Browning A-bolt .280

[supaarcher]

Does anybody here have a .280 browning A-bolt?

My dad got one 4 years ago in exchange for some work, and it has become my gun. It was basically brand new when we got it, and I slapped a bushnell 3X9 on there, and I love it! It has been my lucky gun and has gotten me a buck each year that I have had it. It really looks nice too, but the stock seems really soft, it doesn't take much to scratch it, an that kind of sucks, but you can't leave it in the gun-cabinet, so you gotta live with the scratches.

I have not seen another .280, are they pretty rare? I know the .270 are pretty popular. I sure can't find many shells for it, I would like to experiment with diferent shells, but I don't really have that option.

I compared a .280 shell to a 30-06 shell, and they were almost identical. Does anybody know much about this gun? Good? Bad? No concerns?

[Superpig]

I have been using a 280 for several years. This is my favorite caliber. It is excellent for deer, pronghorn, black bear, mule deer, elk, & moose. This is of course when you select the proper bullet and can place the shot squarely in the kill zone. I owned an A Bolt 270 for a number of years and it is one of the most accurate rifles that I've owned. When looking for ammo you will have better luck looking on the internet. Cabelas & Natchez Shooter Supply have good supplies of 280 ammo. Remington and Federal have released new loads for 2005. My best luck with factory ammo accuracy wise is the Winchester ballistic Silver Tip in 140 gr. This load will shoot under an inch out of my gun. However, I handload so I just picked up some of these in a pinch. The 140 gr. loads are best for deer, feral pigs, & pronghorn. When approaching a black bear I would use 150 or 160's. If you try to tackle elk or moose use a 160 or heavier. I don't think that there is a factory 175 gr. load available. If you know someone who handloads the 175 gr. are great on large game.

[popeye]

I've had an A-bolt in 280 for about four years. It's so good that I rarely use my other rifles anymore

[Virginia7]

The 280 Rem. is a great cartridge. Basically, it's a necked down 30-06. That's why it looks so much like the 30-06. For the most part, it's just a 30-06 necked down to take 7mm bullets (30-06 bullet diameter = .308", 7mm/280 = .284").

In addition to those already noted, here's some links for obtaining 280 ammo:

Cheaper Than Dirt: http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/default.asp

Midway: http://www.midwayusa.com/

Conley Precision Cartridge: http://www.cpcartridge.com/index.htm