Hello from Scotland~

I have always liked short actions (light,compact) but i have been looking at adding a flat shooten long action to my colloection.

The "noble" .270 can be found on many Highland estates and has culled vast numbers of Red deer, but the "sassy" .25-06 seems to be the "IN THING"

I have used both (only on targets) and to be honest i would go for the .270 over the .25-06 as it seems to make just as much noise and recoil is simmilar, so why not carry a heavier payload and go with the .270??

Now the .280 is virtually unheard of in Britain and ive never seen one ! or even advertised in shops here, although of course one could be ordered.

The .280 as i understand it carries a 7mm bullet? There fore it must have a huge selection of bullet weights when compared to the good old .270 and i would imagine that it would be nearly impossible to tell the differnce in recoil and noise so is the .280 the best of the three ???

I would be very interested to here your veiws on my conclusions ??

Would be interesting to here from any one who has experience of both ??

Regards Englander

[ 09-08-2002, 12:52: Message edited by: Englander ]

Englander
I use a 25-06 target shooting and used the 25-06 for varmits, groundhogs. I should think that the 120 grain bullet would deal with any deer out to several hundred yards. The 100 grain Speer hollow point is pure death on groundhogs and the 100 grain Sierra Match is perfect for long range target shooting.
I've helped several buddies work up loads for their 270s and was impressed. However I'd reserve the 270 for use in the western portion of the US. There's just not enough long range shooting here on the east coast and the 270 is just too much gun for varmit shooting.

Englander,
I have used both the .25/06 and .270 on varmints and deer. Needless to say each round has the lethality of a Martian death ray. I have also used the .280 quite a bit. The recoil, report. etc. are virtually identical to the .270. However, in my experience the .280 is not quite as accurate as the .25/06 or .270 but the accuracy should be more than adequate for big game hunting. The .280 is also much more versaltile in terms of bullet weights and styles. The .25/06 has an edge in the trajectory department but the .270 or .280 would be better suited for larger game. But, the .25/06 with a good bullet should do the trick even on a sizable Red Stag if you place the shot properly.
If I was putting together a serious long range rig based on one of these three rounds I would start with a Rem. 700 action and attach a 26in. #3 contour Shilen barrel chambered for .25/06 bedded into a high quality synthetic stock and topped with a 4-16, 6.5-20, 6-24 scope from one of the better makers. The complete rig should weigh in around 10lbs. Heavy enough to shoot good but still light enought to tote up a mountain. I would develop loads based on the 115gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip for deer sized critters and loads based on the Barnes X or Nosler Partition for heavier game.

Hope this helps.
Good Shooting,
HBB

Englander the 280 is one of my favorite rounds.
i'll email you to get your mailing addy & send you a dummy case.

Hammer of De englis

[ 09-08-2002, 17:48: Message edited by: Bear Claw ]

The 280 remington is every bit as accurate as the 25-06 or 270 if the quality of the rifles is the same.If you are going to shoot animals no bigger than a deer I would choose the 25-06 for its flatter trajectory.If you wish to hunt larger animals I would choose the .280.

From a fellow Scotsman,

The European 7X64 makes more sense than the 280 Rem. They are ballistically identical, and I am sure the 7X64 ammo is easier to get in Britain.

But if you like the 25-06, go for it,

Cheers

Pete

The Red Stag that I've seen are usually a pretty heavy bodied animal. The 25'06 I would think of as fine for antelope and the smaller whitetail here in the US but I'd probably go for the .270 or a 7mm for the Stag. I use the .270 for most deer size game although I also use a .308 carbine when stalking (Ruger 77 RSI) and a Browning BAR in 30'06 for heavier than whitetail game.

Englander - The difference between the 270 and the 280 is .277 VS .280 or in otherwords nothing!
.003 caliber change isn't worth considering in my book. I shoot cast bullets oversized that much! So from a reality standpoint, you are talking no difference either from the firing end of the rifle or the receiving end of the bullet.

