7-08 v. 280

[Iclimb]

Anybody beaten up on the 280 with their 7-08? I Was looking in Cabela's and noted HSM list the velocity of the two equal. Actually the 7-08 is a few feet per second faster. Both with 140's. if you don't wanna shoot the heavier bullets which would you have?

I'm at 280 fan but I don't have one at present but was thinking of getting another one, maybe I'll have to get the 7-08?

 

[Sully2]

Aint gonna happen. MAX loadings for both puts the '06 casing out ahead

 

[Derek M.]

same debate goes on with the 308 v the 30.06. Flip a coin. Both will do most anything you want. Lots of factors go into velocities, however.

 

[Iclimb]

Well I thought so too, check out cabelas fall master. Anyways seems pretty simple issue of case capacity, right... I had to ask, the 7-08 interests me.

 

[trebark]

If your plan is to shoot 140grain bullets at targets/game at no farther than 400 then it doesn't matter.

If however you want to shoot heavier bullets at longer distances, then the 280 is a clear choice.

 

[varmintH8R]

If your plan is to shoot 140grain bullets at targets/game at no farther than 400 then it doesn't matter.

If however you want to shoot heavier bullets at longer distances, then the 280 is a clear choice.

+1. Sums it up perfectly.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I have learned to never trust a big box store...I'd do some more research if I were you. Check Midway, or anywhere else that sells both calibers in the same ammo. Midway tends to be the most accurate.

 

[trebark]

If your plan is to shoot 140grain bullets at targets/game at no farther than 400 then it doesn't matter.

If however you want to shoot heavier bullets at longer distances, then the 280 is a clear choice.

In the interest of disclosing my bias....

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

 

[lloydsmale]

using factory ammo theres not much advantage to a 280 over a 708 or an 06 over a 308. Factory ammo in both the 280 and the 06 are watered down a bit. handloaded to the same pressures and theres a definated advantage to the bigger case.

 

[stanley52]

'06 is an old cartridge... The spinoff's of it are old.. Old guns are weaker, most manufacturers dumb down loads for 30-06, 280, and etc. They also dumb download data in their manuals. If you're looking into this genre though, go with a 280AI, and instantly end the debate? Shoots a 168gr berger VLD at 2900-3000 without magnum recoil/powder loads.

 

[idaho elk hunter]

I can not speak for any factory loaded ammunition avail. I have not even tried to buy or shoot factory stuff for over 20 yrs. I can tell you that I have extensively loaded for power and accuracy in virtually every 7mm cartridge out. The 7-08 is really in its own world with little competition in the 120 grain bullet world. It can really hold its own in the 140gr class also when you start to use the newer powder avail today. Hodgens CFE223 really performs in this little cartridge and makes it "bigger
The 280 on the other hand as a cult following with some stating it rivals the 7mm mag. " It is in its own right better ballistically than any 270 or 30-06 but to get it to rival the big 7mm you have to hot load it or AI it. Even the AI has to be loaded to high pressures to get higher velocities. The 280 is in a situation of bad timing other wise it would be one of the most popular calibers in the world. It came out at the wrong time to compete with either the 270 or the 06. It now has to struggle against all the short mags. That's to bad because it really is one great cartridge.
The cartridge that is often over looked and has the ability to out play these two in non magnum status is the 284 Winchester. It sadly also had timing and marketing issues.lightbulb

 

[MudRunner2005]

.284 Win & .280 AI are very similar in ballistics. Both good calibers, but I still prefer the .280 AI (personal preference).

I have been debating on dropping my .22 caliber wildcat for now and just going with a .22-284 Win. and shoot the Berger 90gr VLD's. It would be a coyote smokin machine!

 

[Trickymissfit]

Well I thought so too, check out cabelas fall master. Anyways seems pretty simple issue of case capacity, right... I had to ask, the 7-08 interests me.

knowing Cabalas, I tend to completely disregard most anything the have to with firearms. the .280 should do an honest 200+fps faster than the 7-08 and maybe more.

A quick scan of the Hornaday manual (not exactly my favorite) shows the 7-08 using a 139 grain bullet hitting the 2900fps mark using a 24" barrel. But a further investigation tells me that the two 2900fps loads were with ball powders, and the rest are in the 2700-2800fps range. Now you move up to the 7x57 with the same bullet, but with a 22" barrel. They are showing 2700fps. This round seems close, but maybe 150fps short of max. The next step is the .280 of course. They used a 22" barrel, so you can add 100fps to their readings right away with a 24" barrel. A 26" barrel will add some more. In the manual we see 2900fps and 3000fps loads with the 22" barrel length. The max pressure for the .280 is 60Kpsi (?!!!) which is kinda funny when you look around. The max for a 25-06 is 63K psi and the .270 is 65K psi. Once again I have to put the "swami" bunch out on the other side of left field!
Yet the max for the .308 based cases are 60K psi.

Taking these figures a step further we know the case capacity of the 30-06 case to be much greater than the .308 based case family. Yet they all started out in life as a 7.92x57 Mauser, and were either shortened or stretched a little bit. We're not talking about a piece of brass made in 1921! The 7x57 Mauser will take 60K psi just like the .280 or 7-08 contrary to what the "swami" says. A fine example of their insite is the 6mm Remington being spec'd at 65K psi, while the 7x57 is held much lower. In a Remington 700 it would easily hit the 63K mark with zero problems! Same could be said for the 280 Remington in spades. The .280 will make better use of a 26" barrel than the 7-08 from charge weights alone.

I imagine old Bob is rolling over in his grave over these crazy specs
gary