I'm starting to build a rifle for my brother, and I think I've settled on 280 Rem as the caliber. Is this one really that much better of a long range cartridge than the 30-06? I have no experience with the 280, but have read that it is well-liked by those that shoot it. The gun will be a gift, so I don't want to give the surprise away by asking him what caliber he wants. I'm sure he will be happy with whatever I give him, but I want to make a good choice!

He is going to use it mostly for deer (probably 90% of what he will hunt). There will be the occasional coyote hunt with hog and antelope thrown in as well. There is a small chance we would go for elk at some point, but he could certainly get/borrow a bigger rifle for that event, if needed. Maybe the 280 is ok for elk? Mostly, this will be for deer, so I think the 280 offers more all-around use in his situation than the 30-06. He wouldn't use it for heavy game that would need the 200 gr bullets of a 30-06, in other words. I like the big selection of 7mm bullets - there are some with a really high BC that should make it better at longer ranges than the 270 or 30-06 as well - at least that's my thinking. Plus, the 7mm varmint bullets are better than the 30 caliber ones IMO.

His other rifles are an SKS and an original M48 mauser, so he could use a good, flat-shooting scoped rifle. Since he has the 8x57, I think the 30-06 would be quite close to it and would want to give him something with expanded capabilities for more varied game. Does this make sense, or have I just over-thought this to death? How is the availability of 280 ammo in stores? We can handload for it, but he doesn't have his own equipment and there is a good chance he would want to just use factory ammo if it is more convenient at that time.

In the field there is very little difference between the two calibers. One is slightly flatter shooting, the other is more versatile and covers the spectrum of heavier game better.

If being able to use factory ammo is a concern, the .30-06 wins hands down - at least as far as selection, price and availability is concerned.

Other than that, it would be hard to go wrong with either of the two cartridges.

- mike

IMO the 280 Rem is among the finest rounds ever developed. It's similar to the 30-06 in versatility but slanted to slightly less recoil due to somewhat lighter bullets.

It's key advantage over the 270 Win is the ability to handle heavier bullets (175 GR) but duplicate the .270 with 140 and 150 grain loads.

There's no hunting that the 30-06 is suited to that one would be less prepared using the .280 Rem. I wish my first .270 had been a .280.....I'd still have it and would never been interested in the 7 MM Mag.

I can't say enough good about the 280...I'd take it hunting moose and elk and African plains game any day and never look back.

Ammo availability is a pain but if one is a reloader that's a non issue.....in fact one should be a reloader for any big game round he has. Throw in a set of dies with that gun and a box of A-Frames....He'll get the hint.

I love the .280, for deer sized game & the once & awhile elk, I can't think of a better round. Use 140gr loads for deer & a good 160gr load for the one or two trips out west for an elk.
This praise comes from being able to handload though. There are few factory rounds available, but the ones that are out there are good ones (Federal). For me the advantage is being able to build a very light rifle that doesn't kick the snot out of you but still delivers downrange. That's why the .270 is so popular & is also a good choice for the deer hunter, just not my choice (if the .280 had come out in the M70 ther would never have been a .270 ).

Build the 280 and don't look back. Its a great round, like Vapogod said it benefits from handloading, but Federal is making some very good factory fodder nowdays.

For most N American hunting look to using a Nosler 150 Gr., for bigger game 160-175 gr bullets are excellent choices.

What action were you planning on using? I am building a 280 right now on a Model 70, with a #3 Shilen barrel @ 23". I had it lapped and trued, time will tell whether it was worth the effort.

As to the 280 vrs the 30-06 thats an argument I won't go near, both are excellent rounds, both are ideally suited to N. Amercian hunting conditions, and both have great selection of bullets for a handloader. 30-06 wins in factory fodder, and if you want to use heavy bullet loads. The 280 has slightly less recoil and shoots a non relevant amount flatter.

Just my opinion if I was going to the effort to build a rifle I would build a 280, they are harder to find a nice one nowdays. If I was just buying a rifle I would look to the 30-06, much easier to find a good used one. Whichever caliber you chose in the end, your brother should be happy as both are excellent calibers.

Fred

From one Fred to another (pun) if I wanted a handy light 7mm I wouldn't discount the 7x57. I would especially look to this route if I wanted a short tube on a rifle.