If you like a 270, I would surely go with it. This cartridge's record is superb and will surely handle anything you should encounter with ease. The only thing I would consider might be availability of ammunition...unless you are a reloader. In which case, you can get what you bloody well please.

Obviously all the calibers suggested will work fine. Suit yourself here. You'll be the one shooting it! Good hunting.

Pecos45-The 280 is actually .284" caliber the same as the 7mm's.

Pecos is correct in saying there is very little difference between the 270 & 280. However the 270 bullets measure .277" while the 280 takes .284" NOT .280". .007" is not a great deal of difference. In reality the 280 will drive a 140 gr bullet to the same velocity the 270 pushs a 130 gr bullet with equal pressures. Both are very good deer rifles but I would choose the 280 because it will handle heavier bullets. The 7x64 is ballistically identical to the 280 and as someone has already pointed out more availible in your area.

I'll throw my vote in on the .280 &/or 7x64 as well. I have never been a .270 fan, I think too many people have one for my taste. I don't think there is much difference between the two though, but I do believe you are a step up over the .25-06 w/ the .280(120gr vs 160gr). For good size red deer, 160gr bullets @ about 2850fps sounds like a winner to me.

Hello All, Ah - thewonders of bullet designations

0.270 = 0.277

0.280 = 0.284 ...

and then there is the 280 Ross which measures 0.288! :-)

cheers edi - who has seen a Wildebeest taken out with a 22/250!

Hey'
I think the 280 Ackerly Improved,would be a good choice for you.They are inherently very accurate.Check it out with those that have them,you get very positive info.
1geejay
www.shooting-hunting.com

The .25/'06, .270, and .280-7X64mm have been adequately covered above. But, if you handload and have access to Norma and/or Alliant powders, you should consider the 7X57mm also. With certain of the powders mentioned, it can be loaded to a performance level indistiguishable from the .270 and .280 with 140, 160, and 175 grain bullets! In addition, there are some pretty good European factory loads available in 7X57mm.

Never had a 25-06, but Iv'e had .280's and .270's, and the .270's always shoot better. 270 ammo is much easier to find in any country also.

Englander,
I was looking for a cartridge for general use and came down to the same conclusion as you, that the .280 might be worth a look. I was wanting to have a better choice of bullet weights than the .270 could offer. However the .270 is practically identical and will probably do everything you want it to do, also some very nice rifles can be found in .270 at very tempting prices. If you decide a .280 is for you you could pick up a secondhand used .270 and have a good smith rebarrel with a quality 7mm barrel and virtually guarantee a real shooter. Expect to pay �5-600 for a real quality rebarreling job with a match grade stainless barrel consequently for the price of a new upper end factory rifle you could have a unique tack driver. If you want names of folks to do the work just let me know.
SR

I stand corrected about the 7mm bore diameter. Let my mouth get ahead of my brain. Sorry for the confusion.

I think my point still very valid, however. Why complicate your life over .007" bullet diameter?
I believe the rifle's performance will be identical for all practical purposes. However the rifles cost, availability of ammo, and possible resale value later on will most likely ALL be in the 270s favor. JMHO

Englander,
I own both 270 and 25-06. The 270 is a mauser m66 and is handloaded with 140g nosler bt. MOA accuracy and absolutely lethal on anything it touches. The 25-06 is a rem 700 bdl which I have fitted with a HS kevlar stock, standard barrel with homeloads of 100grain speer spitzers under 53grain vit 160 delivers .325inch groups at 100 and inch at 300 meters. Once again absolutely lethal on anything. If I was going to use one rifle it would be the 25-06 as its accuracy is superior to the 270(in my rifles)
In terms of damage to meat, both are equally severe, however I stalk regularly with a friend who has a 308 and this also gives the same amount of damage to either of my rifles. It is all about shot placement. Good luck with your choice, AM.

There is no difference in the 270, 280, 7x64, 30-06, .308 or even the 7 Mag. from a hunters standpoint.

I would use what is most available in your area...They are all excellent calibers. I would prefer not to use the 25-06 on Red Stag, but if I had to then I could live with it.