.280 or ??

[Time Killer]

Anybody using a .280? What are your opinions.
I am going to re-barrel a LA R700 and don't want to go with a Mag bolt. Not wanting to change my stock, bolt, etc.
Thinking this may fit the bill. Good for LR?

Is there something else out there that will shoot 150-180 gr. better?

I own several other rilfes from 223 to 6.5 and a 30 cal. Just wanting something in between. This one is currently a .270 and I am open to just going back to that, but am wanting opinions on something different.

This will be used for big game, planning an Elk hunt in the near future.
Thanks for the info.

 

[teflonhunter]

280 AI would be sweet. I have a 7 SAUM and like it but would be just as happy with a 280 AI.

 

[LouBoyd]

Is there something else out there that will shoot 150-180 gr. better?

I'd suggest a 7mm Rem mag L700. You can buy a used one for about the cost of having your 270 Rebarreled. That way you can keep your 270 for deer and not have to mess with changing bolts or stocks. Why is the 7RM better than a 280? Mostly it gives an extra 0.15" of space in the magazine for the heavier bullets. Also 82 vs 67.9 grains case capacity and 62+ vs 58+ kpsi max pressure which pushes those heavier bullets faster.

That all assumes that you handload. They 7RM only has a 3.34" SAAMI OAL while the 280 has a 3.5" OAL. But the Rem 700 allows loading to 3.6" OAL.

 

[captacademy]

I have a 280 and use 150 Nosler BTs. The rifle has taken several antelope out past 500 yards without a problem. Low recoil and very flat shooting , it's fun to shoot. I also have several magnums, big and small, but this is a good all around antelope and deer rifle in my humble opinion. Are there better, I'm sure, but it depends on what you want. The 280 works very well for the mentioned animals.

Some have taken elk with it also, but I like the bigger magnums for elk.


My two cents!

 

[angus-5024]

Go for it!!! I would just stick with the plain jane 280 Rem over the AI but that just because I am a fairly simple handloader. I feel its one of the better 7mm's out there, especially for one that wondt burn barrels. The reasons for the 280 over the 7mm Rem are 1- better barrel life 2- better in short barrels 3-more effecient 4- non-magnum boltface (simply because you dont want to change).

 

[trebark]

Love the 280. My 280Rem shoots the 168VLDs at 2780fps very well. Ballistically it is capable of killing deer at 1000yards.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/my-280-updated-32771/

 

[meatyrem]

+1 for. 280 Rem very versatile and effective

 

[bamadawg2009]

I love my 280 AI. Im actually thinking about building another one in a sporter configuration. The thumbhole I have now is more of a treestand slash benchrest rifle, but 280 is probably the most versatile non magnum cartridge Ive ever shot.

 

[Time Killer]

Thanks for the comments guys.
Alright, so I'm going 280 on this one. What is the smallest barrel that you'd put in a Sendero contour stock. I have a HS I could use for this project. Anybody have a #4 or #5 in one of these. How does it ride? I was going to just put in a Sendero contour, but have been reading about light weight stuff has got me thinking.
Thoughts?

 

[captacademy]

I have a #4 on mine that's 26" that's just fine. I think either a 4-5 will work perfect. If I went with a # 5, I would flute it. You can carry this rifle all day long up and down the mountain, it's very light.

 

[LouBoyd]

Go for it!!! I would just stick with the plain jane 280 Rem over the AI but that just because I am a fairly simple handloader. I feel its one of the better 7mm's out there, especially for one that wondt burn barrels. The reasons for the 280 over the 7mm Rem are 1- better barrel life 2- better in short barrels 3-more effecient 4- non-magnum boltface (simply because you dont want to change).

With those arguments 7mm-08 and 7mm BR are great choices.

 

[bamadawg2009]

I have mine stuck in a boyds thumbhole with a 5.5 contour shilen that has been fluted, it did not take any opening up for the barrel to fit the stock. This is the first fluted barrel I have owened and I must say im very pleased.

 

[zeus]

I have a 7 mm Dakota , 7mm rem mag and get the same results with 280 Rem. with less recoil and less powder.It's fun to shoot.

Zeus

 

[J E Custom]

Anybody using a .280? What are your opinions.
I am going to re-barrel a LA R700 and don't want to go with a Mag bolt. Not wanting to change my stock, bolt, etc.
Thinking this may fit the bill. Good for LR?

Is there something else out there that will shoot 150-180 gr. better?

I own several other rilfes from 223 to 6.5 and a 30 cal. Just wanting something in between. This one is currently a .270 and I am open to just going back to that, but am wanting opinions on something different.

This will be used for big game, planning an Elk hunt in the near future.
Thanks for the info.

The 280 is a good choice.

If you like the 270 you will love the 280, After all, what could be better than a 30/06 case necked to
7mm and lengthened.

They are very versatile with a very large bullet selection and are one of the most popular cartriges
for F class shooting.

I realy like the 280 AI if set up correctly, because they can shoot the standard 280 ammo with
extreme accuracy and fire form at the same time. The AI is very close to the 7 rem mag except
for the largest of bullets.

Most of the guys that I have built them for like the 160 Accubond for all round hunting bullets.
and the 168 SMks or Burgers for long range targets. Larger bullets can be used if you want to.

The AI version steps it up a notch and increases the velocity 100+ ft/sec.

I would have the action blue printed before I screw the barrel own,other than that the 280 or 280
AI is a straightforward barrel change and well worth the effort.

J E CUSTOM