Well, I have rifles in .270 Win., .280 Rem. and 30-06, and I like all three. However, I have never seen .280 Rem. ammo at your local Walmart or K-mart. Just something to consider, especially if you're on an expensive trip out of state and you've forgotten or lost your ammo.
I've probably used the 30-06 more than anything else, and on several occasions, I've run into people who've lost or forgotten their ammo. If they were shooting the 06, I could always pass on a few rounds. All my .280 Rem. ammo though is strictly handloads.
The .280 is a fine, albeit under appreciated cartridge that like Rodney dangerfield, doesn't get the respect it deserves.
Paul B.

Thanks guys. I was pretty sure the 280 was a good bet. I think it will do anything that both the 270 and 30-06 can do. It has the best of each rolled into one cartridge. Maybe it's THE ideal NA caliber? (how's that for controversy )

So, it will be a 280 built on a Mauser with a 24" bbl and placed in a Bell & Carlson Medalist stock (the OD green with black spiderweb one). I've always liked green furniture on rifles. It's not going to be a show rifle, but will be a tough rig built for lots of use. We both live close to big sports stores, so there should be no trouble with getting ammo, as long as its being produced, and he is welcome to use my press anytime he wants.

Good choice captain, good idea on the 24"bbl. too. Mine wears a 23" but that's just to keep it light. If you can get any of the Speer Nitex ammo, it's fantastically accurate out of my .280, either the 145gr or 160grGS. I can't even beat the perf. w/ handloads.
schromf, only problem w/ the 7x57 is it takes the same length action, unless you are using a Mauser, so why not get the extra perf. of the .280 & 7x57 ammo is even more scarce. For a true ultra light I would drop down toa 7-08 & use the 22"bbl. My M70/.280 weighs in @ 7.25# scoped & ready to hunt.

I personally see the 30-06 as the best of the all around cartridges, but no flies on the .280 or 270, thats for sure....I doubt that the human body or eye could tell any difference in the field on trajectory between the three...

I do believe the 06 has an edge on elk, and larger game over the other two in that it can toss 200 and 220 gr. bullets at reasonalble velocities...

Fred,

I am not a ultralight kinda guy, I always liked a little heft in my rifles. Rifle weight differs with bore size and recoil, but a notional 7 1/2 lbs give or take a bit is my definition of light.

I have a G33/40 in my 7x57 with a 20" barrel, don't think I would want a 280 in that short of a tube. If I was going to build another I must admit a 7mm-08 would be a consideration, as finding another G33/40 action would be difficult. Isn't Winchester doing a true short action CRF now, ( not a blocked magazine standard action ) ala WSM parts? If I was going to explore building one I guess that would be my logical starting point, or if a ditched the CRF requirement a model 7 Remington or small Sako.

In my mind a 280 just needs a longer barrel than 20"

quote:

In my mind a 280 just needs a longer barrel than 20"

yes.....and in mine not longer than 22"

we're all different

I have long owned two, .280 Remington rifles, one a Remington 725, and the other a "from-the-ground-up" Pachmayr Custom I had Frank Packmayr build for me many years ago. The .280 Remington is my favorite caliber for all around hunting.

With both the two rifles, I've killed elk, Mule and Blacktail deer, antelope, and Black bear. (Only reason I haven't killed a moose with one is because I haven't pulled an Idaho tag for one.)

I've also killed the same game with .30-06, and .308 Win., and so far, I've not been able to tell any practical difference in the field... other than the .280s are lighter, and seem to shoot a bit flatter. No matter, I like mine. But, if I did not reload, I'd opt for a .30-06.

JMHO. L.W.

Vopodog,

The Shilen on the model 70 I'm building is 23", the New featherwiegth I picked up for my son is 22". On the build gun I figure I can always take an inch or two off if I decide to but I have yet to figure out how to stretch a barrel.

Can't see much point in argueing over an inch, but I have a couple of 22 1/2 " inch rifles and like there length.

