Probably because there doesn't seem to be much interest on building custom rifles on A-bolt actions.Everyone prefers 700s or model 70s,hence the lack of demand and lack of availability of aftermarket parts for the a-bolt.
Thought on the .280 Remington and Browning A-bolt
- Thread starter Turkeyslayer 1300
- Start date
Probably because there doesn't seem to be much interest on building custom rifles on A-bolt actions.Everyone prefers 700s or model 70s,hence the lack of demand and lack of availability of aftermarket parts for the a-bolt.
The Win Model 70's and Rem 700's had a huge jump on the Browning A-bolt. With both of them long in place and with all the after market stuff available, plus 'smiths who've long made their bread and butter working on 'em, considering a Browning for a custom would just be an afterthought. Browning's niche in the market with the A-bolt was to just supply another sporting rifle that's pretty much good to go right outta the box.
X2 on every point, esp the part about the stock. I would avoid any A-Bolt in a caliber that would tend to be heavy recoiling. The only A-Bolts I currently own is a 22/250 and a .223. The pics show the recoil pad off an A-Bolt SS Stalker in 375H&H compared to a standard Remington pad. The butt on my 22/250 is bigger.
the .280 is an excellent calibre choice particularly with handloaded ammo (140/150 gr
The .280 is an excellent choice particularly with handloaded ammo such as the 140 and 150 gr. bullets. I had one in a Rem. 700 BDL and shot several deer with it. I traded it for some high end binoculars that I really like but I still miss it. I have read that with some handloads you can duplicate 7 mm. Rem. Mag. ballistics.
Scooby
The .280 is an excellent choice particularly with handloaded ammo such as the 140 and 150 gr. bullets. I had one in a Rem. 700 BDL and shot several deer with it. I traded it for some high end binoculars that I really like but I still miss it. I have read that with some handloads you can duplicate 7 mm. Rem. Mag. ballistics.
Scooby
oh no,..not the old "280 can nearly equal a 7Mag" statement.
I guess it depends on your description of "nearly"
I love the 280 and have two of them right now and a reamer that I plan to use to buld another one.
Why is it that the 280 is almost always portrayed as "nearly the equal of a 7Mag"., but the 25-06 is never portrayed as "nearly the equal of the 257 Wtby"...or the 270 Win is never portrayed as "nearly the equal of the 270 Wtby"...or the 30-06 is not portrayed as "nearly the equal of the 308 Norma"...all of the above have the same cases capacity differences as the 280 vs 7 Rem Mag....
I've always wondered about that.
I find it amazing that a case that holds roughly 10 grs less powder can be nearly as fast....in my experience the 280 is 200-300 fps slower than the 7 Rem Mag...but I guess that's equal in some books....
but I feel better knowing that my 243 is equal to a 240 Wtby.....
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The 10% increase in case capacity usually provides a 2-3% increase in velocity using mid-weight bullets. With the 280 vs 7mag if you are getting an 8-10% increase in velocity with a 10% powder increase you are either under-loading one or overloading the other; or using different barrel lengths; or using heavy for calibre bullets which BTW is in my opinion where the "magnums" really shine.
As for the A-Bolts .....................
I have owned 3 over the years, 2 "original" and a newer A-Bolt II. The first two I loathed, the A-Bolt II is my favorite rifle. I am waiting to get my hands on the new X-Bolt as it appears to have addressed some of the "problems" pointed out by A-Bolt owners.
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All important things being equal (bullet style and weight, bbl length, air temp and humidity, bore condition... ad nauseum..and most importantly load pressures) the .280 is NOT a 7mm RMag and never was intended to be. It is, however, another example of giving the 7Mag the greatest form of flattery and is also a fine caliber in it's own right. Jim Carmichael swore by the .280 - ought to be good enough for us wee mortals.
shortaction
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The 10% increase in case capacity usually provides a 2-3% increase in velocity using mid-weight bullets. With the 280 vs 7mag if you are getting an 8-10% increase in velocity with a 10% powder increase you are either under-loading one or overloading the other; or using different barrel lengths; or using heavy for calibre bullets which BTW is in my opinion where the "magnums" really shine.
As for the A-Bolts .....................
I have owned 3 over the years, 2 "original" and a newer A-Bolt II. The first two I loathed, the A-Bolt II is my favorite rifle. I am waiting to get my hands on the new X-Bolt as it appears to have addressed some of the "problems" pointed out by A-Bolt owners.
7mm Rem Mag Useful Case capacity 5.27cc
280 Rem Useful Case capacity 4.39cc
7mm Rem Mag has a .88cc larger case capacity
.88/4.39= .20 or 20%
10% increase = 2% - 3% increase
20% increase = 4% - 6% increase
Which would translate into the the 150fps - 175fps Stubblejumper referred to.
Getting back to the topic of 280 Rem in Browning A-Bolt.
If you favor the A-bolt I think it would make an outstanding gun / caliber combo.
the 280 is a great cartridge. It does not matter if it is close to this better than that. It will shoot well & kill clean. That is what matters. Mine is my choice when I will have a shot over 50yd. The longest is, well lets say long. The browning A is ok too. Just check to make sure the barell & channel do not touch. AJ
