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Post by vashooter on Jul 8, 2015 9:35:28 GMT -5
I'm thinking about getting a 280 from a friend that is in new condition. Do any of you all have any first hand knowledge of this round? I will handload for it. Mainly will be used for deer here in Virginia and maybe bear. Thanks for any input you can give me.
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Post by dougader on Jul 8, 2015 21:16:14 GMT -5
If I had to start all over again to pick a do most everything rifle, I would pass on the 30-06 (which I did buy just because that's what my Dad had and I got all his bullets, primers and ammo) and pick up a 280 Remington. Western Oregon clearcuts, eastern Oregon range, from coyotes to antelope, mule deer and elk the 280 will do it all. I would also grab that rifle in the form of the Remington Model 700. I owned a M77 in 30-06 and it kicked like a mule and forced me to work every ounce of concentration I could muster for 2 inch groups with 180 grain ammo, although Nosler BTs in 150 grouped around 1 MOA. If the price is right, though, I'd grab that 280 and start playing immediately.  |
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Post by Cholla on Jul 8, 2015 21:39:03 GMT -5
I have an old flat bolt Ruger 77 that has been rechambered from 7x57 to 280. It's just silly accurate, will run handloaded 140 gr. Nosler Partitions right up to 3000 fps and 160 gr. Partitions right at 2900. I own dozens of bolt action rifles and have killed everything from prairie dogs to elk with them, but the 280 is my one and only "business" rifle. I'd without hesitation let any and all of my hunting rifles go except for this one.
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Post by nolongcolt on Jul 8, 2015 22:52:59 GMT -5
I have a custom Douglas (24") barreled M77 in .280 that I had done many years ago. I recently got it back from my brother. Like bringing an old friend home. Its always been really accurate, used to win sporting rifle matches with it. Took one elk with it with 160 Nosler Partitions at just over 2900 fps. I can safely drive 140's to 3100, 150's over 3000, 160's over 2900 and 175's to 2800fps. Its a great cartridge. I like its metric twin the 7x64 as well and they are nearly identical in looks and performance.
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Fowler
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,559
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Post by Fowler on Jul 9, 2015 7:13:02 GMT -5
Great gun, great cartridge, had one for over 25 years. The only draw back to the 280 is brass, 90% of the available brass is Remington brass and I think it's soft crap. But if you look Winchester and Norma brass pops up that is wonderful stuff, grab 100 or 200 cases and you are good to go for a long time. For me the 160 Partition at 2800-2900 is the only hunting load the rifle will ever need. A second very mild load with a varmint bullet loaded mild for targets and you are good to go.
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Post by bradshaw on Jul 9, 2015 11:48:19 GMT -5
vashooter.... the old .30-06 necked down to 7mm makes for a fine cartridge. Critical to check for smooth feeding with each and every repeater, irrespective of make and model. Brass may be formed from '06 in the .280 Full Length die. As with forming 7-08 from .308 brass, case length is apt to come up a bit short, which concern I got over fast. When necking down, always check with a dummy round to be sure the case neck has enough space to release the bullet, as to pinch a bullet in the chamber spikes pressure----ferociously. (Should not be a problem with the M77.) The original pattern Model 77 with tang safety and adjustable trigger makes for a wonderful arrangement. I know an excellent hunter with decades of mountain pounding under his belt, much of it accumulated while armed with a .280 built by my late friend Ed Verge on FN Mauser with Douglas barrel. Antelope, deer, elk. He is neither marksman nor cross canyon shooter, I said he is a hunter, and his modus operandi is to be in the same place at the same time with his quarry. Once he put his .280 to work, he stopped looking for another rifle.
David Bradshaw
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Post by cherokeetracker on Jul 9, 2015 17:58:10 GMT -5
Vashooter,,, 280 is a great caliber. I am with Fowler I do not like the Remington Brass. If you neck down (30-06) just watch for a donut on the neck. This does not always happen But if it does,, then just do a little neck turning. Donuts can happen ,, inside the brass, and it is really not a problem. Because usually they are pushed into the shoulder section out of the way of the Bullets. It is just when it happens on the outside of the neck, it gets in the way and even if the cartridge chambers, it will increase pressure. It helps accuracy with a lot of guns, so You, may be, doing that already.
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Post by ermont0825 on Jul 9, 2015 22:00:47 GMT -5
I have had a 280 for several years. I bought it as a throwaway gun when I went to Africa the first time. Good thing because I almost had to leave it when the rules changed suddenly on flying with rifles. Long story. I bought a sythethetic/stainless Ruger and have been in love with it. No worries about denting or dinging anything and it shoots light out with 140 grain Barnes. I shot 7 animals in Africa with it and a grizzly in Alaska. It's a keeper.
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Post by vashooter on Jul 13, 2015 7:05:23 GMT -5
Hey thanks for all the information I will keep you updated when I get this rifle. Thanks again for all the replies I'm sure I will have more questions once I get it.
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Post by nolongcolt on Jul 13, 2015 10:10:32 GMT -5
I cannot go along with the Remington brass issue some seem to have. My .280 has never seen any other than Rem brass with many, many reloads and never a failure of any kind at max or near max pressure the whole time. Rem brass is not my first go to brass in most calibers but in my .280 and my .375 H&H, its about all I have ever used and with complete satisfaction.
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chutch
.30 Stingray
Posts: 283
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Post by chutch on Jul 13, 2015 11:26:42 GMT -5
Hey thanks for all the information I will keep you updated when I get this rifle. Thanks again for all the replies I'm sure I will have more questions once I get it. If you need a set of dies PM me with your address. I have a set I picked up for next to nada when a local store closed. New Dimension # 544380 I think. I nearly picked up a M77 at a show just because I had the dies. Have been happy with my 6MM , |
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Post by vashooter on Jul 15, 2015 7:05:17 GMT -5
chutch I think my buddy has dies no sure he is out of town I will find out when he gets back Thanks
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Post by bushog on Jul 15, 2015 7:51:49 GMT -5
I've got a Ruger 77 in .280 that Gunsmith Al Biesen built years ago. It's a beautiful rifle that shoots like a champ.
I use it mostly for antelope, shooting the Barnes 120gn TTSX bullets.
It really likes the 150gn Swift Siroccos too.
Never used it for elk as I have other rifles that I feel are better choices for the NM conditions I usually hunt.
If I were back in NC it would be my 1st choice every time.
I think you'll really like your gun...
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Post by nolongcolt on Aug 24, 2015 17:18:41 GMT -5
Not to correct our learned member above but the .280 is not simply a necked down '06 case. I am sure he knows that the .280 shoulder length (headspace) is longer by a noticeable amount on purpose so it should not chamber in any .270 or '06 chambers. Also some years ago Remington in a rare stupid moment renamed the round the 7mm Express Remington, to which some few folks that don't read labels very well read as magnum, thus buying it and stuffing them into magnum chambers with the expected shocking results! They soon dropped that moniker and went back to just .280 Rem, a wise move.
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