Rifles in .280 Remington?

[The Kurgan]

Why the 7x57 over the 280 for the handloader? I own one of each so no dog in the fight either way.

280 is a superb cartridge and while I'm a huge fan of 30-06, 280 seems to split the difference between 270 and 30-06, making it supremely versatile. For me, personally, I prefer the 7x57 as it is also extremely versatile and with less recoil. Yes, it is a little slower than 280, but here in the east, a shot over 200 metres is rare (for me) and I just don't need the extra horsepower and range. Something else about 7x57, and this is not scientific or mathematical, but it seems to deliver optimal ballistic performance on whitetail and black bear--and I am referring to the 173 grain/2400 fps loads which deliver about 2200 ft lbs of energy. Others will argue the 139 grain/2650-2700 fps loads which deliver similar energy numbers are equally effective. Of course history and class also play into my preference

 

[The Kurgan]

Heck, most of us are more than a bit quirky! ;-)

My wife thinks I am a full blown nut bar

 

[SuperCub]

Of course history and class also play into my preference

Of the two, I would choose the 7x57 over the 280 as well for the same reasons. I just plain like it more.