Thought on the .280 Remington and Browning A-bolt

I almost bought one a few years ago in a synthetic/blued model. I chose a .30-06, as I already had a .270 and those two are close enough as it is, I didn't need .007" bigger bullets. :D Their very well made, and I think your going to enjoy it...It's an excellent cartridge, and capable of anything you might want to hunt.
 
You are going to love that rifle! I have a stainless stalker in 280rem and I love it, and they can shoot! here is a target shot at 100yds off a rest, using factory Federal 150 gr Hi-shock soft points squares are 1inch. trying some reloads with much the same results! Have fun!
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No experience with the .280 Rem.... but lots with the 7mm-08 and 7x57mm, though... :D

But I've owned three A-bolts.... still have a composite stalker in .300 Win Mag... all have been excellent & accurate rifles.
 
I have a Browning A-Bolt II Hunter (blued&wood) in 280. It shoots better than I do. My only complaint is the thin barrel gets hot quick at the range.
 
The .280 Rem with the right handloads is real close on the heels of the 7 mag without all the extra powder and recoil.
.280 Remington,.284 Winchester,7x57 Mauser, a moose at 100 yards will never know which one tipped him over.
 
Amphibious said:
a-bolt= :puke:
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The three I've had 3 different A-bolts [stainless stalker .308, hunter .30-06 and composite stalker in .300 Win Mag] have all been sub 1" 100 yard shooters "as is".... I've got more Rem 700's now than anything else but I dunno that I'd say A-bolts are
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,280

You can't go wrong with a .280.I have 2 and a .280AI.I'm not crazy about the A-Bolt though.I'm not knocking it's accuracy,I know they can shoot,personally I don't care for clips,and prefer a 24" tube to the 23" Browning.That's just me,I'm sure you'll be happy with it!Good Shooting,Mur
 
If I can remember correctly I used the speer grand slam in 160 grain for my 280. I hunted mountain goat to moose with it and it never let me down. It is a fantastic round. The only one I like better is the 7-08
 
stubblejumper said:
I like the 280,but I find the a-bolt to be over designed and to have too many parts for my liking.I find the magazine system especially annoying.
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X2; Browning A-bolts are usually quite accurate. I owned a 338 Win Mag that was very accurate. The Magazine system leaves me absolutely cold though, The triggers are crap, and they could redesign the stock IMHO. But they seem to be loved by some shooters. I say whatever floats YOUR boat is fine. The 280 Chambering is A-1! Regards, Eagleye
 
My go-to rifle since '92 has been a .280 A-Bolt. Some features I like lots: That loading system is a love-it-or-hate-it affair, I love it. the trigger is spongy. I heard the A-Bolt II trigger is better; haven't tried it. It doesn't sound important, but that 60 degree bolt lift, combined with the shape of the handle, gives you a whole lot of clearance from the scope, making it glove-friendly and VERY fast to cycle. I don't know if the barrels on the old models were thicker, but mine shoots 5-shot groups well, and is not prone to heating quickly.
What I would like to see is a better trigger, and a stock with a rounder forend and wraparound checkering a la Remington. And a better recoil pad.
You can't go wrong with the .280 Rem. like the '06, the .308, the 7X57, and the .270, it's a great all-rounder. Somewhat underloaded at the factory due to its original introduction in the rem 740, it comes into its own when handloaded. I've tried 115 grain, 139, 140, and 154's in mine. All shot accurately, certainly better than I can use. It's a consistent sub-MOA shooter, and will handle anything I care to hunt.
 
I used to have a .280. It is a great all round calibre for most N. American hunting less big brown bears. Mine was generally not fussy to reload. I loaded 160/162 grn bullets with H4350 or H4831. RL 19 is another to try. Took moose, black bear and mule deer with my 280. Sometimes I wish I still had it. Can rechamber for a 280 Ackley too - something to think about...

Good luck.
 
I've got an A-Bolt Stainless that I had built into a 25-06 with a Gaillard barrel. I put it in a take off stock because I was poor at the time and refinished the wood to my liking. Still reasonably light despite the heavier barrel and the short bolt throw always keeps you clear of the scope. Their well build and accurate.

The M700 guys like to ##### because there's no aftermarket parts for them. I wonder why? Perhaps they work so well out of the box you don't have to fool around with all manner of aftermarket goodies to make it look and work 1like something it's not. Their a very well built hunting rifle, period.
 
No one is going to give in when you're talking Remington 700 vs Browning A-Bolt. Each rifle has it's plusses as well as minuses.
Personally, I am not a fan of the J-Lock on the 700, nor am I a fan of the magazine retainer spring of the A-Bolt. I like the magazine system of the DM 700 and I like the ergonomics and throw of the bolt in the Browning.
Only you can be the judge of which one is right for you.
 
gunrunner100 said:
No one is going to give in when you're talking Remington 700 vs Browning A-Bolt. Each rifle has it's plusses as well as minuses.
Personally, I am not a fan of the J-Lock on the 700, nor am I a fan of the magazine retainer spring of the A-Bolt. I like the magazine system of the DM 700 and I like the ergonomics and throw of the bolt in the Browning.
Only you can be the judge of which one is right for you.
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I'm on that. While I own mostly Remingtons [all pre J lock... ;) ] I still have one A-bolt & with my experience with them wouldn't hesitate on picking up another if it was the right deal...
 
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