.280 Rem 22" and 7mm-08 24" barrel lengths question

Ok, it's been a while since I was on here. I have a 7mm08, Savage 11 with 22" barrel. I was looking into some .280 Rem factory rifles, not the cheapo bottom of the barrel ones. I notice most .280's have the 22" barrel. I see a lot of 7mm08's with 24" barrels. It looks to me that the .280 would be better suited with a 24" barrel. The 7mm08 could go either way. From what I have read here that 2 inch extra on the 7mm08 would only generate about 40 to 50 fps. Looks to me the .280 needs that extra 2" to get the most performance from the load. I would just like to know people more knowledgeable their thoughts on this.

Something most folks don't consider. Lengthening the barrel also drops muzzle pressure. While you do give up a little handling in a 24" 7-08, you do gain a little velocity, and will notice the difference in muzzle blast. Also, this is true when going from 24" to 26" in the smaller magnums. They are more pleasant to shoot. In most cases I would rather have less blast than a shorter gun. The animal on the other end will never know the difference. If you are using a brake, the higher muzzle pressure makes it more efficient, especially in a smaller capacity cartridge. Does this help any?

The longer barrel which lessens pressure and muzzle blast and adds velocity is all positive on the 7mm08. Of course the recoil is not that much but I would think it might reduce slightly. My other concern is why the mfg of the 280 Remingtons are using 22 inch barrels. It is my understanding it needs at least 24 to burn all the powder.

longbowelk said:

The longer barrel which lessens pressure and muzzle blast and adds velocity is all positive on the 7mm08. Of course the recoil is not that much but I would think it might reduce slightly. My other concern is why the mfg of the 280 Remingtons are using 22 inch barrels. It is my understanding it needs at least 24 to burn all the powder.

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Not really, but because a little more powder is burned in the same bore it will have more muzzle pressure and blast. It only holds about 10 more grains. Remember 22" was standard with a 270 forever and it is burning the same amount of powder in a smaller bore.

The 7mm-08 and 280 Rem are all but identical In FPS with 140 bullets. Only problem is you gotta use a ball powder like W760 in the 08 to get enough powder in the case..

L.Sherm said:

The 7mm-08 and 280 Rem are all but identical In FPS with 140 bullets. Only problem is you gotta use a ball powder like W760 in the 08 to get enough powder in the case..

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Yes very similar to the relationship between the ,308 and 30-06. Not much different until bullets get heavy

So a 7mm08 with 24 inch barrel should be close to equal with the 280 with 22 inch barrel, same bullet, 280 more powder. In looking at Nosler Up Front ballistics, both shooting 140 gr AB, both IMR4350, the 7 08 with 46 gr going 2840, 280 with 48 going 2751, both 1 in 9 twist with 26 inch barrels. Of course the 08 is using max powder and 280 could kick up to 52 to get 2947. This is very interesting. If you take 2 inch off the 280 it would get them very close

You can get a 7mm-08 up near 3000FPs with a 140 but you have to use a ball powder like W760. I've done it with both having 24" barrels