Author Topic: I have found my dream caliber. (Read 1541 times)

longwinters · « **on:** August 26, 2004, 03:31:53 PM »

After shooting quite a few different rifles and calibers over the last 6 years I have found the sweetest shooting rifle I can imagine. A Sako 280. It kicks less than either my Sako 308 or my son's Sako 30-06. It is easier to be accurate with than any rifle I have ever owned. My buddy (Big Tom) has told me for several years what a great caliber this was . . . but I could not see how it was all he cracked it up to be. Comes back so smooth on the shot, with no perceptible muzzle jump. This is the 1st rifle that I have ever shot that truly "amazed me"! :grin: :grin: I am just a smiling from ear to ear. :-D :-D

Long

7magWoodsman · « **Reply #1 on:** August 26, 2004, 03:55:21 PM »

I too, think of the .280 as one of the overall best calibers available...I still prefer the 7mm Rem Mag but I will never forget the first time I fired a .280...a family friend bought a Remington 700 BDL .280 and brought it over to the house immediately after he left Aces Hardware, he cleaned the bore and outside we went, it was open sights and a stump for a target but I had the same feeling you got...

A+ with a huge :grin: and two :agree: s up!

cbagman · « **Reply #2 on:** August 26, 2004, 04:07:27 PM »

Love my Sako AII too.. It is a .243 and sports a B&L Elite AO scope.. Tends to cluster the hits in a .5 inch group at 100 yards .. I shot two deer with it over the last two years... Both nice bucks.. It is my good luck charm..

cbagman

Sigma · « **Reply #3 on:** August 26, 2004, 06:35:18 PM »

Long,

Sounds really good. What model is it? Is the 75 available in .280?

Regards

ms · « **Reply #4 on:** August 26, 2004, 11:59:24 PM »

THATS is great but bad for all those big buck in upper mi because. A MAN that has alot of confidence with his rifle is winner. I feel the same way about 270 win come nov 15 I'LL be think of you good luck. :lol:

longwinters · « **Reply #5 on:** August 27, 2004, 12:25:02 AM »

Sigma, this is the Sako Hunter but it is a few years old. Imported by Stoeger not Beretta so it does not have the locking device on the bolt shroud. What I am finding is that even bought new, you may get a rifle that is a few years old when it has to be ordered thru beretta since the last 2 nib rifles I got were Stoegers. However I think they make the 280 caliber in the 75 hunter.

It is always nice to be able to share a little happines with those of like mind like you guys. :grin:

Long

Zachary · « **Reply #6 on:** August 27, 2004, 10:44:47 AM »

I've been thinking about getting a .280 for some time now. My biggest drawback is that there is very little availability of factory ammo, especially in comparison the .270, which is not that much smaller. Then again, I did buy a .264 Win Mag.

Zachary

7magWoodsman · « **Reply #7 on:** August 27, 2004, 11:24:24 AM »

Quote from: Zachary

My biggest drawback is that there is very little availability of factory ammo, especially in comparison the .270

Although there are enough choices to "get you by", there really is not a very good selection of factory loads for the .280(and that's an understatement)...a shame too, that fact is the reason a lot of people "look over" such a fine cartridge as the .280 Remington.

HogFan · « **Reply #8 on:** August 27, 2004, 12:22:45 PM »

You guys just live in the wrong state. I love my .280 and will never get rid of it, may even add another. Anyways, I never lived any where that I could readily find factory loads until I moved to MT. Seems most people here have a .280, and I can go to any gun store and have several different pickings. Right now I am sticking to the Winchester BT Silvertips 140gr. as my gun shoots them into little tiny groups. The 140 gr. BT shoot great from my 7mm-08 as well.

Hudge

Sigma · « **Reply #9 on:** August 28, 2004, 07:05:29 AM »

Long,

I just got a Sako 75 Hunter 30-06 NIB, the barrel says it's from Stoeger but it does have the key lock system - go figure. The wood on this rifle is just spectacular. Diagonal light and dark shading the full length of the stock. Topped it with a Leupold VX-III 3.5x10x40. Haven't put a shot through it yet, been too busy. How do you prepare your 75's for the first range visit? Do you follow any special procedure?

HogFan,

Interesting that the .280 is so common in MT. You said that "most people have one and that you can go to any gun store and have several pickings." Any special reason for that other than personal preference?

Regards

longwinters · « **Reply #10 on:** August 28, 2004, 03:47:22 PM »

All I have done with mine is run a "bore snake" thru them a couple of times and then again after every 10 shots.

That is very interesting about the locking device. Although Sako, when imported by Stoeger, did do some things that I find interesting. For instance my 1997 Sako Hunter 308 has a drop box and the barrel is not free floated. But my other 2 Sako rifles ( 280 and 7mm) both have free floated barrels and are clip fed. I wish I knew who to ask about the variations in these rifles, but they all look great and shoot great also. So . . .

I should also add that when using the 140 gn loads recommended by Nosler with IMR 4350 and also the Reloader 19 I have had excellent accuracy. That being 3 shot groups that I can easily cover with a nickel. For a guy that is not that great of a shooter this is fantastic for me.

Long

billy · « **Reply #11 on:** September 01, 2004, 01:16:52 AM »

I have a m77 in .280 and love it ,best shooting rifle i have ever owned.I shoot 150 gr.nosler part. in it ,it shoots under 1 inch at 100 yards and that is good for me.