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  #1  
Old 12-20-2008, 06:01 PM
Kevin R. Kevin R. is offline
 
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Default 280 Rem or 308 Win??

I may have the chance to buy either a 280 or 308. I am looking for and I do need a gun for deer sized game. I have a 338WM now that I use for moose and have done elk\mule deer combo hunts with. I also have a 223 for varmints so I need something to fill my needs in between. I'm in Ontario so it's mostly whitetails so it's a toss up between short and long range, but I do plan on doing a muley hunt and a caribou hunt someday which will then be long range.
I am a big believer in quality bullets and good shot placement and I do like the fact that the 280 is flatter shooting and the ballistic coefficiency is better on a 7mm bullet(280) than the 30cal(308). But the 308 being an inheritably accurate caliber, I don't load so there's more of a choice in good factory ammo I think for the 308.

What do ya think?? Thanks.

Kevin.
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Old 12-20-2008, 06:22 PM
Pathfinder76 Pathfinder76 is offline
 
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Because you don't handload I'd look no farther than the .308 Win
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Old 12-20-2008, 06:31 PM
spurly spurly is offline
 
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Default choice

You realy can't go wrong with either , ammo will be more readily available for the 308. Both are very capable cartridges, my prefference is the .280 ,but I load.
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Old 12-20-2008, 07:06 PM
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Dick284 Dick284 is online now
 
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Not a handloader, I'd go 308win.(within your original question)

But if the niche really needs filling why not a 270Win, or better yet a 25'06.
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Old 12-20-2008, 09:20 PM
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harv3589 harv3589 is offline
 
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2nd the 25-06!
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Old 12-20-2008, 09:39 PM
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CoyoteChallenger CoyoteChallenger is offline
 
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25-06 Rem, 270 Win or 270 WSM
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Old 12-20-2008, 09:45 PM
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catnthehat catnthehat is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin R. View Post
I may have the chance to buy either a 280 or 308. I am looking for and I do need a gun for deer sized game. I have a 338WM now that I use for moose and have done elk\mule deer combo hunts with. I also have a 223 for varmints so I need something to fill my needs in between. I'm in Ontario so it's mostly whitetails so it's a toss up between short and long range, but I do plan on doing a muley hunt and a caribou hunt someday which will then be long range.
I am a big believer in quality bullets and good shot placement and I do like the fact that the 280 is flatter shooting and the ballistic coefficiency is better on a 7mm bullet(280) than the 30cal(308). But the 308 being an inheritably accurate caliber, I don't load so there's more of a choice in good factory ammo I think for the 308.

What do ya think?? Thanks.

Kevin.
Don't handload?
308.
Gonna get into handloading? 280 Remington
Personally I love the 308, but my REAL favorites are the 6.5 calibers!
Cat
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Last edited by catnthehat; 12-21-2008 at 06:36 AM.
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  #8  
Old 12-20-2008, 11:31 PM
duffy4 duffy4 is offline
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What kind of rifle are you interested in?
What kind of deer hunting will you mainly be doing?
If you are mostly hunting in thick cover at short range, you may not want a long barreled bolt action.

If you like a lever action you will find a number of options in .308.

A semi auto or pump can be had in eather cartridge.
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  #9  
Old 12-21-2008, 12:55 PM
duffy4 duffy4 is offline
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A cold, windy, wintery day here in the Rocky area. (Dec. 21st, the first day of winter, ya right!)
I have to go out and cut our Christmas tree in awhile but I was just sitting by the fireplace with a coffee and a good book. NOSLER Reloading Manual addition number 3.

In the section on .308, Edward Matunas, the editor of "GUNS magazine" says:
"If I could have but two rifles they would be a .308 Winchester and a .338 Winchester Magnum. That's as much praise as I can give to any cartridge."

On the .280 section Jim Carmichel says: "I have lost count of the game I've taken with the .280 Remington, but no animal that has been fairly hit ever got away."

So ther you have it, two experts think that each cartridge is a great one.
Which will not help you make up your mind at all!
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  #10  
Old 12-21-2008, 01:38 PM
raised by wolves raised by wolves is offline
 
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Let's throw another calibre on the table.

7MM-08

A bit faster and flatter trajectory than the 308. The 140 gr shelf loads are perfect for deer or even a larger animal. Very low recoil. Fits into a compact, short action rifle and works well from a short barrel for use in the Ontario woods. If you eventually take up reloading there are numerous bullet selections for the 7MM.
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  #11  
Old 12-23-2008, 06:10 AM
JRD416 JRD416 is offline
 
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Personally I use a 280 but I handload. For Ontario deer hunting any cartridge from 243 to 45-70 can be appropriate. Far more important is to pick the rifle you are comfortable with and can shoot well. Just about any caliber will kill a deer as long as you get that first bullet in the right spot.
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  #12  
Old 12-24-2008, 12:18 AM
jrHunter jrHunter is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by raised by wolves View Post
Let's throw another calibre on the table.

7MM-08

A bit faster and flatter trajectory than the 308. The 140 gr shelf loads are perfect for deer or even a larger animal. Very low recoil. Fits into a compact, short action rifle and works well from a short barrel for use in the Ontario woods. If you eventually take up reloading there are numerous bullet selections for the 7MM.
a 7mm-08 would be the ideal choise if you would take up reloading. but if you don't take up reloading you should get a .308win. If you get a .308win you should get 150 grain soft point Cor Lokt bullets.
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