My First Long Action, 280 Remington?

[SporterII]

I have a stainless 700 long action. A complete 30-06 sporter in superb condition. This will be my first long action and I am not 100% sure what to best do with it.
I would like my first medium/ heavy , repeater target rifle built with it.
I have 223 covered in light, heavy variants. I have a 7-08 [ still working with], 'medium Tactical' and want a 1200yd. 7mm that will not need to be pushed to tears.
It must magazine feed . I have a NSX for it, am twitching to spend for a T-4, want to keep it to 26" barrel length, or less.
I do not see much of anything here about the 280. Search comes up with nothing. Yet, when I look at my manuals, 280 sounds like a good candidate.
Lots of 30-06 stuff but I do not think I need to go there.

 

[Bear24]

My shooting buddy uses a 284 win. On a 700 action (28" barrel i believe) and shoots out to 1200-1500y regularly pushing 180g VLD's. It is a great cartridge and has less recoil than my 308.

 

[RADcustom]

You might also consider a 280 Ackley. It will do everything you are requiring and Nosler makes brass so there is no fire forming.

 

[SporterII]

Any feeding concerns with the 280 AI?
i do not want ANY feeding problems with mag feed system. I have 'heard' of short action AI feeding issues. I also have a beloved 223 that is a bit finikey with long rounds feeding.

 

[RADcustom]

pwc001 had one that fed from a Wyatt's detachable mag system without issue. I'm sure the AICS mags would have done just as well. It is an impressive combination.

 

[JB02]

I would go w/ 284 Win if I was looking for a non-magnum heavy hitter. You can load it in 300 WM AICS magazines and it is very aptly built for a long action. It has the same bolt face as a 30-06 (0.473"). It is dual purpose hunting and target. Only downside is that you can pretty much forget about buying factory ammo for it.

280/280AI would be my second choice.

 

[SporterII]

I am currently trying to understand the difference between the 280 and the Improved. In terms of difference, 162 and 175 gr. bullets on target. No hunting.
The Imp. will run faster, mabie just not need to run as close to full blast as the 280 may need be? I do not know.
It will likely be one or the other.

 

[swampbuck]

I'm going 280 with PTG steel BDL floor plate. Loading the long vld I went with the BDL. The 280 is just a great classic that has greatly benefitted from recent powder and fillets. Make sure to go with a 8.5 twist for the long bullets. Imp is fine if you want. There are 2 different imp versions. I would get the one for nosler brass if going that route.

 

[MdrnBR]

I considered a 284 but went with a 280ai. If you are looking for a 284, Mark Gordon has put out some nice ones. This thread can get you started in the right direction.

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/snipers-hide-bolt-action-rifles/151550-280-rem-vs-284-win.html

 

[George Az]

After a lot of research, I am turning my 06 into a 6.5mm x 06. With 130's and 140's I won't give up much to a 7 Rem Mag. Downside, you are building all your own rounds as there is no one I know of doing factory. One can build rounds out of .270 or 30-06 brass. Plus side, with the development for the 6.5 Creedmore or .260 bullet wise, the 6.5 x 06 does a wee bit better.

 

[Edds]

You should consider a 6.5mm-280AI.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

I would go with the .280 Rem, not improved. IMHO, the .280 doesn't need improving. I personally believe the .280 Rem provides the best degree of efficiency and bore life for the '06 case capacity, and strongly suggest a 28" or longer barrel to allow good velocity with the least powder expenditure. That's my personal formula for a longer bore life.

Bullet weights of 150-168gr should work out there (the 150 may or may not make 1Kyd supersonic, but the heavier ones can be driven effectively and without overloading out to where you want to go. I have a light and a heavy .280, both older Ruger 77 MKI's, and they perform very well with Hornady Superformance 139gr SST's for hunting. I've been doing load development on the back burner with Nosler 120, 140, and 150gr Ballistic Tips, and accuracy has been easy to find with H-4350 and H-4831SC. All I lack is a good range beyond 250yd. The 168's and 175's are the next logical step. Beyond those weights will probably require a rebarrelling with a faster twist, but I really doubt heavier bullets would be needed to reach the distances you require. By driving lighter bullets with good BC's at decent velocities, the .280 does its work at a more acceptable level of recoil.

The 6.5 should also work, but I think it's a tossup and like the potential for energy the 7mm may provide. When going long, I prefer the higher mass option, and the .280 brass is adequate for employment right out of the bag.

Greg

 

[SporterII]

Whole lot of solid sentance.
Being able to buy brass, ready, 7mm bullets already in my dresser drawer and proven for my needs make this a good idea.
I cannot help but notice the velocity the improved offers over the published 280 numbers. I must admit it is of interest. It seems to be a way of keeping greedy [me] from having to push. It also narrows down brass benifit. I must admit I am not fan of Winchester brass after my 7-08 affair. A round I will not abandon, I have learned a lot with it. Having said that, brass issue and buying Nosler brass, that is a potential for problems as well.
The above statement is still full of good advice.