280 Remington or 7 mm Remington Magnum

elkhuntr said:
Run the lower displacement hard or the larger in spec and you get the same. No replacement for displacement.

However, the 7mm RM mag loads identified on the hodgdon site are ....in a word..... anemic.....rather whimpy imo. Recently developed a 162gr load with H4831sc using 65.5gr and wow does it print small groups. At a full 1.5gr over listed it remains within my acceptable upper pressure limit. It is close to practical max as 66.0 gr started to show primer evidence and harder bolt lift....stopped there as felt no need to test crappy brass life. No chrony on it yet but I am betting I am in the 2950 to 3000fps range with a 24" barrel. 280 will have a hard sell to catch that with a 22" barrel.

I'll stick with the 7RM. ;)
Elky....
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I would agree with anemic. I've gone well over lots of 7RM data but always watching the chrono.....
 
The more powder capacity a cartridge has, relative to its bore size, the more it benefits from a long barrel. I've done some credible shooting at 500 yards with a Brno 7X57 with 140 gr TTSXs at a measured 2900 fps, needing only the first aiming point below the cross hair of a Boone and Crockett reticle zeroed for 200. The rounds with more powder capacity can only shoot flatter with the same bullet, or as flat with heavier ones of equal shape, which in turn shoot flatter beyond 500 than lighter bullets can. As a rule more powder capacity means higher velocities and flatter trajectories, which has driven the popularity of the 7mm STW and the 7mm Ultra. The .280 Remington or the .280 Ackley are suitable cartridges for typical open country big game hunting. If I was looking for more than a .280, I believe I'd take a hard look at one of the big volume 7mms, since real world 7mm magnum trajectories are so close to that of the .280 Ackley 160 gr handloads when both are fired in a 24" barrel, perhaps an inch and a half advantage for the 7 mag at 300 yards. I doubt you could exploit any advantage from an inch and a half at 300 yards. A big volume 7mm IMHO, needs a minimum of 26" of barrel, and 28" wouldn't be out of the question, but of course you need to be able to carry this thing around.
 
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I have a Ruger in 7X57, A Savage in 280, and a Winchester Sporter (CRF) in 7 mag. I have loaded 7 Mag with 175 gr bullets and chronographed them at very close to 3100 fps. I don't know what the extreme range numbers would be but out to 350 yards and zeroed 2 inches high at 100 yds, I just pretty much hold dead on, maybe cheated a few inches at 350 and let it fly. The Winnie has a 26 inch barrel which is good for squeezing the last bit of velocity out of the hotter loads but it is a bit ungainly to carry in thick stuff. Having said that, the rifle I carry most is the Savage, it is lighter and handier and the combination has never failed me. I also have a Browning chambered for the 280 and it is my most accurate rifle.
 
porkhock said:
Load .300 Win Mag with 77grains of H4350, top er off with a 180gr Sierra GameKing Spitzer. You'll never go 7mm
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That's 10 grains over Hodgdon's recommended load for a 180gr softpoint.

Hogdon lists 67 gr for 53 000 CUP

300WM is rated for 54000 CUP

I prefer a slower powder than 4350 in a .300 with 180gr bullets, more velocity with less pressure. YMMV
 
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Pick either one, with today's components it is too close to call or make much difference.

BUT

Use a Swift Scirocco II in 150gr with it's high BC it will be exceeding most other heavier projectiles in speed and energy at the ranges you desire , close up , it doesn't matter.Oh and it is deadly accurate.

Run it through your ballistic software programs. ;)

Or better yet , go field test them.
 
Kelly Timoffee said:
Pick either one, with today's components it is too close to call or make much difference.

BUT

Use a Swift Scirocco II in 150gr with it's high BC it will be exceeding most other heavier projectiles in speed and energy at the ranges you desire , close up , it doesn't matter.Oh and it is deadly accurate.

Run it through your ballistic software programs. ;)

Or better yet , go field test them.
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What range did you test them to? Did you find the claimed BC to be accurate? It seems to be quite long for its weight - even longer than Nosler's 150gr LRAB
 
porkhock said:
Load .300 Win Mag with 77grains of H4350, top er off with a 180gr Sierra GameKing Spitzer. You'll never go 7mm
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And you boys thought I was radical..............HHHMMMMMMM, but then he is also recommending a Sierra bullet in a magnum cartridge.........what does that tell ya............Ah yes, from Sask, a deer hunter, I should think the 180 Sierra should work like lightning on deer..........moose, elk or bison, I'm not so sure.............
 
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