, 303's and a 375 2-1/2" project I am working on. My go-to deer rifle for years was a 257 Bob. I will look into the possibility of getting a quarter rib, or at least some nice island sights. Thanks for all the feedback. Lee. DRSS(We Band of Bubba's Div.) N.R.A (Life) T.S.R.A (Life) D.S.C. | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting Custom rifle for PG- .280 or 7x57?
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