.280 for Elk?

chuck, what bullet do you prefer...i have a sako 7/08 coming and have limited use with the calibre,...TSX has been suggested mostly..

Just saw your post as well boomer,..any thoughts for 7/08...

It will be a muley blackie rifle, but on occasion, may take an elk or moose,..
 
When in doubt a TSX will work, but IMHO at 7-08 velocity they aren't necessary. If it was me I'd try a 160 gr bullet, maybe the Sierra Game King or a Partition. You should be able to get them up to 2700 give or take so your trajectory would be flat enough. For moose or elk I might be inclined to go up to 175 gr with the same bullets, if they will shoot in your rifle.
 
Someone asked for pictures, here is one of my heaviest elk, shot with the .280 Remington's identical twin the 7x64 Brenneke. I used the RWS dual core 177 gr. bullet, double lung shot and complete penetration with the typical reaction - the bull walked about 3-4 seconds and fell over. I've had the same reaction from every elk I've shot in the lungs, ( about a dozen or so) whether 7mm, .30 cal, or .35 cal bullets, 150 or 250 grains. I'd echo Boomers thoughts. The .280 is fine, but with the exception of the monometals like TSX, 140's are best as deer bullets, elk bullets start at 160 grains and up.
IMG_3410.jpg
 
sealhunter said:
chuck, what bullet do you prefer...i have a sako 7/08 coming and have limited use with the calibre,...TSX has been suggested mostly..

Just saw your post as well boomer,..any thoughts for 7/08...

It will be a muley blackie rifle, but on occasion, may take an elk or moose,..
Click to expand...

Depends on the terrain...I'd use a 140TSX, 140AB, or 150 Partition over a 160 or heavier, if you are looking at longer shots...
 
Longwalker said:
Someone asked for pictures, here is one of my heaviest elk, shot with the .280 Remington's identical twin the 7x64 Brenneke. I used the RWS dual core 177 gr. bullet, double lung shot and complete penetration with the typical reaction -
Click to expand...

How far was the shot?
 
sealhunter said:
chuck, what bullet do you prefer...i have a sako 7/08 coming and have limited use with the calibre,...TSX has been suggested mostly..

Just saw your post as well boomer,..any thoughts for 7/08...

It will be a muley blackie rifle, but on occasion, may take an elk or moose,..
Click to expand...

For Elk the TSX has to be king. In the 280 the 140/150/160 would be my route depending on accuracy.

The 120/140 TSX in the 7-08 would be my choice for all around use.
 
I'll admit I've never shot an Elk, as none exist in Newfoundland, but I've taken a crap load of Moose, Caribou, etc.... I've used everything from the "lowly" .303 British, to the 6.5X55mm Swede, to the .308 Win, .30-06 SPRG, .300 RUM and 7mm Rem Mag.

Everytime, you put the bullet where it counts, no matter if its a 140gr 6.5mm or a 220gr .30 cal or anything in between, the end result is a dead animal. I know one guy who has killed something like 25-30 moose with the same .243 and cheapest Winchester ammo he could find. A single box of ammo will last him for 3-4 hunts, including zero check! He's just a helluva shot, fires one round into the heart/lungs and goes and collects his animal.

As big and tough as they are, Elk and Moose are not invincible. I've been seriously considering having a custom .280 built for my next hunting rig, just to be a little different. I wouldn't feel under gunned heading out for Elk with it either. You just need to put in the trigger time so that when the shot presents itself, you have the confidence and skill to make the shot on demand. Just know your limits and you'll be fine.
 
Well shean, I'm sure you can appreciate a few boys in Broad Cove who don't buy their ammo by the grains, by the bullet type, etc etc.

"I'm looking for .303 in the white box" ;)

"Do you mean winchester?"'

"I don't know,... the white box ones..."
 
My 280 is going for elk this fall (cow elk, but elk none the less) it will be stoked with 140 gr tsx.

My wife will carry her 260 or 338 fed for the same game. 120 TSX in the 260, 160 gr TTSX in the fed.
 
Speaking of elk, about an hour ago I had about 20 do a number on my barbed wire fence. Just got finished fixing it.

Hmmm, so many guns, which one to choose :D

Kidding of course...
 
my 280 is going with me for both (antlerless) elk and moose this fall,I have no doubt it will do the job again. I am also using it to backup my 16 yr old daughter who will be trying for her first moose & elk with her 243.
 
Longwalker said:
Someone asked for pictures, here is one of my heaviest elk, shot with the .280 Remington's identical twin the 7x64 Brenneke. I used the RWS dual core 177 gr. bullet, double lung shot and complete penetration with the typical reaction - the bull walked about 3-4 seconds and fell over. I've had the same reaction from every elk I've shot in the lungs, ( about a dozen or so) whether 7mm, .30 cal, or .35 cal bullets, 150 or 250 grains. I'd echo Boomers thoughts. The .280 is fine, but with the exception of the monometals like TSX, 140's are best as deer bullets, elk bullets start at 160 grains and up.
IMG_3410.jpg
Click to expand...



Nice shot.:)

I like the 140 gr TSX for the calibers around the .270 mark.
 
chuck nelson said:
For Elk the TSX has to be king. In the 280 the 140/150/160 would be my route depending on accuracy.

The 120/140 TSX in the 7-08 would be my choice for all around use.
Click to expand...

Just noticed last week when starting load development for a buddy's 7 Rem Mag that the 150 TSX is a BT and the 160 TSX is not. So, if BC's are a thing that interests you , the 150 may be the place to start.

Just working up a 168 TSX BT load for an 06 and shoot the 130 TSX-BT's in my 270 WSM. I used to use Partitions exclusively but have been switching over 1 cartridge at a time to the TSX's due to the outstanding performance and the surprising accuracy that can be achieved. RL 19 and 22 work so well in the 270 and 06 that it might be a starting point for the 280.
 
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