So what is the 280 Rem capable of ?

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huntersmith

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picked up a nice remington 700 action, B&C spotter stock, and 21" Shilen Barrel. in yes "280 Remington it came with 4 boxes for Remington core locks which didn't shoot well at all so I picked up a set of dies today. And starting to reload this weekend.
Not my main gun more of a project something to work on.
My question is where do I start and what can I expect ?
 
4831, 4350 powders are good powders.
Depending on what bullet weights you plan on using. I could push 145gr Barnes LRX's to around 3000 fps in the rifle I had. I won't share the data, as I'm sure it was above anything listed in any manual.
Good cartridge. Regret selling mine.
 
I've shot over 35 deer and moose with mine using reloads of 139 gr. Hornady's traveling just over 3000'/sec at distances ranging from 16 yards to over 400 yds......most of these were one shot kills .
I really really like my 280 Rem. 700 .with my 4x12 Leupold .
 
all components for the .280 are as common as dirt, except perhaps brass, and that can be ordered or formed from 30-06 or .35 Whelen with a bit of care and attention.
 
Anything you would use a 30.06 for you can use the 280 and as an added bonus, it will shoot a little flatter.
 
nomad 68 said:
I hear the .280 doesn't give up a lot to the 7mm mag with the right loads. True or no?
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With good handloads the 280 gives up about 100 fps to most 7mm Rem mags with a rifle that weighs 1 1/2 to 2 lbs lighter than many mag rifles. It shoots as flat as a 270 and hits as hard as a 30-06. It is a great cartridge. For most deer sized game a 139-145 gr bullet is very hard to beat. IMR 4831 is a great powder.
 
For a 280 Rem I'd be looking for 3100-3200fps with 140's and 2900-3000 with 160's at the top end with RL19/RL22 and careful load development in a modern bolt action with a 24-26" barrel.
 
30-06 is not the best case to make 280 from as they are nearly .050" short.......but it's pretty easy to bump 270 up to 30 and then reset the shoulder with 280 dies and fireform..........or buy 280 brass which seems to me to be quite available and for sale on the EE several times a year in decent quantities.
 
280 brass isn't hard to come by. I prefer rel 19 with 120 to 140 grn bullets. its quite fast and fairly flat shooting. sort of the 7mm version of the 30 06. not the best at anything but good at most things.
 
nomad 68 said:
Are components scarce for the .280? I am planning on rebarreling a .30/06 , likely with a Jury barrel, and trying to decide on a cal. I have another ought six and a .270win. Sorry for hijack
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Why not go with the .280 AI? Nice cartridge, velocity gains over .280 Rem and brass available.
 
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