.270 vs .280....which do you prefer?

walther

walther

Member
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
4   0   0
I'm looking into either a .270 or .280. From what i've gathered so far they are basically ballistically identical, with either one having the advantage depending on what table you look at. Whats everyones opinion and why?
 
I prefer the .280 because of a better selection of bullets and heavier weights available if desired.

7 thou difference in bullet diameter and basically the same case capacity make them identical in performance with 150 grain bullets...
 
.270 vs .280

Both fine cartridges. Depends what bullet weight you prefer. If mainly 130gr then lean towards .270. If 140gr or heavier then look at the .280. The .270 really shines with the 130gr, but the .280 has a better bullet selection. I've taken deer with both, mainly .280 and they both worked well.
Most important is finding a rifle that works well for you in either chambering. I really like my .280 Remington Mountain Rifle, bought new in '86.
Cheers
Geoff
 
270 Win = 30.06 necked down to .277
280 Rem = 30.06 necked down to .284

.007 inch difference in bullet dia....Thats it.

Performance wise, they are identical.
 
If you like old classics then grab a J O'C special. If you like the 7mm and want to shoot something bigger than 160gr bullets, grab the .280. But if you are going to do the 280, make it an Ackley. It's the only way you can make the .280 truly cooler than the .270. Though no animal will really know the difference.

One other really important thing to consider is ammo. If you don't reload, or plan on traveling to hunt a lot, the 280 has a quarter of the factory ammo and bullet brand choices that the 280 does. But this is such a small problem for the reloader is should hardly make the radar.
 
Dudley is right, 280 ammo is harder to find, at least in my neck of the woods.

However if you reload or it is available near you I think the 280 is a better choice as there are a wider variety of 7mm bullets out there.

Only other down side to the 280 is in Ontario, south of the french river you can use up to a .277 caliber cartridge for varmint hunting, but a 270 for varmints is overkill any way.
 
CV32 said:
It might be better to say that if you're a reloader, then the .280 might be for you. If not, the .270 probably is.
Click to expand...

Naw, I reload, but I'll stick with my origonal oppinion. It's struck me over the years that many dispise, or find false negative with those things that are common. They fail to see that fact that if your up at Pink Mountian, and you've lost you're ammo, you should be able to find 270win, 308win, or 30-06springfield ammo; not so with the 280. When companies buy brass for retail, do you think that they buy 280 first?. Reloaders often presume that they are in some form of eleatest club, throwing common sense out the window along the way.
Mike
 
I have a number of Remington 700 .270's and must say they shoot incredible. At 100 yards it's easy a 1/2" group with my BDL. I would NEVER give them up!

I shoot 150 gr Nosler Partitions and am very happy with the way they group. Hand loads with IMR4350 (52 gr powder).

I also shoot Federal 150 gr store bought Nosler Partitions and they too shoot very tight.

The one thing about the .270 is no matter where you go in any small community you can always find shells, not always so with the .280 I found.

If you ever want to sell them, I think the .270 seems easier to sell.

Enjoy your quest!
 
I like the 280 as the huge choice in bullet weight and types. I love using my 280 and 280 AI. However, the 270 , even with its relative limits in bullets, is a fine cartridge and, everytime I take it out, I think of reading Jack's stories and sheep hunting. My solution was to own both but either will handle almost any hunting situation most of us will ever face.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom