Author Topic: .280 Remington (Read 1327 times)

Specklebelly · « **on:** October 26, 2009, 03:46:13 PM »

My son shot his first deer with my H&R 25-06 a couple of weeks ago. Since then he has now made claim to my gun and in reality it has evolved to being his over the last few years anyway. Don't know how this worked out but it just did.

I guess that is OK since it gives me an opportunity to buy a new one and I am looking at the .280 Remington.

Question: Can you please tell me why or why I should not get this caliber? Your input would be appreciated.

Thank you.

peternap · « **Reply #1 on:** October 26, 2009, 03:57:15 PM »

The 280 has come and gone under several different names and it looks like 280 will stick. In my opinion, the 280 (by any name) is THE best all around cartridge in existence. At least for North America. The 7mm bullets have a better sectional density than the various 30's and the 280 is not an over bore capacity cartridge like the 7mm magnum.

Flat enough shooting with fairly mild recoil, good selection of bullets, accurate and easy to load for. What else could you ask for?

krod47nw · « **Reply #2 on:** October 26, 2009, 04:10:21 PM »

Quote from: peternap on October 26, 2009, 03:57:15 PM

The 280 has come and gone under several different names and it looks like 280 will stick. In my opinion, the 280 (by any name) is THE best all around cartridge in existence. At least for North America. The 7mm bullets have a better sectional density than the various 30's and the 280 is not an over bore capacity cartridge like the 7mm magnum.

Flat enough shooting with fairly mild recoil, good selection of bullets, accurate and easy to load for. What else could you ask for?

+1 What he said

Factory ammo is loaded on the light side. The 280 really shines with handloads. Plus the 26 inch barrel is a welcomed bonus.

Kevin

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** October 26, 2009, 04:20:10 PM »

And an H&R 280 Improved really shines!!

Tim

mitchell · « **Reply #4 on:** October 26, 2009, 05:09:53 PM »

Quote from: Specklebelly on October 26, 2009, 03:46:13 PM

My son shot his first deer with my H&R 25-06 a couple of weeks ago. Since then he has now made claim to my gun and in reality it has evolved to being his over the last few years anyway. Don't know how this worked out but it just did.

I guess that is OK since it gives me an opportunity to buy a new one and I am looking at the .280 Remington.

Question: Can you please tell me why or why I should not get this caliber? Your input would be appreciated.

Thank you.

dont worry i did the same thing to my dad . the plus side is when i got back from iraq i bought the ones i always used from him and he took the money and bought himself a new ar 10 to replace the onei took from him long ago and his shoots a lot better.

i have a handi 280 also i've never played with it but factory loads it was shooting just under 1 1/2 inch i'm sure with some handloads and a little playin it will be a great shooter

Cottonwood · « **Reply #5 on:** October 26, 2009, 05:15:21 PM »

I have several barrels that I want and the .280 Rem just happens be very high on the list.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 27, 2009, 11:11:01 AM »

I really liked mine when I had it..It did just fine with the cheap stuff..

And it did pretty good with the premium stuff as well..

The lone flyer was my fault..not the ammo or rifles.

Mac

andrewtheelder38 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 27, 2009, 12:08:06 PM »

the only down side is that if you do not reload, the ammo is harder to find and it is more expensive than .270 and the two cartridges are almost identical.

aldar · « **Reply #8 on:** October 27, 2009, 12:37:17 PM »

I love my .280. Everything that Peternap said is true. The .280 can take just about any game in north america when properly loaded, and those pictures of the groups you see are not uncommon.

GeorgiaDave · « **Reply #9 on:** October 27, 2009, 01:38:40 PM »

Hello,

I would agree with the other guy's remarks concerning the .280. I have one with a laminated stock and am impressed with the round. I have not been involved with this round very long, but have reloaded a few boxes of 140 gr. bullets that have done o.k. I have not invested the time to find the pet load yet, but am fully confident that it will happen. The .280 REM is a very efficient round, and is only marginaly behind the 7 MM magnums without the extra powder and longer action required to push the magnums. The .280 is a great round, and especially when it is pushed down the 26 " barrell that the Handi provides. I can see absolutely no reason not to reccomend this round. Good Luck.

Dave

Specklebelly · « **Reply #10 on:** October 28, 2009, 03:08:59 PM »

Many thanks for all the replies. Looks like I may get one now due to your advice. I figure I will have to order one as I doubt I can find on in stock anywhere.

