I'm looking at a used .280 Weatherby Ultralight rifle. Anyone had experiences with this rifle, good or bad?

Does a handloaded .280 match up with a handloaded 7MMag? I might have to trade my 7mag to make the deal. The rifle would be mostly used for deer, and maybe one more Elk hunt.

a 280 will never be a 7rem mag with 160+ bullets

Nor will it make a bit of difference. My 280 with a 24 in bbl does 2850+ with the 160 Accubond. My 7 Mag does 3050, same bullet. Both handloads, both max, both will kill any game that should sensibly be hunted with the .284 bore.

If you like the fit, finish and feel of the Weatherby buy it.

quote:

Does a handloaded .280 match up with a handloaded 7MMag?

No.If you want 7mmremmag ballistics,buy a 7mmremmag.

That can be rephrased to say that a 280Rem will never be a 7mmMag PERIOD

However it is arguable (to some anyway) that the 7mmMag is more than is need for most things and not big enough for others.

Frankly I bought a 7mmMag to shoot 140gr TSX's
as fast as possible...

the 7mmRem has a clear 300-350fps advantage over the .280, the 280 will do about 3000fps, the 7mmMag will do 3300-3350fps

To some that isn't needed, but when trying to reach out across a 400yd wide cornfield I probably won't ask for less...

AllanD

I'll even go so far as to say that Weatherby Ultralight is really not an "Ultralight". I've got one in 257 Wby that tips the scales, bare rifle, at 7.25 lbs. Scope it and add rounds and it pushes 9 lbs pretty quick.

The B&C stock alone weighs about 34 ounces. I'm replacing the stock, adding Talley lightweight rings, trimming the muzzlebrake threads off the barrel, putting a Leupold ultralight model scope on it and am hoping to have the rifle down to 7-7.25 lbs ready to go. The action on mine is a trimmed down 9-lug Mark V action. Some of the older Wby Ultralights used the 6 lug Varmintmaster action and I understand these were a little lighter.

quote:

Originally posted by tom ga hunter:
a 280 will never be a 7rem mag with 160+ bullets

True.....but the difference is purely scholastic.....

Westernmassman, none with the UL but I have a fibermark stainless in .270 win. which comes with a #1 contour barrel (no flutes) but is very close in weight(the magnums are still heavy) to the UL. It shoots 140 grain ammo pretty good around 1&1/4" when I do my part. It's setup with talley ul. rings & a leupold vx-1. 7 pounds dead on w/out ammo and sling. Just a bit heavier than my kimber 84m .308,so it shoots well , is light and feels good. The rest is up to you.

I like them, unlike a 700, they offer integ. handle,integ.recoil lug,superior shroud mounted safety.

I like the 7mmRemMag, but go ahead and trade, only one more elk hunt you say,, the 280 should do it, then its all happy down hill for deer.
a real nimble rifle, dont know why I dont have one, a 240 keeps tempting me at the local.

http://www.weatherby.com/products/performance/markv_action.asp

^