Rem .280 looking for real world reviews.
 

Who has a Rem 280? Is the recoil significantly less than the Rem 7MM?
Due to a bad shoulder I’m finding the recoil too much from my 7mm and I’m looking at getting something new, non magnum, mild recoil but still versatile enough hunt Deer to Moose the 280 seems to fit that bill, can anyone give me some firsthand reviews?

Thanks

Have the 7mag. 280 and 7 x 57.
With mid weight bullets the 280 will do pretty much what the 7mag does. The critters wont know the difference, in rifles of the same weight the 280 does seem to recoil less. As a go to cartridge it is actually very versatile. Can you try one before buying ?

If Your stepping away from the 7rm for recoil reasons the 280 would not be by pick - if a new rifle was a must I would look at the 6.5c/260/6.5x55/ 7-08.

However I would probably first load up and try some 120gr ttsx in your 7rm, and add a decelerator or limbsaver if you havent already.
This is all from a 280 fan, that’s my $0.02

Recoil is more relatable to the rifles weight.
If you compare a 9 lb 7 Rem Mag, to a 9 lb .280, of course the recoil will be less in the .280, but is it enough to be decernable to the shooter, I dunno.

The Pit Boss has a .280 in a Savage 110, with factory 140’s she’s a torquey SOB. 2” less barrel, so they usually scale up lighter than a Rem Mag. So guess what it has recoil. But I dunno where your tollerence level is so.

I think you’d be better off with a 7-08, or a 6.5x55/.260/Crudmore.

My father used s .280 fir a while and liked it to much he rebarreled a 1917 Enfield to 280 with a Douglas barrel .
Unfortunately he never got to shoot the rifle to its full potential before leaving for quieter ranges .
My younger brother killed a pile of moose with it however and I have loaned it out on several occasions to people who comment on its lack of recoil and accuracy , it has taken everything from long range coyotes to elk .
The rifle is on the heavier side of sporter weight , mind you !:)
Personally if I were looking fir a light kicking 7 I would go 708 or 7x57.
Cat

I’ve used the 7mm Rem Mag, Mashburn Mag, and 280 Rem in identical platforms of similar weights. The 280 is definitely milder, but if you are looking for a real difference the 7-08 might be a better choice. I’ve used it and the 7x57 a bunch and they are a much milder alternative.

I cant really tell the difference between a .270, .280, and a 30-06 myself. If you are ok with a 30-06 then you should be ok with the .280, if not then a 7-08 or 6.5x55 would be a better idea.

Personally I've never found the .280 to be a whole lot more capable than a .270, but the amo costs more and is harder to find.

Both my brothers and I all started off with a 280 rem for our first rifles, and have taken several moose and lots off deer. It is the perfect mild all around cartridge in my opinion. The kick is much milder than my current moose/elk rifle in a 7RM

I would load a 150g Swift Scirocco for a do everything bullet.


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I have a Remington Mountain rifle in 280. It is very accurate. The recoil is milder than the 7 mag. For thought, the 7mm/08 is milder yet and I have never seen one that is not accurate.

I have had a couple .280 Rem rifles now. Im thinning them down, but still have and shoot one as my go to hunting rifle. I'm a fan and with reloads it is a definite performer with mild recoil. My rifle is 7.5 lbs and I am shooting 120gr TTSX at 2950 fps. This is not close to max either and I could get another 100fps, my rifle however preferred the slight reduction in powder for accuracy.
The .280 Rem is right down the middle for performance vs. felt recoil in the 7mm category. Others may have better experience with the 7mm-08 or 7x57, but i have found them to be slightly underwhelming. However if felt recoil is the main trait you are considering, then the 7mm-08 would be a good option. Its pleasantly surprising to shoot, and more than adequate for moose and elk.

The 7-08 will shoot 120’s at 3k so compared to your 280 im not sure how it is underwhelming.

Thanks for the opinions,
I’m looking at the 7-08 as well. Unfortunately, I probably won’t have the opportunity to shoot either before buying. I have had a 3-08 and 243 so I assume the 7-08 recoil will be similar.

I’m also toying with putting the cash towards having my rifle re-barrelled to .280 I have already upgraded the trigger(Timney), stock (McMillan/Decelerator pad), firing pin and shroud over the last few years and I likely cant sell it for what I have invested so adding a barrel might get me the riffle I'm looking for.

cohod

I have a 280 Rem Mountain rifle with a Limbsaver that helps a lot shoots 120 TSX MOA all day. The limbsaver reduces recoil enough for me the 120's are deer lasers.

It will Keeell!

I am a huge .280 fan and it is the calibre of my go to rifle. I started out as a youngster with a 30-06 and have owned a couple 7mm rem mags. I didn't like the recoil so I went to the .280 which has noticeably less recoil than the 30-06 and significantly less than the 7mm rem mag. If you reload it is great, if you don't it is difficult to find ammo similarly to 6.5 x 55 or 7-08. Best of luck.