I always figured that 23" was the sweet spot, only around 35 FPS loss on the 24" but handles the same as the 22". I agree with Ray A and I like a little heft on the forend of my rifles, and a larger contour on a shorter barrel is my preference. The exception is long range rifles, then I like a long ( 24" non mag, 26" mag ) barrel with a heavy contour. These are what I call canyon shooters, unwieldy, I hate packing them, they are always heavy. In that instance an extra couple of inches 26" min, 28" is prefered, that extra 4" needs a lot of powder in a case to compensate for that loss. Doesn't matter much anymore, as I don't have near the interest in these rifles as I used to. many years back I had a Hall action, with a long heavy Hart barrel built in 338-378 Weatherby. It was a serious 1000 yard rifle, I hated lugging it around and a friend I shot with got tired of me waxing his ass on long distance shoots with it and offered me way more than it was worth. I told him many times it wasn't the rifle, but he never beleived me, and bought it for more than it was worth, he actually bugged me to death on it, and the price just escalated every time we shot together, after me telling him no countless times. In the end his shooting got actually worse I think ( recoil ) and I still outshot him with one of my 30-338's. Humorous part is the recoil launched him on a whole break and recoil reduction bug that cost him another boatload of money.

I am on my third custom .280, this is a Brno 21H "roundbolt" originally in 7x57 with the 23.5" bbl. I had it re-chambered to .280 and it shoots 160 NP gold MFs like dambusters, most groups are about .6" with a 4x scope. I just today located another of these rifles in this barrel length with the flatbolt and if it comes to me, I will have it re-chambered to .280 with the same reamer.

I am gathering 1909 Argy bottom metal and Timney triggers plus Bansner stocks to make these about the finest light mountain rifles possible. They should go about 7.25 lbs all up, which is as light a rifle as I want.

If your brother can borrow a larger rifle for the occasional Elk Hunt, and if he likes to hunt varmits as much as deer, then before you build the .280, if only for a minute, consider the 25.06. Enough medicine for any deer and antelope, yet perhaps a better varmit gun than a .280 if you want to sell pelts.

captain, my .280:

Very very nice Fred

MD

22WRF: that actually was a thought, as I have a 25-06. The thing I like about the 280 is its ability to use heavier bullets. The 25-06 is hell on varmints, but we don't do a lot of that kind of shooting - maybe one or two coyotes a year. There just aren't that many around here. I wish they made bullets heavier than 120 gr for the .257 bore.

That is a beautiful rifle, Fred. I like the checkering and the skeleton grip cap - lots of class!

Thanks Mark, captain. It shoots too, most of my hunting loads will hit the 1moa mark w/ boring regularity. Many of those will routinely break .75moa w/ bullet from 140-175gr. It' still a virgin though & I hope to cure that in a couple weeks when I head for Montana chasing speedgoats.

fredJ338, that's a very tastefully done rifle. Congrats to the owner and the builder.

Im on my way to my shop to load up some 160 gn ers for a 280 Elk load now. I have more 280's than any other rifle. Fantastic round! I look at them as sort of a 270 and 30-06 rolled into one and consider it the most versatile of the three. Cant go wrong with a good 280. Especially if you handload.

The 280 is a fantastic caliber. I have one with a 26 inch Douglas barrel. I believe that the 280 is one of those calibers that benefit from the longer tube but today everyone is looking for light and short rifles. I hunt from a stand and I carry my rifle from the vehicle to the stand and once in the stand the weight is not much of a factor. Then again, I've hunted the high dessert in Terlingua, Texas where you walk and climb quite a bit and when I used a light rifle I'd be all over the place and with the heavier rifle I was a lot steadier. I'll take mine with the bigger tube and weight. I believe you can improve in the performance with the bigger tube. Just my 2 cents worth. As far as the 280 goes, It's hard to beat.

A .280 Rem 700 Mountain rifle in Rem synthetic stock glass bedded 2" ahead of recoil lug and free floating the rest of the way places 140 gr PSP ahead of IMR 4350 into 1/2 MOA out to 300 yds for the first 2 shots. After it heats up a little, it turns into a 1 1/2 MOA rifle...BUT, I've NEVER needed the 2nd shot, so who cares?

My first 700 BDL is marked 7mm Express so I've used them for awhile ....Spanish goat to Elk and Caribou....they do it all. The other truely great round is the 280's little brother, the 6.5-06. Either will do North America really well, I believe!!