Author Topic: Range Report: Browning S.S. in .280 Rem (Read 513 times)

Big Tom · « **on:** January 08, 2005, 11:24:27 AM »

I posted earlier that I decided to purchase an "all weather" rifle light enough to do some mountain or tundra stalking. (600-700$), mainly for deer and antelope, possibly caribou.

I decided on a Browning A-Bolt Stainless Stalker. Well I got it yesterday and was pleased with the fit and finish. The trigger was a BIG surprise...a crisp 3 lbs....no creep! :eek: I mounted my Zeiss Conquest 3.3X10X44 on her and bought a green box of 140 gr Rem factory bullets and off to the range we went! :grin:

My buddy LongWinters somehow separated me from my favorite .280 Sako Hunter last year and tagged along, bringing some 140gr Nosler Accubond handloads to try.

Air temp 22......light wind
after a quick sight-in at 25 yds I move over to 100yds to see what the A Bolt would do. Here are the groups....I pulled a boresnake through after every third shot. Three shot groups mea. center to center

1. Rem 140 PSP.......1.10"
2. Rem 140 PSP.......0.80"
3. Nosler 140 Accu...0.75"
4. Nosler 140 Accu...0.85"

Needless to say with the various good/bad comments I have read about Brownings on this forum I was a little nervous about ordering this rifle. I am totally pleased so far! The appearance and geometry are great! The chrome lined barrel is glass bedded and free floating, and the short throw bolt is smooth. The shells fed flawlessly, and I like the detachable magazine.

I think this ones a Keeper guys!!! :grin:

safetysheriff · « **Reply #1 on:** January 08, 2005, 11:56:50 AM »

Good for you. :wink: I hope it drops a couple of animals for you that are big enough to give your horse a rupture! :shock: Not much on planet earth outshines an accurate rifle in a hell-of-a-good cartridge.

Congratulations on your good shooting, too.

SS'

Will_C · « **Reply #2 on:** January 08, 2005, 12:42:50 PM »

Big Tom, I just bought the Stainless Stalker in .30-06. I already have a Hunter in .243. I have only been out once with the .30-06, and like yours, things look promising. Using 150gr. Winchester Silvertips, I shot 2-3 shot groups aroung 1.4-1.5". I have loaded up some 150gr Nosler Ballistic Tips with loads of IMR-4350. In my experience, I can usually cut groups substantially with my handloads, so I can't wait.
Will

NYH1 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 08, 2005, 03:02:49 PM »

Big Tom, I have a Remington model "700 Classic" in 280 Rem. I really like the 280 Rem. I'm going to try to find a Remington 7600 in 280 Rem. and have the barrel cut and recrowned at 18 inches, that should make a nice little "brush gun"! I zeroed my 280 Rem. at 200 yards, were is yours zeroed at?

Big Tom · « **Reply #4 on:** January 08, 2005, 04:09:20 PM »

Quote from: New York Hunter

Big Tom, I have a Remington model "700 Classic" in 280 Rem. I really like the 280 Rem. I'm going to try to find a Remington 7600 in 280 Rem. and have the barrel cut and recrowned at 18 inches, that should make a nice little "brush gun"! I zeroed my 280 Rem. at 200 yards, were is yours zeroed at?

I think that would be a really cool little brush gun NYH!

Right now I am roughly 1" high at 100yds which should put me pretty close to a 200yd zero. I will get a little more concerned with that as I work to develop some loads on my bench. I will probably be at a 200yd zero when all is said and done.