If it was me I would go 7-08 .Depending on the brand of rifle if your not satisfied with the 7-08 it could be re-chambered to 280 or 284 win.or even 7-08 Ackley. But I think you would be pleasantly surprised at how efficient the 7-08 is . Good luck with your choice

What make/model rifle do you have? Of course going from mag bolt face to standard you would have to do some bolt work. After that there is some good 6.5 cal choices that would work well in a long action and be much lower recol than a 7mm mag. Depends on if you reload and if you want to go non standard type cartriges or even wilcats. Examples like 6.5x55, 260AI, 6.5x284, 6.5 Sherman etc.

I'd at least look at the rebarrelling/bolt work route first before deciding to sell your rifle as is.

I’ve shot a 280AI for a number of years, no problem with recoil and an extremely versatile cartridge. Deer and moose gun with 140’s

I spent many years shooting moose and deer to 600 yards with a 270 running factory Win 130 PPP ammo. Shot my firts elk with a 270 before acquiring a 7mm Express Remington. Both of those went when I happened into a Rem 700 V in 7mm08 and found that about the only real difference was a bit less felt recoil. Like you arthritis had set in and the heavy rifle helped with the flinch I had developed with the 7mm Mag. A friend was surprised to find that the 7mm08 delivered the exact same performance as his "BIGGER" 7X64 Brenneke as they both pushed a 145 Speer BT to 2940 fps. I had tried to run a 120 BT in the 7mm Mag but it went to about 6" groups at 3400 fps while the 08 printed sub 1/3 MOA groups at 3100- 3200 fps. Those 120 BT's kill moose very effectively to 400 yards and deer/antelope to 500 +.

I ran the Speer 145 & 160 SPBT bullets in the 7mm08 until I could no longer hunt big game and set up more than a few for friends and family who are still using them. However if I were to get a new lease on life, that would allow me to big game hunt again, I would likely buy a new Model 70 Winchester Extreme Weather or a Montana Extreme X 2 in 6.5 Creedmoor or 6.5 PRC.
The Factory 143 ELD-X ammo for these cartridges run at 2700 and 2960 fps and the PRC is only necessary if you want to go beyond 500 yards with felt recoil similar, although a bit more, to my 145 Speer load in 7mm-08.

You could run a 120 Barnes to 3000 fps but felt recoil would be about the same as the 6.5 Creedmore 143 ELDX at 2710. The amazing thing with this 6.5 Creedmore is that this is a low pressure accuracy load, with handloads, that drifts less in the wind and retains 1321 ft lbs energy compared to 1347 at 500 yards with my 7mm 08 load. The only drawback is that you will need about 10 MOA elevation instead of 9 MOA at 500 yards. Just don't let the high pressure speed demons talk you into trying to get 2900 - 3000 fps from the Creedmore as you can easily do that with the 6.5 PRC without blowing primers and destroying brass.

If you are serious about wanting to keep your existing rifle because you have it well kitted out, have a muzzle brake added. Use that at the range, take it off to hunt. This will reduce felt recoil far below even a 7-08. This is a reasonable option even if you go to another cartridge.

I agree with putting on a muzzle break. Lots of good brakes and felt recoil will be very low. Get some electronic ear plugs and fire away at the range or while hunting.

If you are going to stay at 150gr or lower, 270 win is easier to find ammo for.

You can put less powder in it.

The .280 is in my opinion one of the finest all around cartridges for hunting North American big game. If you don't reload however, your options are limited. I have used one for 25 years now and all I can say is if you have a properly stocked rifle and a good recoil pad you shouldn't have a problem with recoil. I just have a hard rubber pad on mine and don't notice recoil, especially out hunting. But then again I don't have a bad shoulder.

25 years? Are you really that old? :-)

Sadly, yes.

Laughing!

Admittedly I haven’t looked into re-barrelling my rifle to .280 enough to know what’s involved, more thinking out loud. I did send out a couple emails over the weekend to get more information and rough cost estimate. I have a fair bit invested and would like to keep it.

It’s a Rem 700 7mm rem mag, late 90s manufacturing the barrel is the only original factory piece that I haven’t changed out on this rifle. Long range isn’t my goal, 4-500 yards is top end of my comfort zone. I had this rifle built to be a solid, accurate and tough hunting rifle, it shoots great but because of my sholder and back I just can’t handle like the recoil anymore.

I’m not a fan of muzzle breaks but it’s an option I haven’t looked into much.
I’ve only used a handful of riffles with a break and they have all been unreasonably loud both at the range or in the field is this the norm for all muzzle breaks?

I reload so ammunition availability isn’t an issue.


Thanks for the comments so far.

-since you reload, why not shoot a light bullet like the 120gr ttsx? Or back off whatever load to 280 levels?

-if you do decide the 280 is the way you want to go, why not buy a 280, and put your aftermarket goodies on the 280 and the factory 280 parts on the 7mmrm?

You can’t rebarrel a 7mm Rem mag to 280 Rem without, at the very least, replacing the bolt. Feed rails and mag box issues may be a factor as well.

I have tried many brands of bullets and powder it likes 150 and 160 Nosler and 150 tsx but at the upper end of the chart. I've tried light loads but I'm not getting the accuracy I get with the heavier, faster loads.

Never thought of switching out the parts, good idea!

Thanks!

Yah this what I'm getting back from my inquiries.
I'll probably go and find new/new to me riffle.

Thanks!