Browning A-Bolt .280 - opinions please

Glyn

Regular
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Sault, ON
Has anyone used these at all or does anyone own one? I am looking for opinions in general, as well as for a deer-moose rifle. I have a 30-30 with iron sights for close work, but I am looking at one of these with a 4 x 12 Bushnell to reach out and touch my furry friends.
 
Has anyone used these at all or does anyone own one? I am looking for opinions in general, as well as for a deer-moose rifle. I have a 30-30 with iron sights for close work, but I am looking at one of these with a 4 x 12 Bushnell to reach out and touch my furry friends.

I personally love the Browning A Bolt design. The .280 Remington cartridge is very capable and flat shooting...the 7mm in any guise is hugely respected - with the .280 being near (or at) the top of the heap for "all around" big game hunting use. I don't think you'll go wrong with that setup, as long as you feel the rifle fits you well.

Jeff/1911.
 
Has anyone used these at all or does anyone own one? I am looking for opinions in general, as well as for a deer-moose rifle. I have a 30-30 with iron sights for close work, but I am looking at one of these with a 4 x 12 Bushnell to reach out and touch my furry friends.
Although I don't own a 280, I thinks it's one of the best calibers out there. Better than a 270 as it offers heavier bullets. It would be the perfect caliber for the fellow that just want to own one gun.

I wouldn't put a Bushnell 4x12 on it. A 2x7 Leupold would be a better choice for all-around hunting and would be a better scope as well. A 4x12 would be heavy and offer less FOV for close shooting.


.
 
Abolts are great rifles. If you don't reload, stay away from 280. Ammo may be hard to find and expensive. Your alternative is a .308 or .270. They are both good for deer and moose.

As suggested, put a 2-7 scope it. It is easier to shoot, lighter and smaller as well.
 
I have owned several a-bolts over the years. A 25 06 and a .223 at the moment. I have also owned a couple of .280's as well. Never in that rifle. But I think you would have a tough time going wrong with that. That reminds me. I have been meaning to get another .280

Dave.
 
Got mine last fall, warming -up to it real fine, Stainless-stalker in 280 rem, will be using it this fall for hunting. I reload so shells not a problem. :) 5 rounds within a inch if I do my part . Get it, you'll like it!
 
I have one and love it. I like taking it to the range an explaining to my ballistically inept friends that my .280 has all the good of their 30-06s,270's and 7mm mags with less recoil in the case of the 7mm, better sectional density for the 06 and heavier bullets than the .270. The only downside is lack of factory shells. It's a hell of a gun and a hell of a cartridge.
 
I'd rather be kicked in the balls by a pro soccer player then waste my money on an a-bortion.


flame on! :jerkit:

No flames... Personally, I happen to like A-Bolts, although I only have one at the moment [I do have several Rems, though ;)]

What's your fav bolt rifle, then? :confused:
 
I personally love the Browning A Bolt design. The .280 Remington cartridge is very capable and flat shooting...the 7mm in any guise is hugely respected - with the .280 being near (or at) the top of the heap for "all around" big game hunting use. I don't think you'll go wrong with that setup, as long as you feel the rifle fits you well.

Jeff/1911.

+1

Although, for me.... I'd take a 7mm-08 over a .280... I think I could do everything I'd need to do with the short action 7mm... ;)
 
Although I don't own a 280, I thinks it's one of the best calibers out there. Better than a 270 as it offers heavier bullets. It would be the perfect caliber for the fellow that just want to own one gun.

I wouldn't put a Bushnell 4x12 on it. A 2x7 Leupold would be a better choice for all-around hunting and would be a better scope as well. A 4x12 would be heavy and offer less FOV for close shooting.


.

I may agree with the weight argument, but as I said for close up I use the Model 94 with iron sights, so a close up scope is not really important to me.
 
Abolts are great rifles. If you don't reload, stay away from 280. Ammo may be hard to find and expensive. Your alternative is a .308 or .270. They are both good for deer and moose.

As suggested, put a 2-7 scope it. It is easier to shoot, lighter and smaller as well.


I don't currently reload as all firearms I own are in relatively "cheap" calibres. For the .280, the vendor is throwing in all of his remaining ammo as well which amounts to about 3-4 boxes of Failsafes in 165 gr (I think), so that should keep me hunting for a few years yet.

With sighting in each year, practicing a bit and a couple of shots each year I have a tag that fits the wildlife, I should be good for a few years yet.
 
I have one and love it. I like taking it to the range an explaining to my ballistically inept friends that my .280 has all the good of their 30-06s,270's and 7mm mags with less recoil in the case of the 7mm, better sectional density for the 06 and heavier bullets than the .270. The only downside is lack of factory shells. It's a hell of a gun and a hell of a cartridge.

I have been researching the availability of factory shells and I find that Federal do many sizes and types still, Remington and Winchester have a reduced selection, but in good quality rounds and of course if I sell a kidney then I can always go and buy some Norma shells for it.

All in all, it does have less of a selection than many calibres, but my research shows that decent quality rounds are still available in many weights.
 
Why is this? Is it the general expense of the A-Bolt in comparison to other similar rifles, or have you used one and not liked it or found problems?


Amphib is younger and enjoys carrying heavy rifles!!! :50cal: :runaway:
I've been carrying an A-bolt in .06 for 6 or 7 years great rifle. But it's more about the fit, if the nicest rifle you see don't fit you won't shoot well!!
 
Back
Top Bottom