A few years back, my Son won a Rem .280 Ruger Hawkeye rifle.

We have shot it a few times and really like it.

Now, my question: I am taking my family to South Africa at the first part of June. I plan on taking 2-3 rifles and would like to include this caliber as one of the rifles.

I have three sons, the youngest 12. I am thinking my 300 win mag will be a little bit big for him to shoot. I just believe he will shoot the 280 better. Usually, I would only take a 30 caliber (just my preference). However, in this situation, that is not the case.

So, those of you that have shot or experienced this caliber, do you have any factory ammo recommendations? We will be on a plains game hunt and their largest animal hunted will be kudu. Most shots will be between 75-100 yards.

Your help would be appreciated!

http://www.midwayusa.com/produ...on-spitzer-box-of-20

or this:

http://www.midwayusa.com/produ...cted-point-box-of-20

I have used the Nosler and it performs flawlessly.

I use 160 grain bullets in my 7mm-06 (speer grand slam and Nosler Partition), and consider this the best all around bullet weight in 7mm cartridges. I would take Mike McCabes advice and get the Nosler 160's.
Matt

Great advice. Thanks, the 160 grain look like a great option.

For second there I was excited about the new Ruger Blackhawk rifle!

I shoot Fed. Prem. 160 gr. Trophy Bonded Tipped at 2800fps in my Ruger SS synthetic Hawkeye. This may be an option for you.

I used a .280 Rem on my first trip to South Africa and used Federal factory ammo 150gr Partitions on kudu, impala, reedbok, springbok and wildebeast.

All died quickly.

I would stroke it up with 160 gr. Nosler partitions at about 2800 FPS and make my kid shoot the 300!

All kidding aside the .280 is an excellent all around choice for all plainsgame and I would not hesitate one minute to shoot and Eland with it,

In fact I have shot Eland and all PG with a 7x57 with that same load as all my 7x57s have a 30-06 length magazine and a very long throat, and that makes them a 7x57 IMP so to speak and I get 2800 FPS with the 160 gr. Nosler...

quote:

Originally posted by z1r:
For second there I was excited about the new Ruger Blackhawk rifle!

Ha ha... I tried to edit that before anyone caught me

I used 175 gr. Swift A-Frames in S.A. on two kudu, gemsbock, Impala and zebra with perfect performance. I like heavy for caliber bullets on big game, but I would not hesitate to use a good 160 if 175's were unavailable.

Leave the 280 home.

If the 280 ammo gets lost on you it will not be easy to find some anywhere, let alone Africa!

Take some caliber that's world wide international, like the 30-06.

quote:

Originally posted by Savage_99:
Leave the 280 home.

If the 280 ammo gets lost on you it will not be easy to find some anywhere, let alone Africa!

Take some caliber that's world wide international, like the 30-06.

Another classic...

It's pretty simple: have two batches of ammo and pack them in separate bags.