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  #1  
Old 06-11-2008, 09:49 PM
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RUM RUM is offline
 
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Default 280 or 7mm-08

Well getting the itch for something new to chase whitetails around with, and would like it to be a member of the 7mm family. Sold my 7WSM's and kinda regreting it, guess that's why I feel I'm missing a .284 in the safe now. Seems to be alot of 7mm-08 fans around here, hows about 280 fans... thoughts, pros, cons on these 2 calibers? Ammo availability isn't a huge concern for me, so not an issue there. Thinking that with the 280 you could use a wider selection of bullets than in the /08 based on the longer case??? Appreciate the feedback
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  #2  
Old 06-11-2008, 10:01 PM
spurly spurly is offline
 
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Default 280

I have not owned a 7-08 but I think the 280 is a little quiker, the kills that I have had with it, and 140 partitions were like lightning. Also if you want to shoot a 160 it wont impede on powder capacity quite as much as the 08. but the 08 being a short action will be a slicker handling gun.J ust comes down to personal choice. Iam sure you will do great with either one.Just my opinion I am sure there will be lots of others.
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  #3  
Old 06-11-2008, 10:04 PM
whitetailhntr whitetailhntr is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spurly View Post
I have not owned a 7-08 but I think the 280 is a little quiker, the kills that I have had with it, and 140 partitions were like lightning. Also if you want to shoot a 160 it wont impede on powder capacity quite as much as the 08. but the 08 being a short action will be a slicker handling gun.J ust comes down to personal choice. Iam sure you will do great with either one.Just my opinion I am sure there will be lots of others.
x2 on the 140 partitions!
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  #4  
Old 06-11-2008, 10:13 PM
Kelly & Beth Kelly & Beth is offline
 
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got our vote for the 280rem
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Old 06-11-2008, 10:20 PM
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The 280 was my go to deer whacker until the missus stole it from me after poking a hole in her first deer. I had taken a half dozen deer and a nice antelope up until that point. It is a great round that gives nice performance and power without hurting the operator.
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  #6  
Old 06-11-2008, 10:48 PM
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Thumbs up

280 it is
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  #7  
Old 06-11-2008, 10:02 PM
whitetailhntr whitetailhntr is offline
 
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i have a .280 and if you handload it's a hell of a cartridge.there also more and more factory loads available for them now.The 7-08 is a great cartridge as well but i don't have one so i can't comment.I'm sure you will get plenty of opinions on here. the .280 is as fast and flat as a .270 and hits a little harder.i have taken deer, elk ,moose and bears with mine and with good bullets and good shot placement it will do the job everytime.that being said i don't think there is a right or wrong between the two.Like what you shoot and shoot what you like.
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  #8  
Old 06-12-2008, 05:17 PM
wapiti11 wapiti11 is offline
 
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This debate is similar to 30-06 vs 308. Boils down to long action vs short action plus or minus a few fps. I would vote for the short action 7mm-08. Great whitetail caliber.
wapiti11
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  #9  
Old 06-12-2008, 05:19 PM
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Prdtrgttr Prdtrgttr is offline
 
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Short action, great ballistics, low recoil.
Get the 7-08!
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  #10  
Old 06-13-2008, 01:05 AM
Jester Jester is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wapiti11 View Post
This debate is similar to 30-06 vs 308. Boils down to long action vs short action plus or minus a few fps. I would vote for the short action 7mm-08. Great whitetail caliber.
wapiti11
.30-06 DAGNABIT...lol..j/k

Anyhoo...I have no experience with a .280 but years ago I bought a remington 700 in 7mm-08 for the old lady.Heh...she was pretty darn good with it at the range as it is a sweet shooting round....However..

No round can overcome buckfever..Her words..

Quote:
I just can't do it...I can't shoot that deer
My words..

Quote:
That's ok honey...I'll just do it with my .30-06
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  #11  
Old 06-13-2008, 05:39 AM
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catnthehat catnthehat is offline
 
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Bothg are great calibers, both work great- same as the '06 and 308.
If you want to lighten things up, go 7/08.
As Sullijr stated, the 7/08 was designed to knock over the rams at 500 meters , which takes a fair bit of residual energy.

Most people that have a shyness towards recoil find that a 120 to 140 grain bullet works well, but is light enough for them to handle.

I've owned both and cannot take one over the other , unless you are talking about a heavier style of rifle to push 160 grain bullets , then it is 280 all the way.
My brother has a 7X57 Ruger ( very close to 7/08) that he loves for farmland white tails, but when is he bashing around the bush after swamp donkeys, it is "Spare Parts", his favorite rifle in 280 with either 160's or 162's that goes with him without fail.

I put that gun together for him from just that - spare parts, and cannot get it back!
Cat
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  #12  
Old 06-13-2008, 07:33 AM
matathonman matathonman is offline
 
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Don't know about the 280, never used one, but my wife shoots a Rem. 7-08.I reload with 140 gr bullet with Re-15.Gun shoots extremely accurate and has very little recoil!My 15 year old daughter shoots deer with this gun also.I think highly of the 7-08 and wouldn't think twice of using it for a good deer gun.If you buy the Rem. you'll have to replace the trigger though, unless you like shooting 4lbs.
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  #13  
Old 06-13-2008, 10:54 AM
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Good Ol' Boy Good Ol' Boy is offline
 
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Default Just to Clarify

From Sullijr
Quote:
Not long distance!!!There are a lot of silhouette shooters knocking over the rams at 500 meters.How long distance do you want to shoot?
Sullijr,

I realize the potential of the 7mm-08, my comment was concerning the rifle not the cartridge. the rifle i own wears an intermediate eye relief scope (10in) with only 2.5x magnification. (Leupold Scout) Also the Ruger compact has a 16.5 in barrel, a little short to get the most of the cartridge, and lets be honest, it is a ruger. I like Rugers but they haven't been known for outstanding accuracy.
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