I will also have to figure out how to reload as I don't currently do that but it could be a fun hobby.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #11 on:** October 28, 2009, 04:27:26 PM »

Just wish they would have come out in the Cinnamon Laminate stock in the Ultra Hunter version.

andrewtheelder38 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 29, 2009, 10:11:50 AM »

Hey Montanan, you are right, I cannot for the life of me not understand why they do not make the 25-06 and 280 in "ultra-rifle" configurations as you western shooters could really use the upgrade and the calibers even more than we here in the short shot capital of the world the dense new england forests.

andrew

andrewtheelder38 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 29, 2009, 10:14:29 AM »

specklebelly: Reloading is very very very easy......to save money, buy second hand press scales dies and powder measures and priming tools at gunshows or through local classifieds or ebay......i recently bought a lyman orange crusher press (a beast) for 25 bucks second hand and an older lyman one for 15.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #14 on:** October 29, 2009, 10:17:10 AM »

Quote from: andrewtheelder38 on October 29, 2009, 10:11:50 AM

Hey Montanan, you are right, I cannot for the life of me not understand why they do not make the 25-06 and 280 in "ultra-rifle" configurations as you western shooters could really use the upgrade and the calibers even more than we here in the short shot capital of the world the dense new england forests.

andrew

Iffin I get the .280 Rem in a Handi Rifle, I will be ordering the Thumbhole, Cinnamon Laminate to really dress it up. Another thing I could never figure out is why in the world don't they call the 7mm-08 a .280 Rem Short

Specklebelly · « **Reply #15 on:** October 29, 2009, 12:55:42 PM »

Quote from: andrewtheelder38 on October 29, 2009, 10:14:29 AM

specklebelly: Reloading is very very very easy......to save money, buy second hand press scales dies and powder measures and priming tools at gunshows or through local classifieds or ebay......i recently bought a lyman orange crusher press (a beast) for 25 bucks second hand and an older lyman one for 15.

Thank you as that is good to hear. I inherited an old 30-06 reloading system from my grandfather and it has been in my attic for a long time. I need to get it out and see if I get can dies (I think that is what they are called) for a .280. I may be out of luck though as I think it is from the 1960's or early 70's. I will check out Ebay as well, good idea.

One other question, I love the longer barrel on the 25-06 and .280. Why does NEF only have the 26" barrel on these guns?

aromakr · « **Reply #16 on:** October 29, 2009, 01:26:58 PM »

No problem with the old reloading press, the dies are standard thread and size, My RCBS A2 is from the early 60's and will work with most all of todays dies.
If you are just starting reloading, either find someone that knows what he is doing or get a good book on the subject. Its not something you just start doing without knowing the do's and don'ts. And believe me there are a lot of DON'TS. That could be down right dangerous if you DO! I don't want to scare you, as it is a fun and cost saving past time, but learn it the right way and you will be fine.
Bob

puma4440 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 30, 2009, 06:56:13 AM »

I told my wife I was going to save money when I started reloading...boy thats a lie I've yet to live down.

It's a very addicting hobby, I've gone from a small bench in the corner of the parlor, to my own room upstairs.

I'll spend 10-15 hours a week tinkering around up there...oh, my new midsouth catalog just came, gotta go.

tykempster · « **Reply #18 on:** October 30, 2009, 12:19:05 PM »

"The .280 REM is a very efficient round, and is only marginaly behind the 7 MM magnums without the extra powder and longer action required to push the magnums"

I don't know of any 7mm's that use a longer than "long" action. But the 280 is pretty efficient!

skifastchad · « **Reply #19 on:** October 30, 2009, 12:37:39 PM »

Quote from: Specklebelly on October 29, 2009, 12:55:42 PM

One other question, I love the longer barrel on the 25-06 and .280. Why does NEF only have the 26" barrel on these guns?

Velocity.

I am getting over 3100 fps with hornady light mag 139gr ammo out of my RMEF 280 handi. Well within the range of most factory 7mm mag loads.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #20 on:** October 30, 2009, 01:07:59 PM »

Can't really think of much to add other than, I LOVE 7'mms. I sold my 7 mags after getting my second 280, now have 3, one is the Handi. Better than the 270's or 06's?, not really, but every bit as good, and that's damn good.

DP

peternap · « **Reply #21 on:** October 30, 2009, 02:30:56 PM »

Quote from: dpe.ahoy on October 30, 2009, 01:07:59 PM

Can't really think of much to add other than, I LOVE 7'mms. I sold my 7 mags after getting my second 280, now have 3, one is the Handi. Better than the 270's or 06's?, not really, but every bit as good, and that's damn good. DP

That's a pretty telling statement. There are a lot of cartridges that are close. It's just a matter of choice.

When you get down to it, OLD 7.62x54mm R may be a great choice for a Handi and not give up a lot to any of the others...and it has a rim.