Looking to buy a new rifle in one of these calibers, what are the pros and cons of each????
__________________
And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Thomas Jefferson
2009 Diamond Nitrous
Muzzy Broadheads
Summit Hot Dot Plus
Knight Extreme
CVA Accura
T/C Triumph
CVA Optima
All burning BH209
Mainly Whitetails or Mule deer, might make it to Alaska for Caribou. I have a 300 win mag for elk.
__________________
And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Thomas Jefferson
2009 Diamond Nitrous
Muzzy Broadheads
Summit Hot Dot Plus
Knight Extreme
CVA Accura
T/C Triumph
CVA Optima
All burning BH209
280rem is almost a 7mmremmag, and I know several folks that find accurate reloads that exceeds some accurate rem mag loads. 7mm-08 is one of the most ideal whitetail calibers, but only expect 2700fps for a 140gr bullet. 280 recoils a little more. Thats about it.
Here is what I do in your situation. Take a coin and flip it in the air, heads 7mm-8, tails 280, cause none of the animals will care you shoot.
As the other posters have responded, there is not much difference, especialy with lighter (120-150gr)bullets. I personally would favor the 7mm-08 if I were you, as you already own a .300 mag.
Will
Location: S.W. Pa.-- Heart in North Central Pa. mountains-
Posts: 2,508
RE: 7mm-08 or 280 Rem
I bought my first .280 Rem. around 1963 and hunted with it for years. I then moved "up" to a 7mm Mag and also hunted with it for many years. I've now moved to the 7mm-08, and find it much more pleasant to carry and shoot. Most game taken with any of these were whitetail and groundhogs. I have loaded for them all,and settle on what the individual rifle likes to shoot the best with respectable velocity.
As others have said here already, flip a coin, or choose between the long action or short. Either one will kill deer-sized game quickly and cleanly. I'm sure you will enjoy whichever you choose............
As BC said, the main difference is the length of the action. However the 280 is a bit more versitile and will handle the heavies 284 bullets a little better. Either is great for game up to and including elk out to 300 yards. The 280 will give you another 50 yards or so. I have owned several of each.
I would go with the 7mm-08 because with the 280 you will kill any deer out there but you are limited to what you can drop with it. The 7mm-08 on the other hand is a .308 cal cut down to a 7mm bullet, so you will get the power of a 308 pushing on as lighter 7mm bullet wich means more fps equals more ke equals further shots equals better knock down. They both are good guns so its totally up to you but I say 7mm-08
7mm-08 or 280 Rem
